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Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov's "Land of Opportunity"

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I don't like Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov.

I don't like him because, even if he did have some kind of grievance, the way he took it out was totally unjustifiable.

I'm not too fond of religions, that are constantly being used to turn people against each other, and indoctrinate people to blindly obey leaders claiming to speak for God either.

Are you angry because I even considered the possibility that he might have a justifiable grievance that should have been addressed? Or that I said something that might question religion?

Maybe not, but, I get the impression that some people that get all their news from the mainstream media might not even consider why he might have done it, any more than they would consider why many of the other high profile shootings or crashes might have happened.

The media routinely goes into the same routine after every mass shooting; and it never involves a sincere effort to figure out what causes violence in general or even the specific shooting that happened, especially if it challenges the ideologies or profits of the fraction of one percent of people that control the six oligarchies we refer to as mass media.

Most of the pundits that dominate the mass media go into the same routine after every terrorist attack looking for some people to portray as heroes, glorifying them for doing something dramatic at the last minute, creating a new ad to promote the coverage of the latest terrorist attack and talking about how our country is so great and terrorists are so evil acting as a result of some deranged fanatical religion that can't be understood or prevented.

On the morning after the attack Chris Cuomo went on one of these typical speeches, which I don't remember entirely, but he said that New Yorkers were "resilient" and "brave" and wouldn't let it interfere with their normal lives, and went on with there Halloween parade as usual.

Yea, if people go on and do what they were going to do anyway and go along with the program, like everyone else, that is all it takes to make them "resilient" or "brave."



In a country of over three hundred million people it doesn't take much math or logic to realize that even the worst terrorist attack, including 9/11, only accounts to a fraction of the deaths in any given year, which must be over four million, assuming the average life expectancy isn't much more than seventy five or eighty years. Even if you compare it to other "Terrorism attacks in the United States" according to Wikipedia most of the Deadliest attacks were decades if not centuries ago, although, two of the biggest ones were in the past thirty years. The ones since 2010 are mostly in single digits but the biggest one is the Orlando shooting which is relatively recent. For one reason or another they don't even count the Mandalay Bay as a terrorist attack, even though it had a higher death toll than Orlando.

And there was another shooting at Walmart in Colorado, that killed three people for no apparent reason, yet it hardly got any attention in the mass media, even though there are shootings there every month breaking records every year with over a hundred in the first ten months of this year and a hundred for the entire year in 2016. this has been rising steadily every yer, yet the media hardly pays attention to it.

Regardless of why this attack happened the police are using it as an excuse to put up more concrete barriers and to search more people for security reasons; and the media is making this seem as if it is the new normal and there is no way to avoid it.

More importantly they don't do a good job discussing why it is happening and how to prevent it in the future. Even though the ones that are labeled a result of Islamic terrorism are relatively small compared to other murders, they receive much more attention. One thing that is very simple to understand which the mass media practically never mentions is that the wars we fight which are almost always based on lies are cl;early inciting many of these attacks, yet instead of admitting this and sopping them the political establishment is coming up with increasingly antagonistic rhetoric, that is clearly far more likely to incite more terrorism than to prevent it.



Donald Trump's claim that our court system is a "laughing stock" might actually be closer to the truth than most pundits admit, but for all the wrong reasons; and what he wants to change would obviously make it much worse. When they set up a prison at Guantanamo Bay it obviously violated the Constitution, or at least the intent of the Constitution even if they came up with an absurd interpretation to allow it in practice. The claim that we fight for freedom around the world is what makes supporting the war on terrorism worthwhile, or at least seem worthwhile.

However if we really were fighting for freedom we wouldn't be holding people without trial or lawyers or even any evidence declared publicly, for years if not decades based on the so-called "War on Terrorism," nor would we be fighting other wars like against Iraq which was of course based on lies about weapons of mass destruction that didn't exist or torturing people in these wars based on lies.

And we now have a president, or perhaps I should say person masquerading as president, who says that he wants to bring back torture, "bomb the shit out of" the so-called terrorists, with or without evidence, invade countries and take their oil, without due process, and even use first strike nuclear weapons. I'm skeptical of Tom Steyer, but with a fanatical president like this it should be clear that we should be trying to get him out of office as fast as possible! However we also need to change the electoral and media system that enabled him to take power in the first place in this insane charade!

A trial shouldn't be the most effective way to point out all the lies used to fight one war after another and incite vengeance from fanatics like Saipov, but if we allow him to eliminate that in this insane panic to fight terrorism then it will be one less way to get the truth out to the American public and prevent all the wars based on lies.



Trump's call for the death penalty before they even begin to do much of the investigation is also blatantly against the basic fundamentals of justice, although in this case there seems to be little doubt of his guilt, assuming some of those far-fetched conspiracy theories aren't partly true. With all this panic, propaganda and appeals to emotion neither the mainstream media, Donald Trump or anyone else in the political establishment is willing to do any debating of issues that might raise major doubts about the state of perpetual war that is being maintained for decades; and if he's allowed to rush to judgement about the death penalty it will be even worse.

Regardless of how they wound up in this position, whether it's Donald Trump's demand for the death penalty before the investigation exposes the motive or any potential mitigating circumstances or allowing the defense to make a case, or his other rhetoric, about many things it enables the media to look like the more rational of the two, as long as no one else gets a chance to speak and expose both of them. However, it is important to remember that the media enabled him to get elected in the first place by providing an enormous amount of obsession coverage for the two most corrupt nominees in history!

If we had a rational diverse media neither of these two clowns could have gotten the nomination in the first place and we wouldn't be constantly replacing one war monger with another one, inciting terrorism leading to this attack and many others.

Furthermore, what the media rarely ever mentions, is that the death penalty clearly isn't even a deterrent that is likely to prevent violence at all especially when you consider this person was obviously on a suicide mission! It's not just this attack that wasn't likely to be deterred by the threat of the death penalty; according to Death Penalty Information Center: Murder Rates Nationally and By State the states with the death penalty have far more murders than those without! Eight out of the ten states with the lowest murder rates don't have the death penalty but only two of the states with the highest murder rates don't have the death penalty.

Not that the death penalty is likely to cause higher murder rates; however it clearly isn't deterring it; so if we want to figure out how to prevent these disasters this won't do it! As I have pointed out in previous articles the correlation between high murder rates and use of corporal punishment in schools is even stronger; and that almost certainly is a major contributing cause to higher murder rates. Seven out of the states with the top ten murder rates still allow corporal punishment in schools and none of the ten with the lowest murder rates do.

There's an enormous amount of research, some of which I have gone into in previous articles including Panic About School Shootings Won’t Help! P.S. They’re Going Down, to indicate that early child abuse is a major contributing cause to violence later in life; and preventing it and providing better early childhood education will dramatically reduce violence in the long run; and areas that are doing this at the local level are setting a good example and providing evidence to prove it!

However the media refuses to report on this research and the politicians refuse to act on it, unless people at the local level force them to, then only the local politicians act on it!



Another major contributing causes to violence is abandoned inner cities yet the media refuses to report on the best research to show that as well!

We have an enormous amount of propaganda about how this is the "land of opportunity" from the same people that tell us that they're sending our military to "fight for our freedom," when they send them to fight wars based on lies, including the weapons of mass destruction; however the people that live in these abandoned inner cities know this isn't true at all!

Whether it's people living in abandoned inner cities or fanatics, both foreign and domestic, they may not have the opportunity that the propaganda tells them is available but there's plenty of opportunity to strike out in anger.

If the public rallies behind someone who caters to that anger and demands the death penalty without consulting the best research that could reduce violence then it will only escalate the decline that may be beginning. Contrary to what most people are led to believe we actually have among the lowest rates of violence in history, with the lowest murder rates in 2013 and 2014 at only 4.5 per hundred thousand; however the long steady decline since 1991 may be reversing with two consecutive increases since then to 5.3 in 2016.

If we act on the best research instead of appeals to emotion for vengeance then the reduction in violence can resume but if the corruption in the government and the business sector continues unchecked it will inevitably cause more violence and a decline in our society!

One small segment of society has all the opportunity and they're never subject to threats of the death penalty even when they fight one war after another based on lies, profit off of epidemic levels of pollution, manufacture defective products, and other activities killing thousands if not millions of people! they also deprive people of opportunities and when one of them strikes out at other people that aren't responsible for the atrocities committed by our political leaders they think they can get our support by loudly calling for the death penalty for crimes much smaller than their own.

If too many people rely on traditional media they might be right; but that may be changing!







"Listen Liberal" Let's Finish This!

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Thomas Frank's book "Listen Liberal" is among the best exposes of what is wrong with the Democratic Party, explaining how they abandoned the working class.

His book is one of the few books that the mainstream media covers at all, that comes close to exposing much if any of the scams that the political establishment is involved in; however even he doesn't expose all of it, although he hinted at it; and, if you paid attention he even indicated that he would cave and support the duopoly without challenging one of the biggest problems that enables the oligarchy to control candidates from both Parties. He stated, in his book, and in a few articles promoting his book, that he was so concerned about the fanatical front runners in the GOP primary including Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, who seemed to be the two most likely nominees at the time his book went to press that he would probably vote for Hillary Clinton even though he had concerns about her.

In at least one interview before the election, he states that he was going to vote for Bernie Sanders in the primary, but would probably probably vote for Hillary Clinton in the general election, indicating that he was taking it as a forgone conclusion that she would be the nominee, yet he says little or nothing about the rigging of the election, which was obvious to well informed Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein voters at the time, even before the Wikileaks disclosures or more recent admissions by Donna Brazile, that the primaries were essentially rigged. Elizabeth Warren agreed that they were rigged but she also kept quiet during the primaries.

His book doesn't even mention Bernie Sanders or Jill Stein nor does he even discuss how to deal with the problem of the duopoly and how the media presents these two parties as the only viable options, which is because they're the only ones that can get name recognition thanks to the consolidated control of the mainstream media.

However, as I said he is among the best pundits that the mainstream media provides some degree of coverage for; and, perhaps, he does provide some hint of why he comes up short on this. A close look at some of the best researchers, in the mainstream media, and alternative media, as well as good published researchers that can be found in libraries or through little known publishing companies that only get attention in alternative media outlets, indicates that there is an inverse correlation between the best grassroots authors and the amount of coverage they get in the mainstream media.

The pundits that get enormous amounts of obsession coverage from the mainstream media are the worst and the best get the least amount of coverage. In some cases the authors getting an enormous amount of coverage from the mainstream media often even report an enormous amount of lies, not just propaganda, however they're often the easiest to recognize as unreliable. It is far more common for some of the authors to be more subtle and simply omit some of the best research so they're less likely to get caught in a lot of outright lies. Sometimes they do report some of the worst admissions, but only briefly and they're often buries where few people notice.

Thomas Frank isn't one of these; however he has gotten a significant amount of coverage, far more than some of the best researchers. A few of the researchers that have gotten a little coverage, from the mainstream media include, Jeremy Scahill, Glen Greenwald, John Nichols, Naomi Klein and even Richard Wolff (the economist, not Richard Wolffe who gets much more coverage and is typical of pundits).

Richard Wolff and Naomi Klein are among the few that provide better research than Thomas Frank, but they've only gotten a minimal amount of coverage from mainstream media, that I've seen and they didn't have time to explain their best work, or even come close. Jeremy Scahill, Glen Greenwald and John Nichols have all gotten more coverage than Thomas Frank at least for brief amounts of time, but when they do get on the mainstream media they don't get to explain their best work. At times I have been a little skeptical of some of Jeremy Scahill and Glen Greenwald's work although most of it has been very good. John Nichols best work has been what he does coauthoring with Robert McChesney, who is actually better when he does work on his own like "The Problem With the Media" and "Rich Media Poor Democracy," and he can't get any coverage from the mainstream media.

This is an indication that the biggest problem might be with the media, not Thomas Frank, and that if he did a better job that he might not even be able to get as much coverage as he does. However he does provide some good work, in his book, as far as it goes, and some of it might partially indicate why this problem exists, including the following excerpt that describes the basic premise of his book:

The Pathologies of Professionalism

Having people of talent run the vast federal apparatus is clearly a desirable thing. The EPA and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission ought to be under the direction of people who know what they’re doing, as surely as qualified engineers should design our bridges and historians should be the ones who teach history.

But what are we to make of our modern-day technocracy, a meritocracy of failure in which ineffectual people rise to the top and entire professions (accountants, real-estate agents appraisers, etc.) are roiled by corruption scandals?

The answer is that the professional ideology brings with it certain predictable, recurring weakness. The first of these pitfalls of professionalism is that the people with the highest status aren’t necessarily creative or original thinkers. Although the professions are thought to represent the pinnacle of human brilliance, what they are actually brilliant at is defending and applying a given philosophy. In DISCIPLINED MINDS, an important description of the work-life of professionals, the physicist Jeff Schmidt tells us that “ideological discipline is the master key to the professionals.” Despite the favorite Sixties slogan, professionals do not question authority; their job is to apply it. This is the very nature of their work and the object of their training, according to Schmidt; who “implement their employers’ attitudes” and carefully internalize the reigning doctrine of their discipline, whatever this happens to be.

In addition the professions are structured to shield insiders from accountability. This is what defines the category: professionals do not have to listen. They are the only occupational group, as the sociologist Eliot Freidson put it many years ago, with “the recognized right to declare … ‘outside’ evaluation illegitimate and intolerable.”

Exhibit A of these interlocking pathologies is economics, a discipline that often acts like an ideological cartel set up to silence the heterodox. James K. Galbraith has written a classic description of how it works:

Leading active members of today’s economics profession, the generation presently in their 40s and 50s, have joined together into a kind of politburo for correct economic thinking. As a general rule–as one might expect from a gentleman’s club–this has placed them on the wrong side of every important policy issue, and not just recently but for decades. They predict disaster where none occurs. They deny the possibility of events that then happen. ...... No one loses face, in this club, for having been wrong. No one is disinvited from presenting papers at later annual meetings. And still less is anyone from the outside invited in. (Original source: How the Economists Got It Wrong James K. Galbraith 12/19/2001)

Professional economists screw up again and again, and no one cares. The only real accountability they face is from their endlessly forgiving peers in economics departments across the country. Granted, economics is an extreme case, but its thoroughgoing application of the right to disregard criticism has made it a kind of fascinating anti-profession, a brotherhood of folly rather than of expertise.

The peril of orthodoxy is the second great pitfall of professionalism, and it’s not limited to economics. Every academic discipline with which I have some experience is similar: international relations, political science, cultural studies, even American history. None of them are as outrageous as economics, it is true, but each of them is dominated by some convention or ideology. Those who succeed in a professional discipline are those who best absorb and apply its master narrative. (Thomas Frank "Listen Liberal" 2016 p.36-9)

(Additional excerpts)


This is a variation of a classic quote by George Bernard-Shaw who said, “All professions are conspiracies against the laity,” which might not quite fit the strictest definition of a conspiracy, since a large portion of the academic work behind a variety of professions isn't secret, however, it takes a lot of time to learn and the vast majority of the public doesn't have the time to do this so they rely on the so-called experts presented to them by the mass media, which creates the same result.

One thing that Thomas Frank fails to mention is that one of those so-called professionals that he's criticizing is himself!

The problem isn't just what he calls "The Pathologies of Professionalism," but something bigger, that all the people in these profession are all from the same class of people, or in a few cases they rise up to that class with the help of people in the upper classes. Thomas Frank comes from a family of Ph.ds and the vast majority of politicians, media pundits and powerful people from other major professions either come from well connected families, or get their jobs by mingling with well connected families and learning how to go along with the program.

A major part of this does fit the strictest definition of a conspiracy if a large portion of it is done in secret; however a lot of it can't be kept secret and can be confirmed with good research.



This doesn't mean that Thomas Frank's work has no credibility, however we can't rely solely on him or any other pundit from the educated ruling class to implement the most important reform, and many more people from the working class need to become more involve and learn more about how these various trades work, and how they're rigged by the ruling class, for the benefit of the ruling class.

One simple thing that Thomas Frank fails to mention is that all these economists he criticizes for legitimate reasons, who support what they call "the free market," aren't subject to the "free market" they pretend to advocate for at all.

When was the last time you went into a store and decided to buy services or products from from one economist or another?

It's not just economists that aren't subject to the so-called free market that they pretend to champion it's the majority, if not the entire class of professionals that Thomas Frank writes about, including himself. The fiscal ideology about the free market is a sham and when the largest corporations were allowed to consolidate into a small amount of oligarchies the last shreds of a free market were eliminated!

Whether it's the mass media, the health care system, the manufacturing industry, retail industry or any other industry, they're all controlled by the same fraction of one percent, and the media only covers candidates that collect an enormous amount of money from those oligarchies. Thomas Frank is right that we need nuclear engineers to ensure that power plants are safe, structural engineers to ensure that bridges are safe, people with medical expertise to ensure that health care is as good as it could be, and many other profession; however there are some entire professions that are based on fraud starting with the basics, and even the best pundits like Thomas Frank don't even expose this.

The entire advertising industry is based on fraud, so is public relations, which is advertising by another name; union busting is shrouded in secrecy because it involves dirty tricks that even lead to violence because it's also based on fraud, but the most obvious union busting tactics is outsourcing which the entire working class is opposed to, with the possible exception of those so gullible they believe the propaganda from the pundits; and of course, the entire media industry is now controlled by six oligarchies and they only hire those that support their own ideology.



Even some of the worthwhile professions that we do need are heavily corrupted by influence from the oligarchies, especially professions like historians, which is one of the ones that Thomas Frank cites as necessary to be done by experts; however the historians that the media do cover, like Michael Beschloss, Doris Kearns Goodwin, and the Schlesinger's hide the most important history where most people don't read it and the version that is presented by the pundits that get more air time make it seem like the United States is "fighting for freedom," even though those that look closer at the details know this isn't true.

The fact that many people from prominent trades like the family of Schlesinger's pass the trade down from one generation to the next should also raise some questions; and on top of that some of the most prominent historians like Goodwin are married into members of the political class should also raise some questions. And the historians like Howard Zinn are treated like fringe historians and eased out of the spotlight. History is controlled by the ruling class like many other trades that help control the masses.



Thomas Frank spends an enormous amount of time exposing how both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton cave on one issue after another, but then he says that he "agreed with Obama that she was very qualified. She deserved to be president. I didn’t think she’d be a great president, but I thought she’d be OK—certainly better than Donald Trump." I'm no fan of Donald Trump but it least it should be incredibly easy to see how terrible he is; however for those paying attention to the news it should also be incredibly easy to see how bad Clinton is even if people don't read Thomas Frank's book exposing one flip flop after another where she's obviously selling out to Wall Street which is why she may have been the only one that could lose to a pathetic clown like Trump. I try to avoid name-calling and think it should be kept out of politics when ever possible, but he's more pathetic than any candidates should be and there's no way that he could have gotten the nomination, if not for the obsession coverage by the media; and the same goes for Hillary Clinton.

If more people were willing to speak out sooner about better candidates there's little or no chance that Hillary would have gotten the nomination, which would have ensured that Trump never could have gotten elected, for that matter, if the Republican Party actually tried to provide decent candidates he never could have gotten the nomination either!

If Thomas Frank had spoken out earlier he could have at least tried to give Bernie Sanders a boost, or he could have spoken out about the oligarchy system rigging it for two corrupt parties and spoken out about Jill Stein, or for that matter all the candidates that most of us never heard of because the mainstream media only covers a small fraction of candidates supporting their interests. Instead he said that he thought this should have been establishment candidate Elizabeth Warren's chance if she had run saying, "Look, my own opinion about this is that this is Elizabeth Warren’s year. She’s the one who should be up there running. If she had run, she would be, I think, crushing it in the polls. And I’m really sorry that she didn’t run. As far as I’m concerned, she’s the one who has best articulated all of the things that I’m describing. Bernie Sanders, yeah, he’s great. But she’s a better candidate in my view."

Elizabeth Warren was an establishment candidate from the start, although the mainstream media has been repeating the false claim that she's a progressive. she actually follows a common pattern for fabricating the anti-establishment image which is repeated over and over again and it mazes me that most people can't see through this. She first became well known in approximately 2011, when she started getting an enormous amount of coverage from the mainstream media, which seemed sudden at a time when I was finding out more about other candidates that really were progressive like Jill Stein and a few more that couldn't get any coverage from the mainstream media.

At first it seemed odd, but once I started looking closer it quickly became obvious that she's been supporting the oligarchy all along following the same pattern of behavior that Barack Obama did sky-rocketing to fame thanks to obsession coverage from the media. I wrote about her in a series of articles that started in 2011, when I first became suspicious of the obsession coverage of her, when real grassroots candidates couldn't get any coverage at all and wrote at least nine articles about her since then starting with How sincere is Elizabeth Warren? and most recently Elizabeth Warren Makes Me Scream! Despite the phony progressive reputation the media repeats over and over again she routinely does the same things any other politician does coming up with great rhetoric during the campaign and betraying promises after being elected. Before she was elected she wrote about how Hillary Clinton caved after opposing what she called "that awful" bill supported by the bankers, then supported the same bill after the bankers donated to Hillary's Senate campaign; then after getting elected Elizabeth Warren also caved by speaking about how Hillary opposed the bill as first lady without mentioning her selling out as Senator.

She did it again with Lawrence Summers writing in her second book which omitted, the caving by Hillary, that Summers had a conversation with her during a meeting and as she said, "But insiders also understand one unbreakable rule: They don’t criticize other insiders. I had been warned." The clear implication was that she intended to continue standing up to the establishment, however, later she said, Lawrence Summers "made terrific contributions to the field of economics," and ignored the fact that her candidate, Janet Yellen also Urged Glass-Steagall Repeal And Social Security Cuts, Supported NAFTA.

The latest about Elizabeth Warren indicates that after admitting, the obvious, that the primary system was rigged then, possibly after meeting with establishment members of the Democratic Party Warren walks back claim Democratic primary was rigged. 11/09/2017 This is quite common, when many politicians say things that are obvious, but the establishment is trying to bury or spin it they often start spinning it after meeting behind doors, and possibly discussing how best to convince the public to believe their views, no matter how absurd, in some cases.



This is the same pattern of behavior from one politician or pundit after another; they say one thing during the campaign but then after getting elected they support the oligarchy. It's a little different for the pundits, of course, since they're not directly accountable to the voters on election day but when it came time to support a candidate in the general election Thomas Frank caved like everyone else involved in the political establishment or mainstream media. The pundits that don't cave are only able to get any coverage from alternative media outlets and even some of them are influenced by the oligarchy.

Even Bernie Sander's caved after losing the rigged primary and remained silent about the worst rigging of the primary while campaigning for the incredibly corrupt candidate that rigged it; and followed that up by campaigning for tom Perez after they rigged the election for the chairman of the DNC. this pattern is repeated so often we should be prepared for more so-called progressives, perhaps even Jill Stein, to cave once they get power, assuming she ever does win an election.

If this is going to change then the grassroots needs to do their own research and when a reasonably good pundit like Thomas Frank exposes Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton doing a good job showing the work then we should believe them; but as soon as they cave and start saying we should accept the lesser of two evils we need to drop them like a hot rock until they start standing by their own principles.

Instead of settle for the candidates that the media and political parties are willing to cover we need to start supporting candidates they refuse to cover; and the something goes for alternative media outlets. If Democracy Now of the Daily Kos do good work, at least for a little while then we should be willing to learn from them and support the grassroots candidates they cover; but the moment that an alternative media outlet like the Daily Kos start's trying to rig the coverage for a Wall Street insider and bans authors for their views we need to drop them like a hot potato too.

We're not going to have a democracy until the majority of the public is better educated and they start electing people from their own ranks. When we get more candidates elected from the grassroots then perhaps we can get some media reform so that we have a diverse media or let the public know that the mainstream media can't be trusted for anything and abandon them!



Donald Trump is moving to the White House, and liberals, perhaps including Thomas Frank, put him there 11/09/2016 by Thomas Frank

Tom Frank: On the Road in Trump Country How Trump won, and why Clinton lost. 04/14/2017 You want to know the biggest lesson I learned touring Trumpland? People hated Hillary Clinton. To a degree that even I, with my cynicism, did not understand. I did not hate Hillary Clinton. I voted for her, and I agreed with Obama that she was very qualified. She deserved to be president. I didn’t think she’d be a great president, but I thought she’d be OK—certainly better than Donald Trump.

Author Thomas Frank Talks Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and His New Book, ‘Listen Liberal’ 03/22/2016 The author is from a family of Ph.Ds (his is from the University of Chicago in 20th century history and culture), and he’s a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, a leafy Washington bedroom community where nearly 60 percent of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher — twice the national average.

Look, my own opinion about this is that this is Elizabeth Warren’s year. She’s the one who should be up there running.




Texas Church Shooting Exposes Cover-up of Military Domestic Violence Problems

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The media made a big issue of the fact that the Air force didn't appropriately inform civilian law enforcement agents of his domestic violence conviction which should have made it more difficult if not impossible to buy the guns used in the attack.

No doubt, there is good reason to be outraged by this, but it will also make it more difficult to track how much problems the military has with domestic violence since this data can also be used for research purposes. This is the latest of many high profile shootings by veterans that may have had PTSD, and for every high profile one there are many more lower profile shootings, murders, assaults or other violent incidents by veterans with emotional problems some of which may have been a result of combat stress or pressure from the military environment, including boot camp where they intentionally put them under a lot of stress as part of their training to see how they handle it, and to teach them to obey orders without question.

Numerous statistical studies have been done over the years about violence in the military compared to non-veterans, but they often rely on the information that is entered into one of these databases or another, and this is one of many indications that they're not always reported as accurately as they could be.

They're also often slow to report if an active shooter is a veteran, including the reporting on this shooter, which waited about seven hours after the shooting, or at least four or five hours after they identified the suspect as Devin Patrick Kelley, for the cable news to report that the suspect was an Air Force veteran even though ABC news reported this at 6:30 on the evening news, CNN and MSNBC didn't report it until almost two hours later. This is minor compared to some efforts in the past to downplay military shooters, possibly because they must have realized that this big of a shooting would be exposed anyway.

About a year ago there were two other high profile veteran shootings as I reported previously in Veteran Murders Brings Wars Based on Lies Home! they immediately reported on Esteban Santiago's military status in a high profile airport shooting; however, another airport shooting that didn't get as much coverage where Lloyd Dean Buie killed Michael Winchester the father of an NFL player the national media coverage didn't mention his veteran status for a few days and it fell from the news, as they briefly reported that he was a decorated veteran, before on local media outlets or on the internet.

For every high profile veteran shooting there are many more lower profile ones that hardly ever get any attention, except at the local level. In many cases the victims are often other military veterans or families of veterans; and these are often the people most inclined to recognize and try to solve this problem, although the political and media establishment rarely help them much. The best studies on this are often the lowest profile ones, and if the media does mention them they're often demonized, without fact checking, or with distorted fact checking.

I went into more studies in several previous articles including States with high murder rates have larger veteran populations; which reviewed a Bureau of Justice Statistics study that I found selectively reported some of the facts, and a more recent one from the same bureau is even worse, and raises obvious problems once it's compared with the first one, which I'll get back to below and Teach a soldier to kill and he just might which reviewed several more including a New York Times series that reported on over a hundred veterans that came back from war and were arrested for murder and perhaps the best study that I found was by David Philips author Casualties of War, Part I: The hell of war comes home July 24, 2009 which includes a statistical study that covers a relatively small area and compares murder rates for the same area which is better than what the Bureau of Justice Statistics did; and he also goes into much more detail into the murders and the training that contributed to their violent behavior so that readers can understand how boot camp indoctrinates people to blindly obey orders.

The failure to report that they exposed is far more common than the media indicates which the next two articles indicate; and so is problems with domestic violence as the first article below shows:

FBI data indicate military rarely reports domestic violence 11/07/2017

The U.S. Department of Defense — under scrutiny for failing to report a domestic violence conviction that might have stopped Devin P. Kelley from buying the guns he carried to the Sutherland Springs church shooting — had only one such case listed on a national FBI database published at the end of 2016.

Along with that single misdemeanor, an FBI report of active records on the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, from December 2016 shows the military service branches and the Pentagon had just a handful of “adjudicated mental health” reports, one felony, and 10,958 dishonorable discharges.

The end-of-year report did not list any records at all from the Department of Defense regarding soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines barred from buying guns because of domestic violence restraining orders. ......

Kelley’s attack on his stepson, described as a baby, was part of a rise in the rate of child abuse across the military over the past decade. The Pentagon substantiated 6,998 claims of child abuse in fiscal year 2016, a rate of 7.2 per 1,000 children. That compared to 5,434 claims in 2007, a rate of 4.9. Substantiated claims hit a peak of 7,676 in 2014.

The rate of spousal abuse in the military also has increased since 2007, when 7,257 claims were substantiated, a rate of 10.2 per 1,000 couples. Last year, there were 7,651 substantiated claims, a rate of 11.8. During the past decade, substantiated claims of spousal abuse reached a high of 8,386 in 2011. Complete article


High rates of domestic violence have been reported repeatedly in numerous studies, some of which I have listed in past articles, although the media almost never reports the most reliable studies where a large percentage of the public can see them. And as the following article indicates at least 12.7% of discharges are “uncharacterized or unknown due to data entry error," assuming the ones that are entered are recorded accurately, which is higher than the 9% of discharges that are under questionable terms for one reason or another:

Minor infractions in uniform can keep vets on the street and away from VA 09/15/2015

Hundreds of thousands of service members leave the military each year — some with a black mark on their records that'll prevent them from getting the benefits veterans usually receive.

According to data obtained by KPCC, about 207,000 military members were discharged in the last fiscal year, nearly 9 percent of them under conditions that didn't meet the standard for "honorable discharge."

STATUS APPEALS RISING IN LA

For those with "bad paper," as it's called, life can be difficult. Discharge status determine's a veteran's access to benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found veterans who aren't honorably discharged are seven times more likely to be homeless.

Typical administrative infractions could be anything from insulting a senior officer, to getting into a fistfight, or testing positive for narcotics on a urinalysis.

The burden of proof for an administrative "non-judicial" proceeding is based on a "preponderance of evidence"— meaning if 51 percent of the evidence points to your guilt, that's enough.

While the burden of proof is much lower than for a criminal court proceeding, the amount and types of punishment that can be awarded are also less harsh. An administrative punishment could include "reduction in rank" (i.e. a demotion) and withholding half of a person's pay for two months.

If the offender is a low-ranking enlistee and receives administrative punishment several times in his or her first enlistment contract, a commanding officer may decide that the enlistee just isn't cut out for military service. Often, getting kicked out this way results in a "general" or "other than honorable" discharge.

According to data from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the discharges from the 2014-2015 fiscal year break down as: Honorable: 78.29 percent
General – Under Honorable Conditions: 6.36 percent
Under Other Than Honorable Conditions: 2.09 percent
Bad Conduct: 0.49 percent
Dishonorable: 0.07 percent

The remaining 12.7 percent were either “uncharacterized” or unknown due to data entry error.
Complete article


Discharges in the military can be politically motivated and they're not subject to accountability in most cases, or at least not easily. It's virtually impossible to know how often veterans are discharged for something as trivial as "insulting a senior officer," especially since if it does happen they almost certainly pile on additional charges to confuse the issue, and the records are not easily available for the vast majority of discharges; however there are enough that have been made public to raise major doubts about their priorities.

The military has a long history of sweeping domestic abuse and rape under the rug as reported in many relatively low profile, compared to more positive propaganda, articles including Military’s response to rapes, domestic abuse falls short 05/13/2005 "After a naval aviation convention in 1991 where more than 100 officers sexually assaulted and harassed dozens of women, investigations were undermined and no one was convicted. Experts called for more aggressive punishment of offenders. But today, leniency is still the rule, as military leaders continue to choose administrative punishments twice as often as criminal prosecution for those accused of sexual assault and domestic violence."

Administrative punishments may often not be reported as well and may not be taken into consideration when doing studies to find out how common this happens. There have been plenty more of these reports since this one, including a brief report on Fox News that said that the Army fails to report 90% of domestic violence incidences, the Navy fails to report 74% of incidences, and the Air Force fails to report 50% of incidence.

It is routine in the military to hold lower ranks to the highest standards, as decided by the higher ranks, while there is often little or no accountability for the higher ranks. Obedience to authority is something that is taught starting at boot camp to convince cadets to blindly obey orders without question, even when the commanding officers are often not held accountable or when politicians send them to war based on lies. This indoctrination process is part of how they teach cadets to blindly believe these lies under intimidating circumstances, and it also escalates violent tendencies that often begin with early child abuse that escalates to bullying and hazing later in life.



I went into this more in Philip Zimbardo, Lucifer Effect, Stanford Prison Experiment and Eli Roth’s Milgram/Obedience experiment much more extensive than most people realize where I reviewed the research that was allegedly designed to learn why the Nazi's blindly obeyed orders so that they could prevent it from happening again; however this research was supported or directly financed by the military and the Office of Naval Research, which isn't in the habit of teaching their cadets to question orders. This research could be used either to learn how to prevent blind obedience or to obtain it, which is most cases is what it actually was used for. Additional examples from other sources include Two police officers under investigation after video emerges of them 'bullying children at their own military-style boot camp' 08/01/2012 Caught on camera: Shocking abuse at California boot camp under 'sergeant' who 'posed as police officer to kidnap children' 10/29/2011 where either real police using boot camp indoctrination tactics or former military veterans pretending to be police were caught abusing children.

The instructors that ran these boot camps are just a few of the people that came to think of boot camp indoctrination as a way of life, and part of a domination process controlling those with less power. There are plenty more examples where veterans, some who were also police officers, brought this home to their own families and eventually went on violent shooting sprees including Eulalio “Leo” Tordil, a former police officer and veteran, who allegedly put his own children through boot camp indoctrination and went on a shooting spree killing his wife and two others as I explained in Media Downplaying Two Police Killing Sprees Ignoring Solutions and there's more like this in the list of veteran shootings below.

While they provided an enormous amount of coverage for the shootings spree in Texas there were many more lower profile murders including a murder under investigation from the supposedly heroic Navy Seal Team 6 that took out Osama bin Laden according to 2 Navy SEALs Under Suspicion in Strangling of Staff Sgt. Logan J. Melgar a Green Beret in Mali 10/29/2017 and Green Beret Discovered SEALs’ Illicit Cash. Then He Was Killed. 11/12/2017 This isn't nearly as uncommon as the media, political establishment or the military implies with all their propaganda about heroic veterans, often coming home to surprise their happy families.



As I previously explained in States with high murder rates have larger veteran populations and Teach a soldier to kill and he just might the Bureau of Justice Statistics provided selective statistics which were often used to portray veterans as having much less legal trouble than non-veterans, implying that they're less likely to be involved in criminal activity; however even at that, time once you got past the headline which said that Male veterans less than half as likely as male non-veterans to be in prison in 2004 it quickly becomes clear that there were many problems with this claim including that those that are in jail are more violent and they tend to be much older, among other things. The closer you look at the study the less it looks like veterans are that much less likely to be involved in criminal activity than non-veterans; however, if you rely solely on the information in this study, it still appeared as if they were less involved in criminal activity.

But if you look closer at the prison build up of non-violent people, mostly minorities, for drug related crimes that have been put in jail in the past twenty to thirty years the reason for this major advantage ins't because veterans have become less violent; it's because they haven't increased their rates of imprisonment as much as minorities as a result of the "War on Drugs" which is filling the prisons with non-violent offenders. If you compare the veteran rate of incarceration to other countries it is still much higher, in most cases more than two or three times the incarceration rates of other countries, especially the developed world, and clearly nothing to brag about.

That was in 2004 (this study didn't come out until 2007, however it was based on the 2004 prison population), when the rate they were reporting was half that of non-veterans was "630 prisoners per 100,000 veterans, compared to 1,390 prisoners per 100,000 non-veteran U.S. residents"

The latest study Veterans In Prison And Jail, 2011–2012 12/07/2015 was accompanied by a headline, to the press release, that said Fewer veterans in prison and jail in 2011-12 than 2004 12/07/2015; which once again, sounds very good for veterans but if you look a little closer this starts to have problems as well, although there is no link in this press release directly to the previous study, the rate of incarceration his risen a lot from 630 to 855 and the rate for non-veterans has dropped from 1,390 to 968. They still have a lower rate than non-veterans but the advantage ins't nearly as big as it was in 2004; however unless people are familiar with these studies they probably won't even notice it.

Why did the gap between veterans and non-veterans close so quickly?

The study doesn't even acknowledge this change, so they certainly don't provide an answer to that question or many others; however if you go to the study itself it does provide an enormous amount of raw data, and given enough time this data might provide a partial explanation. The release of this study says, "Data from previous BJS surveys of inmates in prison and jail are used to establish historical trends regarding incarcerated veterans;" which is a good scientific way to research it so they can find out what needs to be changed but in practice they only report the changes that seem to improve the image of veterans and the military.

Without further research I can't tell what the full explanation for this dramatic change however the studies that I have looked at clearly indicate that a large portion of this is the dramatic change in veteran rates based on age. In 2012 24% of Men were Veterans but among men aged 25 to 34 it is only 12% and among those over 65 it is over 50%. (In U.S., 24% of Men, 2% of Women Are Veterans 11/12/2012) recruitment rates have been dropping steadily since World War II, when they were at their peak. The reason for the enormous difference between veterans and non-veterans in 2004 was largely because there were much more WWII and Korean War veterans alive then than there were in 2011-2 when the second study was done. Recruitment rates during the Vietnam War weren't as high as the Korean War or WWII; however they were much higher than current recruitment rates so that is a major part of the reason why there is still a major advantage in incarceration rates now; but this will almost certainly continue to drop as Vietnam veterans get older and die, no longer driving up the rates, especially for those out of jail.

What about violent offences? Are veterans more likely to be charged with murder than non-veterans? In 2004 there were 15% of state inmates that were incarcerated for homicide compared to 12% of non-veterans. That study was released in 2007 and starting about a year later through 2010 there were a series of articles, including the ones previously mentioned from the Colorado Gazette and the New York Times which reported on high rates of violence from veterans returning from the war. No doubt the statistics from that study were used in the debate about whether or not veterans were more violent at that time and they would have known that if they compared the murder rates between that study and the new one that it would help explain it; however the new study doesn't even report on the new rates for incarceration for murder.

If they wanted to compare the murder rates to find out whether they're going up or down "to establish historical trends," as they said in the second report, they would have used consistent methods in the two studies, it's hard to imagine why they wouldn't have collected and reported this data!

However by reporting on the decrease in the prison population without reporting on the larger increase in incarceration rates they've established a pattern of behavior of providing the best possible image for veterans, which has been repeated elsewhere including the lack of reporting of domestic violence incidences.

There's a strong possibility, if not a virtual guarantee, that they declined to report this because it will indicate a problem with rising murder rates from returning veterans. As I reported in the previous article about the first report the press release for that one said that "Only 4 percent of the veterans in state prison had served since operations began in Afghanistan and Iraq;" however, this was based on the 2004 prison population and active duty veterans probably wouldn't be in state prisons unless they were released from military service. There weren't large numbers of veterans in the Afghanistan war, which relied much more on local militias and American air power than they did on ground troops. The number of troops was much higher for the Iraq War but that didn't begin until Spring of 2003.

This means that no more than a year or two after being discharged over five thousand veterans were in state prisons! When you consider that for major crimes they're often held in pretrial at local jails it may be even worse; state prisons are supposed to be for people that are already sentenced and some of the biggest crimes often take years to go to trial.

Once again, buried in the second report, where few people will notice might provide a partial explanation. According to Veterans In Prison And Jail, 2011–2012 PDF 12/07/2015 "Of those who saw combat in at least one conflict zone, 42% of veterans in prison and 24% in jail served in Vietnam. Among combat veterans serving prison terms in 2011–12, 27% (8,500 inmates) fought in the Persian Gulf. Thirty-nine percent (12,000 inmates) saw combat in some other action. A higher percentage of veterans in jail saw combat in Afghanistan (23%) or Iraq (42%) than veterans in prison (16% in Afghanistan and 26% in Iraq). Fifty-one percent of veterans in jail reported serving in other conflict zones while in the military."

There was little discussion about age in the second study; but the first one said that a higher percentage of veterans in prison were older. Now there is a much higher percentage from both the Iraq and Afghanistan War in prison and even more in the local jails, which the first study didn't focus on. Presumably, in addition to the five thousand in prison during 2004 there were more in local jails.

Since I'm relying on data provided by the Bureau of Justice Statistics study, which is clearly flawed, using inconsistent methods of collecting data, and haven't had a thorough peer review I can't guarantee that all my conclusions are correct, but there's enough reason to doubt their conclusions and determine that they're selectively presenting their facts. After all the reports of high violence problems from many veterans that came out since the first study they must have known that compiling the data on homicide rates would have helped understand it better; and the drastic increase in the incarceration rates between the two studies was reported yet they buried it where few people would see it. On top of that it should be clear that there are many more contributing factors including dramatic changes in percentages of citizens serving in the military and the recruitment mostly from rural areas with lower crime rates would have a major impact on the results, yet they didn't mention any of this or many other contributing factors.

If they wanted to do a better job with a statistical study they could have sorted out many of the variables and focused on veterans in similar demographics comparing them to non veterans with the same characteristics. But the statistics of these studies aren't the only thing that they could have researched; they could have also researched some of the specific cases, which many other researchers have done.



One thing that might make these prison incarceration rates even less relevant is leniency towards veterans who served their country as a result of bad publicity about them being abandoned. While searching though many of the murder stories about veterans I noticed a lot of them that were given very light sentences, although I didn't list them. One of the most extreme cases appears to be David Edward Maust who doesn't appear to have been released for any rational reason, and it may not have anything to do with his veteran service. However there have been other examples both recent and from the Vietnam era including Richard Ramirez's cousin Miguel or "Mike," who was found mentally ill and released early as a result of his veteran status. He later had a major impact on Richard who became one of the worst serial killers in history and, according to Philip Carlo's description of him, he continued to be ruthless. His problems, along with many other veterans resulted as much from an abusive childhood if not more; however military boot camp does nothing to treat people with early problems and escalates them making them worse, especially without treatment.

The problems with veterans coming home and reacting violently was as bad if not worse during the Vietnam era and the same patriotic calls to take care of veterans took place back then, although the quality of treatment is difficult to measure, especially with poor reporting on the subject. According to VA and Defense Chiefs Confront Reality of 700,000 Incarcerated Veterans 12/03/2013 (BJS figures put this number at 181,500, although the higher number might include those under supervision) efforts are being made to divert nonviolent offenders to treatment programs, which would help keep the total rate of incarceration down. There are also many reports where mental illnesses are taken into consideration in stories about those that were involved in violent crimes like Mike, Richard Ramirez's cousin or even if it wasn't related to his veteran status, David Edward Maust. There are also many stories from veterans themselves in their own memoirs, including Chris Kyle, who claim that they've gotten out of trouble as a result of their veteran status, either because police have respect for them and are more lenient or because their commanders get them out of trouble. This claim is consistent with complaints that veterans domestic violence reports aren't being reported or prevented adequately.

David Philips author Casualties of War, Part I: The hell of war comes home July 24, 2009 did a far more diverse research project into the details of many of the veterans in Colorado Springs, although he didn't focus as much on statistics he did report that "The Colorado Springs Police Department doesn’t track the crime statistics of individual units, but according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, jail bookings of military personnel as a whole increased 66 percent in the 12 months after the brigade returned."

David Philips explains how their military boot camp indoctrination contributes to this problem when he cites a veteran who says, “The Army trains you to be this way. In bayonet training, the sergeant would yell, ‘What makes the grass grow?’ and we would yell, ‘Blood! Blood! Blood!’ as we stabbed the dummy. The Army pounds it into your head until it is instinct: Kill everybody, kill everybody. And you do. Then they just think you can just come home and turn it off. ... If they don’t figure out how to take care of the soldiers they trained to kill, this is just going to keep happening.”

His reports clearly indicate that the local people in the Colorado Springs area must have recognized there was a major problem, although many of them were patriotic and wanted to support the troops. This might have led to a certain amount of denial or additional disagreements about how to handle the situation. This couldn't have happened only in Colorado Springs; while looking through previous articles about many veterans that had problems with PTSD there were family members all around the country that complained that the military was slow to help including areas that had low veteran rates like Vermont, and those that also had higher rates like Killeen Texas, which when searching through veteran murders I found a much larger number than the traditional media reports, on top of the two high profile shootings that they had at their base years ago. A quick search turns up even more since then. The murder rate for Killeen Texas is almost always above average for the nation or for Texas. Since this is a small city, just under 100,000 people and a large military presence, it is virtually guaranteed that a large percentage of the murders there involve veterans.



Like the veterans in Colorado Springs those at Abu Ghraib were taught to blindly obey orders, and of course they did even when they were illegal orders; however only the low ranking veterans were held accountable when it became a major scandal; and this is one of the examples that indicates that solidarity in the military is based on blind obedience, and it isn't unconditional. Those that question orders are often intimidated until they go along with the program, which is why they were in this trouble in the first place.

When they disobey orders like, even when they might be illegal orders, Bowe Bergdahl or Bradley Manning, on the other hand they're also prosecuted, while the commanders or politicians aren't held accountable at all, even when they fight one war after another based on lies. There have been reports of intimation tactics used against veterans that refuse to take experimental drugs as well. In both Bergdahl's and Manning's case there were indications that they were the victims of bullying and hazing in the military before they deserted or released information exposing atrocities by veterans. The details of their cases are more complicated than that, but clearly the environment in the military created a lot more conflict than the image of the unified "Band of brothers" indicates.

Those that question orders are often intimidated and as Chris Kyle's book indicates some veterans consider it rational and advisable to use force to intimidate them whether it was the soldier he referred to as "runaway" or the celebrity that questioned the legitimacy of the war, which he claimed that he blackened his eye, although after revealing his name Jesse Ventura claimed that this was a lie, and won in court. But the point is that many of these veterans clearly believe it is justified to use violence to settle disagreements, even with other veterans who question the legitimacy of the war, which was based on lies!

Like Mike, Richard Ramirez's cousin, David Edward Maust, and many other veterans who were involved in violent incidents, almost certainly including Devin Kelley, Bergdahl and Manning both came from abusive upbringings and may have needed mental health treatment, yet if they're discharged under dishonorable conditions this may be used as an excuse to deprive them of the treatment they need, which in some cases could make things even worse. It should also raise doubts about whether or not they're screening their veterans well enough.

However it should be easy to recognize that if they're fighting one war after another based on lies they need as many recruits as they can get and if they start eliminating them for these reasons it will be much harder to recruit enough. They also need people that are going to obey orders without question, and kille when they're told to and they're often the people that come from these troubled backgrounds.

Amazingly VA secretary David Shulkin said about the Texas shooter: 'I do not consider him a veteran' 11/06/2017 and used this to justify denying him the care that might ahve made this shooting less likely. The article indicates Shulkin's beleifs:

“He is a criminal and I think that he was convicted and with a dishonorable discharge does not deserve to have the same title as the men and women who have served this country and have honorably been discharged,” Shulkin said during remarks at the National Press Club in Washington. ....

Shulkin said there is a distinction between those who have received an other than honorable discharge and those who have received a dishonorable discharge. Those with the former, he said, “we do believe are in need of our assistance and help, particularly with mental illness.”

“Those dishonorable discharged have violated the law, have violated our morals and ethics, and I do not believe deserve the types of services and benefits and VA would not be providing those benefits,” Shulkin explained.

“This is not a person who has ever been treated in the VA system and would not be eligible for those benefits,” he said.

President Trump said after the shooting that the issue was a mental health issue and not “a guns situation.” Complete article


The hypocrisy of both Trump and Shulkin, neither of whom ever served in the military is mind boggling. It should be incredibly obvious that if it is a "mental Health issue" as Trump claims then it should be even more important that he get the treatment that he needs. Shulkin is apparently the son of an Army psychiatrist, you might think that if he was any good that he might know better; however these are both politicians or political appointees that don't base their views on reliable science.



Before they found out many details a pundit on TV said something along the lines of "We'll find out whether he's a veteran or not or has a history of domestic abuse then we'll conclude that this is senseless and it doesn't make any sense!" This quote isn't exact since it was out of memory but the basic idea was accurate. At first this seems like an absurd comment to make, concluding that we won't figure out what caused it even before investigating. However, even though this is absurd, it is an accurate description of their pattern of behavior after every shooting. I've gone into this one time after another explaining that if they did review how early child abuse leads to escalating violence and other contributing causes of violence that they could help reduce it but they refuse to do this.

A close review of how they respond to disasters might be worthwhile, to understand how bad the traditional media is and how it can be improved assuming more sincere people were running it. The following is additional details that I jotted down the day after the shooting, while it was fresh in my memory. This can be confirmed with recorded video that they keep on hand at the news outlets; however unless people are willing to record them the majority wouldn't be able to study how they distort the news in the immediate aftermath of disasters:

At about 6:35 ABC News first reported that Devin Patrick Kelley was a veteran of the Air Force, he had been identified at least an hour before, probably by 5:00, by both CNN and MSNBC. CNN and MSNBC didn't report this until about two hours later. They repeatedly speculated about the possibility that this was a veteran trained by the military and mentioned that the Sheriff's office was being tight lipped about the details. Ana Cabrera had an extended interview with Sheriff Joe Tackett asking several questions, however even though she had been involved in discussion about whether or not he was in the military she didn't ask for his status. At this point they already began telling the public that if he was dishonorably discharged he wouldn't have been able to legally buy this type of gun. They later explained that a "bad conduct" discharge is less severe, and doesn't prohibit him from buying this kind of gun.

At about 8:15-20 Kasie Hunt had Angus King on and he casually mentioned that in this case, he was discharged under questionable circumstances and that he was also involved in a domestic violence incident. Kasie Hunt didn't ask about either of these comments or how he knew. About five or ten minutes later, approximately 8:25 CNN came out with breaking news saying that they had just found out that he was a former member of the Air Force and that he was discharged although at that time they didn't know under what circumstances. MSNBC came out with an almost identical report about 8:40 clearly implying neither of them knew about the veteran status until this point even though ABC and Angus King both disclosed information that turned out to be accurate.

They repeatedly interviewed people that said they had a lot of veterans around here in the hours before they disclosed that he was a veteran. At one point one pundit had a witness on the phone live, and he said that he had just been informed by the police that the shooter had posted something online before the shooting. The pundit excitedly asked what it was with a leading comment asking if he had announced that he was going to do this ahead of time. The witness quickly denied this and said that they didn't give him more information than that. Later reports coming out the next day indicate that he posted a picture of the gun saying, "she's a bad b***h," with little or no additional detail.

They were surprisingly quick to bring up the subject of whether he should have been eligible to buy a gun after receiving a dishonorable discharge even before they found out that he was a veteran almost as if they planned it ahead of time. When they found out he was discharged under bad conduct which would have allowed him to buy guns under most circumstances, but that if they had reported as they were supposed to he probably shouldn't have been able to buy the guns that he used. Conspiracy theorists from gun rights groups could easily have cited this as evidence of an effort to deprive them of their guns; however, since they've been doing similar things for decades arguing around in circles, and doing nothing, that would imply that it is extremely unlikely, or that it was among the most incompetent conspiracy you can imagine.



After checking Killeen Texas for more stories of veterans involved in murders and finding so many I checked to see if they had above average murder rates in that town and compared it to other cities in Texas to find out if they had higher murder rates near bases. Eighteen of twenty-six military bases (List of military installations in Texas) that I was able to find statistics for in Texas were in cities that had above average murder rates. Fifteen of these bases were in small towns where you would normally expect lower murder rates, yet nine of them had above average rates sometimes much higher. Several of those below average were only a little below average while some of those above were much higher. Two of the large cities, Austin and El Paso, had fairly low murder rates which is unusual for big cities, but they only had one base each which wouldn't have had a big impact. The three large cities, San Antonio, Houston, and Fort Worth with higher murder rates were much higher, and San Antonio had seven military bases.

A closer look would be needed to see how big of a difference it is; however clearly the murder rates near most Texas bases are above average. I glanced at a few military cities in Oregon and California and suspect they might have lower rates; however, since they were small cities and the rates, that I looked at, fluctuated wildly it is speculative. The following are the cities that I checked:

When it comes to some of the smallest towns that typically have no murders at all, and the rates jump dramatically on the years that they do have one or two I used the average over a fifteen year period to determine if they were above average or below. Military bases in Texas cities with above average murder rates between 2002 and 2016:

Crime rate in Killeen, Texas: murder rates per 100,000: 2002, 3.3, 6.4,5.1,8.1,7.8, 2007: 11.5,8.6,4.1,9.0,11.5, 2012: 9.1,4.4,7.2,12.1,11.2

Wichita Falls 2002 10.1 2009 10.9 2015 1.0 2016 8.6 / 9 out of 15 above average

Bastrop seven murders in fifteen years with only about eight thousand people above average

Fort Worth 2003 9.9 2012 5.7 all above average about 600,000 people

Corpus Christi 2004 8.8 2005 2.8 ten out of fifteen above average about 270,000 people

San Antonio seven bases 2007 9.3 2013 5.1 all above average about 7.0 on average about 1,200,000 people

Houston 2006 18.2 2011 9.2 all well above average about two million people

CG Surfside Beach one murder on fifteen years with only 500 people above average

CG Galveston 2003 13.9 2010 1.8 2014 2.3 only three below average about 60,000 people

Port Aransas four murders in fifteen years with only about 4,000 people above average

Port Arthur 2006 3.4 2008 16.4 fourteen out of fifteen above average about 70,000 people

South Padre Island four murders in fifteen years with only about 2,500 people average rate about 10 well above average

Military bases in Texas cities with below average murder rates between 2002 and 2016:

Austin 2010 4.8 2015 2.5 all below average over 700,000 people

Grand Prairie two bases 2004 6.5 2006 2.0 2013 6.0 12 out of fifteen below average about 170,000 people

Kingsville eleven murders in fifteen years below average about 26,000 people

El Paso 2003 3.6 2010 0.8 all below average about 600,000 people

Del Rio twelve murders in fifteen years about 40,000 people below average

Abilene 2007 7.9 2015 0.8 2016 5.8 slightly below average overall about 120,000 people

San Angelo 34 murders in fifteen years about 90,000 people average rate about 2.1 below average

Murder rates Texas 2016: 5.3, 2013: 4.3, 2003: 6.4



The following are additional sources for related material:

U.S. Mass Shooters Are Disproportionately Veterans 11/13/2017

Understanding Mass Killings And Military Service 07/18/2016

Is Military Service a Factor in Creating Mass Shooters? 11/09/2017 by David A. Love

Hazing and Bullying in the Police Academy 12/16/2013

What is the logic behind making military boot camps so intensive? Is it primarily skill building, or is it the team building that comes from having to go through “hell” together? 08/05/2016

Two police officers under investigation after video emerges of them 'bullying children at their own military-style boot camp' 08/01/2012

Caught on camera: Shocking abuse at California boot camp under 'sergeant' who 'posed as police officer to kidnap children' 10/29/2011 McFarland served in the military before leaving to set up the Family First Growth Camp in Pasadena.

Marine Corps Recruits Report Bullying at Boot Camp 11/22/2013

Texas church gunman escaped mental health facility in 2012 after threatening military superiors 11/07/2017 NEW BRAUNFELS, Tex. — The gunman who killed more than two dozen people in a small church outside San Antonio on Sunday had a string of troubling episodes in recent years, including an escape from a mental health facility in 2012 after he was caught sneaking guns onto an Air Force base “attempting to carry out death threats” against military superiors, according to a police report.

Texas church shooter Devin Patrick Kelley's troubled past emerges 11/08/2017

Suspected Texas mass shooter identified - posted picture of gun to Facebook 11/06/2017

The Texas church shooter should not have been legally able to buy a gun 11/06/2017

Chelsea Manning to Remain in Army, Receive Health Care Benefits 05/15/2017 Manning will be an unpaid soldier and will be eligible for health care and other benefits, USA Today reported. Army spokesman Dave Foster told the paper that she will remain a private in the Army.

Bowe Bergdahl gets dishonorable discharge, avoids prison time 11/04/2017 Bergdahl's attorneys asked the judge for leniency during sentencing hearings, arguing he had a previously undiagnosed mental illness when he left his post. "Hypothetically, he probably should not have been in the Army," said Capt. Nina Banks, one of his military defense attorneys, in her closing argument. Bergdahl suffered from numerous mental illnesses, including schizotypal personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Dr. Charles Morgan, a forensic psychiatrist and professor at the University of New Haven and Yale University. He testified for the defense Wednesday. Morgan said Bergdahl was raised in a tense and sometimes scary household that contributed to social anxiety and cognitive defects that he was suffering from before he enlisted in the Army.

Bowe Bergdahl, the former hostage who pleaded guilty to desertion, avoids prison 11/03/2017 As a consequence of his dishonorable discharge, Bergdahl will lose all benefits, including medical care, afforded to military veterans. ...... But the former soldier also noted a central issue in the case: Bergdahl’s mental health at the time of his enlistment, evident when he washed out of the Coast Guard.

List of Dishonorable Discharges 06/05/2017

Quora: How many people are dishonorably discharged from the US armed forces every year? 2015

On average, how many Dishonorable Discharges per year are given out to United States military personnel? 06/?/2004

Prosecutions and convictions for Abu Ghraib 03/14/2006 Three dishonorable discharge and Five bad-conduct discharges all for low ranking veteran no higher than Staff Sgt. No commanding officers that gave the orders were held accountable.

10 Years After Abu Ghraib, Ex-Prisoners Seek Justice in Torture Lawsuit Against U.S. Contractor CACI 05/05/2014

What Happens When You Propagandize A Nation Into Supporting Mass Murder 11/08/2017

Margaret E. Noonan statistician contact information

NBC New York Has Identified The Real Mass Shooting Threat in America: Veterans 01/08/2017

Are military veterans more likely for shooting sprees? 01/11/2017

States with right-to-carry concealed handgun laws experience increases in violent crime, according to Stanford scholar 06/21/2017



The following are additional reports of veterans becoming violent, whether its' because of their training or lack of treatment in the military or not:

Days before police killed him, Dillan Tabares, a homeless veteran fatally beat 80-year-old friend, authorities say 10/31/2017

Wash. Combat veteran accused of mass shooting threat, I-5 high-speed chase faces judge 10/17/2017 Christopher James Bleavins, 35, is accused of first threatening a Las Vegas-style shooting at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma and then leading law enforcement in several counties on an 80-mile-long chase, sometimes reaching speeds greater than 120 mph.

Veteran cited after firing shots outside Tenn. VA hospital 11/05/2017 According to Metro police, the man fired a dozen shots in the air before putting his gun down and walking inside the hospital. He then told the staff he was suicidal.

Fla. Police officer shoots, wounds Steven Smith, an armed veteran after rampage 11/03/2017 An armed veteran who has had previous run-ins with the law was shot and wounded by a Jacksonville police officer after a series of hit-and-runs that ended with a crash Friday afternoon on the Wonderwood Bridge in the Mayport area, authorities said.

Veteran who killed himself and son in Foxborough Mass. stole gun used in attack, official says 11/11/2017

The Iraq War veteran who fatally shot his 6-year-old son and then committed suicide nearly two months ago in Foxborough stole a handgun from a friend to commit the attack, the Norfolk district attorney’s office said Friday.

Investigators used the serial number on the .45 caliber handgun to confirm that it had been taken from the home of William F. Scaccia Jr.’s friend, said David Traub, the district attorney’s spokesman.

“We are satisfied that was the gun taken from that box,” said Traub, referring to the locked box used to store the firearm.

William Scaccia, 49, fatally shot his son, Anthony at 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 21 before shooting himself, authorities said. The murder-suicide occurred at the home where Anthony lived with his mother, Laurie Tolliver. Scaccia also lit gasoline inside the house in an attempt to burn it down. Complete article


Trial begins for Robert J. Vega, a veteran accused of killing off-duty Richmond police officer who was the father of his ex-girlfriend 10/19/2017

Veteran's death outside Phoenix VA hospital investigated as possible suicide 10/20/2017

Suspect identified as Mason Johnson II a U.S. Army veteran in Owen County Ind. standoff 11/03/2017 Two women and two kids are safe after police shot and killed the man they say was holding them hostage.

Ft. Hood soldier and wife killed in apparent murder-suicide 09/27/2010 FORT HOOD - Fort Hood officials are investigating a rash of suicides in recent days, including the apparent murder-suicide of a soldier and his wife.

Soldier’s Family Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide 01/23/2014 Army investigators said on Thursday that the civilian in the suspected murder-suicide, Rouhad Ahamd Ezzeddine, 43, the husband of Pfc. Carla Santisteban, 33, appeared to have killed the couple’s two children before committing suicide.

52 Deaths at Fort Hood Since January 2016 ~ 14 Since January 2017…Normal Or HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS? 04/23/2017 On February 27, 2017 Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andre George Nance; On March 28, 2017 Sgt. Jonathan Garrett Garcia; On April 07, 2017 40-year-old Sgt. Daniel William Wildeman; On April 16, 2017 Spc. David Folly Ananou

Maine Army veteran fatally shot in Texas 05/18/2017

Pvt. Justin Lewis's Family seeks answers after NC soldier slain in Texas 04/22/2017

Four of five sentenced for Killeen murder-for-hire scheme 11/21/2003 Tyshee Manik Prokop, the wife of a Fort Hood soldier Gary Prokop, who was killed in a June 1998 murder-for-hire shooting death, was one of four Killeen residents sentenced for their involvement in his killing Thursday. Co-defendants in the case said they were to be paid from a $100,000 life insurance policy Ms. Prokop stood to benefit from after her husband's death.

Army Spc. Ata-se Giffa, Fort Hood Soldier Suspected Of Killing 4, Injuring 1 In Murder-Suicide 02/25/2015

Newington marine charged in wife's murder 10/12/2017

Navy SEAL accused of deadly stabbing tried 'to do the right thing,' attorney says 06/16/2016

Ex-SEAL with CIA ties on way to Italy when arrested, on drug charges, sources say 06/22/2017

Murder charge reportedly filed in Jordan in death of Houston Green Beret 11/0/2017

'Ballad of the Green Berets' singer’s biographer talks about Barry Sadler’s meteoric rise, murder charge, violent death 14/27/2017

2 Navy SEALs Under Suspicion in Strangling of Staff Sgt. Logan J. Melgar a Green Beret in Mali 10/29/2017

Green Beret Discovered SEALs’ Illicit Cash. Then He Was Killed. 11/12/2017 The Intercept reported that one of the SEALs, Petty Officer Anthony E. DeDolph, was a mixed-martial arts pro.




Did Padre Pio Or Other Alleged Mystics Have "Revelations" from "God?"

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Padre Pio is most famous for his stigmata, which is difficult for skeptics to debunk, especially if the target audience is familiar with his story. However he also allegedly has Religious ecstasies or Bilocations which are variations of alleged religious "revelations," which people of many religions have been claiming to have for thousands of years, and they've had major impacts on our history, whether they're real or not.

These alleged "ecstasies,""bilocations,""revelations," or what ever you want to call them are much more difficult to prove and would be much easier to dismiss in their entirety if there weren't so many stories about them that went into an enormous amount of detail, although most people don't pay attention to them. Some of the most famous mystics, including Padre Pio also have some major unexplained phenomena that happens around them, or at least they appear to.

Even if, as many so-called skeptics claim, these can all be explained through natural means, there are still many religious people that believe them and make major decisions based on these beliefs. Many of these people look much closer at the history behind these unsolved mysteries, often closer than the so-called skeptics that attempt to debunk them. They can see that the skeptics are obviously not using the scientific methods that they claim to promote, and often reject their skepticism and adopt the religious interpretation of alleged mystical activities, even if they're also flawed.

The biggest recent attempt to debunk his alleged stigmata that I know of was Sergio Luzzatto's claim in his book, "Miracles and Politics in a Secular Age" that Padre Pio created his own stigmata with carbolic acid, as described in Padre Pio: Wonderworker or Charlatan? by Joe Nickell Fall 2008 The story about carbolic acid had been investigated numerous times, and he added a claim that Padre Pio had asked someone to get more carbolic acid in 1919 about a year after he first received the alleged stigmata. In most versions of this story including one of the most famous and I suspect credible biography of Padre Pio, Bernard Ruffin "Padre Pio" revised 1991 edition a doctor visited the friary in 1918 shortly before the stigmata appeared permanently and gave them carbolic acid which they were supposed to dilute, but he forgot to tell them, and use as a disinfectant to give the boys a shot for medical treatment. Unfortunately, Padre Pio and Padre Paolino split it on their own hands and burned themselves as well as the boys. These burns healed relatively quickly, and when Padre Paolino first heard about the alleged stigmata from Nina Campanile he initially dismissed it as a burn from the carbolic acid; however when Nina Campanile insisted he checked and realized that unlike the boys and himself he still had the wounds, which stayed with him for fifty more years, until shortly before his death. In this time thousands of people saw the wounds and it was inspected by numerous doctors as told by Ruffin and other sources.

If the claim that Padre Pio was faking his wounds for fifty years were true then it would have left another major unsolved mystery, how did he manage to live to the age of eighty-one with all his health problems? Actually this is a legitimate mystery on it's own even without faking the stigmata since his health care especially when he was younger was very poor and he had lots of health problems that might have been at least partially related to the abuse he accepted when he was younger from superiors and teachers, which is also part of a religious indoctrination process, as I explain below, mostly without relying on supernatural explanations.

Most of the unsolved mysteries surrounding Padre Pio and many other so-called mystics aren't so easy to recognize without looking close at the details, which is why a true rational skeptic should keep an open mind until doing more research, with a reasonable amount of skepticism. Some of these so-called mystics really are all just a bunch of hype, probably including Jeanne Dixon, who I haven't looked too closely at, since most of the tories that I found about her quickly fell apart, and she seems to have been catering to the credulous. However, in some cases, including Padre Pio, Edgar Cayce, Joseph Smith, Jose Arigo, Uri Geller and more, a closer look indicates a legitimate unsolved mysteries, although the most devout believers of these mystics often tend to be cult followers and they almost certainly don't get the details right and come up with many flawed conclusions.

Ironically many of these skeptics fail to research some of the best work about early childhood upbringing that contributes to indoctrination and prevents many children from developing critical thinking skills and could explain an enormous amount of these unsolved mysteries. I'm not convinced that this would explain all of it but it would explain a lot and if they compared it to Padre Pio's history it could help understand why so many people adopt such irrational beliefs and follow cults with highly irrational beliefs.

Whether there is a legitimate unsolved mystery about Padre Pio or not there religious followers of him believe that he's being influenced by God and they believe that this makes him a high moral authority, worth praying to for moral guidance.

What is it about him that makes them think he's a superior moral authority?

I don't know how his followers would answer that; however, as far as I can tell, the leading reasons why they consider him a leading moral authority is alleged mystical events surrounding him, including his stigmata, alleged miracle healings, bilocation, religious ecstasies, prophecies, and other mystical events which are often difficult to prove or know what they're supposed to mean, and the leading moral value that he seems to preach is obedience to authority, even when authorities are proven to be corrupt, as the history about him clearly shows, although those sympathetic to him don't phrase it that way.

They obviously look at hims very differently, and some of their reasons are legitimate, or at least they seem to be. there are many good things about him, as described in Bernard Ruffin's book "Padre Pio" revised 1991 edition although I don't agree with all his conclusions. Most people consider him a very pleasant person, and he supported a hospital that helped improve health care in his area where there was little access to medical care, and supported other social programs that helped the working class and the poor. I can't completely rule out the possibility that there might be some truth to at least some of his alleged miracle healings; however if there were real, and they were as a result of influence from a advanced intelligence that he refers to as "God," it would have been far more benevolent if this God opened up an honest dialogue with everyone and explained how these cures work so they could be replicated for all to benefit from.

It would also have been much better if this God provided advice about how to avoid wars and many other disasters that have been plaguing mankind for thousands of years. Unfortunately instead of doing that he allegedly sends messages like one Padre Pio described in a letter to Padre Benedetto where he told him about an alleged visit from Jesus during one of his religious ecstasies, near the end of the first World War, where he wrote, "In one of his visits that I received from Jesus in recent days, I asked Him insistently to have compassion on the poor nations, so tried by the misfortune of war, and cause his justice to give way at last to mercy. It was strange. He answered only by means of a gesture that seemed to say, 'Slowly Slowly.''But when?' I asked. And He, with a serious expression, but with a half smile on his lips, gazed at me briefly and, without another word, dismissed me."

Neither Padre Pio or many, if any, of his followers even think to ask why God doesn't just open up an honest line of communication, and provide advice that would make these wars much less likely or perhaps avoid them completely and set up a democratic system where people develop critical thinking skills and learn how to hold their leaders accountable, avoiding war environmental disasters epidemic levels of fraud and much more.



Instead whether these mystical events are true or not they're used as part of a belief system that teaches people to blindly believe their leaders, and obey orders.

However, as far as I can tell the most important and effective indoctrination methods that religions use to control their followers don't involve anything paranormal, and if skeptics of the paranormal did their research and tried to educate the public about early child hood indoctrination, often through intimidation and use of corporal punishment and other forms of child abuse to teach them to obey blindly and believe what they're told they might do a far better job convincing religious people to question their faith, eventually.

In the following excerpt Bernard Ruffin, who is a Lutheran Minister sympathetic to Padre Pio, provides what I consider a mostly accurate description of the mystery surrounding Padre Pio; although, I believe there is at last one more possibility that should be considered:

One thing is certain: Padre Pio cannot be dismissed lightly. There are basically only four conclusions that may be drawn concerning the Capuchin priest and his Ministry:

First, one may conclude that Padre Pio was one of the Greatest frauds of history, a showman, perhaps in league with Satan, a magician capable of humbugging the public to a degree imagined even by P.T. Barnum.

Second, one may conclude that Padre Pio was in large measure a product of the superstitious imaginations of an ignorant and gullible peasantry who read into the life of a simple, holy priest what they wanted to see, building around him a cult of mindless self-delusion.

Third, one may conclude that Padre Pio was a madman, a pathetic creature, hysterical and possibly schizophranic, who remained outside the mental institution by his clever ability to convince thousands of people that his delusions were reality.

If none of these three scenarios be true, then one must conclude that Padre Pio of Pietrelcina was one of the most significant figures in Christian history, a man of prophetic and apostolic stature, who, through great personal holiness and enlightened wisdom and through spiritual gifts inexplicable by science, tended to confirm the truth of the Gospels and the veracity of historical Christianity to an indifferent and unbelieving age; a man capable of conveying to an extraordinary extent a sense of God's love and care; and evangelist who never conducted a crusade, and who, without traveling more than a few miles from his friary in fifty years, yet seemed capable of transforming lives to a degree unimagined by the most successful evangelical preachers. Additional excerpts to Bernard Ruffin "Padre Pio: The True Story" (briefer excerpts will be discussed below but see these for more context or read the full book.)


His book goes on to provide a reasonably good history of Padre Pio, showing some degree of skepticism, and in the forward or appendix where he explains how he first heard about Padre Pio he explains that he did a lot of fact checking and revised his work when he found evidence to raise doubts, indicating that he's not entirely a blind follower as many Catholic biographers might be. If you accept his four options and you think he's a reasonably good researcher the fourth conclusion might seem like the most reasonable; however that still doesn't explain why God doesn't open up an honest line of communication that might help people avoid wars plagues and many other disasters; which is why there clearly should be at least one more option.

If there is an unknown advanced intelligence of some sort that most people refer to as God could he have an undisclosed agenda?



Actually most religious people seem to admit that God has some kind of an agenda, although they have a hard time explaining what it is in a rational manner. They often talk about "God's Plan" and how he rewards those that behave in a moral manner by sending them to heaven after they die; however there's still no explanation about why he neglects to communicate in a consistent manner that isn't shrouded in mystery, like revelations, including those from the Apocalypse which are routinely interpreted in many different ways that few people can agree on, including some possibilities that I've come up with previously, although I don't consider them conclusive or reliable without further confirmation, as I've explained before and will mention again below.

But, I still try to be a rational skeptic, although occasionally I find what might be extraordinary evidence of some kind of major unsolved mystery, even it isn't adequate to explain all the details. However, as I attempted to explain in Dobson’s Indoctrination Machine the most important indoctrination methods used by religious people, or perhaps even non-religious people, aren't based on paranormal events to control people, but early childhood indoctrination methods that often involve corporal punishment that often escalates to child abuse and using fear and intimidation to teach a child to believe what they're told instead of developing critical thinking skills and sorting through facts to find out what's true, including challenging authority figures when they're wrong or abusive.

For someone that is familiar with the research showing how early child abuse contributed to indoctrination there's plenty of evidence in Padre Pio's history to show that he was subject to early indoctrination methods, and he seems to have learned to like being subject to abuse and come to believe that it serves a purpose of some sort, although he doesn't seem to understand it and simply trusts that God or Christ is looking out for our best interest even though evidence doesn't support his beliefs. However, he's been indoctrinated not to question authority figures. When accused of being disobedient he once responded, "If my superior ordered me to jump out of the window, I would not argue. I would jump." The same seems to go for not questioning beliefs like when Christ allegedly told him he would end the war "Slowly! Slowly!" without providing additional details; and on another occasion according to Ruffin, "Benedetto and Agostino asked Pio to ask Jesus why it was God's will that he remain outside the friary, Pio reported that Jesus said to tell them that they should not ask."

Apparently when the Lord says or implies they should remain ignorant they believe this is acceptable and, perhaps, desirable.

Padre Pio supposedly didn't remember being spanked by his parents however his parents attempted to follow the maxim of Solomon, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) and there are many other proverbs that encourage the use of corporal punishment. It's not uncommon for many people to forget the early abuse the suffer as a child especially if it's really young, and Padre Pio apparently has a history of forgetting other things, like when asked about the first alleged appearance of his stigmata in the sixties, he said it happened at San Giovanni Rotondo in 1918, and only changed it when reminded of a written report he made about ten years earlier.

There was also a story that came from his father about when he was a baby and he cried a lot and he jumped up from bed exasperated and shook him vigorously yelling, "The Good Lord must have sent a little devil into my house instead of a baby." Then he dropped him accidentally and his wife shouted at him hysterically. This kind of emotional behavior could also lead to indoctrination when a small child is afraid that his parents might start yelling at him for reasons he can't understand, although he wouldn't have understood anything this early, but it could establish a pattern of being terrified of outbursts.

One way or another he learned that he should accept the punishments given to him without complaint even when it wasn't justified and if he complained at all it was limited and at a time when it would be ineffective at changing anything. His school teacher Don Angelo Caccavo routinely whacked children on the open palm with a short ruler as a form of punishment, and on one occasion when some of these students falsely signed Francesco's name (before he took the name Pio) to a love letter and handed it to a girl who turned it over to Don Angelo he responded by beating Francesco with his fists losing his temper and would have beat him much worse if his wife hadn't realized what was going on and intervened. He was horrified when he learned that Francesco hadn't written the note, and Pio later said "All his remorse could not take away the black and blue marks that I carried about for days." But this didn't lead him to think that questioning authority was acceptable.

Padre Tommaso, who he studied under later was much worse and would teach his students to self-flagellate themselves until they bled. The description provided by Ruffin of Padre Tommaso indicates that he was a fanatic abusing boys for arbitrary reasons to teach them to obey orders without question. Students were taught that they were expected to take an absurd amount of abuse without question to prove that they were devoted to God. Anyone not willing to put up with this insanity would inevitably leave, like one student from Naples who said, "Back home in Naples we pay a dime to see madmen, Here we see them for free." When Padre Tommaso overheard him he ordered him to strip and take the discipline immediately, but instead he just left.

Ruffin writes, "Extreme severity of this sort is a thing of the past. Moreover, if half of the stories told about him are true, Padre Tommaso had to have been excessive even for his time and place. Most modern Capuchins, however, suggest that not everything about traditional community life was bad. After all, at least one very positive thing can be said for the old ways: they produced Padre Pio." Not everyone would completely agree, although Padre Pio was a compassionate person who most people clearly liked, the blind obedience to authority he preaches is what enables many tyrants to get away with massive amounts of atrocities and promote wars and it convinces many people to submit to slavery, or virtual slavery.



This abuse, as Ruffin says, "is a thing of the past," or at least it seems to be; however, since it was used to develop indoctrination techniques for thousands of years, to teach people to accept the beliefs that are, for the most part, passed down from one generation to another, the results of this activity is still with us. This form of indoctrination doesn't require anything that we would consider supernatural or paranormal. It's hard to imagine why so-called skeptics like Michael Shermer of Joe Nickell, don't pick up on this, and try to explain it to the public when trying to debunk irrational beliefs. There is good research from the academic world, from researchers, including Alice Miller, Murray Straus, Philip Greven, Barbara Coloroso and more, in early child psychology to show this yet they don't look into it.

However a close look at their work indicates they have their own ideological beliefs and are reluctant to question them as well. Some of the best child psychology research is often marginalized within the academic world for one reason or another, and Michael Shermer has indicated that he follows other academics, including Steven Pinker, that are openly in denial about their work. This research has escalated significantly since World War Two including large changes in child rearing tactics promoted by Benjamin Spock that significantly reduced child abuse in the decades since then, and this was escalated when Alice Miller and others added to it, and is almost certainly a major cause of the reduction on murder rates from the early nineties to 2014 when they hit their all time low.

Extreme abuse like this wasn't always recommended by everyone in the Church either, although the vast majority of leaders and numerous verses from the Bibles including Proverbs have been repeatedly used to justify it. Saint Augustine was critical of this type of abuse and seemed to understand that it was used in an arbitrary and abusive way that didn't teach children well according to his book "Confessions."

(For review of Confessions describing Saint Augustine's views on corporal punishment click on picture.)


Saint Augustine also claimed that he didn't see many, if any, miracles in his time but once said, "Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature." If there is such an unknown advanced intelligence religious people know of as God influencing religious figures, I'm not ruling out the possibility that he sent a more rational alternative through Augustine, then allowed the dominant figures in the Church to promote child rearing techniques that were far more abusive and authoritarian. God certainly didn't open up an honest line of communication and advise against his abuse used to indoctrinate people for thousands of years.

Padre Pio clearly learned not to question authority from these educational techniques, and he also learned to use them as well, although he was never nearly as severe as Padre Tommaso. According to Celestino Orlando Padre Pio didn't hesitate to take of his sandal and use it to discipline children when they were acting up. Another student, Padre Aurelio Di Iorio admitted he wasn't the best informed teacher when he said, "He had a superficial way of teaching. He taught history and grammar, but he knew little of the former and none of the latter. His lectures were never more than twenty minutes long, and they were unprepared. He was not strict, not even when he administered examinations. He let the kids do pretty much what they wanted." This implies that he may not have always been consistent with his teaching methods, but it is unlikely that he was well informed about the subjects he taught.

Regardless of how good a teacher he was his reluctance to question authority resulted in his support for censorship of efforts to expose sexual and financial scandals involving people leading the Catholic Church, and this may have included, child abuse scandals and rape, that was exposed much more extensively in the nineties and since then, although Ruffin's descriptions aren't quite that specific. However he supported the suppression of at least two or three books which may still have copies that haven't been made public somewhere which could provide additional details.

A couple of these books include Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, written by Emanuele Brunatto, and Letters to the Church, written by Brunatto and Mayor Morcaldi both who were friends of Padre Pio and wrote these books to come to his defense by exposing his critics. Padre Pio's first response was to say, "The Church has a formidable weapon to neutralize the scandal, refute the episodes alleged in the book that might prove a source of scandal." But when he was told that "Unfortunately, those allegations are true," his response was to ask his friends to suppress the book without holding the Church leaders accountable. Brunatto insisted that "The price for our silence, the price of the book, is known: the liberation of the just and the removal of the guilty," which was far more likely to prevent it from happening again; however if this information wasn't made public then there's still a chance that it could. Officially they never fulfilled this demand, although they did allow Padre Pio to start preaching again, and the possibility that there was an unofficial deal is implied by the circumstances, which are described in greater context in Ruffin's book or the excerpts provided above.

Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, apparently went into print but the Church bought up all the copies and put it on the index of forbidden books, and Letters to the Church, was apparently never published, but my best guess is that some copies of both are available somewhere, which could shed more light on the scandals of the Church. But, if this Good God religious people worship does exist and he did influence Padre Pio as they believe, he remained silent about this and much more given tacit approval to many things that he could have prevented simply by speaking up.

On one occasions Padre Pio blamed a potential victim of sexual harassment for the crimes that we would now blame on her abuser. Padre Pio declined to absolve Maria DiMaggio for living with Archpriest Don Giuseppe Prencipe as husband and wife, and pressured her to resist him. She was willing to do this but according to a disposition from her when she tried to do this the archpriest attempted to rape her. After she signed a disposition saying this, Prencipe threatened to kill her unless she retracted her disposition.

This was typical of his refusal to question authority and the God that he worships, assuming he exists, doesn't do much if anything to hold those in power accountable; if anything by creating these alleged visions to control some religious leaders, including Padre Pio, God indicates that he supports their actions, for one reason or another.

He was also a strong supporter of Pope Pius XII, who also supported him in return. Pius XII and Padre Pio were both strong believers in the alleged Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, which I reviewed in UFO Hypothesis Far More Credible Than Catholic Claim of A "Miracle Of The Sun" Pius XII also claimed to have seen another Miracle of the Sun, on a different occasion, although his chauffeur who was the only one present besides him didn't confirm it. A statue from Fatima was brought to San Giovanni Rotondo in August of 1959, while Padre Pio was having serious health problems, and in front of an undisclosed number of witnesses, as the statue was being taken away Padre Pio prayed to the Modonna and allegedly felt a "mysterious force" and jumped up claiming that he was healed. His health improved dramatically until it deteriorated again in the sixties leading up to his death. A doctor disputed his account but the faithful continued to believe it was a miracle.

Pius XII was also a strong supporter of indoctrination techniques used to control children and thought that the Church should be able to control their education, often including censoring history to suit the Churches version. In "Hitler's Pope" John Cornwell explained how both Adolph Hitler and Eugenio Pacelli, who became Pope Pius XII, engaged Adolph Hitler about who should control the education process for children in Germany before he became Pope. They both agreed that children should be taught in strict authoritarian manners, however they disagreed about which of them should control the education process. Hitler won, although if the Pope had aligned himself with educators that wanted to teach critical thinking skills, it might have been different. This was a major part of the reason that many people, including John Cornwell, who was a devout Catholic that didn't expect to find so many problems with Pius XII, believed Pius XII enabled Hitler to rise to power.

Padre Pio was fond of saying that he would like to put Hitler in a cage and take him around the world so he could show everyone how evil he was, however he still preached the same blind obedience to authority that Pius XII and other Catholic leaders taught and this is what enabled Hitler to get so many people to blindly follow him. By supporting authoritarian education techniques both Padre Pio did more to enable World War II than to prevent it; and the God they worship remained silent, at best, instead of advising how to prevent it.

As Ruffin's book and many other sources indicates the evidence of his stigmata is very difficult to completely dismiss, especially after looking at many of the details of all the witnesses that saw it including medical examiners. Skeptics like Joe Nickell and Sergio Luzzatto try of course, but after looking at the track record behind these skeptics and seeing that they often have to come up with claims that are as flawed as the mysteries they claim to debunk it seems to me that there is a fair amount of evidence to indicate that there is a major unsolved mystery.

The evidence for revelations, religious ecstasies, or bilocation, isn't nearly as strong but as Bernard Ruffin repeatedly says there are so many stories that they can't all be wrong, or perhaps if they are there must be another social phenomenon that creates leads to all these claims, including many that are from seemingly credible sources. This doesn't mean that many if any of the stories are accurate as they're told. Few if any of them seem to completely keep their stories straight. In most cases there are only one or two witnesses for these revelations sometimes a handful more, or if there's a large crowd like at Padre Pio's masses or the crowd at Fatima where a handful of people have these revelations the crowd sees Padre Pio's or Lucia dos Santos and two other children in a trance during the alleged revelations, leading them to believe they're having them. Even if skeptics don't believe the revelations happen the faithful do and they allow them to influence the way they live their lives, including blind support for authorities, even when they're obviously corrupt, and wars even when they're proven to be based on lies.

If there is such a thing as these revelations of bilocations perhaps the strongest evidence of a single example is the alleged story of Giovanni Battista Rizzani as he was dying and a vision that both his wife claimed she saw of Padre Pio and another one that his daughter allegedly saw him as well about seventeen or eighteen years later. As Ruffin describes it, Padre Pio wrote a deposition which is still in the Vatican archives, which can be tested for his hand writing and carbon dated, that says he "had an extraordinary experience" and found himself far away in a wealthy home as a father, who happened to be an atheists, was dying and his child was being born and he saw what he called "Most Blessed Virgin Mary" who said “I am entrusting this child to you. Now she is a diamond in the rough, but I want you to work with her, polish her, and make her as shinning as possible, because one day I wish to adorn myself with her.”

Supposedly he didn't know about Giovanni Battista Rizzani and his family at the time of his deposition, but both his wife, Leonilde Rizzini, and daughter, Giovanna Rizzini, claimed to have seen a vision of him either that night or years later at St. Peter's Basilica. Skeptics might doubt this but the full story is told in Bernard Ruffin "Padre Pio" revised 1991 edition and believers accept this as evidence of his divinity and of God's messages sent through his prophets.

Perhaps one of his most famous religious ecstasies, although it wouldn't be considered the strongest evidence since it is based solely on Padre Pio's testimony, is the visits from an "Exalted Being," which he perceived as Christ, although his earliest descriptions of the vision didn't use the name Christ. Allegedly Christ pierced his side with a spear and this was allegedly how he first got the stigmata, at least in it's permanent form in 1918. According to Ruffin his earliest accounts "did not identify the Exalted Being as Christ, but described the hands, feet, and side as dripping blood," but in 1967 he referred to him as Christ.

Padre Pio and many other mystics have allegedly come to believe that somehow their God or Christ is doing them a favor by causing them to suffer for no clear reason that they can explain rationally. Frances (Fanny) Crosby, a Methodist and another alleged mystic once said that "If I didn't suffer, I would think God did not love me," and others literally refer to themselves as "Slaves of Christ" as if this is a good thing. The irony is that if there are such a thing as revelations and they're controlling people at least partially then they really are slaves of their cult leaders or whoever is controlling the revelations, yet skeptics or non-believers are unwilling to acknowledge this and might only believe that those with fanatical beliefs are real slaves. However if there is an unknown advanced intelligence influencing religion then they can influence anyone that uses religion, directly or indirectly, to make major decisions. Those that control the lies or myths people use to make decisions can partially control the decisions.

This alleged vision took place when Padre Pio was much younger than pictured and Christ was allegedly dripping blood as he did after his crucification.


I can't say for certain whether these revelations are partly true or not, but there's far more evidence to indicate that either there is some truth to them or there is a major unsolved sociological mystery to show how so many people came to believe in them. Major events in our history were allegedly influenced by these revelations. The Bible is, of course full of them, the entire Qur'an and Book of Mormon are allegedly from revelations or a translation of golden tablets that is very similar to a revelation. The Christian religion was adopted by the Roman Empire as a result of alleged dreams from God, which is a variation of a revelation.



If there is such a thing as a revelation as most religions believe how can any of these religions know for certain that the revelations they choose to believe in are true and all others are false? They can't; but they have an emotional attachment to their own beliefs, and argue passionately for them, often willing to fight and die in massive numbers when their leaders manipulate their emotions and turn them against each other.

If there is an unknown advanced intelligence of some sort that has been influencing our civilization for thousands of years there should be little doubt that he could have provided better advice and maintained an open and honest line of communication. Instead, assuming he exists he communicates in mysterious ways, if he communicates at all, and inspires religions that fight each other over and over again. This is hinted at in Qur'an Verse (5:48) "Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good." This can be partially confirmed independently, assuming your skeptical of the credibility of this revelation, as you should be, simply by thinking it through. If there is a God or Allah and he wanted to have only one religion he could have done so by simply maintaining an open line of communication with everyone, and provided reasonably good advice about how to set up societies and deal with each other without fighting one war after another based on lies.

Some things are simply not hard to figure out!

This means that if God or Allah exists then he must have some kind of an agenda.

If God doesn't exist then there have to be explanation for many major unsolved mysteries including how they moved ancient megaliths weighing hundreds of tons when experiments had to cheat between ten and forty tons and they didn't even try to do them bigger.



As I've said numerous times there might not be enough evidence to prove how religion came about how the megaliths were moved or how to explain other mystics but there is enough evidence to raise major doubts about the official version of history; and recent events involving the absurd behavior of the political establishment indicates that they're as insane as many of the so-called fringe conspiracy theories that they ridicule, including those claiming that the elections were rigged.

The elections were rigged!

That's not a fringe conspiracy theory; that's the truth and the evidence to prove that isn't even secret. They rigged the elections by simply refusing to cover honest candidates and declaring Hillary Clinton n to be the inevitable nominee years ahead of time and giving Donald Trump obsession coverage he needed to manipulate peoples emotions. If they covered honest candidates there is no way either Trump or Clinton could have been elected.

But beyond that the full explanation might be based on speculation. If you've been reading my Blog, or if you noticed a couple comments earlier in this article, you may know that I have been speculating about the Ancient Aliens theory; although the version of it on the History Channel is full of so many mistakes that I can't believe they're making them by accident.

A large amount of this speculation is based on the assumption that they're intentionally putting out false information through the mass media; if this isn't true they're so incompetent it is beyond belief; and they've often demonstrated that they're more competent than they pretend to be.

Some of my past articles have also cited Philip Corso's best selling book "The Day After Roswell" which claims that he shared technology obtained from alien spaceships that crashed, at Roswell or elsewhere, with corporations to reverse engineer. Like most if not all other high profile research on UFOs or other fringe beliefs this had a lot of problems; but if it's partially true, and my theory that they're releasing accurate information through unreliable sources mixed in with false information is also true then this has enormous implication.

Additional evidence to a far-fetched conspiracy escalated when the 2016 election kept getting more insane and it became obvious that they were rigging the election and that they weren't even trying to hide it. I first found claims, that seemed absurd, that referred to Hillary Clinton as the whore of Babylon; the first of these claims talked about how she might become the whore of Babylon in 2008. After reading the Book of the Apocalypse it became clear that, even though this claim still has many problems, she has far more characteristics of the Whore of Babylon than I would expect; and when I first wrote about it in "Yes Virginia There Is A Trump And Clinton Conspiracy" back in June of 2016 I pointed out that she has become more like the Whore of Babylon as she worked as Secretary of State. And since then, instead of seeing this absurd theory fall apart, there have been more similarities to the Book of Apocalypse to current events then I would have expected.

Sound insane?

Yes, of course, however the entire political establishment seems to ahve gone insane and the official version of truth is as insane as some fringe conspiracy theories, so I'll go on insane or not.

If there is some truth to Corso's claim that he shared alien technology with multinational corporations and they developed it, including computers, genetically modified technology, nanotechnology, transportation technology, some being used by NASA and many other technologies, including medical technology then it would be necessary to do research to develop it.

Whether this is true or not there is evidence from sources within the medical community including Marcia Angell, former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, and Harriet Washington, a Harvard Professor and expert on medical ethics, that have exposed massive efforts to use people for medical research, often without consent or fully explaining the consequences of the research. This is often done on many of the poorest people in society, in violation of their own ethical guidelines.

These are not fringe claims, however if they obtained an enormous amount of technology from aliens one way or another it is virtually guaranteed that there is much more to it than they've let on.

If they're also research on a large variety of scientific fields and if Climate Change really is caused by man then that opens up the possibility that they're also researching that as well. Even though there are plenty of fringe conspiracy theories about weather modification that people should be skeptical of there are also some more rational claims coming from people that have studied climate change to indicate that they have some understanding of how they effect the environment. There's no doubt that they're doing some research into this but just how far can they go? There should be little doubt that the most extreme theories aren't true but some of the evidence indicates there might be more than most people expect, especially if there has been an influence from an unknown advanced intelligence for thousands of years.

No doubt there is good reason to be skeptical about this, and believe it or not I try to be a rational skeptic but there is plenty of extraordinary evidence of many unsolved mysteries, and after looking at the details, assuming people do a good job fact checking, it might not seem quite as extraordinary once people understand it.

For some additional details on some of my past articles on the subject see the following:

Prophets and Mystics

Hurricane Apocalypse Coming With or Without Fringe Conspiracy Theory

Looming North Korea Nuclear Apocalypse Result of Incompetence? Or Staged?

107 Wonders of the Ancient World

Is “Prism” news? or is it ECHELON?

A Brief History of the Mormon Church

Why so few arrests for Crop Circles makers? Is there microwave evidence?

UFO Hypothesis with rational use of Occam's Razor

"God's Not Dead" But Is He Nice?

Multinationals Are Using Public For Research On Massive Scale

Yes Virginia There Is A Trump And Clinton Conspiracy but could it be related to a far-fetched Apocalypse Prophecy or a weak copy of it?

Wanted unsuspecting research subjects

Is Stanton Friedman working for the CIA to refute reverse engineering claims?

Deadly Monopolies and Medical Slavery?

Deadly Monopolies With Alien Technology?

UFO Hypothesis Far More Credible Than Catholic Claim of A "Miracle Of The Sun"

Could Steve Bannon Be Providing Propaganda To Enable Climate Change Research Project?



Even if large portions of this theory don't prove to be true there should still be little or no doubt that there are a massive number of scam artists, that could fit the Biblical definition of a false prophet, including the ones mentioned in the Book of Apocalypse. The more reliable child psychology source3s that I cited go along way to explain why so many people fall for scams that are so incredibly bad. This would also include incredibly bad scams from people catering to emotion in politics as well, like Donald Trump, Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee and Roy Moore that should never be able to fool anyone yet they're doing it on a massive scale, as well as the enormous number of televangelists robbing the faithful blind with the help of the media.

A good understanding of how early indoctrination teaches people who often start out as abused children to believe what they're told and not to challenge their leaders explains why so many people might follow Roy Moore or Donald Trump even after the insane amount of credible accusations against both of them. The same could go for Hillary Clinton although she was usually more subtle.

How can so many people fall for such bad scams?

Is early childhood abuse enough to explain this?

Perhaps, it certainly explains most of it; but if there is a God, as they actually believe, then that provides more possible explanations; and regretably the claim that God has been good to them by allowing all this insanity simply doesn't hold up.



New Roy Moore accuser: He grabbed me 'on my buttocks' 11/17/2017

Out Front 11/17/2017 Tina Johnson "The Lord that I serve is not the one Roy Moore serves because my Lord knows that he did it. He knows it and I know it. He can say whatever he wants to say. The truth will stand when the world wants, and that's the truth."

Court sides with Sheri Coleman family in lawsuit against ministry 08/14/2014

Joyce Meyer testifies in secret for Coleman murder trial 04/07/2011



For additional sources about Padre Pio see the following:

Padre Pio: Wonderworker or Charlatan? by Joe Nickell Fall 2008

Bernard Ruffin "Padre Pio" revised 1991 edition

Padre Pio Under Investigation: The Secret Vatican Files 2011 By Francesco Castelli

Father Pio. The last suspicion. The truth about the friar of the stigmata by Saverio Gaeta ‎Andrea Tornielli 2008

Index of /images/Skeptics and Debunkers

The Facts Behind Religious Stigmata: Medical Mystery or Miracle? 09/14/2014

What Is the Truth about These Marks of Christ? 03/28/1997

28-03-1997 STIGMATA george hamilton christina gallagher ethel chapman heather woods padre pio (DM)1220.jpg He wants to be left alone: “I don’t want to become a circus act.” Like a number of stigmatics he is unable to eat. The first if the eight stigmatics I have met was Ethel Chapman from Liverpool, a former music hall entertainer who at the height of her career shared a stage with Glenn Miller. However science or medicine might explain the stigmata the marks remain a powerful religious symbol

The fourth healing: Stigmata - What is it?

About 50 Modern Day Stigmatists

Saint Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) image of Christ piercing his side with a spear

Padre Pio: A Catholic Priest who worked miracles and bore the wounds of Jesus Christ on his body by Bro. Michael Dimond, O.S.B. PDF estimated seventy five pages

SURPRISING IS NUMBER OF SAINTS AND POPES WHO PRACTICED WHAT SOME SEE AS STRANGE 'SELF-MORTIFICATION'

Close Encounters of the Special Kind with Padre Pio, the greatest person (after Jesus and Mary) that ever lived on Earth

Padre Tommaso from Monte Sant'Angelo


Phony Apocalyptic Judgement Day May Be Here!

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The sex abuse accusation that have come out recently is long overdue, and I don't want to raise doubts about the most credible ones that have come out; however the people and institutions controlling these disclosures are the same ones that were covering them up years ago. So I think a reasonable amount of skepticism is appropriate before giving them brownie points for their disclosures. This is especially true since they're not reporting on the best research about the most important long term causes of this abuse of power and how child abuse often leads to long term damage and abused children often become abusive adults that repeat the cycle.

When the people doing the abuse control major institutions it's even worse and there's still plenty of evidence to indicate that there is still a lot of cover ups going on.

I try to be a rational skeptic; however the political establishment has become so absurd and irrational that it's as ridiculous as many of the so-called conspiracy theories they often ridicule; and even though the most irrational conspiracy theories have often proven to be false many of them have come far closer to the truth than many of us would have ever expected; and others have proven to be true.

I can't help but wonder why it's all coming out so fast all at once. Could this have been planned as part of a controlled disclosure process of some sort, is it just a coincidence or is it the snowball effect where women see that there are more disclosures so they feel more comfortable coming out publicly? The assumption that women are more comfortable coming forward now that they see others coming forward seems like the most rational assumption, at least until there's stronger evidence of something else; however I wouldn't be surprised if that evidence comes out, and perhaps it already has, although it may be considered an irrational fringe conspiracy theory.



Regardless of why all of this is coming out now, there was evidence of an enormous amount of scandals for years, if not decades and a large portion of it was treated as a fringe conspiracy theory like the Pizzagate scandal, or like accusations that only came from people that had an incentive to distort the truth for political reasons, so people might not consider it reliable. They had evidence of Harvey Weinstein's "Open secret" decades ago, including an old tape of Courtney Love warning girls that they should go to a room alone with him; and there was also evidence of many of these other scandals available previously, which they could have reported on if they wanted to. They also had Trump's Access Hollywood tape for years before reporting on it when it suited their agenda for what ever purpose.

If they wanted to do a better job covering sex scandals they could have long ago!

Instead they treated most of it as a fringe conspiracy that had little or no credibility. They proved an enormous amount of coverage for a couple of the worst offenders, either for sexual harassment, in Donald Trump's case, or covering it up for allies in both Trump and Clinton's case; but they refused to provide adequate coverage for many progressive candidates that were far more concerned with the best interest of the majority of the public.

It's not a fringe conspiracy theory to claim that they rigged the elections, at least to some degree, by simply refusing to cover candidates that don't support the agenda of the corporate elite. This is a rational conclusion that can be made, and confirmed by looking at the coverage they provide and recognizing that no candidate has a chance to win national office without name recognition, and they can't get name recognition without coverage from the media which is controlled by six oligarchies.

They provided this coverage for two candidates that were terrible on this issue, and they pretended that Hillary Clinton was better on it simply because she is a woman.



It's almost predictable that they could have rigged the elections for a handful of of candidates that they support, although it is much more difficult to tell which of those handful that the public would support. However it should be incredibly obvious that we need a much more diverse media that covers many more candidates and issues, instead of focusing one a limited number of issues, which they cover obsessively before moving on to other issues to cover obsessively.

There's also much greater research to cover that explains how violence, and sex abuse escalates starting with early child abuse.



Ironically one of the few high profile people that do discuss this is Louis C.K. who has spoken out against child abuse and corporal punishment, although I wouldn't consider a comedienne to be the most reliable source on this subject, he is among the best that actually gets coverage.



According to numerous accounts including Louis C.K. Is Accused by 5 Women of Sexual Misconduct 11/09/2017 Louis C.K. was accused by numerous women of asking if he could masturbate in front of them and even when they said no, or treated it like a bad joke, in some cases he did it anyway. Are we supposed to believe that anyone would do anything so absurd?

This has been reported repeatedly by many outlets and Louis C.K. apparently admits it so unless someone comes up with an even more bizarre conspiracy theory, which I'm not going to, at least not yet, if ever, I guess we're supposed to believe it. But like a lot of other stories, why didn't they report on it sooner? Several of their own witnesses said that they did talk about it previously, yet the media didn't report it until it was part of the massive movement of disclosures.

Perhaps, the best you can say about him is that unlike some of the people like Roy Moore and Donald Trump that are faced with overwhelming evidence at least he admits it and the abuse he's accused of isn't nearly as bad, so in the language of sexual therapists I guess you could say he's in recovery.

I'm certainly not going to claim that wearing torn jeans is part of the sex environment that leads to sexual dysfunction but these comedians are part of a marketing scam that has been going back decades, which was incredibly obvious when they first came up with it. According to Why IS everyone wearing ripped jeans... and why do they cost more than ones with no holes? 07/24/2017, which provides a deceptive report on the history of why so many people are paying more for disposable garbage marketed by the fashion industry, they're marketed by celebrities, and provide risks to factory workers, which few people in the consumer economy are likely to care about.

This article admits that thanks to the process they use to make ripped jeans, "In Turkey, one of the world’s biggest jeans exporters, 1,200 people have silicosis and 46 have died as a result." However the majority of the article is deceptive advertising disguised as news. This article falsely claims that, "denim now is less likely to rip than the lightweight fabric of old;" however as I pointed out in Is Wal-Mart driving planned obsolescence? the quality of jeans and many other products has been slowly deteriorating for decades; and the mainstream media is providing propaganda cover for it, while a few more reliable sources, like Stacy Mitchell, who I cited in that article provide better research with more limited funds. There are more reliable sources reporting on deceptive marketing tactics; but the best evidence might be things that older people might remember themselves from when these marketing tactics first came out in the seventies.

When they first tried to market jeans like that teens saw through it easily and most of them didn't fall for it and anyone that tried to be cool by wearing pretorn jeans would be ridiculed. The cool kids that did wear torn jeans almost certainly got them as hand me downs at a time when fewer parents could spend much money on clothes and jeans lasted much longer so kids grew out of them before they wore out. More reliable sources like Sociologists Juliet Schor "Born to Buy" and Child Psychologist Susan Linn "Consuming Kids" report on how the industry uses models to market their products and even recruits cool kids to market products to their friends in big cities or in chat rooms, including what they call the "Girls Intelligence Agency" which recruits children to help psychologists with their research and market to each other. The industry tries to present this has harmless, however Schor and Linn report on how they might break up friendships and cause fights so that they can market for profit.

These industries are interested in increasing profit, not the best interest of children they market to. They start by marketing to children, because they're the most impressionable, but this has long term implications which the marketers realize and child psychologists like Susan Linn have pointed out. The long term implications, is essentially that they turn a shocking segment of our society into incredibly shallow fools buying up useless garbage even though it does an enormous amount of damage to the sweatshop workers that produce the stuff, and the benefits for people that by them are trivial, although marketing makes it seem important.

This isn't as important as early child abuse that leads to escalating violence later in life, and often sexual dysfunction; however a growing portion of our economy is selling incredibly shallow crap and they often use sex to sell it.

Few if any people denies that sex sells; and most people will agree that just because it sells doesn't mean it should be an invitation to sexual harassment or rape; however simply declaring that there can be no excuse for men, while it is acceptable for everyone to participate in deceptive advertising that leads to shallow behavior is ignoring a real part of the problem. There is little or no doubt that sex sells however it is no longer discussed much at all even one of the few articles that you can find, assuming you look for it, Why It’s Unfortunate That ‘Sex Sells’ in Advertising and in Life 08/02/2014, provides limited discussion on the issue and even includes a link to a study that claims that it doesn't sell as much as people believe, although this is almost certainly false.



One of the biggest problems with their coverage of this issue, like many other issues, is that they provide little or no coverage about research that teaches what leads up to this and only focus on exposing it for entertainment purposes. They spend an enormous amount of time saying that they want to "talk about" this subject or that subject without actually providing a diverse discussion. Instead they repeat the same things over an over again without covering good research.

One of the other major problems, in addition to early child abuse leading to escalating violence is also the culture or sex that many of these complaints have taken place, which may not be a problem if its consenting adults. This includes Al Franken, who I'm not a fan of and I think that, although I'm having more doubts about the accusations against him the more I find out about it, he probably should resign for his part in rigging the nomination for Hillary Clinton enabling Trump to win the election, when Bernie could have easily beat him.



When I first came across this accusation against Al Franken on twitter the first day it came out my first impulse was to retweet it, since I didn't like him that much after he helped rig the nomination; however something about it didn't look quite right and I hesitated looked closer and changed my mind. It seemed trivial to me at the time so I don't remember exactly what the tweet said but what made me change my mind was partially reading the article and looking at the clownish picture which the media has since informed us is undeniable evidence of groping. At that time that isn't what I thought and concluded that it was a clownish prank and that this wasn't a serious complaint.

After the obsessive media coverage about it I began to change my mind, for a while, but the photo was still clownish and trivial, typical of many comedies and didn't seem like the evidence that the media claimed it to be.

On top of that Snopes reported in, Did Franken Photog Say Groping Image Was Staged? 11/17/2017 that an arbitrary photo was attached to it and a fake quote to the photographer claimed that it was staged and they quickly debunked it. Perhaps to quickly.

This claim was debunked by Snopes.


This photo really does seem staged even if I can't refute Snopes claim that it was debunked, it's hard to imagine why she would be wearing a flak jacket and helmet while sleeping like that unless it was staged. Furthermore it didn't take much research to learn that she was a Trump supporter, even though he has far more credible allegations against him than Al Franken. Celebrities almost certainly don't go into the line of fire, and Franken's expression doesn't look like he was in combat. She also claimed that she "performed the skit as written, carefully turning my head so he couldn’t kiss me on the lips," after the sexual assault because she was "was a professional" and she let it go and anger stirred up in her for years. A photo since then has clearly showed that she didn't turn her head as she claimed and it was accompanied by plenty of other photos and videos that raise major doubts about almost all of her claims, indicating that it appears to have been consensual all along.

She has a long history of flirting, teasing, and jokingly groping men and allowing them to grope her, which may be fine as consenting adults; however when they start saying that it is without consent it's clearly misleading at best.

These photos haven't been debunked and they're accompanied by more and video that raise major doubts about Leeann Tweenen's claims! But Al Franken should still resign for his roll in rigging the primary for Hillary so that Trump could win!


Even if the tweet that Snopes debunked was fake as they claim it's hard to imagine how Snopes was able to debunk it within a day after Leeann Tweeden made her slanted disclosure and the tweet was faked, especially since they even admit that hey didn't know who the photographer was, there's an enormous amount of additional evidence on Twitter including these responses to the View tweet about the subject which includes a link to The Rest Of The Photos And Videos From Franken And Tweeden’s USO Tour Just Emerged 11/20/2017 if you go down far enough. This evidence was brought to the media's attention no more than a couple days after the story broke, yet now two weeks later they're still reporting on the story as if this didn't exist.

Leeann Tweeden has been selling soft sex all her life, mostly in her modeling career but also as part of her work with the sports and gambling industries, and apparently the gambling show that she previously worked for was canceled as a result of the "Black Friday" criminal case, why is she being paid big bucks as a news casters? what qualifications does she have? Apparently she is a regular on Hannity and several other right wing TV shows; and apparently KABC is also a right wing talk show. There's clearly a lot of speculation on Twitter by those disclosing her obvious distortion of the facts that she sold out to right wingers as part of a plot to smear Al Franken. I can't rule this out but there might be other possibilities, including some that might turn out to be much more far-fetched, or at least they'll seem that way to people not familiar with the subject, and if this proves to be false after it's debunked to everyone.

This is an incredibly obvious smear; and Al Franken could easily use this as part of a slam dunk case for slander or libel suing her for millions of dollars, yet he's apologizing instead. Why? Does he think that he would be accused of using provocative photos of her to justify sexual assault? If there wasn't so much of this and it wasn't part of her routine then this might be a legitimate concern but if the media actually covered it there would be little or no doubt except to the most extreme left wing fanatics. Most feminists can use a reasonable amount of discretion and see right though this and realize that Leeann Tweeden is actually harming their cause by making false claims that raise more doubts about legitimate complaints, as clearly indicated by a large amount of the responses on Twitter.

Not only has this demonstrated that Leeann Tweeden has no crediblity for this false claim but it also demonstrated that the media isn't even remotely trying to do a good job investigating; and it implies the bizarre possibility that even Al Franken is helping, by apologizing when he has to know it's an obvious smear.

There are real victims of sexual harassment that deserve more attention and this issue should focus on them to resolve on it, not making her to be a phony hero.

But Al Franken and the rest of Congress should still resign for their role in rigging the nomination for Hilary Clinton so that Trump could win.

Senator Al Franken Kissed and Groped Me Without My Consent, And There’s Nothing Funny About It By Leeann Tweeden 11/16/2017

Meet The News Anchor Who Was Groped By Al Franken 11/16/2017

Al Franken's accuser has some very suspicious ties. 11/16/2017

Al Franken Admits In His New (May 2017) Book That He Faked Apologies To Save His Political Career 11/29/2017

Video Shows Al Franken Accuser Leeann Tweeden Allegedly Sexually Assaulting Robin Williams 11/19/2017

Model Cameron Russell calls out the fashion industry on sexual harassment 10/19/2017

What It’s Truly Like to Be a Fashion Model 09/05/2017

Perhaps equally clownish is the recent rant from Donald Trump about getting LiAngelo Ball out of a Chinese jail for shoplifting a pair of sunglasses, which apparently carries a potential ten year jail sentence, and instead of discussing whether or not this is a reasonable punishment for the crime, they spent an enormous amount of time arguing over whether or not he or his father, LeVar Ball, should be thanking Donald Trump for getting him out of jail!



One other thing that Al Franken could have learned from LeVar Ball, even though he did rant and rave like an idiot, is that it's not necessary to thank someone for something he didn't necessary do, nor is it necessary to apologize for something he didn't do!

About LaVar Ball vs. Donald Trump In a stable country, we would not be talking about this feud of the blowhards. This is not a stable country. By Dave Zirin 11/21/2017

Chris Cuomo and LaVar Ball transcripts 11/20/2017

There was little or no discussion about how much more serious minor crimes from working class people are treated than much bigger crimes by those that rig the economic system and the subject doesn't even come up for debate. This is especially relevant since he's in the process of trying to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and is running one incredibly obvious scam after another.

There's so much insanity going on that it's impossible to keep track of it all; but there should be a few things that should be obvious including that Donald Trump never should have been elected president and there is no way that he ever would have been elected if the media hadn't been giving him an enormous amount of coverage for decades; and when he came out with his outrageous speech about Mexicans that there should have been even less chance that he would have been elected. The main reasons he did get elected is because instead of treating him like a fringe candidate, the way they do many other candidates, including rational ones, and ignoring him they gave him obsession coverage. And they did their part to rig the nomination for Hillary Clinton who is one of the few people that people hated more than Trump!

In a functioning democracy we need a media that actually covers candidates the people like!

The mainstream media only covers candidates that serve corporate interests!



The official version of truth has become as absurd and insane as many fringe conspiracy theories and in some cases there might be even harder evidence to indicate that it isn't entirely true.

Regardless of why the political and media establishment has gone insane and isn't even pretending to do a good job anymore, Trump has received an enormous amount of support from the same religious people that blindly look the other way at Roy Moore's sexual scandals, many who also happen to be religious evangelicals.



A modest amount of research shows that there has been far more sex abuse problems in the evangelical community than the media typically reports; and it's accompanied by an enormous effort to cover it up, like many other sex abuse scandals; however many of the victims may be more willing to help cover it up and remain in denial about it. This appears to be especially bad in Alabama where I remember a few years ago the daughter of a Judge was charged with having sex with students, along with another female teacher at the same school. On a couple occasions I have looked up the story on Google without remembering their names which were, Shelley Dufresne and Rachel Respess and I found numerous other examples from other teachers having sex with their students, including at least six, along with additional stories about cover-ups at evengelical schools, listed below.

Apparently this is far more common than the mass media has been reporting; and there is good reason to believe that their child rearing tactics and religious upbringing has a lot to do with it. Alabama is also one of the states that routinely makes it into the top ten for murder rates, as I have reported before, and they're one of the states that use corporal punishment in schools the most. Arkansas, where most if not all of Bill Clinton's accusers came from is also one of the states that use corporal punishment the most, and they also climb into the top ten for murder rates as well, although not quite as high.

This is not coincidental and there's an enormous amount of evidence to indicate that this is a major part of the early indoctrination process for devout religious people who often use the Bible as a guide to raise their children including the verses from the Book of Proverbs among others. Most evangelicals interpret these verses as justification for corporal punishment, however Why We Don't Spank makes an argument why they should be interpreted differently. Gordon Hinkley, former First President of the Mormon Church also came out against corporal punishment, and Utah, which is the only majority Mormon state is also the most religious state that routinely makes it into the lowest ten for murder rates. The rest of the states in the bottom ten for murder rates are among the least religious states that use corporal punishment the least.

I've gone into this in numerous past articles including Dobson’s Indoctrination Machine and Ignored evidence linking corporal punishment, poverty and crime grows where I explained that early child abuse leads to escalating violence and is used to dictate beliefs, including many irrational beliefs, to children as part of an indoctrination process. To put it bluntly children are taught to obey and believe what they're told to belief or they're intimidated and abused. This leads to an enormous amount of emotional instability and a lack of critical thinking skills that are necessary to hold their leaders accountable. This is also a major reason why politicians from the Bible Belt are able to pass an enormous amount of legislation that is bad for the working class with the support of the working class including laws that suppress workers rights and pollute and kill people living in poor areas. My previous article about "Dobson’s Indoctrination Machine" explains why many religious people that claim to be "pro-life" support wars and polution among other things that kill an enormous amount of innocent people.

Tina Johnson, one of Roy Moore's accusers is one of the people that appear to have dealt with it better than most said, "The Lord that I serve is not the one Roy Moore serves because my Lord knows that he did it. He knows it and I know it. He can say whatever he wants to say. The truth will stand when the world wants, and that's the truth." I don't doubt her claim that this is the truth; however if she thinks that a God that inspired the Bible and the use of corporal punishment in it, along with the Crusades and Inquisitions, can be trusted to pass judgement she's mistaken. If this God was as merciful as religious people claim, it shouldn't be hard to understand that the least he could have and would have done is maintain an honest line of communication and provided much better advice than what is available in the Bible. The Bible has been used as a guide to control the masses without holding leaders accountable for thousands of years and it has resulted in an enormous amount of wars and other atrocities.

New Roy Moore accuser: He grabbed me 'on my buttocks' 11/17/2017

Out Front 11/17/2017 Tina Johnson "The Lord that I serve is not the one Roy Moore serves because my Lord knows that he did it. He knows it and I know it. He can say whatever he wants to say. The truth will stand when the world wants, and that's the truth."

Sexual Abuse Has Become a Huge Problem for America's Bible Colleges 03/04/2014

Commentary: The larger problem of sexual abuse in evangelical circles 11/14/2017

Evangelical Sex Abuse Record ‘Worse’ Than Catholic, Says Billy Graham’s Grandson Boz Tchividijian 10/23/2013

In Some Evangelical Circles, Grown Men Pursuing Teens Isn’t All That Unusual 11/14/2017

Teacher-teen sex tryst case won't be dismissed 10/13/2017 Lawrence County Circuit Judge Mark Craig denied a motion to dismiss on Thursday in the case against Taylor Brooks Boyles, 27, a Moulton Middle School teacher who allegedly had a sexual relationship with a student during the student’s senior year at Lawrence County High School, the Decatur Daily reported.

North Alabama judge rules state's teacher-student sex law is unconstitutional 08/10/2017 Morgan County Circuit Judge Glenn Thompson issued a ruling today dismissing the charges against former Decatur High School teacher Carrie Witt and David Solomon, an ex-aide at Falkville High.

Destrehan High teacher Shelley Dufresne admits sex with student 04/09/2015 Separately, Dufresne and Rachel Respess, 24, are accused of having group sex with the student at Respess' Kenner apartment on Sept. 12, Dufresne's birthday. That case is pending in Jefferson Parish, where the district attorney's office has not made a decision on charging the two women.

Trial set for Jeremy Eusea, former HHS teacher 03/30/2017 Former Destrehan High School teacher Kimberly Naquin was charged with having a sexual relationship with a female student in the parish. This month, she pleaded guilty to inappropriate behavior with the same student in Jefferson Parish.



As I've said on numerous occasions, I try to be a rational skeptic, but the official version of truth is becoming increasingly more insane than some conspiracy theories and as I pointed out in Yes Virginia, There Is A Trump And Clinton Conspiracy Hillary Clinton had more of the characteristics of the "Whore of Babylon," that many people refer to her as, than a rational skeptic might expect. Since I first wrote that article things ahve only become even more insane, which is now typical in the political establishment.

This is vague of course and the Bible is routinely used to support any given belief that people want to prove by finding interpretations that suit their purposes, so it's clearly subject to confirmation; however, thanks to the increasing amount of insanity in the political establishment it's difficult to completely rule it out even if it it surely must need some additional details and a few adjustments. But there should be some things that are clear, including major doubts about whether or not we should rely on an unknown advanced intelligence of some sort that religious people refer to as God to pass judgement over us and get us out of the incredibly stupid messes that the political establishment get into, often with the help of cult leaders supporting fanatical religious beliefs.

Religious leaders have an incredibly long history of claiming to support a God that rewards the innocent and punishes the guilty; however this usually seems to happen after death in heaven, in the highly unlikely event that a mythical place where people go to their reward exists. But these religions routinely put the leaders that pass judgement over the vast majority of the public above the law and allow them to fight one war after another based on lies that only benefit the rich, assuming they benefit anyone at all, yet God can't even find the time to say something like, "Hey wait a minute that's not what I meant!" If that seems a little to simple surely a God that is "All-Powerful" can find some way of preventing all these disasters.



As I have also pointed out in numerous articles including the most recent one, Did Padre Pio Or Other Alleged Mystics Have "Revelations" from "God?" there might be more evidence of some extraordinary claims of some sort, although it may not be what religious people believe, than the vast majority of the public has noticed. The strongest evidence of a major unsolved mystery is the megaliths that were allegedly moved with ancient technology, even though experiments that have been done to replicate it don't even come close to proving that it is possible, instead they had to cheat when they started moving them over ten tons and didn't try to move any bigger than forty, even though ancient civilizations moved megaliths well over a hundred tomes including a couple weighing seven hundred and twenty tons a distance of four hundred and twenty miles.

The most common theory to explain this seems to be the Ancient Aliens theory provided by the History Channel show that makes so many blunders that it's hard to believe that they're trying to catch all their mistakes.

They can't be right about a lot of their claims, but if they're right about the general idea, could the aliens be responsible for the similarities with the apocalypse and sharing of technology, as Philip Corso claimed, to develop advanced computers and other technology? Perhaps, but could they also be looking out for our best interest?

No!



Hell no!

If they were looking out for our best interest the first thing they would do is communicate honestly and provide good advice, not remaining silent while we jump from one con game to another!

Is it possible that they don't think that we can handle the truth, and this is the best way they can come up with to prepare us to handle it?

No!

Hell no!

Then what could they be trying to accomplish?

Everything that they seem to be doing seems insane and designed to increase corruption for the benefit of the greedy even if it brings about the destruction of our society; however if there is some kind of unknown advanced intelligence behind this the aliens, or what ever they are, are almost certainly trying to accomplish their own goals in the most effective way they know how to.

One thing they might be trying to accomplish, as I pointed out in several previous articles about this subject, is do research that they might not be able to do on their own planet like research climate change, or conduct research on medical advancements etc.

There actually is some of this going on with or without advanced technology from Roswell or aliens. The medical industry is definitely conducting research on many people, as Marcia Angel, former editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, and Harriet Washington from Harvard University, pointed out although the research on this is only reported in alternative media outlets or in library books most people don't read. They're also doing research on Climate Change, although the extent of that research could be much bigger if there has been an unknown advanced intelligence influencing our society for thousands of years.

They clearly can't be too concerned about the best interest of the vast majority of the public but they might try to appease some of the people that are going along with this con-game by pretending they are. They could come up with some kind of absurd reverse psychology excuse for them to wit hold the truth and claim that the people had to stand up for their rights before they would give them to them. However if an excuse like this is used only those with an incentive to believe it will and others might be pressured to go along and accept bad excuses to keep them distracted.

They might cite the woman's march among other things as evidence of their success; but these marches aren't accomplishing much and every time they come up with one protest the establishment creates another disaster or war to keep people distracted and manipulate them.

They might argue that this insane con-game is exposing the cult indoctrination that is going on in the South where Roy Moore is getting so much support but they aren't reporting the vast majority of it and they're doing little or nothing to teach the public about how educational programs and child abuse prevention among other things could solve the vast majority of our problems.

They are routinely pretending to be the ones that stand up to Donald Trump, who they portray as out of control and impulsive. With him constantly calling them fake news, although often for the wrong reasons they can pretend they're the lesser of two evils and go one step further and try to pretend that by standing up to Trump, or at least pretending to they're doing their job defending democracy. Other world leaders are now pretending that they're standing up to him by speaking out against his latest racists retweets; however they're also racists in their policies, although it is far more subtle, most of the time, creating an economic system that benefits the wealthy at the expense of the majority often leaving minorities worse off and taking advantage of racists that they pay attention to only when it makes them look better. But he never would have been in power in the first place if they had provided fair coverage.

If this is part of a phony Apocalyptic Judgement Day as I speculated about in previous articles, including "Yes Virginia, There Is A Trump And Clinton Conspiracy" it might explain why that absurd theory didn't fall apart after I posted it and may have even become stronger. That theory pointed out that according to Apocalypse 19:20 "the beast was taken prisoner, together with the false prophet who had worked miracles on the beast's behalf and by them had deceived those who had accepted branding with the mark of the beast and those who had worshipped his statue. These two were hurled alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur." This could be interpreted as after Trump, assuming he is the Beast, rises to power and no longer suits God's purposes he'll remove him from power. As I've pointed out repeatedly the stage was set for a possible impeachment trial in 2016 when they rigged the nomination for two candidates that should be banned from running because of their incredibly corrupt record.

Even without a far-fetched conspiracy theory there is something incredibly corrupt and insane when they get two nominees that have incredibly high negative polls, partly because they're both incredibly corrupt!

If this insane theory is close then they could be staging this as long as it suits their purposes; and they may have arranged for reasons to remove this nut-case when, and only when it suits their purposes! In the mean time they can use the insanity to accomplish whatever it is they're trying to accomplish!

Some things really are simple to understand and the most effective way to solve these problems is to come out and disclose the truth whether it's aliens or something else; and they're clearly not doing that!

Instead they're conducting one scam after another to keep us distracted from disclosing the most important things and reforming out government so that the environment can be repaired, the education system can be fixed and the oligarchies can be held accountable!

If the public want to know the truth and control their own government they need to wake up and start doing their own research and force our elected officials to start answering to voters. We also need to hold the media accountable and stop settling for the corrupt candidates that they cover and start considering candidates that they refuse to cover.

If you think there might be something to this see some of my past articles on the subject:

Did Padre Pio Or Other Alleged Mystics Have "Revelations" from "God?"

Prophets and Mystics

Hurricane Apocalypse Coming With or Without Fringe Conspiracy Theory

Looming North Korea Nuclear Apocalypse Result of Incompetence? Or Staged?

107 Wonders of the Ancient World

Is “Prism” news? or is it ECHELON?

A Brief History of the Mormon Church

Why so few arrests for Crop Circles makers? Is there microwave evidence?

UFO Hypothesis with rational use of Occam's Razor

"God's Not Dead" But Is He Nice?

Multinationals Are Using Public For Research On Massive Scale

Yes Virginia There Is A Trump And Clinton Conspiracy but could it be related to a far-fetched Apocalypse Prophecy or a weak copy of it?

Wanted unsuspecting research subjects

Is Stanton Friedman working for the CIA to refute reverse engineering claims?

Deadly Monopolies and Medical Slavery?

Deadly Monopolies With Alien Technology?

UFO Hypothesis Far More Credible Than Catholic Claim of A "Miracle Of The Sun"

Could Steve Bannon Be Providing Propaganda To Enable Climate Change Research Project?



For additional sources or details see the following:

Sex Toys, Penis Shots, & Sexting: Details Emerge About Why NBC Fired Matt Lauer 11/30/2017 The recent disclosure of this in the mainstream media claims that this is the first they heard of it and they were taken by surprise yet this article says, "But perhaps more disturbing than the details of the actual harassment is the fact that – like the executives at Weinstein Co. and ABC News – the brass at NBC’s news division were repeatedly approached by female employees and warned about Lauer’s behavior. Yet they did nothing, because they didn’t want to jeopardize any of the lucrative advertising deals tied to Today and Lauer." This is part of a major pattern of behavior where they knew about this, or should have known about it long ago but reported on it only when it suited their purposes, whatever they are.

Emails reveal Tony Perkins knew GOP lawmaker sexually assaulted teen — but kept it quiet 11/18/2017

Mike Huckabee: Women Should Submit To Their Husbands 12/10/2007

More Women Are Accusing Roy Moore of Sexual Misconduct. 11/17/2017 8 listed plus Kelly Harrison Thorp

'Will we make their abuser a US senator?': Devastating ad lists the women accusing Roy Moore of sexual assault 11/22/2017

Expert: President Trump Calling His Accusers “Liars” Confirms Women’s Fears of Not Being Believed 11/22/2017 On Tuesday, ”CBS This Morning” co-hosts Gayle King and Norah O’Donnell addressed sexual misconduct allegations against Charlie rose.

The (incomplete) list of powerful men accused of sexual harassment after Harvey Weinstein 11/01/2017

Since Weinstein, here’s a growing list of men accused of sexual misconduct 11/08/2017

Harvey Weinstein should force media to admit Hillary Clinton is not a feminist icon 10/07/2017

Trump Planned ‘Rapists’ Comments About Mexicans 09/30/2016

16 Years Ago, "The Simpsons" Predicted Donald Trump Would Be President 03/23/2016

He had an escort on every base during waking hours...I even stayed with him in the bathroom...If I saw anything that was inappropriate, it was my job to report it...BTW I am an independent, who did Leeanne vote for??? 11/16/2017

This officer came to his defense. I’d believe him over Tweeden, who is a pal of Hannity’s. #deflection 11/18/2017

Roy Moore: The false prophet's sketchy nonprofit 10/12/2017

Many Americans Think It's Worse to Vote for a Democrat (or Republican) Than for a Child Molester. Is That a Problem? 11/22/2017



Walmart Crime Report November 2017

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On Black Friday neither the local ABC or CBS affiliates reported the regular nightly news, since they were both reporting on sporting events like many weekends. NBC was the only one reporting the regular news and they didn't report much if anything about local crime at Malls or Walmart during Black Friday; however they did report on a panic about a possible gunman in England that led to a panic. It turned out to be a false alarm, and it wasn't related to shopping here in the USA. What reported they did provide like a lot of other news, local or national, did include an enormous amount of advertisements thinly disguised as news including discussion about how stores are trying to lure people in and how excited people are about shopping.

If they wanted to report on the news, including crime problems during Black Friday there was plenty to report even though, thanks partly due to internet sales and partly due to early promotions or other reasons there aren't as many Black Friday riots as there was a few years ago, that I can tell. However there is just as much if not more crime and violence during the holiday season, it's just spread out more. They had at least one real shooting and a major fire apparently an arson in a Texas Walmart during either Thanksgiving day or Black Friday.

There was plenty more for them to report, as there always is, including some stories that are as dramatic as the ones they often turn into the Obsession du Jour in their national newscasts. On the first of the month, when they were reporting on the terrorist attack in NYC there was a gunman that walked into a Colorado Walmart and nonchalantly killed three Hispanic people for no apparent reason that anyone has yet to figure out. This story, of course must have been widely reported locally and went viral on the internet; however it received surprisingly brief coverage from the national press with only brief reports in the nightly news or Cable news, at most. There was plenty of reporting in the internet that this wasn't reported so widely as part of a trend that reports on Muslim shootings much more extensively than they do when a white person kills minorities, which I'm sure is a reasonable assumption; but it is also true that they're much less likely to report widely about the large number of shootings that take place at Walmart, even the highest profile ones only get reported briefly.



On top of that when they do report on Walmart's high crime problem, like August of 2016 when there was a surge of newspaper articles on it led by a Bloomberg expose, it is ignored by national television and Cable news. Since then there has almost always been at least one or two local articles about high crime problems in the local area, including some that report that this is despite the fact that Walmart was lured into the area with tax breaks so they're not paying their fair share of taxes even though they cost the taxpayer more money with their crime problems. There was another of those stories this month about Missouri & Kansas Police responding much more to Walmart than other locations.

They also broke the record for total number of shootings for the year even though there's another full month to go; they had at least 104 shootings in 2016; and at least 14 this month bringing the total up to at least 114 for the year. Two of those shootings both took place in Colorado Springs, which isn't too far from the triple homicide which was also in Colorado. These two shootings were only a few days apart and there was a third incident in between where there was a panic about a possible shooting although there were no shots fired on that incident. Two of the shootings both took place in South Carolina one day apart, and two more both took place in North Carolina three days apart. Some of these shootings are happening in clusters for one reason or another and the people in the local areas must be well aware of it although they might not know about the shootings taking place in other parts of the country at Walmarts.

There were also a total of six deaths from three of these shootings and at least six serious injuries. Several of these shootings involved multiple shooters, although only one of them was an officer involved shootings this month, and that was one of the fatal ones. Often most if not all the fatal shootings are from police officers at Walmart. There were at least nine more gun related incidents including one more that involved shots fired, at a security guard, although it was only from an air gun, another one also involved a car crash. One of these armed robberies was only over a pack of cigarettes.

In addition to the six people killed by gunfire there were two more bodies found from people that probably died of natural causes, including one employee that had a heart attack, another person that broke down in a Walmart parking lot before dying in a pond trying to get away from police chasing him, and another person that was stabbed to death in a road rage incident where the perpetrator, apparently filmed his own crime. This means the death toll at Walmart is at least ten for the month. (edit 12/02/2017: The death count was adjusted after the suspect wounded on the thirtieth by a police officer died at the hospital.) They also caught a spree killer that killed four people at Walmart although they weren't even killed in the same state where he was caught.

There were also more crashes and stabbings or knife crimes including one where a Walmart worker slit the throat of another worker who didn't suffer long term damage, and another where a shoplifter stole his own hatchet to be used in case it turned into an armed robbery or attempted robbery which is how it ended. It's semi-routine for armed robbers to show up unarmed and steal the weapons they use to commit robbery. There was a larger than usual surge in the number of bomb threats with at least sixteen reported in the news; however since there are so common, and they rarely ever have actual bombs there were almost certainly more that didn't make the news.

There were a total of at least five major fires at Walmart, including at least three that were arson, one where they tried to use it as a distraction so they could steal a full cart, which is semi-routine although they always get caught when they try this another by a former firefighter, and the third was a double arson where they set two fires in the same location shutting down the store for a few days surrounding thanksgiving. There seems to be something about this incident that they're not telling the public since they initially told the public that the alleged suspect was cooperating but they couldn't figure out what to charge him with, if anything. When it's on camera like everything else at Walmart you would think it would be easy to figure out.

There are always a few sex crimes at Walmart, including one where a women being escorted by her abuser wrote on her hand a message asking people to call the cops on him and a family that was followed and harassed in the parking lot, slashed tires, assaults on police officers and more.

Walmart has been sued for overcharging customers and they're still charging people in Indiana for the Cook County Illinois sales tax. They lost a suit for a man falling while buying a watermelon, and there was a guilty plea for a scam that was using Walmart gift cards to lure people in for unnecessary tests. A cop is suing them for false accusations after he was acquitted of shoplifting, and a security guard was fired for subduing a suspect, which is common, although they don't seem to teach there security guards not to do this. They were also accused of denying family leave for a mother with a sick child.

Another of their iPad boxes was filled with flour, similar incidents have been reported repeatedly. They were caught with rats during an inspection again; it's much harder to prevent this when groceries are in a large department store than if they're separate from non-food items. Numerous customers have responded to an expose about Walmart problems with auto repair; once one story was reported saying that they ruined an engine by sending it out without oil several similar stories were called in to the reporters. They also had there ranking with Human rights workers revoked again; they rarely ever take that into consideration when it isn't being reported and this ahs only been reported at low profile articles.

Walmart has sued another city for excessive property taxes even though they cause much more crime; and they're increasing their oligarchy power by buying more stores including Lord and Taylor; there is no justifiable claim that we have a free market. They're using this oligarchy power to intimidate suppliers with fines for late deliveries. Numerous executives sold large amounts of stock as they hit recent highs. This follows sales by Alice Walton and her brother of large volumes as well. However Houston residents have learned there lesson and decided to support minority owned businesses after the flood and I wouldn't be surprised if these stock holders suspect something bad is coming.

Walmart was shamed into retracting sales of shirts that said "Tree, rope, Journalist, some assembly required," clearly implying they should be lynched, or that it would be funny, for a surprisingly high price on their web site.

If you can't remember where your car is in the parking lot it might not be such a good idea to call 911, tell them you were robbed hoping the police will help you find it. when police do get involved in shootings they're almost never held accountable but when they get drunk and decide to leave with full carts of unpaid merchandise that's a different story for some reason.



If your stupid enough to pay $20 dollars for a Walmart vest to someone advertising them as a shoplifting tool; keep in mind that they treat their own workers like criminals and search them before leaving, as much if not more than customers without a vest.

Strange things happen at Wal-Mart!





In 2006 Wake Up Wal-Mart did a study, "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" based on incidents in 2004, (PDF) about crime at Wal-Mart which showed that it increased when Wal-Marts opened up and that crime was higher at Wal-Mart than at other retailers. Since then Wal-Mart Shootings began compiling a list of gun related incidents at Wal-Mart and demonstrated that they have a large number of them, including on average more than one shooting per week somewhere in the country. In January of 2014 another study, "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" provided additional statistical research indicating that Wal-Mart might be contributing to higher crime rates or at least a slowing of the decline in crime. The study found that. “on average, communities with Walmarts had 17 more property crimes and two more violent crimes per 10,000 people than those communities without Walmarts.” I reviewed this more in Wal-Mart’s crime problem, Rolling Back Safety more than prices? where I explained that although this study is helpful they could have done better with additional data that is available and I reviewed some of that. I also added my own review about why I think that Wal-Mart policies have been contributing to higher crime in a previous blog, Wal-Mart high crime rate continues un-investigaterd and have provided additional information under the author tag Walmart Crime Watch.

Stacy Mitchell has also compiled a list of other studies about Wal-Mart and how they impact society, Key Studies on Big-Box Retail & Independent Business. To the best of my knowledge Wal-Mart has done as little as they seem to get away with, often relying on rhetoric that isn't backed up with action, when it comes to addressing any of their critics concerns, including crime. One of the responses they’ve come up with is what they call "Restorative Justice" which gives first time shoplifters a chance to avoid being arrested or any criminal record if they take an on line course which costs $400 up front or $500 in payments, plus perhaps, reparations. This has been part of the privatization process and often denies suspects of the due process or access to a lawyer, perhaps even intimidating and extorting from some people that might not even be guilty. Walmart seems to be trying to find a way to turn crime into a profit making situation instead of looking for the most effective ways to reduce it. Making Change at Walmart is asking If you or someone you know has gone through @Walmart's "Restorative Justice" program for first-time suspected shoplifters, send us a DM. 03/30/2017 to ensure that it isn’t doing more harm than good. I did my own review of this program as well at Walmart’s “Restorative Justice” Endangers Public Without Reducing Crime. The following are a list of incidents that occurred in November 2017. According to the "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" the average store in their sampling had 250 incidents per year, indicating that these are only a fraction of the crime reports at Wal-Mart, and presumably, the ones most likely to make the news on the internet nationwide. This isn't statistically representative, as the 2006 or the "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" study or some of the studies cited by Stacy Mitchell; but it does provide some additional information that may help recognize how many problems there are at Wal-Mart.



Gunman on the loose after killing 3 at Colorado Walmart 11/02/2017

THORNTON, Colo. (AP) - Colorado authorities are searching for a man who police say nonchalantly walked into a Walmart and immediately opened fire, killing two men and a woman Wednesday night.

Thornton police spokesman Victor Avila says the shooting appears to be random and there are no indications that it was an act of terror.

Customers and employees hid or fled toward the exits after gunshots rang out in Thornton, which is a suburb of Denver. Avila says he doesn't know how many rounds were fired.

Authorities are reviewing security video to identify the suspect, who fled in a car before officers arrived.

Two men died at the store, and the woman died at a hospital. Authorities did not immediately release any other information about the victims. Complete article

Police ID suspect, Scott Ostrem accused of randomly killing 3 people at Walmart 11/02/2017

Suspect Arrested in Shooting at Colorado Walmart That Killed 3 11/02/2017

Alleged Thornton Walmart shooter had failed businesses and run-ins with police 11/02/2017

Suspect walked off job hours before Colorado Walmart attack 11/03/2017 Ostrem was identified as a suspect after investigators reviewed surveillance video, police said, though they first had to rule out “a few” other people who drew weapons when the gunman opened fire. Avila said he didn’t know if any of the people were security officers employed by Walmart.

‘Soft targets’ such as Walmart should think about hiring armed guards, security expert says 11/02/2017

THORNTON, Colo. -- Walmart is American as apple pie.

On Wednesday night, another American staple became the center of gun violence when police say a man walked into a Thornton store and randomly killed three people near a cash register.

Soft targets such as a Walmart have been under threat of random attacks for years. They have few exits and usually hundreds of people are inside.

"Walmarts have greeters but no armed guards," said Grant Whitus, a security expert who was on a SWAT team that responded the day of the Columbine shooting.

"Any location where you have people close together is considered a soft target."

"My belief is these places, these locations where you are going to have a lot of patrons should hire an armed guard to protect them."

Suspected Walmart shooter’s legal team asks to perform its own crime scene investigation 11/03/2017

Police had to decipher between customers with guns and the suspect after Walmart shooting 11/03/2017

Colorado Walmart Killer Lived Alone With a Stack of Bibles and No Furniture 11/03/2017

Voices warning of demons tormented alleged Walmart shooter for 29 years after a bad LSD trip, sister says 11/06/2017

A 47-year-old Denver man suspected of killing three people at a Thornton Walmart had been haunted by voices telling him the devil was after him since a bad LSD trip damaged his brain 29 years ago, his stepsister says.

Michelle Willoughby, 43, said she’s unhappy with how stepbrother Scott Allen Ostrem has been portrayed on social media.

“My brother is not this monster,” said Willoughby, who lives in Cocoa Beach, Fla. “He is not cold blooded. He hears these voices. Honestly, in my heart, I believe there is only so much a person can take.


Walmart in Milford Ohio evacuated after receiving bomb threat 11/01/2017

Bomb threat evacuates Beavercreek Ohio Walmart; store reopens 11/01/2017

Lake Delton Wisc. Walmart closes briefly due to bomb threat 11/01/2017

Two arrested in meth sting at Oregon Walmart 11/02/2017

19-year-old Kearney man gets probation, jail time in Nebraska Walmart pedestrian's parking lot death 11/02/2017

2 men suspected in NM Walmart shoplifting 11/01/2017

West Monroe La. Walmart reopened after suspicious package removed 11/02/2017

Police looking for suspect accused of shooting at Austintown Walmart in late October 11/02/2017

Woman returns fire after robbers shoot her behind Ga. Walmart 11/03/2017

A woman was shot in the stomach Friday in what police said was an armed robbery attempt behind a metro Atlanta Walmart.

Henry County police responded to the incident about 9:20 a.m. at 5600 North Henry Boulevard, Capt. Joey Smith said.

The woman told police she gave three men a ride from one location to the Walmart parking lot and they tried to take her vehicle.

One of them shot her in the process, Smith said.

“The victim evidently grabbed one of the suspects’ handguns and fired at the suspects as they fled on foot from the victim’s vehicle,” Smith said. Complete article


Angry Fla. Walmart customer accused of kicking police after trying to make return 11/03/2017

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) — A Polk County woman is facing several charges after police say she got upset trying to make a return at Walmart.

Police were called to the Winter Haven Walmart on Cypress Gardens Boulevard around 1 p.m. Wednesday for the disturbance.

The store’s assistant manager told a responding officer that 24-year-old Adrienne Dean came into the store cursing and then got physical with employees. When the assistant manager asked Dean to leave, he says she turned around and shoved him.

Dean then started grabbing objects off shelves and threw them while cursing at employees, according to the arrest report. Police say she caused damage to store property.

When responding officers arrested Dean and tried to put her into the patrol car, police say she tried to kick and strike them, then kicked the car door and refused to put her legs and feet inside. Complete article


Three wanted for starting fire in Fla. Walmart then stealing full cart 11/03/2017

First, the thieving trio parked a grocery cart filled with Halloween merchandise near the Walmart Supercenter entrance. Then they started a fire in the West Palm Beach store, authorities said.

“During the commotion, the suspects took the cart full of merchandise and fled the store without paying for it,” said Teri Barbera, a spokeswoman for the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office. Complete article


NC Walmart fined for overcharging customers 11/0/2017

The Rockingham Walmart has been fined $1,350 for excessive price-scanner errors which caused customers to be overcharged for some items, according to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division.

State officials conducted a random inspection of the store in June and found it had a five percent error rate based on a sample of 100 sales. The store was given until August to reduce the error rate to two percent or less on a larger sampling of store items but failed again, only reducing the error rate to three percent with nine overcharges out of 300 items, which resulted in the fine.

Inspectors also take into account customers being undercharged, but those instances do not count against the store, according to the Ag Department. Complete article

Walmart fined $2.1 million in overcharge case 03/21/2012

Walmart Fined $66,000 for Overcharging Customers by $0.50 09/16/2014

The Walmart in Gastonia was fined for overcharging customers. 05/02/2012

9 investigates NC stores charging the wrong prices 11/24/2015 Channel 9 tagged along with Dutton at the Walmart on Albemarle Road, where he headed in with a clipboard and a scanner to check the prices of 50 random items. Walmart would not let Channel 9 go into the store with him.


Magnolia Arkansas Walmart evacuated Friday night due to breaker box fire 11/03/2017

Watertown woman charged with petit larceny at NY Walmart 11/03/2017

Deputies in York County Va. searching for Walmart shoplifting suspect 11/03/2017

Cedar City Utah Police: Walmart bomb threat fake 11/05/2017

Tacoma Wash. Walmart evacuated, Target store searched after bomb threats made 11/05/2017

Police Investigate Fatal Shooting In NW Oklahoma City Walmart Parking Lot 11/05/2017

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma - Police are investigating Oklahoma City’s latest homicide, after man was found with a gunshot wound in a Walmart parking lot during a busy day of Sunday shopping.

The victim crashed his truck into a car outside the store at Pennsylvania Avenue and Memorial Boulevard, but police still are not sure if that is where the shooting actually took place. Crime scene investigators had to process the entire south side of the Walmart parking lot to try to gather evidence about what happened. They are also reviewing the available surveillance video and interviewing witnesses to try to figure it out.

The call first came out as a vehicle crash, after a pickup truck slammed into a parked car on the south side of Walmart's parking lot. Officer Jeff Dutton says, “They actually found out that there was some sort of confrontation in the parking lot close to the south side. That confrontation led to one of the vehicles speeding off from that area.”

The truck that sped west to east through the south end of the parking lot was being driven by the victim. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital, but was pronounced dead from at least one gunshot wound. Complete article

Police arrest 17-year-old in connection to fatal shooting at N.W. Oklahoma City Walmart 11/07/2017


One person injured, multiple pets killed in Des Moines Iowa Wal-Mart parking lot RV fire 11/03/2017

A man and woman escaped an RV fire in the parking lot of the Southeast 14th Wal-Mart, with one sustaining only minor injuries, according to the Des Moines Fire Department.

At around 9 p.m., emergency officials received a call regarding a vehicle on fire, Des Moines Fire Captain Steve Beckett told the Register. When they arrived, firefighters found a recreational vehicle in the back of the parking lot fully engulfed.

One person was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Four dogs and a cat were inside the RV as well. Fire o Complete article


Forks man jailed following theft from Sequim Wash. Walmart, pursuit 11/06/2017

SEQUIM — A Forks man who deputies say walked out of the Sequim Walmart with nearly $1,000 in merchandise, fled police and attempted to steal a vehicle was jailed over the weekend.

Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Don Kitchen said he stopped to investigate Saturday after he found a shopping cart in a bush near Walmart — full of unbagged items with security devices still attached.

Inside the cart was a radio control drone, dufflebag, air gun, flashlight, BB gun, tent, holster, tools and several other items, totalling $975.39.

When Kitchen stopped to look at the cart, Jason Brack, 20, stood up from the bushes and attempted to “nonchalantly” walk away, Kitchen said.

“I asked him to talk to me and he bolted,” he said. Complete article


Man dies in attempt to elude police near Franklin Wisc. Walmart 11/04/2017

FRANKLIN -- A suspect is dead after jumping into a retention pond following a chase in Franklin. It happened Saturday afternoon, November 4th.

A last-minute decision to stop at Walmart Saturday afternoon, November 4th, nearly cost Judy V her life.

"Somebody came from behind flying past a whole bunch of cars, and he smashed my whole front end right off," said Judy. ....

After the collision, the suspect's car spun out and ended up on the grass outside of the store parking lot. Witnesses say they saw a female passenger run toward Walmart while the male driver ran in the opposite direction and jumped into a retention pond next to the scene.

"When I walked over there I just heard kicking in the water and it sounded like he was gasping for air," said Joel Anderson, witness.

Several shoppers captured video of the Franklin dive team pulling the suspect from the pond 20 minutes later, and loading him onto a stretcher. The man was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Complete article


Troy woman arrested after fight outside Brunswick NY Walmart 11/06/2017

Trio sought in late evening purse snatching at SC Walmart 11/06/2017

He walked out of Walmart with a cash drawer — now police want to know who he is 11/06/2017

Suspect arrested after gunshot fired inside Augusta Me. Wal-Mart 11/06/2017

AUGUSTA — A man is in custody following the discharge of a firearm inside Walmart in Augusta.

Police told WCSH that a suspect entered the store around 8 p.m. with a firearm, and a confrontation ensued with another person inside — referred to by police as a “good Samaritan” — who was trying to disarm the man with the firearm. They said one shot was fired within the building.

While police were responding to the incident inside the store, a woman passed away in the parking lot, according to Augusta Police Deputy Chief Jared Mills.

The woman’s cause of death was not immediately known, but Mills said it wasn’t due to “a gunshot wound or anything that was apparent” and that police would be working with the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine exactly what happened. Complete article

Man speaks out about armed confrontation, shooting incident in Augusta Walmart 11/07/2017

Robert Potter, 31, of Augusta, was arrested by Augusta police initially on charges of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault with a firearm. Later he was charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, which is a felony.

Potter was taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center and remains hospitalized at an undisclosed location for medical treatment, according to a news release issued Tuesday.

Dispute over untied shoelace led to Walmart gunfire, man says 11/08/2017

Augusta man arrested after Walmart confrontation was barred from owning firearm 11/09/2017


Montana man charged with theft at ND Walmart 11/07/2017

Video: Thief snatches woman's purse in Franklin Wisc. Walmart parking lot while she loads groceries into car 11/07/2017

Health Department Says NY Walmart Backup Caused By Block in Sewage Line 11/06/2017

Man convicted in deadly Tx. Walmart shooting killing three sentenced 11/06/2017

Man arrested for exposing himself to Idaho Walmart employee 11/06/2017

Woman uses child in attempt to steal from Fla. Walmart 11/07/2017

Man used stolen credit card at NC Walmart, deputies searching 11/07/2017

Shooting at Oroville Ca. Walmart leaves one in critical condition 11/07/2017

A man is in critical condition and four suspects remain at large after a shooting in a Walmart parking lot in Oroville.

Oroville Police Department dispatchers received several 911 calls reporting shots fired at around 4:15 p.m. Monday, Lt. Chris Nicodemus said. Emergency responders arrived to find a man bleeding from his torso and two spent bullet casings lying on the ground nearby.

Security footage showed the victim drove into the Walmart parking lot, spoke briefly with two women in a dark Nissan sedan without getting out of his car, then parked in the southwest corner of the lot. The Nissan, which appeared to have paper license plates and was later photographed with a dent on the passenger side door, parked next to the man’s car. Complete article

Oroville police suspect Walmart shooting was a drug deal gone bad 11/08/2017


Shoppers paid Cook County Ill. pop tax at Hammond Ind. Walmart 11/07/2017

Cook County's much-maligned tax on sweetened beverages proved so unpopular and politically toxic that it will be repealed Dec. 1.

The rollout of the tax of 1 cent per ounce on all sweetened beverages, including artificially sweetened diet pops with no calories, was so problematic that the tax got levied outside of Cook County — in another state in fact.

Lansing residents Denise Doorneweerd and Marina Gallegos went shopping Sunday at the Hammond Walmart just off the Borman Expressway, about three miles east of the state line and the Cook County border. They often shop in the Hoosier state because the taxes are lower and so many stores have closed in their hometown.

They bought some Hawaiian Punch that was on sale and were headed back to the car when Gallegos noticed the receipt included $1.28 for "Cook Cty SBT." Complete article


More guilty pleas in lab fraud that paid Tx. soldiers Walmart gift cards for saliva, urine 11/07/2017

Two remaining defendants in a $36 million fraud scheme have admitted to taking part in the collection of unnecessary lab tests of saliva and urine that were billed to the U.S. military’s health care system, according to plea documents.

Jody Sheffield and Erik Bugen, of Travis County, filed court papers last week agreeing to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

A judge will have to formally accept the pleas before they become official. Bugen’s attorney on Tuesday declined to comment. Sheffield’s attorney could not be reached. Complete article


Woman charged with paying $3.70 for $1,800 worth of electronics in Fla. Walmart self-checkout 11/07/2017

Wal-Mart Female Employees Try Again for Sex-Bias Class Action 11/07/2017

Police seek help in identifying retail theft suspects at York County Pa. Walmart 11/07/2017

Woman Shares Story After Being Robbed In Fort Smith Arkansas Walmart Parking Lot 11/07/2017

Domestic incident at a SC Chick-Fil-A drive-thru turned into manhunt ending at Walmart 11/07/2017

Sheriff's office trying to identify suspects in NC Walmart thefts 11/08/2017

Police looking for men suspected of theft from Ky. Walmart 11/08/2017

Sheriff's: Man steals TV, Blu-Ray player from Va. Walmart, takes off in mismatched vehicle 11/07/2017

Woman targets Walmart stores in Hendersonville, Nashville Tenn. during baby formula thefts 11/07/2017

Man Pleads Guilty in Minn. Walmart Parking Lot Threat 11/07/2017

Florence police release photos of subject wanted for questioning in hoverboard thefts at SC Walmart 11/07/2017

Police: Alabama Walmart employee jailed for stealing $500 from store 11/02/2017

Columbus man charged after allegedly exposing himself, humping pole at Ga. Wal-Mart 11/08/2017

Bond denied for registered sex offender accused of inappropriately touching 9-year-old girl at SC Walmart 11/08/2017

Woodburn Oregon Walmart evacuated after bomb threat made 11/08/2017

This man snatched a woman’s purse at Walmart in Columbia SC, police say 11/08/2017

Threats prompt police to evacuate Lebanon Oregon Walmart 11/08/2017

Police evacuated the Lebanon Walmart late Wednesday evening after a suspect sent what officers termed "very serious threats" to several employees.

Lebanon Police Chief Frank Stevenson said a male suspect, apparently distraught over a recent break-up with a store employee, sent the threats through either voice or text message to employees. As a precaution, officers evacuated and secured the Walmart in response to fears that the man had entered the store with a gun.

Shopper Cassie Richey told the Democrat-Herald she was in the checkout line at about 9:20 p.m. when a voice over the intercom ordered everyone out of the store.

"Walking out with the employees, they said an employee's ex showed up with a gun," she wrote in a Facebook message.

However, it was not clear as of 12:30 Thursday if the suspect had actually entered the store, nor was it known how many employees were working at the time.

Richey said the Oregon State Police, Lebanon Police Department, Linn County Sheriff's Office and a police canine unit were on the scene. Representatives of those agencies were still searching the store at 12:30 a.m. A cellphone video showed officers searching vehicles in the parking lot. Armed officers guarded the store with Heckler & Koch G36 rifles. Complete article

Police: Walmart evacuated after worker's ex texted her a photo of gun pointed at store 11/09/2017


Phenix City Alabama man fell while buying a watermelon. Now Walmart will pay him $7.5 million. 11/08/2017

A Russell County Circuit Court jury returned a $7.5 million verdict late Wednesday against retail giant Walmart at its Phenix City store.

In July 2015, Henry Walker, a retired Army sergeant, was purchasing a watermelon at the store when his foot got caught in the wooden pallet and he fell, breaking his foot and hip, according to court testimony.

Walker, 59 at the time of the incident, was awarded $2.5 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages by the seven-black, five-white member jury. Complete article


Montana man charged with theft from ND Walmart 11/09/2017

Woman charged with heroin possession at Mich. Walmart parking lot 11/08/2017

Police arrest man for shooting two at Glendale Ariz. Walmart in 2016 11/08/2017

Neighbors claim alleged Fla. Walmart diaper thief shooter is living at home, not with sister as required 11/08/2017

Walmart, Davenport Iowa and Police cleared in discrimination case 11/07/2017

Ashley McReynolds Stole An Older Man's Wallet At Ill. Walmart: Cops 11/08/2017

How a SC Walmart panhandling complaint led to a captured fugitive in Myrtle Beach 11/08/2017

Police: Hallam man robbed bank in W. Manchester Pa. Walmart 11/09/2017

Identity Sought Of Tenn. Walmart Shoplifter 11/09/2017

Walmart: We've hired 188,000 veterans in four years 11/09/2017

Marshfield Wisc. public safety: Walmart parking lot hit-and-run 11/09/2017

Dinwiddie Va. Walmart Distribution Center employee charged with cutting coworker’s throat 11/09/2017

DINWIDDIE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Officials in Dinwiddie County say that a Walmart Distribution Center employee has been charged with malicious wounding after he cut a co-worker with a box cutter Thursday morning.

Dinwiddie County Sheriff’s representatives say the incident escalated from a disagreement between two employees.

Authorities say one employee cut the other in the neck with a box cutter. However, the injuries were considered superficial and authorities said the employee was patched up without having to be taken to the hospital. Complete article

Same warehouse five and a half years ago: 2 shot, 1 dead at Va. Wal-Mart distribution center 02/22/2017


Cuban man gets 5 years in prison for using fake gift cards at North Texas Walmarts 11/09/2017

DALLAS A man who pleaded guilty to using fake gift cards to defraud several North Texas stores was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday.

Roberto Carlos Puebla Saavedra, 32, who is originally from Cuba, was also ordered to pay more than $408,000 in restitution.

During a two-year period, Saavedra and his co-conspirators loaded money onto prepaid gift cards they created, went into Walmart, Sam’s Club and other retail stores in North Texas and purchased merchandise using the fake gift cards. Complete article


Report of shots fired at a Colorado Springs Walmart 11/09/2017

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Police are investigating a report of shots fired at a Colorado Springs Walmart Thursday afternoon.

The call came in just after 2:30 p.m. at 3201 E. Platte Avenue. The store is located off of Platte and Chelton. A store manager confirmed with 11 News one of their associates heard gunshots and they called police.

As of 2:40 p.m., police had not located a gun or gunman. Complete article

Report of shots fired at a Colorado Springs Walmart: 11/09/2017


Walmart Launches Officially Licensed Online Military Showcase from all Five Branches of the U.S. Armed Forces 11/10/2017

Here’s What Happens When Ugly God Goes to Walmart 11/09/2017

Man wanted in 5 burglaries at Norfolk Va. Walmart 11/0/2017

Graham-Hopedale NC Walmart closed briefly for bomb threat 11/09/2017

Police searching for unidentified man accused of shoplifting at Ga. Wal-Mart 11/10/2017

Police: He tried to steal beer from the Bluffton SC Walmart. But then deputies searched his pants and car. 11/10/2017

Walmart, Kroger among stores challenging Arkansas lawsuit to stop wine sale expansion 11/10/2017

Police Responding to Reno Nevada Walmart Strong Arm Robbery on Damonte Ranch Pkwy 11/11/2017

Leeds Alabama Police investigating after double shooting in front of Walmart 11/11/2017

LEEDS, Ala. (WIAT) — Police are investigating after two people were shot Friday night in Leeds.

Leeds PD tells CBS 42 a double shooting happened on Weaver Ave around 10:45 p.m. Reports from the scene say multiple shots were fired in front of Walmart. Neither person struck by gunfire is thought to have life-threatening injuries.

Leeds Police ask anyone with any information about the shooting to call their department. Complete article

Suspect wanted in last Friday’s double shooting at Leeds Walmart in custody 11/17/2017


Vancouver woman buys iPad from Wash. Walmart, gets bag of flour instead 11/10/2017

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A Vancouver woman said she bought an iPad Mini 4, but found a bag of flour in the box instead of an iPad.

“I paid $400 for flour,” said Sharleen Nelson.

On Sunday, Nelson visited the Walmart store on North Hayden Meadows Drive in Portland. She said a salesman helped her select the iPad, which she paid $399 for.

“He used a key to open the cabinet, looked like there were two of them,” recalled Nelson. “He pulled one out and that's the one I bought.”

Nelson got home, opened the sealed package and saw the bag of flour.

“I thought this was a new packaging thing. I didn't know what it was,” said Nelson. “This thing turned out to be a bag of flour.”

At first Nelson was scared, then her fear developed into anger.

“I thought, what if it's that anthrax?” Nelson said. “I was so mad. I don’t have $400 to just blow!” Complete article


Teens fire airsoft gun at Nebraska Walmart security guard 11/10/2017

A Walmart security guard evidently thought that a question posed to him by two teenagers was strange — and he told them so.

The boys, in a gold Honda sedan, pulled up next to the guard’s marked security car on his break Wednesday evening at the Walmart near North 99th Street and Military Road, police said.

They asked the guard whether he carried any weapons.

“That question seems suspect,” the guard responded.

Immediately, the boys fired an airsoft gun at the guard, who initially thought it was a real firearm.

The boys sped away in the car and were not located by the guard or Omaha police officers, but the incident may have been captured on video. Complete article


3 Walmart executives are facing off in a bizarre 90-day battle that will determine a strategy to beat Amazon 11/10/2017

Deputies Accuse Man of Stealing 4 Cases of Beer from Lowcountry SC Walmart and returning for more. 11/12/2017

Walmart evacuated for bomb threat in Ft. Wright Ky. 11/12/2017

Hudson NH police looking for suspects in Walmart theft 11/12/2017

Westerville Ohio police search for women accused of passing fake bills at Walmart 11/13/2017

Two 'high-dollar' thefts take place at Merrill Wisc. Walmart this weekend 11/12/2017

Suspects distract Va. Walmart clerks, steal computers 11/12/2017

Liquor Wholesaler Glazer's Charged Wal-Mart More, Suit Says 11/13/2017

Rodeo Horses Stolen From Pa. Walmart Parking Lot Returned To Children 11/13/2017

Man arrested after reportedly groping girl at Trussville Alabama Wal-Mart 11/13/2017

Greenwood police seek help in Walmart theft 11/13/2017

Man in custody after shooter scare at Colorado Springs Walmart 11/13/2017

Dozens of people were locked inside a Colorado Springs Walmart on Monday night after a man threatened people with what appeared to be a rifle, police said.

The weapon turned out to be an unloaded BB gun, and police later took the man into custody - but not until he had left the Walmart, entered the Chapel Hills Mall and gone into the movie theater there, carrying the BB gun the entire time, officers reported.

The man, whose identity wasn't released, didn't appear to be targeting anyone in particular, police said, but he did appear to be suffering a mental health problem.

"As far as we can tell, he never threatened anybody in particular," said Sgt. Jonathan Sharketti. "He just said to people, you know, 'I'm here to shoot people. This is for ISIS.' Random statements like that. Complete article


Oregon Walmart accused of denying family leave 11/14/2017

A Klamath Falls woman is suing Walmart for allegedly violating the Oregon Family Leave Act amid her efforts to care for grandchildren placed in her custody by social workers.

On Thursday, Julie A. Martin sued the corporation and Klamath Falls store manager Kelley Cooper for a combined $42,836 for events occurring last year.

The suit said Martin was given custody of her three grandchildren, ranging in age at the time from 4 to 8, after their father was investigated for child abuse. Martin said, starting Sept. 21, 2016, she was required to care for the children 24/7 after Department of Human Services identified immediate threats to their safety. Complete article


Walmart.com teams up with upscale Lord and Taylor 11/13/2017

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart will devote a section on its website to upscale Lord & Taylor, the latest strategic partnership as retailers make alliances.

The initiative announced Monday will start next spring. Lord & Taylor hopes it'll attract new customers already buying higher-end products on walmart.com. For Walmart, which has bought trendy fashion brands like ModCloth and Bonobos as it tried to broaden its customer base, the partnership is another move toward trying to create a premium online fashion destination. Complete article


Walmart’s score suspended in Human Rights Campaign rankings 11/13/2017

The retail giant Walmart, which has long been the subject of criticism over its employment practices, has found a new critic in the Human Rights Campaign’s latest corporate scorecard.

The nation’s LGBT organization suspended Walmart’s score in the 2018 Corporate Equality Index, which was unveiled last week. The cited reason for the suspension was the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. agency charged with enforcing federal employment civil rights law, finding probable cause for anti-trans discrimination within Walmart in 2017.

“During the CEI survey cycle, two Equal Employment Opportunity Commission determinations were made public in the cases of Jessica Robison (EEOC Charge Number 511-2015-01402) and Charlene Bost (EEOC Charge Number 430- 2014-01900),” the report says. “These determinations pointed to significant enforcement gaps in Wal-Mart’s non-discrimination policy, specifically with regards to sex and gender identity. Pending remedial steps by the company, the CEI rating is suspended.”

Deena Fidas, director of the Human Rights Campaign’s Workplace Equality Program, said the suspension will be lifted when Walmart addresses EEOC’s findings of anti-trans discrimination. Complete article


Man reports being robbed at gunpoint during arranged sale at Liberty Ohio Walmart 11/13/2017

LIBERTY, Ohio (WKBN) – A Cortland man making an internet sale at the Walmart in Liberty was robbed at gunpoint and dropped off in Youngstown.

It happened Thursday at around 6:40 pm.

The victim told police that he was selling an Xbox One video game on Facebook. He arranged to meet a buyer from Campbell to make the sale.

He said he got into the other man’s car to make the exchange and started counting the cash when the suspect pulled out a handgun and pointed it at his ribcage. He said the suspect then demanded that he give him the money back. Complete article


Local woman starts petition to stop Walmart at Durbin Park Fla. 11/14/2017

Employees of Kamloops Canada Walmart now being let back in after being evacuated 11/13/2017

Decatur Alabama police chase Walmart theft suspect to Airport Road 11/13/2017

Westerville Ohio police search for women accused of passing fake bills at Walmart 11/13/2017

Man seriously injured after being shot in the chest near Colorado Springs Walmart 11/14/2017

Police are looking for a man they believe shot someone outside of a Walmart on Platte Avenue early Tuesday.

Colorado Springs police were contacted about the shooting at about 4 a.m. when a man with a gun shot wound in the upper chest was admitted to St. Francis Medical Center.

The man told police that earlier in the evening, he was walking down the sidewalk near the Walmart at 3201 E. Platte Ave when he was approached by a man with a gun who "said something" then fired his gun.

The victim was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have not identified any suspects. Complete article


Walmart responds to viral video that shows carts of food being thrown out at Ohio store 11/14/2017

Photo of Walmart cashier helping nervous man count change goes viral 11/14/2017

2 wanted for burglarizing cars in Hendersonville, Tenn. using stolen cards at Walmart 11/15/2017

He needed help finding his car at Wash. Walmart, so he called 911 and said he’d been robbed 11/14/2017

A man called 911 Sunday night and reported that he had been held up at knifepoint in the parking lot of the Spanaway Walmart, Pierce County sheriff’s deputies said.

It turns out that never happened, and that he just wanted deputies to help him find his car in the parking lot.

Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer described the man with one word.

“Idiot.” Complete article


VIDEO: Ex-West Palm firefighter arrested in Fla. Walmart arson, theft 11/15/2017

WEST PALM BEACH A man who spent years fighting fires is accused of starting one last month in a West Palm Beach-area Walmart, then walking out with a cart full of stolen Halloween decorations.

Former West Palm Beach Fire Rescue employee Kenneth Gray was arrested Tuesday afternoon on first-degree arson and theft charges in the Oct. 26 fire at the Belvedere Road Walmart off North Military Trail.

The 34-year-old West Palm resident is one of three people suspected in the fire, which Palm Beach County sheriff’s authorities say was set to distract employees while Gray walked off with a cart full of merchandise that October afternoon. Complete article


Farmington man accused of armed robbery at NM Walmart 11/15/2017

FARMINGTON — A Farmington man was arrested Saturday and accused of armed robbery after allegedly pointing a BB gun at Walmart employees when he was approached about alleged shoplifting.

Bryan Chavez, 35, is charged with a second-degree felony count of armed robbery, a third-degree felony count of tampering with evidence and a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer, according to court records.

Officers for the Farmington Police Department were dispatched to the Walmart at 4600 E. Main St. around 10 a.m. Saturday on reports of an individual shoplifting, according to police spokeswoman Georgette Allen. Complete article


Bogalusa La. Walmart employee arrested after ringing up nearly $40,000 in bogus gift cards 11/14/2017

BOGALUSA, La. – A Walmart cashier is behind bars after police say he rang up nearly $40,000 worth of bogus gift cards.

Twenty-year-old Ronald McMorris was arrested when he reported to work on November 12 and booked with two counts of theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit felony theft, according to the Bogalusa Police Department.

McMorris is accused of ringing up $39,217.67 on 41 gift cards during two different transactions on November 10 without ever collecting money from the customers who bought the cards. Complete article


Savannah-Chatham police seek to identify Ga. Walmart robbers 11/14/2017

Police: Man and woman stole generator from Lynchburg Va. Walmart on Old Forest Rd. 11/14/2017

GUILTY! Rosson Convicted Over Spilled Milk at Tx. Walmart 11/14/2017

SPD arrests 2 men with cocaine at Ga. Walmart 11/14/2017

DeKalb Ill. police investigating report of assault against Muslim woman 11/14/2017

Why Walmart Is Selling Adult Sex Toys for the First Time 11/15/2017

Bomb team investigates suspicious bag at Grand Forks ND Wal-Mart 11/15/2017

Five Piedmont NC Walmarts Robbed In One Day 11/15/2017

REIDSVILLE, NC -- Reidsville police are looking for three men they believe are connected to a string of local Walmart robberies.

On Saturday, Reidsville Police responded to the Walmart on Highway 14. They said three men walked into the garden center. Two distracted an employee while a third broke into the register and stole cash.

Police say similar crimes occurred in Randleman, Eden, Greensboro and Martinsville, Virginia - all on the same day. Complete article


Two injured in high-speed accident behind NC Walmart 11/15/2017

ASHEBORO — Two passengers were injured when an Asheboro man tried to show off his car and wrecked behind Walmart late Tuesday, according to a report from the Asheboro Police Department.

Darean Antonio Marsh, 24, of Hampton Road, Asheboro, was charged with reckless driving/wanton disregard in the accident that occurred just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The police report said Marsh was driving south behind Walmart at a high-rate of speed — estimated by the driver and his passengers at 55 mph — when he tried to make a turn at the southeast corner of the building. His 2018 Honda went off the road to the right, hit a curb and traveled up an embankment. Complete article


Man charged with armed robbery at Mt. Pleasant SC Walmart over pack of cigarettes 11/16/2017

MT. PLEASANT, SC (WCSC) - A man was arrested and charged with armed robbery, resisting arrest and narcotics violations in Mount Pleasant Wednesday.

30-year-old Cheyenne Jordan allegedly brandished a knife and took just one pack of cigarettes valued at $5.83.

Mount Pleasant police responded to the Walmart at 3000 Proprietors Place at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday in response to an active armed robbery. Complete article


Man Tries to Lure Girl by Stealing Phone in Oceanside Ca. Walmart: PD 11/15/2017

Police are searching for a man accused of possibly trying to lure a young girl into his car by stealing her cellphone as she shopped with her mother at a Walmart store in Oceanside.

The strange incident happened two months ago – on Sept. 6. The Oceanside Police Department (OPD) released surveillance images and details for the first time Wednesday.

Surveillance cameras inside the store captured the suspect following the mother and daughter around a Walmart located at 705 College Blvd. At one point, without the victims seeing him, he took the girl's cellphone from their shopping cart.

The mom and girl reported the lost cellphone to store security. Shortly after that, the suspect struck up a conversation with the girl, telling her he had her phone in his car. Complete article


North Shore police reports: 2 purses snatched in Wisc. Walmart parking lot 11/15/2017

Walmart Removes ‘Perfect Wall Art’ Posters Of Japanese-American Incarceration 11/15/2017

Columbia County Ga. police investigate Walmart theft 11/16/2017

Police seek suspect in theft from Winter Haven Fla. Walmart 11/15/2017

Palm Desert Ca. Walmart employees accused of embezzlement 11/16/2017

78-year-old Water Oak man has medicine stolen from his shopping cart at Fla. Wal-Mart 11/16/2017

Small Fire Causes Evacuation of Springfield Missouri Walmart 11/17/2017

Fire closes Walmart for several hours in Indian River County Fla. 11/17/2017

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A fire broke out at the loading dock of Walmart early Thursday and closed the store for several hours.

Indian River County Fire Rescue responded to the Walmart, 5555 20th St., about 4:30 a.m. Thursday for a tire fire on a tractor-trailer, according to an incident report.

"While en route, dispatch reported the fire was getting larger and now involving the trailer and exterior of the building," the report said. When firefighters arrived at the store, they were met with heavy fire, which was "lapping up the exterior walls of the structure due to the trailer being backed into the loading dock," according to the report. Complete article


Wal-Mart shares hit a record high as sales beat expectations 11/16/2017

CHICAGO • Shares of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. hit a record high Thursday after the retailer reported its strongest revenue growth since 2009 and soaring online sales.

The better-than expected results came despite sluggish demand and competition from Amazon.com Inc. that has hurt brick-and-mortar rivals. The world’s largest retailer has notched more than three straight years of overall comparable sales growth.

“Momentum in the business is really strong,” Wal-Mart Chief Financial Officer Brett Biggs said on an earnings conference call. Complete article


Van taken from Lawton Dollar General found at Chickasha Walmart 11/16/2017

Walmart says it’s preordered 15 of Tesla’s new semi trucks 11/17/2017

Public’s help sought in search for tattooed suspect who took merchandise from Fla. Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge 11/17/2017

Accused Fla. Walmart diaper thief shooter ordered to jail 11/17/2017

County: Rats found during inspection of Vancouver Wash. Walmart, in-store McDonald's 11/17/2017

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Clark County Health Department officials found evidence of rats while inspecting a McDonald's, a deli, and a bakery located inside of a Vancouver-area Walmart.

Owners of the McDonald's at the store off Mill Plain and I-205 voluntarily closed the store when they found out about the rats .

Derek Morrison, a regional manager with McDonald's, says the owners are "very responsible, very concerned with their customers health and well being and didn't hesitate to close the store to address the problem."

On Friday, the McDonald’s had closed gates and a posted apology note, while cleaning crews scrubbed the floors in the Walmart deli department.

The Clark County Food Safety Program Director says it may be two or three more days before their inspection is finished and that part of the Walmart can re-open. Complete article


Man injured after e-cigarette explodes in Macedonia Ohio Walmart parking lot, police say 11/18/2017

Police: Woman who took strolls through Va. Walmart for strollers stole two cases of beer, too 11/17/2017

Police looking for woman who tried to shoplift from WV Walmart 11/16/2017

Gaylord Mich. Walmart evacuated because of fire 11/17/2017

Do you know this woman? Cops look for Pa. Walmart theft suspect 11/15/2017

Weather causes area damage in Frankfort, Ind. flipped semis at Walmart 11/18/2017

Man Tried to Steal Over $3K-Worth of Apple Watches From East Windsor Conn. Walmart: PD 11/19/2017

Man robbed, shot in parking lot of Charlotte NC Walmart 11/18/2017

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - A man was shot in the stomach and robbed outside a Walmart in east Charlotte, police say.

The victim is expected to recover after he was rushed to a hospital from East WT Harris Boulevard off Albemarle Road.

The thief took off with the man's wallet. Complete article


Cedar Rapids Iowa police investigate armed Walmart robbery 11/19/2017

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- Cedar Rapids Police are investigating an armed robbery at Walmart on Blairs Ferry Road.

It happened around 7 p.m. Saturday night. Police said a gunman approached an associate and stole a phone. The man then fled the store.

Authorities had a limited description of the suspect, saying only that he was a “black male.”

At last check, police were unsure if the armed robbery at Walmart was connected to four others in the area recently. Three of them at Cedar Rapids locations and another at a Quick Mart in Hiawatha. Complete article


NBC 5 Viewers Respond With Experiences at Walmart Auto Services 11/17/2017

After NBC 5 shared a story of a North Texas driver whose car's engine had no oil after a Walmart oil change, other viewers came forward with similar stories.

Jose Betances got his oil changed at the Walmart on Farm-to-Market Road 423.

Hours later his car had a major malfunction.

"Every signal that you can think of was on at the same time. Next step, I have no acceleration, and I can't accelerate on the car," Betances told NBC 5 Responds in September. Complete article


These Wal-Mart executives sold $11 million worth of stock as soon as they were allowed 11/20/2017

Five Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executives took advantage of the stock’s biggest rally in nine years to a record high last week to sell a total of $11 million worth of shares, as soon as they were allowed to trade.

The stock WMT, +0.01% had shot up 10.9% on Thursday to a record close of $99.62, after the discount retail behemoth reported fiscal third-quarter earnings, revenue and same-store sales that beat expectations. That was the biggest one-day percentage gain since Oct. 28, 2008.

The next day, the stock pulled back by 2.2%, trading in an intraday range of $96.58 to $100.13 before closing at $97.47.

Some time Friday morning, President and Chief Executive of Walmart International David Cheesewright had sold 55,000 common shares at $99.29, in an open market or private sale, to raise $5.46 million, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

John Furner, president and chief executive of Sam’s Club, and David Chojnowski, a senior vice president and Wal-Mart’s controller also sold shares at the same price. Furner sold 1,200 share to raise $119,148, while Chojnowski sold 684.2 shares to raise about $67,932. Complete article


Salem Ind. Walmart Warning Residents Of Scam 11/20/2017

Police find syringes, abandoned drugs while arresting man at Myrtle Beach SC Walmart 11/20/2017

Florida Highway Patrol investigates Walmart crash 11/20/2017

Waynesville NC police ask for the public's help in identifying Walmart theft suspect 11/20/2017

POLICE REPORTS: Grooming supplies, bandana among items stolen from Tx. Walmart 11/20/2017

Labor advocates urge Walmart to raise wages for holiday shifts 11/20/2017

MARTINEZ — Workers and labor activists are calling on Walmart to give employees a higher wage for shifts that fall on holidays, something companies across a slew of industries already practice.

As part of Making Change at Walmart, a campaign from the United Food and Commercial Workers international labor union, union members and activists demonstrated outside a Walmart store on Arnold Drive in Martinez on Monday, kicking off the first of what organizers said would be several coordinated protests at Walmart stores across the country.

Making Change at Walmart organizer Jenny Divish, along with former Walmart employee Gabriel Portugal and UFCW Local 5 representative Bambi Marien, handed a petition to a manager at the Walmart store that urged Walmart to give an increased hourly wage to workers on holiday shifts.

“We believe the holidays are a special time of year. However, Walmart’s policy eliminating holiday pay in 2016 sends a strong message that there is nothing special about the holidays when it comes to how Walmart treats and pays its workers,” the petition said. “If Walmart is going to remain open on major holidays like Thanksgiving and New Year’s, then it should bring back holiday pay so workers are fairly compensated for all that they give up to make the holidays happen.” Complete article


Missouri & Kansas Police often respond to one store more than any other – Walmart 11/20/2017

ST. LOUIS, MO — A Fox Files investigation found Walmart demands much more attention from police departments, and often doesn't pay extra for that additional help. We began our investigation after hearing the town of Raytown, Kansas tried declaring their Walmart a public nuisance. Raytown hoped that would get their town more police power since the Walmart there demanded so much help from police.

Here in the St. Louis area, it’s easy to find news in the crime archives.

“I heard three shots boom boom boom,” one woman said after a deadly shooting and police pursuit at the Cahokia, IL Walmart in 2016. “I'm trying to make sure I don't get shot,” someone else said.

Last month, the O’Fallon, MO Walmart locked down during a SWAT standoff with a gun toting felon. ......

The Maplewood Walmart has more than five times the police calls as any other Maplewood business -- 1472 call in a year. Sam’s Club was 2nd with 271 calls. Lowe’s had 245. ......

In Shrewsbury, where Walmart gets a tax break, they also need more police help than anybody else. Former Alderwoman Dee Wiecher fought that break in 2013. She said, “I don't understand why you'd want to give people money that already have money. It doesn't make sense.” Complete article


Death of man who struggled with Ill. Walmart security in July ruled a homicide 11/20/2017

The death of a man after he was restrained by security guards in a Walmart parking lot on the Northwest Side has been ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Donnell J. Burns, 23, died primarily of "stress and asphyxia" after struggling with the guards in the 4600 block of West North Avenue on July 25, the office said. Complete article


Do you know this man? York County police say he slashed tire at Pa. Walmart 11/20/2017

Police are asking for help in identifying a man who they say recently slashed a tire on a vehicle parked at the Walmart in Springettsbury Township, according to a news release.

Springettsbury Township Police say the man apparently was upset at another vehicle taking a parking spot he had his eye on. The store is located at 2801 E. Market St. Complete article


Police: LaGrange Ga. Walmart employee hit by hammer 11/20/2017

LAGRANGE, Ga. — LaGrange police are investigating an assault where a Walmart employee was attacked with a hammer.

Police say the attack happened at the Franklin Road Walmart Saturday morning. Police say the Walmart employee was assaulted when they tried to stop two suspects from stealing cell phones.

One suspect hit the employee in the head with a hammer, then the other shoved the employee to the ground. Complete article


Police search for couple suspected of stealing TV from Tabb Va. Walmart 11/20/2017

Police: Suspects Stole $1,700 Worth Of Electronics From Bay Minette Alabama Walmart 11/20/2017

Wood River Police seeking public's assistance for Ill. Wal-Mart theft 11/2/2017

Woman at NC Walmart hit by gunfire from Rocky Mount mall 11/21/2017

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WNCN) — A woman was shot Tuesday afternoon after gunfire came from a nearby mall in Rocky Mount, police said.

The incident was reported around 2 p.m. near Golden East Crossing mall on North Wesleyan Boulevard.

Rocky Mount police said the woman was the “unintended victim” while she was across Jeffreys Road at Walmart. Complete article


Employee found dead at Walmart in Raritan Township NJ 11/21/2017

FLEMINGTON - An employee was found dead at a Raritan Township Walmart on Sunday.

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski and Raritan Township Police Chief Glenn Tabasko said that a 48-year-old Noah Gold, a Walmart employee, died at the store.

Gold, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, died of cardiac arrest, according to Kearns. Complete article


Body found behind Cahokia Ill. Walmart 11/21/2017

Cahokia police discovered a body Tuesday behind the Walmart on Camp Jackson Road.

As of Tuesday evening, police were not classifying the man’s death as a homicide, said Cahokia Chief David Landmann. Landmann would not say how they believed the man died, but said police should know within 24 hours.

The man, who appeared to be in his early 20s, had not been positively identified as of Tuesday night, Landmann said. Complete article

Man who died behind Cahokia Walmart likely shot himself, police say 11/22/2017


Bossa Nova bots coming to a Wal-Mart near you, but please ignore them 11/21/2017

Martin Hitch would kindly like you to ignore his robots.

The next time you see a Bossa Nova robot moving slowly up and down the aisles of your favorite store, please, walk on by.

“The last thing we want is for people to stop and talk to it,” Hitch, the company's chief business officer, said, noting that the Bossa Nova bots aren't equipped with technology that would allow them to talk. “We have a job to do, and we don't want to be interrupted on the job.”

Bossa Nova, a Carnegie Mellon University spinoff robotics company, is serious about the job it designed its robots to do, and retailers are becoming serious about Bossa Nova. Complete article


Irritant prompts evacuation at North Kingstown RI Walmart; 1 taken to hospital 11/21/2017

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Fifteen people were evaluated and one employee was taken to the hospital Tuesday after customers complained of an irritant in the air at the North Kingstown Walmart.

The town’s fire department responded around 1:45 p.m. to the Ten Rod Road retailer and immediately evacuated the building, according to North Kingstown Fire Chief Scott Kettelle.

Kettelle said customers and employees reported throat irritation and coughing while in the area of the store’s pharmacy.

Investigators are working to determine the cause. Kettelle said he believed the source has been narrowed down to the HVAC system, but the exact problem is still being determined. A contractor has been called in to evaluate the unit. Complete article


Colorado Walmart fires employee for subduing burglary suspect 11/21/2017

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- A 31-year-old Colorado man says Walmart fired him for doing his job.

Ramon asked his last name and hometown not be used, not because he fears retaliation from Walmart, but because he's worried about the countless shoplifters he helped the Commerce City Police Department arrest as an asset protection associate for the nation's largest retailer.

Ramon was fired Nov. 10 after subduing a store burglary suspect four days earlier.

"All I was trying to do was do my job, the best I could," Ramon said.

Surveillance video shows Ramon getting sucker punched in the eye by the 21-year-old suspect, Juan Izalbe.

The video then shows Ramon tackling Izalbe and holding him on the ground until police arrived and handcuffed Izalbe.

"(Izalbe) flat out told me 'I'm schizophrenic, I don't know what I'm going to do,'" Ramon said, explaining why he bear hugged the suspect to the floor, "When someone says something likes that, you have to take those threats seriously." .....

Ramon made $15 per hour and said Walmart could have trouble recruiting workers for that position in the future if employees fear getting fired for using appropriate judgment. Complete article


Former cop files federal suit against Pa. Walmart 11/21/2017

The former Bradford City Police officer who lost his job for allegedly shoplifting at Walmart — charges he was acquitted of — has filed a federal negligence lawsuit against the retail giant in federal court in Erie.

Shayne Miller is suing Walmart Stores Inc. for an alleged incident earlier this year in which he claimed the self-checkout station didn’t alert him when it failed to scan items. He was subsequently charged with — and acquitted of — shoplifting.

According to the lawsuit, on April 21 and 26, Miller was shopping at Walmart, and used the self-checkout lane. Both times, he attempted to purchase Smithfield pork chops, but according to the lawsuit, scanned the wrong bar code on the product. The code didn’t scan correctly, but Miller claims he was not notified by the register or by the designated employee at the self-checkout stations that the items didn’t scan. Complete article


Daring shoppers plan to wear Walmart uniform to get away with freebies on Black Friday? 11/21/2017

Some employees are getting entrepreneurial and selling their Walmart vests for as little as $20 to hopeless shoppers looking for a come up on Black Friday.

The online scheme would allow non-Walmart employees to wear the uniform and walk out the door undetected without paying for a thing.

A post on Facebook captioned, “Walmart vest for sale $20 wear it and walk right out the door without paying on Black Friday.”

This is not the first time this kind of thing has happened. Each year there are ads like this that pop up on social media around Thanksgiving. They often go viral considering many people are simply desperate for a good Black Friday deal, let alone for free.

Unfortunately for those brave enough to buy the uniform and give the plan a shot, they won’t get far because employees are searched. Complete article


Thieves sought in Colorado Springs area Walmart robberies 11/21/2017

Hesperia Ca. Walmart briefly evacuated after false bomb threat 11/21/2017

Pedestrian injured in accident outside Pa. Wal-Mart on Monday 11/21/2017

Three arrested for attempted auto theft at Nevada Walmart 11/21/2017

Drunk cop left Tx. Walmart with $830 in unpaid groceries: police 11/22/2017

A cop in Dallas who reeked of alcohol “strolled” out of a Walmart one day ahead of Thanksgiving with more than $800 of unpaid groceries, police said.

Officer Christopher Hankins, while wearing a Dallas Police Department windbreaker, spent nearly three hours inside a Denton County Walmart before officers from the Northeast Police Department responded to the store for a possible theft at 1:35 a.m. Wednesday, the Dallas Morning News reports.

Hankins, according to police records, sat on a produce cooler for nearly 30 minutes before walking out with 169 items worth about $830. Complete article


WATCH: Two fires set in aisles at Texas Walmart 11/22/2017

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — Firefighters responded to flames in the middle of the aisles at a Walmart in Cedar Park, Texas, early Wednesday morning.

The fire broke out at 1:44 a.m. Jackie Sinclair posted video to Facebook of the flames, which appear to be in an aisle behind the watches and jewelry section. Cedar Park Fire Department says two separate fires were set inside and they’re investigating it as arson.

“How did this happen?” Sinclair says on the video. “Time to go — that’s a little too big for my taste.” Complete article

Cedar Park Walmart to remain closed for Black Friday after fire 11/22/2017

According to Cedar Park Fire Marshal Randle Blesing, the suspect -- who is not currently in custody -- set one fire near the clothing section and another near the vacuums.

"No, the suspect is not in custody at this time, but we have interviewed that person," Blesing said.

Blesing added that the suspect is cooperating with the investigation and said that they have obtained video evidence from inside the store.

Police have suspect, but no charges yet in fire at Cedar Park Walmart 11/28/2017


Richland SC Deputy Hit by Officer's Car During Walmart Chase 11/22/2017

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A Richland County deputies was hit by another officer's car while chasing a suspect outside a Columbia Walmart Wednesday afternoon.

Officers say around 4 p.m. officers got a call about suspicious suspects at the Walmart on Garners Ferry Road. Officers say the incident involved a stolen car.

One deputy was running after the suspects across the parking lot, while another officer was trying to chase the suspects in his car. The deputy in the car, however, wound up hitting the officer who was on foot. Complete article


Union Walmart protests fizzle as a Black Friday tradition 11/24/2017

Unions have stopped trying to use Walmart's day-after-Thanksgiving 'Black Friday' sales to launch public relations blitzes against the corporation, effectively conceding that the once-high profile efforts were making little headway toward organizing a union at the nation's largest employer.

"We actually don't have any events planned for Black Friday," said Amy Ritter, spokeswoman for Making Change at Walmart, a nonprofit activist group funded and run by the United Food and Commercial Workers. Complete article


Police look for gunman after man shot in SC Walmart parking lot 11/24/2017

GEORGETOWN, S.C. (WCSC) — A shooting in a Walmart parking lot overnight left one person hospitalized and police searching for the shooter.

Police responded to Georgetown Memorial Hospital Friday after a man was shot around 3 a.m., officials said.

The victim told police he got into a verbal altercation with a man at the Sonoco gas station on North Fraser Street.

The victim left the gas station and drove to the Walmart parking lot, where the suspect and victim exchanged words again, police said.

Police said the suspect then fired two shots into the victim's vehicle, and one of the shots hit the victim in the arm. Complete article

Man connected to Georgetown Black Friday Walmart shooting turns himself in, police say 11/27/2017


Several hurt in accident in front of Ammon Idaho Wal-Mart 11/22/2017

Crime: Poinsettia, bacon, beer stolen from SC Wal-Mart 11/23/2017

Man sentenced to 6 years for 2016 Jacksonville murder in drug deal outside Walmart 11/23/2017

Fla. Walmart evacuated on Thanksgiving because of suspicious package 11/23/2017

Hudson NH PD says man stole computers from Walmart 11/23/2017

Winter Haven Fla. police warn of lottery scammers who target Walmart shoppers 11/23/2017

Woman says Mich. Walmart greeter stopped her from leaving after she was being followed 11/22/2017

Juvenile arrested for calling in Ill. Walmart bomb threat 11/22/2017

Police find no evidence of bomb at Vermont Walmart, despite threat 11/24/2017

Police clear Bernalillo NM Walmart after reported bomb threat 11/24/2017

Police: Man legally possessed gun at Walmart in Auburn NY 11/25/2017

Three Miami Men arrested in Enterprise for fraudulent activity at Alabama Wal-Mart 11/22/2017

Homeless man damages merchandise at closed NM Walmart, APD says 11/24/2017

Samsung TV Stolen From Columbia SC Walmart 11/24/2017

Tx. Walmart employees get $100 for working on Thanksgiving, thanks to app 11/24/2017

Pair tries to steal $4,250 in Mich. Walmart Black Friday merchandise 11/25/2017

Midnight mayhem & crash reported at Colorado Walmart 11/25/2017

A man allegedly behind the wheel of a van who refused to stop for law enforcement near the parking lot of the North Avenue Walmart Thursday night — just as crowds massed for the store's midnight Black Friday sales ­— fled authorities and crashed his vehicle near the store before being arrested.

An arrest affidavit for Michael Patterson, 51, of Grand Junction, denied driving the van that crashed over two curbs and down an embankment into a fence when he was apprehended near the store.

A Mesa County sheriff's deputy first saw the van just before 11 p.m. near 29 and Patterson roads, and realized the vehicle had expired tags. A search of the van's license plate led to Patterson, who had multiple warrants out for his arrest, according to a report. The deputy noted the man driving the van matched a mug shot of Patterson. Complete article


Police arrest Ca. Walmart thief, search for Visalia shooter 11/24/2017

Before the Black Friday madness even began, a man started a fight in a Visalia Walmart Wednesday night.

Visalia officers were called just after 10 p.m. to Walmart at 1819 East Noble Avenue.

A loss prevention officer tried to stop 34-year-old Justin Kemal from stealing items from the store but Kemal became "combative" with employees. Kemal choked one of the loss prevention officers, police said.

Kemal escaped before police arrived. A police dog was able to track Kemal down a short time later, officers said. He was taken to Kaweah Delta Medical Center for dog bites. Complete article


Woman found dead in vehicle parked at Fort Collins Colorado Walmart 11/24/2017

FORT COLLINS — A woman was found dead in a vehicle outside a Walmart in north Fort Collins around 1:40 p.m. Wednesday.

Fort Collins police received reports of an unresponsive woman in a car at the Walmart on 1250 E. Magnolia St. and found that the woman was dead. Police investigated the death and determined there were no suspicious circumstances, said police spokesman Matt Johnson.

The make and model of the vehicle the woman was found in were not disclosed by Johnson, as police are waiting to release additional information until the Larimer County Coroner's Office determines the victim's cause of death and identity. Complete article


Disabled man says he was denied riding shopping cart at Ga. Walmart 11/24/2017

Northwest police reports: Pair steals from Wisc. Walmart, lead police on car chase 11/22/2017

New Hartford NY Police called for alleged stabbing outside of Walmart 11/25/2017

Walmart customer irate after his iPhone 6 order for Black Friday is cancelled 11/25/2017

Deputies search for Va. Walmart thieves caught on camera 11/26/2017

2 on the run after trying to steal $4K in Mich. Walmart merchandise 11/25/2017

Dispatch: Deputies respond to gunshot victim at SC Walmart 11/25/2017

Deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office responded to Walmart on 1451 Woodruff Road to reports of a gunshot victim in the parking lot Saturday morning, county dispatchers said.

The call came in at 10: 01 a.m., dispatchers said.

The Coroner's Office said it appears to be a suicide. Complete article


Missouri West County mall, Walmart briefly closed during protests 11/26/2017

MANCHESTER • A Walmart store at 201 Highlands Boulevard Drive near Manchester Road and Highway 141 closed briefly Sunday afternoon after protesters began chanting inside the store.

A short time later, the West County Center in Des Peres closed for about 20 minutes when protesters turned up there.

Police officers were visible at the scene of both protests. Complete article


Bedford Va. Police: Walmart robbery suspect is on the loose 11/26/2017

Robbery suspect threatened to kill Tx. Walmart employee over cell phone, say police 11/27/2017

Youngstown Ohio Police: Man arrested on east side suspected Austintown Walmart shooter in Oct. 11/26/2017

Shoppers claim online company grabbed Walmart Black Friday deals to sell for profit 11/27/2017

Man found unresponsive after using drugs outside Pa. Walmart, cops say 11/26/2017

Police: Man stole Children’s Hospital of Richmond donations from Va. Walmart 11/27/2017

Woman pulls knife on ND Walmart employee 11/27/2017

Homeless man arrested on Black Friday at Fla. Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza 11/27/2017

Suspect in 4 Louisiana killings captured at Alabama Walmart 11/27/2017

The suspect in four killings Sunday in Louisiana was captured Monday morning in Alabama.

Taurus Ike Hamilton, 23, was taken into custody about 11 a.m. at Walmart in Tuscaloosa, according to Louisiana lawmen. Hamilton's mother, Belinda Folse, was also arrested, Zacary Police Chief David McDavid told AL.com.

The first shooting happened about 4:35 p.m. at a gas station at the intersection of Main Street and Plank Road. The chief said a fight erupted, subsided and then flared up again. That is when authorities say the suspect - later identified as Hamilton - pulled a gun and shot and killed Christopher Price. Complete article


Here's Utah's biggest employer (and no, it's not Walmart) it's Intermountain Healthcare 11/27/2017

Utah bucks the trend when it comes to which business is the largest in-state employer.

A new map from 24/7 Wall Street identified Walmart as the country’s largest employer in 22 different states. But in Utah, Intermountain Healthcare led the way. Utah was one of the 14 states where the biggest employer was in the health care industry. Complete article


Man arrested after concealing hatchet in Westminster Md. Walmart 11/27/2017

A Finksburg man was arrested Tuesday, Nov. 21, after allegedly attempting to steal a hatchet and other items from the Westminster Walmart.

Donald J. Grimes, 26, of the 3000 block of Old Westminster Pike, was arrested and charged with obstructing and hindering, possession of heroin, second degree assault, resisting arrest, failure to obey a lawful order, theft of less than $100, and disorderly conduct.

According to charging documents, police responded to Walmart for report of a person who had concealed a hatchet while in the store. Police said they approached Grimes and asked him not to remove the hatchet while they removed it from his pants. Police said he then pulled away and reached for the hatchet. Police then held his arm behind his back and pulled out the hatchet, which had been removed from its packaging. Complete article


Caretaker accused of punching disabled patient in Fla. Walmart parking lot 11/27/2017

Deputies stake out stolen car at Rancho Cucamonga Ca. Walmart, catch man with stolen merchandise, drugs 11/27/2017

Three women suspected of stealing from Tabb Va. Walmart 11/27/2017

Franklin Va. Walmart evacuated due to bomb threat 11/27/2017

Man leads deputies on chase after stealing TV from Ky. Walmart 11/27/2017

Police: Man arrested for sexual battery of 16-year-old female co-worker at Va. Walmart 11/28/2017

Family Targeted In Mass. Walmart Parking Lot On Black Friday 11/28/2017

SALEM (CBS) – Giselle says what was supposed to be a fun night out shopping with the family on Black Friday turned frightening for her and her boyfriend’s family. “He said ‘I’m going to find out where you live and I am going to kill you,’” Giselle said.

Police say out of nowhere the family was verbally attacked and almost run over by 56-year-old Robert McCarthy inside the Walmart parking lot in Salem. They say McCarthy started yelling racially and sexually charged comments.

“He started pointing at her son and started doing something sexual with his hand and mouth,” Giselle said.

Police say McCarthy was causing a stir inside Walmart and was asked to leave just moments before the incident. That’s when McCarthy is accused of using his car as a weapon. “He started going around and around trying to hit us and saying he was going to kill us,” Giselle said. Complete article


'Please call police': Woman's pleas at Oregon Walmart lead to rape charges against Roseburg man 11/28/2017

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A 27-year-old Roseburg man faces accusations of rape after officers responded to a report of a woman whispering "please call the police" under her breath to employees and customers at Walmart Saturday night, according to court documents filed in the case.

The woman told investigators the man had raped her 2 to 3 times daily for 3 weeks. The most recent rape had happened earlier that same night after the suspect kicked in the door to her apartment when she wouldn't let him inside to retrieve his belongings, according to an officer's sworn statement to the court. Complete article


Suspects in Henderson Nevada car crash-turned-armed-robbery stalked target at Walmart 11/28/2017

HENDERSON, Nev. (KSNV) — Henderson police are on the hunt for two suspects who they say targeted a senior citizen and then robbed her at gunpoint. It happened Nov. 22 as the woman was leaving a shopping plaza near Serene and Eastern.

Police say the suspects followed the woman through one or more stores, and when she got in her car they were waiting and trailed her for at least 15 minutes to the intersection of Solera Sky Drive and Tranquil Moon Street.

That’s where officers say they rammed into the back of her car, pulled out a gun and demanded her purse and jewelry. Police say they got images of the suspects by backtracking the woman’s steps to the Walmart in the shopping plaza. Complete article


Two-car crash snarls traffic near Arkansas Walmart 11/28/2017

5 indicted in credit-card fraud scheme targeting Phoenix, Tucson Ariz. Walmart stores 11/28/2017

Wal-Mart heiress sells 1,460-acre ranch west of Fort Worth Tx. 11/29/2017

Cashier arrested in Tx. Walmart robbery investigation 11/29/2017

Fatal stabbing at Temecula Ca. Walmart under investigation; suspect detained 11/29/2017

TEMECULA, (KABC) -- In an apparent case of road rage, a 19-year-old man was stabbed to death at a Walmart in Temecula and one person was detained at the scene, officials said.

Friends and family identified the victim as 19-year-old Kevin Rodriguez. He died in his girlfriend's arms, family members said.

Rodriguez maintains an Instagram account with more than 32,000 followers and lists his occupation as freelance videographer. Complete article


Kroger, Walmart fining suppliers for late deliveries 11/29/2017

Grocers like Kroger and Walmart are fining suppliers for late or incomplete deliveries, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Grocers lose approximately $75 billion annually in sales due to out-of-stocks and unsaleable goods. To combat the loss in sales, Kroger is charging suppliers $500 per day for deliveries made past a two-day window, and Walmart charges fines against companies that cost about 3 percent of the value of each late or incomplete delivery, according to the WSJ. Complete article


Walmart under fire for selling controversial shirt threatening journalists 11/29/2017

The controversial phrase "Rope. Tree. Journalist. Some assembly required," has been around since at least 2007, and printed on shirts since around 2009.

However, the shirt design has recently resurfaced after one of the world's largest retailers began selling shirts with the phrase printed on them online. Complete article


Walmart Sues City Of Sheboygan Wisc. Over “Excessive” Property Taxes 11/29/2017

Last week, Walmart continued a pattern by suing the City of Sheboygan over property taxes. The company says its Sheboygan outlet has been over-taxed by the city, as the debate over “dark stores” in Wisconsin continues.

In an official complaint, Walmart lawyers argue that their property taxes for 2017 are “excessive,” and they want the City of Sheboygan to issue them a refund.

The Sheboygan Walmart was assessed at $13 million by the city, but Robert A. Hill, a lawyer representing Walmart, says the outlet should be assessed at just $9.7 million. According to him, Walmart stands on strong legal ground in its argument. Complete article


Houston Tx. Neighbors Said No to Walmart and Invested in Black-Owned Businesses After the Hurricane 11/29/2017

Three months ago, Hurricane Harvey ripped through Houston and coastal Texas, killing 82 people, displacing more than 60,000, and leaving parts of Houston with severe wind and flood damage. As the city recovers from the strongest hurricane to hit in more than 50 years, many of its residents in historically Black neighborhoods continue to struggle for resources and support.

“Houston is the tale of two cities,” explains Andrew Cobb, cofounder of West Street Recovery, a nonprofit disaster response organization that formed out of Hurricane Harvey to aid residents in underserved neighborhoods.

“If you flew in from the airport and drove around, you’ll probably be like, ‘Well, I don’t see the problem,’” he says. “But upon investigation, you’ll see that a lot of people in Black and brown and low-income neighborhoods still need help. These people are living in homes with severe water damage, and they are breathing mold.” Complete article


Walmart in Roseville Mich. evacuated for false bomb threat Wednesday night 11/29/2017

Arrest made in Brimfield Ohio Walmart robbery 11/29/2017 He said that on Nov. 16, Brooks allegedly followed the victim from a Cashland store in Akron to the Walmart at 250 Tallmadge Road. The victim was confronted in the Walmart parking lot, punched twice in the face and his wallet containing cash and credit cards was stolen, according to a criminal complaint.

Two-car crash snarls traffic near Arkansas Walmart 11/28/2017

Lake Delton Wisc. Walmart reopened after second bomb threat in last month 11/30/2017

Child Porn Arrest: Man accused of taking photo of little girl in Tx. Wal-Mart restroom 11/30/2017

Crime Stoppers offering reward for tips in Tx. Walmart robbery 11/30/2017

Driver crashes into Henrico Va. Walmart 11/30/2017

Watch: Man snatches cash from victim at Fla. Walmart, beats him up, police say 11/30/2017

LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) – Police said a man in Largo cashed his paycheck only to have it stolen right before his eyes.

To add insult to injury, the suspect beat him up.

The incident unfolded at a Walmart.

According to a release, the victim had just cashed his paycheck at the customer service area when a man behind him snatched the cash off the counter and made a mad dash for the parking lot.

Surveillance video shows the victim chasing the culprit outside of the store. Police said he was battered by the suspect, who fled the scene in a white van. Complete article


Police Officer Shoots Suspect at North Carolina Walmart 11/30/2017

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A police officer has shot and injured a suspect in the parking lot of a Walmart store in western North Carolina.

Local media outlets reported that officers were called to a Walmart in Hendersonville after 10 p.m. Thursday.

Police Chief Herbert Blake told WLOS-TV that an officer shot one suspect, who was taken to a hospital. There was no immediate word on the suspect's condition. Blake said the officer was not hurt. Complete article

UPDATE: Hendersonville police identify suspect, officer in fatal Walmart shooting 12/02/2017

Hendersonville, N.C. (WLOS) — Hendersonville authorities say Thursday night's officer-involved shooting was fatal.

Police have identified the suspect as Rufus Cedric Baker, a 32-year-old man from Buncombe County. ......

Police say the incident occurred during an active drug enforcement operation, and that McGaha and other members of the ACE team were not undercover as part of this operation and could easily be identified as police.

Blake says officers were conducting an undercover drug investigation at the Walmart Super Center on Highlands Square Drive at around 11 p.m. when McGaha shot Baker.

He said that when the officer tried to arrest Baker, whom Blake said was attempting to sell drugs, Baker tried to escape. The officer involved in the shooting said Baker was inside Baker's car, and appeared to be reaching for a weapon in his waistband.

The chief says officers at the scene recovered 14 bags of crystal meth and the suspect’s gun.


Police looking for suspects in Eureka Ca. Walmart armed robbery 11/30/2017

EUREKA, Calif. - Two men are on the loose after they robbed two customers at gunpoint outside Walmart in Eureka on Thursday night, according to the Eureka Police Dept.

Police said they received a call at 10:35 p.m. on Thursday of an armed robbery in the Walmart parking lot.

Police said both suspects were armed with black semi-automatic handguns and took off with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police told North Coast News that no one was hurt. Complete article


Port St. Lucie Fla. police seek help identifying multiple Walmart theft suspects 11/30/2017


Media is aiding and abetting in Televangelist Fraud

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The media routinely provides disclaimers claiming that they don't necessarily agree with the content of paid programming; however by allowing massive scams where they get a cut of the loot and refusing to sell advertisements that might interfere with profits, this raises major doubts about the legitimacy of this claim!

The commercial media has, for all practical purposes, abandoned any attempt to provide unbiased media coverage long ago and they've consolidated into six oligarchies that don't provide diversity at all; instead they're all for profit businesses who allow financial interests to decide the vast majority of their programming. This was brazenly demonstrated when they refused to sell Adbusters "uncommercials" even when they were willing to pay the going rate as described in the following excerpt:

Mainstream media has been censoring advertisements that interfere with their profit for decades, including refusing to sell Adbusters Un-commercials but it has only been reported in low profile locations!

Several women's groups joined Adbusters in purchasing four spots on the CBC show, Fashion File, and they attempted to buy airspace on CNN's Style with Elsa Klensch. Both networks refused to run the Adbuster's uncommercial. Adbusters also attempted to buy time on ABC, NBC, and CBS for a spot declaring the day after Thanksgiving, "Buy Nothing Day." None of the major networks would run the ad. Richard Gitter, NBC's vice president of advertising standards and program compliance, says that NBC doesn't air controversial ads. Gitter continued with more candor, "this action was taken in self-interest. It was a spot telling people, in effect, to ignore our advertisers" (Oldenburg). Complete article


There efforts to buy advertisements for their uncommercials go back close to twenty years, if not longer; however they have done little in the past ten years to push the issue, at least that I can find. The official version of truth, according to the advertisements, and often the content from the mainstream media, is a commodity, or at the minimum it is heavily influenced by financial interests. This goes beyond advertisements telling people to buy nothing, on Black Friday; they air an enormous volume of advertisements that are blatantly false like Colonial Penn life insurance, which doesn't cost much, but if they spend all that money on ads it's clear that they can't afford to pay out much for claims, and requests for charity, that also spend an undisclosed amount to pay for ads, leaving a fraction of the money for the actual charity, and much more.

Perhaps I'm wrong!

Perhaps you can figure out which ads really are providing accurate information that benefits the consumer. If so fell free to find it and let me know about it so I can correct this, but, if so, there has to be some explanation to how they can get the money for the ads without reducing the deal they give the customer, which is hard to believe in for profit industries, or even charities when they buy a large amount of ads or other products or services from for profit industries.

Can TV stations refuse to carry advertising? Apr 13, 2009

Adbusters suing networks for not airing spots 09/15/2004 updated 03/28/2017

Censorship of Advertisers 09/15/2003 This article claims that advertising has been protected by the first amendment; however it fails to mention the ads the media censors including Adbusters which sued the following year, although they had tried to buy ads prior to this article.

On top of that these six oligarchies that control over ninety percent of the media only cover candidates that don't challenge their control of the media; although they provide an enormous amount of coverage for candidates that do a fair job pretending to represent the public making an enormous amount of promises, and occasionally even speaking out against the media; but when they get in office they routinely show their true colors.



Televangelist fraud is incredibly easy to expose, or at least to those capable of a minimum amount of rational thinking; however it's still an enormous business.

Why?

What makes religious people believe this even when many of these lies are so obvious? There's actually an enormous amount of research available on this, although it isn't presented to the vast majority of the public. I explained previously in Dobson’s Indoctrination Machine that a major part of the reason why many children learn to believe irrational claims is that before they develop critical thinking skills religious educators recommend they be taught or disciplined with authoritarian methods often using corporal punishment. This is often accompanied by emotional appeals, and at a very young age, often before they fully learn to speak English or walk, children learn to believe what they're told and to obey orders without question.

As I explained in Philip Zimbardo, Lucifer Effect, Stanford Prison Experiment and Eli Roth Stanley Milgram's Obedience To Authority experiment much more extensive than most people realize the military has been studying how to get obedience for decades, although they have claimed that they were trying to teach people how to avoid replicating the holocaust. The military is simply not in the practice of teaching their recruits to stop and think things through before they blindly accept orders from commanders sending them to war based on lies.

In addition to that, thanks largely due to support for corporal punishment based on their interpretation of the Bible the most religious states often ahve the highest murder rates as well as explained in Does lack of education increase violent crime? Religion? And blind faith in leaders, including many that routinely betray their followers has also contributed to the fact that poverty, lack of education and income inequality are worse in the states with the strongest religious faith.

If they spend all this money on Mega-Churches without taking care of basic functions of society, like child care, educating the poor or providing social help for dysfunctional families that are in abusive homes it's not surprising that they have more violent crime in the most religious states, and as I'll elaborate more on below it is worse in most of the areas that have the largest concentration of Mega-Churches, often led by televangelists that are involved in one scam after another. These scams are often reported much better on the alternative media than in the traditional commercial media which is making an enormous amount of money selling these televangelists air time; so they have a financial incentive not to report it.

The most religious people are also more likely to blindly follow their leaders when it comes to politics and support of wars, which have been proven to be based on one lie after another. The largest rate of military recruitment is in the rural North West, where there's very little other work or high population; however the largest volume of recruits come from the Southern Bible Belt states, which also have the highest murder rates. And, as people can see from the current Senate Race in Alabama many of them are very reluctant to admit to themselves that their candidate has been implicated in child abuse.

Even after they admitted that there never were any weapons of mass destruction there was much more support for the war among evangelical leaders and followers according to Most Evangelical Leaders Still Support Iraq War 02/12/2008 And there were reports to indicate that this war, and many others were based on lies from the beginning including Scott Ritter who as this article reminds us, Pro-War Christians Should Come Clean 12/08/2004, disclosed the lies used to justify the Iraq War. Mohamed El Baradei also exposed these lies before the war began but few if any high profile ministers spoke out against it, either before or after the wear. During the Vietnam war there were much more clergymen including Martin Luther King Jr. and the Berrigan Brothers that came out against the war; however now there are almost none, at least that get any media attention speaking against current conflicts, even though it isn't hard to find research that exposes one lie after another that wars are based on.

These Clergymen claim to be "Pro-life!"

Real "Pro-life" people, especially those also concerned with quality of life, believe in protecting the environment, providing health care, education, child care and oppose wars while holding politicians accountable after they break one promise after another!

The same Evangelical preachers or other Clergymen that support one war after another are often also opposed to environmental protection economic policies that cut funds to social programs, educational opportunities for the poor, fair wages for the working class, diverse media and many more issues that benefit the vast majority of the public. On the rare occasions where clergymen do speak out for the poor they often do so in opposition to their own Church leadership especially in the Catholic Church which has a much more powerful hierarchy. Martin Luther King Jr. was of course one of the exceptions, who was much closer to his own community than any leadership he might have been accountable to and when both the Berrigan Brothers and Óscar Romero spoke out against the Vietnam War of oppression in El Salvador they did so without the support of the Vatican.

Many wonder why so many people vote against their own best interests one time after another; it's often because they're taught from birth to trust their leaders, instead of developing critical thinking skills so they can understand the issues, often very simple one!



Amazingly many of the most famous Televangelists, including Joel Osteen don't even bother doing a good job pretending to help their own communities, as demonstrated when he refused to open his door during Hurricane Harvey until after he was shamed into doing so. When this happened it wasn't the mainstream media that sells him enormous amounts of time on TV that shamed him, at least not initially; it was people at the local level that reported the story on social media. When it went viral the mainstream media finally reported on it; but they were quick to allow Osteen to have equal time to explain his views or much more time. Many of his followers may have accepted whatever explanation he had to offer them.



I can't imagine that anyone familiar with the story of Jesus overturning the tables of the "money changers" in the temple would think that he would have been too happy with modern televangelists if he were around today. But regardless of how happy he would have been my best guess is that most of the depictions of him with white skin that would have been more common in Europe than in the Middle East would have been accurate.



As I said above the most religious states also have the highest murder rates; and a large portion of the biggest Megachurches are also in cities with exceptionally high murder rates, especially in the South; however there are also a lot of them that are in small communities just outside of big cities, often with much lower crime rates. Glancing at some of these Churches indicates that it will show possible evidence of major amounts of economic inequality.

At least three of the five lists of megachurches cited below have over half the the ten biggest churches in cities with above rates of murder often well above and if you count the small communities that serve larger cities nearby it is even more. One of the remaining two only has three out of the top ten in cities with above average but six of the remaining seven are just barely outside of big cities with higher murder rates, although one or two isn't much above average. The fifth one is the longest and will take a closer look since it's alphabetical, but it probably indicates that over half of these megachurches are in areas with high murder rates. Part of the reason for this is presumably that in order to attract large congregations they have to be near big population centers and major cities have higher murder rates; however part of it also that the states with the biggest churches, as I reported in the previous article, are in the most religious states, especially the South that supports corporal punishment more, which also have higher murder rates.

Security has become an enormous expense for many of these Megachurches, often to keep hecklers from exposing the scams that many of these Pastors are involved in or, in some cases, to protect the pastors from their own followers. T.D. Jakes had to get a Restraining order against one of his own parishioners, and Joyce Meyers body guard was charged with murdering his own wife about six years ago. There are also many other stories about less popular preachers either being charged with murder or getting involved in domestic violence problems with their own families. Creflo Dollar was charged with abusing his own daughter and on another incident one of the preachers at his Church was killed. Ironically on at least one occasion a preacher who couldn't keep the peace in her own family used this to make her claim that she was an expert on domestic violence as a former victim. In "Spare the Child" Philip Greven explains that most evangelical preachers teach their followers to use corporal punishment to control their children and this escalates to more violence later in life. He also cites examples where many preachers have used these tactics on their own children and they often rebelled violently. Most modern preachers don't advocates this publicly anymore, although there are some exceptions including Pat Robertson who has recommended on television that an atheist child be beaten until he respects peoples religion.

This form of teaching is almost certainly a major reason why the most religious states have higher murder rates and most megachurches are in areas with higher murder rates as well.

Preachers don't turn out to be much if any less violent than the rest of society, although they may maintain better images, or at least they used to before the scandals about child sex abuse came out; however the media still gives them better coverage to preserve the impression that they do have higher moral values.

It doesn't take a genius to know that if a community spends millions of dollars on monuments that they only use once a week for purposes of worship and not much else while declining to provide funds for education, child care, and other social programs that it is going to cause problems one way or another.

This isn't something new; the cultures that built what we consider great monuments in the past, like the pyramids, obelisks, Stonehenge, Angkor Wat, the Bayon, the Easter Island statues and many other monuments that are still around today, all went into decline, mostly as a result of corruption and fighting wars instead of performing basic functions that they needed to maintain their culture.

Anyone familiar with alternative media outlets that do a better job reporting the news that the mainstream media refuses to cover already knows that massive portions of our society are already in decline and with all the bickering over tax cuts for the rich we're inevitably going to follow in their foot steps.



10 Largest Megachurches in Texas originally published in 2016 updated November 2017 Six of these megachurches are in cities with murder rates ranging from 7.43 to 13.77 the other four are just outside of these same cities and only one of those four has much more than 100,000 people, two of them have less than 50,000 with congregations of 24 to 28 thousand people clearly drawing from larger cities.

Top 50 Fittest Mega Churches in America 2015 08/15/2015

List of megachurches in the United States

Full List of Megachurches

Newsmax's Top 50 Megachurches in America 11/11/2015

Top 100 Largest Participating Churches in America 2017 Only three of the top ten Churches in this list are in cities with above average murder rates, another six are in communities with small populations near larger cities with above average murder rates and only one is in an small city with below average rates surrounded by other cities below average. The first thirty seven of these have more than 10,000 members and are in cities have average murder rates lower than the ones on the other lists.

Initial count lists seventeen megachurches in cities with above average murder rates, ten of those are close to, if not more than double the average murder rate, and three of them are three to six times the average murder rates; eight of them in small communities with below average murder rates, but they serve a much larger congregation which includes cities nearby with much higher rates; and only three with below average rates that are either farther away from big cities or large enough to be independent of them. These twenty eight Churches are the top ten from four lists after subtracting those listed multiple times.

Counting all the ones from the top ten of these lists including one just below a 10,000 congregation, with a massive television audience, and adding more with a minimum congregation of 10,000 there are a total of one hundred and thirty-four; seventy-five (56%) are in cities with murder rates above average; forty (30%) are below average serving cities with above average murder rates; and nineteen (14%) of them, including the only one with a little less than 10,000 members, are in communities with below average murder rates including some that also serve larger cities which are also below average. This means that 85% of these Megachurces draw resources from cities with above average murder rates, even though 30% are outside these cities. The current percentage is about 85% either in or near cities with above average murder rates; and 15% serving cities with below average murder rates.

Forty-seven (35%) of these megachurches are in cities that have more than double the average murder rates; twenty-two are in cities with triple average murder rates; twelve of them in cities with four times average; six with five times average; College Park Ga. and Birmingham Al. have six times the average; Baltimore has seven times average; and Detroit has eight times average, each with one megachurch.



The states with the top ten murder rates for 2016 have a total of twenty-eight Megachurces; the states with the bottom ten murder rates have only only four; however, the top ten have a higher population; if two states to the bottom ten it is five adjusting for population. The next three states from the bottom don't have any so they could be added to adjust for population as well without changing it.

This will be updated more over the next few week to add all those available with a congregation of less than 10,000. These will be organized according to state, initially. They won't be sorted according to murder rates by city right away it at all. It is also clear that the ten states with the highest murder rates can expect to have much more megachurches than the ten states with the lowest murder rates, even after adjusting for population. Three of them don't have any on any of the lists that I've checked and at least three more only have a handful; all of the ones from the top ten have a large volume when going below the 10,000 member limit. The only four, with over 10,000 members, in the ten states with the lowest murder rates are all in or near cities with above average rates for the state, and three of them are in or near cities with above average rates for the nation as well.

Clearly there is an enormous correlation between higher murder rates and participation in the Megachurches, which are mostly if not entirely Protestant, although other religions have their own problems.

In some of the cases where the smaller Churches are in towns with lower murder rates they have congregations that are as high or much higher than their populations; this also goes for a couple of the small towns just outside of Atlanta, with a rate four times the average, that are just barely above average, including one with a congregation of 15,000 in a town of only 2,000; these two towns clearly draw people from the surrounding communities, including Atlanta. In most cases the high murder rates are almost certainly not in the immediate surroundings of the megachurches, especially those serving wealthy areas, which is probably a lot of them. Even the megachurches in large cities with high murder rates are probably not in the areas with the worst violence, although they may drain funds that could reduce those crimes. It's unlikely to stay quite as bad as this with a larger sampling but this is a large enough correlation to determine that megachurches are serving areas more violent than those served by smaller churches or more secular areas.

It's hard to see how there can be much if any doubt that these megachurches, often with multimillionaire pastors, are drawing funds from the local communities that could be used for services that could help address social problems and dramatically reduce violence. There should also be a serious debate about whether these Churches that are enriching pastors without addressing social problems should be considered charities or get a tax exempt status.

This will be updated over the next few weeks to include more Churches including most if not all that I can find with congregations above 10,000; and I will show the work, so those that want to check it will be free to do so, even if they want to distort it to suit their own views, which is common with statistics. Additional information has also been added Megalithic Churches correlated with local murder rates which includes a review of the Megachurches in Alabama below the ten thousand mark. These are even more extreme than the national average however it doesn't necessarily reflect statistics in other states, including a few that I glanced at and are clearly not as bad as Alabama, or perhaps the national statistics. In Alabama only nine out of thirty seven of their megachurches are in cities with below average murder rates for the nation, an additional three are in cities with murder rates that are barely below Alabama's rate but above the national rate. Almost half of the Megachurches in Alabama are in cities with three times the national average. Alabama doesn't have any cities with more than 220,000 people, so even many of their rural areas have high murder rates; however if they're this high in the areas with Megachurches in them they must be much lower in other areas, otherwise their statewide averages would be higher.

Average murder rates from 2002-2016 for the nation are about 5.54 per 100,000; they dipped down to 4.5 for a couple years but climbed back to 5.3, so most of the gains have reversed, at least temporarily in the last couple years. Recognizing the causes of violence and reducing them can help resume the steady decline since the early nineties.

Since the traditional media is getting a cut of the loot these Churches are gouging from the public, and the political establishment relies on religious support to get elected, it is highly unlikely that these findings will be reported widely, except perhaps through alternative media that is more concerned with educating the public. However if there is major political or media change this could change too, but it's unlikely without massive grassroots pressure.

Megachurches in cities with above average murder rates:

Houston Texas, population 2.2 million, murder rates above average from 2002-16: 12.91 New Light Christian Church in Houston 13,500; Second Baptist 20,650; Lakewood Church, Joel Osteen 43,500; Windsor Village United Methodist Church 17,000; Sagemont Church 17,700; Fountain of Praise 11,800; Woodlands Church, 18,385, is in an isolated community outside of Houston with about 100,00 people and no available crime rates

Fort Worth Texas, population, 810,000, murder rates above average from 2002-16: 7.72 Kenneth Copeland

Dallas Texas, 1.28 million, above average murder rates from 2002-16: 13.77 The Potter’s House T. D. Jakes 16,100; First Baptist Church Dallas Dallas Robert Jeffress 12,000; Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church 20,000

San Antonio Texas, 1.4 million, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 7.43 Community Bible Church 14,000; Cornerstone Church 17,000;

Charlotte North Carolina, 810,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 8.29 Hickory Grove Baptist Church 11,900; University Park Baptist Church 10,000; Elevation Church Charlotte (has another branch in Toronto) 19,000

Durham North Carolina above average murder rate from 2002-16: 11.4, 252,000 people World Overcomers Christian Church 11,700; The Summit Church 10,000

Anderson South Carolina above average murder rate from 2002-16: 11.24 population 27,000 surrounded by very rural areas including Greenville wit another megachurch and a rate of 7.03 and Belton with only 4,300 and average rate of 8.8 NewSpring Church allegedly 28,100 (31,800 weekly) which means almost everyone from town and out of towners to make up the difference; however another source lists the congregation at 23,055 which is still most of the people in town.

Greenville South Carolina above average murder rate from 2002-16: 7.03 population 62,250 very rural area Redemption AKA International Pentecostal Holiness Church 14,000

Charleston South Carolina, 130,000 above average murder rate from 2002-16: 10.65

Atlanta Georgia, 456,000, murder rates well above average murder rate from 2002-16: 22.59 First Baptist Church Atlanta Atlanta 11,000

Lithonia Georgia only one murder in fifteen years eight not listed; only about two thousand people average murder rate for those eight: 6.2 just outside Atlanta New Birth Missionary Baptist Bishop Eddie Long estimated congregation of 15,000

Norcross Georgia above average murder rate from 2002-16 (only eleven years recorded): 12.34 Just outside Atlanta with 22.59 average; only about 16,300 people Hopewell Missionary Baptist congregation of 15,000

College Park Georgia, 14,600, murder rates above average murder rate from 2002-16: 31.11 World Changers Church Int. Creflo Dollar 14,000 just outside Atlanta

Gainesville Georgia above average murder rate for the nation but slightly below average for Georgia from 2002-16: 6.05 population 36,000 near Atlanta with a rate of 22.59 Free Chapel 11,500

Jonesboro Georgia 4,600 above average for nation but below average for Georgia murder rate from 2002-16: 5.61 near Atlanta with a rate of 22.59 New Birth South Metropolitan Church 10,000

Louisville Kentucky, 263,000, above average murder rate from 2000-2: 12.37 full data not available but according to, Louisville homicides in 2017 already outpace last year’s all-time high 04/18/2017 it must be above forty. St. Stephen Church 10,700; Southeast Christian Church in Middletown bordering Louisville 21,800

Lexington-Fayette Kentucky typical murder rates not available but articles indicate it is above average murder rate; population about 310,000 Quest Community Church 10,000
INTERACTIVE | 2017 Lexington homicides 28 murders with a few weeks to go for a rate of about 9
Lexington Police Respond To Increase In Homicide Rate 10/23/2017 count was only 26 at the time of this article claiming that highest two years were 1999 and 2001 indicating average rate is probably above average for the nation but recently has climbed. It is still lower than many other big cities with less than double national average.

Nashville Tennessee, 625,000 above average murder rate from 1999-2011: 12.22 according to Nashville criminal homicides most in more than a decade 01/04/2017 current rates are as bad if not worse. Mount Zion Baptist Church 18,000; Mount Baptist Church 13,000

Memphis Tennessee, 657,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 20.09 Bellevue Baptist Church 30,000 / 6,800 weekly; New Direction Christian Church 10,950; Memphis Temple of Deliverance 10,000

Fort Lauderdale Florida, 176,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 7.43 Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale 30,000 / 18,500 weekly;

Jacksonville Florida, 853,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 11.89 Celebration Church congregation about 12,000; First Baptist Church of Jacksonville 28,000; Bethel Baptist Institutional Church 12,000

West Palm Beach Florida, 104,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 10.06

Miami Florida, 430,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 16.67 El Rey Jesús (King Jesus International Ministry) 12,500

Orlando Florida above average murder rate from 2002-16: 12.77 The Orlando Pulse shooting took place in 2016 sending the rate for that year up by about 18 and the average over 15 years by just over 1 population about 262,000 First Baptist Church Orlando 16,000

Oklahoma City Oklahoma, 621,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 10.07

Tulsa Oklahoma, 400,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 13.53 Church on the Move 10,000

Birmingham Alabama, 212,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 32.76 Church of the Highlands 43,600

Grand Rapids Michigan, 194,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 6.35 population about 190,000 Ada Bible Church 12,000 (Ada is an upscale Township within Grand Rapids with 13,000 people)

Detroit Michigan above average murder rate from 2002-16: 42.98 population 680,000 Triumph Church 11,600

Philadelphia Pennsylvania, 1.56 million, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 21.13 Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia 14,000; Deliverance Evangelistic Church 11,000; Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Philadelphia 15,000

Albuquerque New Mexico, 557,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 8.48 Calvary of Albuquerque 16,800; Legacy Church 10,100

Las Vegas Nevada, 614,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 8.92

Cincinnati Ohio, 298,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 20.93 Crossroads Church — Cincinnati 22,700

Columbus Ohio above average murder rate from 2002-16: 11.97 population 836,000 World Harvest Church 13,000

Baltimore Maryland, 623,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 40.45 Empowerment Temple 10,000

Landover between Landover Hills Maryland, 1,800 rate of 3.65 and Cheverly Maryland, 6,450, rate of 7.21 near Washington DC with rate of 27.07 First Baptist Church of Glenarden 12,000

Trenton New Jersey,84,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 25.95 population 84,000

Richmond Virginia, 218,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 27.64 population 217,800 Faith Landmarks Ministries 10,000

Baton Rouge Louisiana, 229,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 23.67 population 228,900 Family Worship Center Jimmy Swaggart and Donnie Swaggart 15,500

New Orleans Louisiana above average murder rate from 2002-16: 54.02 population 384, This rate does not calculate the years 2005-6 in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina which contributed to a major increase that continued to 2007 which is calculated before dropping back down. according to Murder Rates in New Orleans, La, 2004–2006 it was 96.6 in 2006 485 more than 2005 69% more than 2006. population dropped significantly as a result of the hurricane. Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist 10,000

Hammond Indiana above average murder rate from 2002-16: 12.7 population 78,300 next to Gary with rates of 56.05 First Baptist Church of Hammond 17,700

Gary Indiana, 78,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 56.05

Indianapolis Indiana above average murder rate from 2002-16: 14.35 population 848,800 Eastern Star Baptist Church 10,000

City data figure for Honolulu Hawaii, 337,000, full crime rates not available but according to Honolulu Crime Rate Report (Hawaii) there were 16 murders in 2012 and a projected figure of 15 for 2017, which comes to a rate of about 5 which is average for the nation but above average for Hawaii which in the bottom ten and according to Busy year for HPD homicide investigators as number of killings increases 2010 they had 23 in 2010 and 26 in 2004 which were their highest years, above average for both the nation and Hawaii, implying it're probably above average for both the nation and Hawaii. New Hope Christian Fellowship 14,500

Bakersfield California, 369,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 7.73 Valley Bible Fellowship congregation 12,000

Los Angeles California, 3.9 million, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 9.86 Hillsong Church; First African Methodist Episcopal Church Los Angeles 10,000; West Angeles Cathedral 20,000

Sacramento California, 485,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 8.9

Gardena California above average murder rate from 2002-16: 5.78 population 60,000 just outside of Los Angeles with a rate of 9.86 City of Refuge 10,000

San Francisco California above average murder rate from 2002-16: 8.59 population 852,000 Glide Memorial Church 12,600

San Bernardino California, 215,000 above average murder rate from 2002-16: 21.28 The Rock Church and World Outreach Center 14,450

Modesto California, 209,300 above average murder rate from 2002-16: 7.01 Calvary Temple Worship Center 11,800

Santa Ana California, 335,000 above average murder rate from 2002-16: 5.95 Templo Calvario Assembly of God 11,000

New York, New York, 8.5 million, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 5.81 New York murder rates have been dropping steadily for years and for the past four years it has been the second city out of ten, with more than a million people, to drop below the national average, but over a fifteen year period it's still above average. Greater Allen A. M. E. Cathedral of New York 20,000; Brooklyn Christian Cultural Center 13,000; Brooklyn Tabernacle 10,000; Hillsong Church 3,000

St. Louis Missouri, 317,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 40.43

Kansas City Missouri, 470,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 22.22

Chicago Illinois, 2.7 million, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 17.85 New Life Covenant Church Chicago 15,500; Salem Baptist Church 10,100; Living Word Christian Center 18,000; Apostolic Church of God 10,500

Phoenix Arizona, 1.5 million, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 10.79 Calvary Community Church Phoenix 11,400; Dream City Church aka First Assembly of God 21,000

Jackson Mississippi, 171,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 28.4

Washington District of Columbia, 659,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 27.07 Temple of Praise 18,000

Denver Colorado, 664,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 7.89

Little Rock Arkansas, 198,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 21.19

Minneapolis Minnesota, 407,000, above average murder rate from 2002-16: 11.26 Mount Olivet Lutheran Church 13,000 5,900 active

Megachurches in cities with below average murder rates with small population just outside of larger cities with above average murder rates:

Peoria Arizona below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.74 about 167,000 people just outside of Phoenix Arizona with an average of 10.79 Christ's Church of the Valley 27,000

Sunset Hills Missouri below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.39 8,500 people just outside of St. Louis with an average rate of 40.43 FaithChurch.com serves two other Missouri towns near St. Louis with rates unavailable and West Palm Beach with lower rates, also has large television audience. 25,000

Alpharetta Georgia below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.93; 63,000 people just outside Atlanta with an average rate of 22.59 North Point Community Church serving 38,000 people another source has lower estimate of 30,600

Lawrenceville Georgia, 30,000, barely below average murder rate from 2002-16: 5.062 near Atlanta with rates of 22.59 12Stone Church 16,000

Grapevine Texas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.38 only about 48,000 people just outside Dallas (13.77) and Fort Worth (7.72) Fellowship Church 24,100

Southlake Texas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.91 50,100 people just outside Dallas (13.77) and Fort Worth (7.72) Gateway Church 28,000;

Flower Mound Texas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.44 population about 69,000 just outside Dallas (13.77) and Fort Worth (7.72) The Village Church 10,400

Rockwall Texas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.51 with about 41,800 people near Dallas with a rate of 13.77 Lake Pointe Church almost 12,000

Highland Village Texas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.92 North of Dallas (13.77) and Fort Worth (7.72) The Village Church 10,200

Tyler Texas slightly below average murder rate from 2002-16: 4.94 population 101,000 relatively close to Dallas with a rate of 13.77 Green Acres Baptist Church 14,000

Carrollton Texas, 128,350, below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.48 just outside Dallas with a rate of 13.77 Covenant Church 11,000

Edmond Oklahoma below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.15 only about 88,600 people bordering on Oklahoma City with average rate of 10.07 LifeChurch.TV 20,000

South Barrington Illinois no murders in fifteen years but only about 4,800 people surrounding suburbs only slightly higher but short drive from Chicago with an average rate of 17.85 Willowcreek Community Church serving 22,500 people

Rolling Meadows Illinois below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.56 population 24,300 near Chicago with a rate of 17.85 Harvest Bible Chapel 11,000

Troy Michigan below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.15 with population of 83,000 near Detroit with a rate of 42.98 Kensington Church 15,000

Grandville Michigan, 15,800, below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.42 near Grand Rapids with a rate of 6.35 Mars Hill Bible Church 10,000

Southfield Michigan, 31,300 below average murder rate from 2002-16: 3.38 just outside Detroit with a rate of 42.98 Word of Faith International Christian Center 11,000

Raleigh-North-Carolina slightly below average murder rate from 2002-16: 5.03 population 440,000 near Durham with only 251,000 people but a rate of 11.4 Hope Community Church 15,000

Matthews North Carolina below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.11 population about 30,000 just outside of Charlotte with a rate of 8.29 Elevation Church 25,000;

Mount Pleasant South Carolina, 77,800, below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.04 just outside of Charleston with a rate of 10.65 Seacoast Church 12,000

Palm Beach Gardens Florida below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.61 with only about 52,000 people only other town with more population is West Palm Beach with about 100,000 people and a rate of 16.06 Christ Fellowship Church congregation about 26,200

Cooper City Florida below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.41 population about 34,000 near Fort Lauderdale with a rate of 7.43 and Miami with a rate of 16.67 Potential Church 11,200

Longwood Florida below average murder rate from 2002-16: 5.29 population 13,900 near Orlando with a rate of 12.77 Northland, A Church Distributed 22,000

Lino Lakes Minnesota below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0 only about 21,000 people with Centerville in the middle with less than three thousand but it's just outside of Minneapolis with a rate of 11.26 Eagle Brook Church 22,480
Hugo, Minnesota murder rates unknown but probably low only 13,000 population near Minneapolis with rates of 11.26 Eagle Brook Church 17,100, presumably the same church with two towns, and two member estimates, listed bordering each other

Manheim Pennsylvania below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.96 with 4,900 people in between Harrisburg with rates of 24.08 and Philadelphia with rates of 21.13 LCBC Church 15,000 congregation

Munster Indiana below average murder rate from 2002-16: .95 only about 23,000 people just outside Hammond with rates of 12.71, Gary with rates of 56.04, and Chicago Ill. with rates of 17.85 Family Christian Center with 15,000 congregation

Conway Arkansas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 3.98 low but rising population going from about 46,000 to about 64,000 near Little Rock with a rate of 21.19 New Life Church 14,000 congregation

Nicholasville Kentucky below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.35 population 29,100 Near Lexington with rough rate of about 5 to 9 rough data Southland Christian Church 12,600

Germantown Tennessee below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.71 population 19,500 just outside of Memphis with a rate of 20.09 Germantown Baptist Church 12,000;

Littleton Colorado below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.94 with about 45,000 near Boulder with a rate of 7.89 Red Rocks Church congregation 12,000

Colorado Springs Colorado, 445,800 barely below average for the nation above average of Colorado murder rate from 2002-16: 5.03 relatively near Denver with a rate of 7.89 New Life Church 12,000

Leawood Kansas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.95 with about 34,000 people bordering Kansas City Missouri with a rate of 22.22 The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection 22,000 / 10,200 weekly

Brandon Mississippi below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.64 about 23,000 people just outside Jackson with rate of 28.4 Pinelake Church 10,000

Sayreville New Jersey below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.24 population 45,260 near Trenton with rates of 25.95 and New York with rates of 5.81 Faith Fellowship Outreach Center 11,100

Fort Washington, Maryland crime rates unknown but probably low with about 23,000 people near Washington DC with rates of about 27.07 Ebenezer AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church 10,000

West Covina California below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.71 108,000 people just outside of Los Angeles with a rate of 9.86 Faith Community Church 10,000

Diamond Bar California below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.73 56,000 people between Los Angeles with a rate of 9.86 and San Bernardino with a rate of 21.28 Calvary Chapel Golden Springs 12,000

Granite Bay California rates unavailable but probably low, only about 20,000 people just outside of Roseville with rate of 1.1 and Sacramento with rates of 8.9 Bayside Church 16,000 or 11,300 congregation depending on source
Roseville California, 128,600, below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.1 near Sacramento with rate of 8.9

Porter Ranch, Los Angeles California wealthy community of 30,000 people probably below average murder rate but figures unavailable Los Angeles rate of 9.83 Shepherd Church 10,500

Riverside California slightly below average murder rate from 2002-16: 4.69 population 3019,000 near San Bernardino with a rate of 21.28 and Los Angeles with a rate of 9.86 Harvest Christian Fellowship 15,000

Megachurches in cities with below average murder rates:

Plano Texas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.55 About 278,000 people just outside Dallas Prestonwood Baptist Church 15,800;

El Paso Texas, 679,000, below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.4 Abundant Living Faith Center 12,400

Austin Texas, 913,000, below average murder rate from 2002-16: 3.57 Hyde Park Baptist and the Quarries Church 11,000

Burlington Washington, 8,600 barely below average for nation above average of Washington murder rate from 2002-16: 5.37 near Mont Vernon with 33,10 and rate of 2.37 barely above average for the state Christ the King Community Church 17,000

Lake Forest California murder rates below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.03 with only about 80,000 people modest drive from Los Angeles but surrounded by other small towns Rick Warren ministries Saddleback Church congregation about 24,000

El Cajon California below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.83 only about 103,000 people but nearest large city, San Diego has about same rates Shadow Mountain Community Church about 8,000 congregation plus television audience second only to Osteen's Church

Vista California below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.27 about 98,000 near San Diego with a rate of 3.67 North Coast Church almost 12,000

San Diego California, 1.38 million, below average murder rate from 2002-16: 3.67 The Rock Church congregation 14,000

Irvine California below average murder rate from 2002-16: .98 about 248,500 people surrounded by other small communities modest drive from Los Angeles Mariners Church 13,600

San Jose California below average murder rate from 2002-16: 3.31 just over one million people Jubilee Christian Center 14,000

Williamstown, New Jersey St. Matthews Baptist Church 13,000
Williamstown, New Jersey incomplete data but probably low surrounded by other rural towns also low

Vienna Virginia below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.49 population about 16,400 surrounded by other small towns with low rates but relatively close to Washington DC with rates of 27.07 McLean Bible Church 11,000

Ozark Missouri below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.13 population about 19,000 near Springfield with a rate of 5.33 James River Church 11,270

Springfield Missouri, 165,000, average murder rate from 2002-16: 5.33

Des Moines Iowa, 209,200 below average for nation but above average for Iowa murder rate from 2002-16: 4.32

West Des Moines Iowa below average murder rate from 2002-16: 0.73 with only about 63,000 people just outside of Des Moines with a rate of 4.32 Lutheran Church of Hope congregation 12,000

Henderson Nevada below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.48 population 277,000 just outside of Los Vegas with rates of 8.92 Central Christian Church 21,100

Toronto, 5.7 mullion, murder rates 2012 1.4 Elevation Church & Charlotte 19,000

Springdale Arkansas below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.25 population 76,000 surrounded by other small towns with low populations Cross Church 16,000

Melbourne Florida, 78,000, average murder rate from 2002-16: 5.43

West Melbourne Florida below average murder rate from 2002-16: 2.03 only about 20,000 people Melbourne rates about 5.43 Calvary Chapel Melbourne 10,000

Lafayette Colorado below average murder rate from 2002-16: 1.59 about 27,000 people but near Boulder with 100,000 people and low rates and Denver with almost 600,000 people and moderately above average rates Flatirons Community Church 15,500



The following are a sample of the many scandals surrounding televangelists or megachurches:

Media Fails to Report on Joel Osteen’s Unsavory Choice of Charity 10/24/2017

Prayer leader slain at Creflo Dollar's Ga. church 10/24/2012

Four men cleared of wrongdoing in Joel Osteen church heckling case 06/22/2016

Joel Osteen Impersonator Infiltrates Actual Joel Osteen Event 11/09/2017

Pastor Jeffress: Megachurch's Members Armed, Would Take Down a Shooter 11/06/2017

Security guard who stopped shooter credits God 12/10/2007

TD Jakes Sues Alleged Dangerous Stalker Who Is Ex-Church Member 02/18/2014

Security forces are a way of life for many big churches Dec. 2007 shootings at New Life Church in Colorado Springs

Why Scandals Hit Celebrity Preachers - TIME 09/28/2007 Juanita Bynum; Paula White, and her co-pastor husband Randy; and more

TELEVANGELIST BENNY HINN Heckled at Airport 'WORLD'S GREATEST SCAMMER' 07/01/2013

The day Pat Robertson's bodyguard pulled a gun on me (part 4) 12/19/2009

Evangelist Benny Hinn's son arrested in Brazil for 'beating up deaf and dumb man during one of his father's events' 02/18/2013

If You’re a Christian, Muslim or Jew - You are Wrong By Cenk Uygur 10/231/2005

Pro-Cruz Pastor Shot by Kyle Andrew Odom an Iraq War Vet Six Times and Lives 12/0/2017

Creflo Dollar and Believing Our Girls By Libby Copeland 06/18/2012

Black Mega Churches: attitudes towards corporal punishment and perceived guilt or innocence 05/18/2015

Pat Robertson: Non-Religious Children Should Be Beaten Until They Respect Christian Beliefs 01/05/2015

Exposing Televangelists and Thousands of christian Leaders 07/17/2014

The Worst Televangelist Product Scams Of All Time 07/25/2012

Former Episcopal Bishop Heather Cook sentenced to seven years in drunk-driving death of cyclist 10/27/2015



Inside Justin Bieber's Hillsong Church: Child abuse cover-up claims, rinsing its followers for money and facing 'cult' accusations 06/27/2017

Brutal Memes Mock Joel Osteen Over His Hurricane Harvey Response 09/01/2017

The following are the net worth of some of the richest and most famous pastors or televangelists, that often use their fame to influence politics, despite being involved in enormous amounts of fraud:

8 Richest Pastors in America These pastors inspire millions—and make millions. 12/0/2017 Kenneth Copeland: Net Worth $760 Million Fort Worth, TX; Pat Robertson: Net Worth $100 Million Virginia Beach, VA.; Benny Hinn: Net Worth $42 Million; Joel Osteen: Net Worth $40 Million Houston Tx.; Creflo Dollar: Net Worth $27 Million College Park, GA; Billy Graham: Net Worth $25 Million Billy Graham Evangelistic Association now run by Franklin Graham III his son in Charlotte, North Carolina; Rick Warren: Net Worth $25 Million Lake Forest, CA; Joyce Meyer: Net Worth $8 Million

Top 10 Richest Pastors In The World And Their Net Worth 09/08/2015 half of them abroad some unreliable

T. D. Jakes Net Worth: $18 million Dallas Texas

Paula White Net Worth 2017, Age, Height, Weight - Wealtholino

Paula White net worth: $5 Million

Jimmy Swaggart Net Worth: $1.7 million 09/28/2017 Entire familiy is part of ministry each of them with high incomes Baton Rouge La.

Ministry Makes $150 Million a Year : Rich Life Style Reflects Swaggart Empire's Wealth 03/14/1988

Oral Roberts Net Worth: $8 Million Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Jerry Falwell Net Worth: $10 million Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia

Juanita Bynum Net Worth: $10 Million

15 American Pastors worth Millions, Who’s The Wealthiest? 12/0/2017 15. Minister Louis Farrakhan Net Worth: $3 million; 14. Bishop Noel Jones Net Worth: $5 million Los Angeles; 13. Bishop Eddie Long Net Worth: $5 million Near Atlanta in Lithonia ,GA.; 11. Rev. John Hagee Net Worth: $5 million San Antonio; the rest listed elsewhere

Suze Orman Net Worth: $35 million 06/12/2017

14 Reasons to Not Listen to Suze Orman 07/07/2014



The following are a fraction of the major crimes committed by preachers their families or in their churches, most of them are only reported briefly at the local level and more may be added:

John Bernard Feit a Former priest on trial for murder of South Texas beauty queen in 1960 12/01/2017

Ex-Minister Arrested in Murder Try : Crime: He is taken into custody at a Los Angeles church after being indicted in Texas on charges of attempting to kill his wife in 1987. She has been comatose since. 08/26/1992

Former pastor arrested in Cochise for murder of Florida woman 05/14/2015

Ronnie Leon Hyde Former Youth Pastor Arrested in Florida Teen's 1994 Cold Case Murder and Dismemberment 03/10/2017

Preacher Arrested in Alleged Murder Plot 11/30/2006 FRESNO, Calif. -- Even in 2004, when the Rev. Howard Douglas Porter eulogized a friend killed in a car crash in which Porter was driving, the victim's friends and relatives were suspicious. They feared Porter deliberately planned the crash to get his hands on the multimillion-dollar trust fund of Frank Craig, an 85-year-old farmer.

Preacher killed wife, stuffed body in freezer, police say 07/31/2008 Anthony Hopkins, 37, was arrested Monday night at the Inspirational Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in Jackson, Alabama

Baptist Preacher Arrested For Wife's Murder 01/05/2014 Richard Shahan, of Homewood, Ala., was arrested on New Year's day

Preacher Arrested for Murdering Wife 09/21/2007

Youth pastor arrested for allegedly murdering family on Thanksgiving 11/24/2017

Reverend Amos Hicks, Moss Point Pastor Held In Capital Murder Case 12/01/2004
Reverend Amos Hicks v. State of Mississippi pleaded guilty after killing his wife Lena in 2006

Slain Houston Tx. priest's son, Isaac Tiharihondi, arrested in Mississippi, charged with murder 02/04/2015

Edgar Ray Killen, Preacher charged with 'Mississippi Burning' murders 01/08/2005

Tennessee preacher's wife gets 2 months in killing 06/08/2017 A Tennessee woman, Mary Winkler, convicted of killing her preacher-husband who she said beat her, forced her to watch pornography and wear “slutty” clothes was ordered to spend two months in a mental facility on Friday.

Eddie Mallonee, a Tennessee Preacher, accused of trying to kill wife with banned poison 07/17/2013

A grieving son finds no justice on Rev. Maury Davis' path to redemption 06/18/2009

Defendant's ex-girlfriend: Pastor murdered after prostitution deal 08/24/2016

The Latest: Church shooting suspect charged with murder 09/24/017

Court sides with Sheri Coleman family in lawsuit against ministry 08/14/2014

Joyce Meyer testifies in secret for Coleman murder trial 04/07/2011



Evangelical belief in the Apocalypse, accurate or not, is shaping policy

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There are an enormous number of people that think current events are related to the "End of Days" or the "Apocalypse," but many rational skeptics have major reasons to doubt this, at least in it's entirety since there are plenty of problems with these alleged prophecies. However there are an enormous number of skeptics, or perhaps I should say pseudo-skeptics, that go too far like an emphatic tweet, The #EndTimes significance of the #USA recognizing #Jerusalem as #Israel's capitol is... ZERO 12/06/2017 which is typical of the way many so-called skeptics treat beliefs they consider absurd.

One incredibly obvious way that belief in the Apocalypse is impacting our world is that even if there is nothing to it, as skeptics believe, there are an enormous amount of religious people that do believe it, including many that are having major impacts on world events, including the conflict in Jerusalem. Donald Trump's recent declaration that Jerusalem will be recognized as the capital of Israel predictably set off massive protests, as experts knew they would; and it's not the first time. Ariel Sharon also made a trip to the Temple Mount on September 28, 2000, with a armed escort of 1,000 Israeli police officers, knowing that this would enrage the Palestinians and set off the Second Intifada.

There's also an incredibly long history of this conflict which the traditional media rarely ever goes into; and only people that pay attention to alternative media outlets will be familiar with it. The short story of it, in case you're relying on the traditional media is that the Palestinians aren't the ones responsible for the Holocaust, nor were they responsible for running the Jewish people out of Jerusalem almost two thousand years ago, that was the Nazi's and the Roman's. The most powerful Palestinians, as well as Israelis and just about all other governments have a long history of getting away with anything, but it's the Palestinian working class that have been forced out of their land to enable the Jewish people to return to their land and they've come up with an enormous amount of propaganda to make them seem evil. When pushed to a breaking point they have occasionally struck out with violence; but not nearly as much as the Israelis. For a more accurate history see Jimmy Carter's "Peace Not Apartheid," John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt's "The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy" or numerous other good books on the subject which mainstream media rarely ever mentions.

I mention this because for decades I thought I was reasonably well informed about current events because I paid attention to the news; however it wasn't until I started checking out alternative media outlets and better non-fiction books that I realized how much I was missing.

This is just one of many examples where the political establishment routinely makes one absurd decision after another that predictably leads us into war based on lies! Most of them don't seem to have any connection to the Apocalypse; and people that rely on traditional media might not know how bad and obvious many of these decision are but those that are more familiar with alternative media or good non-fiction books that the majority of the public rarely read might suspect that either the political and media establishment are incredibly incompetent or they routinely and intentional maintain a permanent state of war.

Of course another one is the North Korea conflict; and as I have pointed out in numerous articles including Even Bernie Sanders Ignores History of North Korea Conflict! which reviews the history and how Jimmy Carter helped negotiate a deal that could avhe avoided this confrontation without what seems like far-fetched conspiracies and Looming North Korea Nuclear Apocalypse Result of Incompetence? Or Staged? which also speculated about a possible irrational conspiracy that might be related to a partial staging of events that might be considered more far-fetched, although I tried to separate speculation from hard facts.

However with the mainstream media and political establishment behaving in such an insane manner the official version of truth often becomes as insane as the so-called conspiracy theories they often ridicule. In many cases, like the Russian hacking claims from the mainstream media, the official version of truth is what we would have considered irrational conspiracy theories ten years ago; more importantly they have an enormous number of obvious flaws, like that Russia could never have done more to rig the election for Donald Trump than the mainstream media that covered him obsessively while ignoring honest candidates!



And with this incredibly absurd clown as president and the obsession with the Russian propaganda conspiracy theory that ignore the fact that only candidates that get massive amounts of coverage from the mainstream media have a chance to get the name recognition needed to get elected, so anything Russia might have done can't be nearly as bad as what the mainstream media did to ensure that we had two incredibly corrupt candidates to choose from that everyone hates.

Furthermore, skeptics routinely ignore the fact that there has been extraordinary evidence for a major unsolved mystery about our early history for thousands of years, which might indicate the possibility of an unknown advanced intelligence of some sort that has influenced early history. If so this could theoretically be the same unknown advanced intelligence that religious people refer to as "God."



Of course unsolved mysteries about ancient megaliths are difficult to conclusively connect to Biblical prophecies and even more difficult to connect with insane current events; however it might be enough evidence to indicate that people should at least keep an open mind and consider different possibilities.

However even if you don't think some of these fringe beliefs are worth considering there are others that do including Florida Republican state Senator Doug Broxson as indicated in the following article:

Theological scholar explains horrifying reason Trump’s supporters celebrated Armageddon in Pensacola 12/10/2017

In a Pensacola, Florida rally Friday evening, Republican state Senator Doug Broxson suggested to supporters of Donald Trump that the president’s controversial decision to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem may usher in the biblical end times.

“Now, I don’t know about you, but when I heard about Jerusalem — where the King of Kings [applause] where our soon coming King is coming back to Jerusalem, it is because President Trump declared Jerusalem to be capital of Israel,” Broxson predicted. The crowd cheered.

This week, theological scholar Dr. Diana Butler Bass wrote a Twitter thread explaining the link between recognition of Jerusalem, evangelical Christians, and the apocalypse. That is important because rebuilding the Temple is the event that will spark the events of the Book of Revelation and the End Times.”

According to Bass, the counsel of evangelical adviser that Trump surrounds himself with take such “End Times” prophecies literally

“Of all the possible theological dog-whistles to his evangelical base, this is the biggest,” she continued. “Trump is reminding them that he is carrying out God’s will to these Last Days. They’ve been waiting for this, praying for this. They want war in the Middle East. The Battle of Armageddon, at which time Jesus Christ will return to the Earth and vanquish all God’s enemies.” Complete article


Dr. Bass and most moderate theologians clearly think this is a flawed or irrational way of interpreting Biblical prophecy, assuming there's any legitimacy to it at all, and I don't disagree; however, for those that accept the legitimacy of Biblical prophecy and think that God is worth worshiping there are plenty of Biblical quotes that at least seem to support these conclusions, although there are also many other ways that the Bible can be interpreted. The fact that the Bible is so unclear should raise some question about why, if God is so merciful and benevolent, he doesn't maintain an honest line of communication advising on how to avoid these wars instead of speaking in riddles that could be interpreted in many different ways.

However, for Religious fundamentalists, that doesn't seem to be an issue and many allegedly believe Donald Trump to be the messiah as indicated in the following article as well, although I suspect there are as many others that might consider him the Antichrist:

Trump's Jerusalem Syndrome: Whose End of Days Messiah Does He Think He Is?

The president just gave Jerusalem to the Evangelicals for Christmas, as a capital of their very own. After all, who else but Trump could make the Apocalypse great again read more: https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/1.827558 12/0/2017


Is this the prophesied End of Days?

For some ecstatic observers of Trump's White House declaration this week, in which the president formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, there is ample reason to believe that it is.

"The prophets' words of prophecy are coming forth from the Bible and becoming facts right before our eyes," said Likud lawmaker and prominent Temple Mount movement figure Yehuda Glick, appearing on Israel Channel 10 television Wednesday evening as Israel awaited Trump's expected announcement on Jerusalem. 

Quoting from the opening words of the book of Lamentations, in a reference to Jerusalem, Glick noted that once Jeremiah had wept, crying "How deserted lies the city, once so full of people! How like a widow is she, who once was great among the nations!" 

But the rise of the State of Israel, coupled with Trump's declaration, had now changed all that, Glick suggested: "So Mister Jeremiah, I'm sending you a WhatsApp: 'Jerusalem is no longer alone like a widow. Jerusalem is recognized as the capital of the Jewish People.'" Complete article


If there is an advanced intelligence religious people refer to as God why would he want to stage a "Battle of Armageddon" designed to bring in the prophesied "End of Days" thousands of years after the alleged predictions were made?

What could God possibly gain by doing this, and how?

Should we trust a God that communicates in this manner, assuming he exists?

That one is actually easy to answer, if the Bible is the literal truth, as fundamentalists, which should be referred to as literalists, believe, or even if it isn't.

First of all if you consider the Bible the literal truth the word of God is hard to portray as trustworthy or moral according to many Biblical stories about atrocities including numerous ones that are obvious entrapment like Exodus 9:12 "But Yahweh made Pharaoh stubborn and, as Yahweh had foretold to Moses, he did not listen to them;" 14:4 "I shall then make Pharaoh stubborn and he will set out in pursuit of them; and I shall win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and his whole army, and then the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh.' And the Israelites did this;" and 14:17 "while I, for my part, shall make the Egyptians so stubborn that they will follow them, and I shall win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and all his army, chariots and horsemen;" all which indicate that the reason the Egyptians didn't obey God was because HE "made Pharaoh stubborn" not because they chose to disobey him of their own free will, which should be considered obvious entrapment!



The Bible is a series of one example after another staging Wars for all the wrong reasons including Deuteronomy 9:4-5 "Do not think to yourself, once Yahweh your God has driven them before you, 'Yahweh has brought me into possession of this country because I am upright,' when Yahweh is dispossessing these nations for you, because they do wrong. You are not going into their country to take possession because of any right behaviour or uprightness on your part; rather, it is because of their wickedness that Yahweh is dispossessing these nations for you, and also to keep the pact which he swore to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Religious people routinely claim that they have some form of higher morality because they're doing God's will, however the explanation for his will, if it exists at all, is as absurd as many of the stories in the Bible. Throughout history many of the most important improvements in morality didn't take place because they obeyed the perceived will of God but because they obeyed it; however regrettably, they often give credit to God, perhaps, because it is easier to get people to go along with the improved sense of morality.

From the beginning of the Bible to the end, one thing that is fairly consistent, is that it teaches blind obedience, without much if any critical thinking skills so many religious people don't question the most obvious flaws in the Bible. Some of the most important verses teaching blind obedience are those that use violence to intimidate children that don't blindly obey orders or believe what they're told to believe including Proverb 13:24 "Whoever fails to use the stick hates his child; whoever is free with correction loves him." There are also verses telling people not to use corporal punishment much that it kills the child; however they're clearly far more concerned with controlling the child than looking out for the best interest of him or her.

This is especially clear in Genesis 19:8 which says "Look, I have two daughters who are virgins. I am ready to send them out to you, for you to treat as you please, but do nothing to these men since they are now under the protection of my roof,'" implying that innocent girls can justifiably be sacrificed for the benefit of angels sent by the Lord.



A God that remains silent while this is going on is supposed to be considered a higher source or morals? Fundamentalists clearly think so, which may be why there is such strong support for Roy Moore and denial about the allegations against him even though anyone that looks close at the details should have many doubts. If as Moore's defenders claim there is some doubts about his accusers, then there should still be more doubts about his bad denials, often implying that he might have dated teenage girls when he was in his thirties. Alabama is one of the states that uses Corporal punishment the most in schools, and presumably at home as well, which leads to blind obedience to authority and a lot of long term emotional dysfunction, including, as I've pointed out in several articles, higher murder rates in the states that still use corporal punishment in schools. It is also the state with the most sex abuse by teachers of students according to Education expert declares Alabama ‘ground zero’ for teachers having sex with students 03/31/2016

Alabama is one of the most religious states in the country and there's good reason to suspect that their religious beliefs and child rearing tactics have a major impact on their willingness to look the other way at these problems and cover them up.

If this isn't enough to indicate that Religion is as much if not much more about control than it is about moral values, or if people think that the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus changed that numerous verses including Matthew 10:34-8 "'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set son against father, daughter against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law; a person's enemies will be the members of his own household. 'No one who prefers father or mother to me is worthy of me. No one who prefers son or daughter to me is worthy of me. Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me," should raise major doubts about that.



These are the teachings of a cult intent on controlling their followers!

Many religious people not only believe that there may be a great battle that could destroy the world, but they want it!

I'm not convinced they understand why.



This should be enough evidence to prove that either God doesn't exist or that he isn't the benevolent merciful being that can be trusted to pass moral judgement over us.

However whether it's the restoring of Jerusalem as the capital, "Wars and rumors of wars," including the threat of nuclear Armageddon with North Korea that could easily have been avoided or Hurricane Harvey along with many other natural disasters including the California fires, and many others, there are a growing number of people that think this is related to the "Apocalypse" or the "End of Days."

If this God does exist and he partially predicted this what could he be trying to accomplish, how, and why? And why does he communicate in riddles or prophecies?

Can there be any doubt that if God exists he has an undisclosed motive?

There should be no doubt, to reasonably well educated people, that if God exists, and is so powerful and smart that he could have come up with much better advise on how to avoid all the religious wars and the holocaust fought based on what they considered his will was, simply communicating openly and honestly would have done that.



With Climate Change coming it is difficult to completely rule out the possibility that something is going on and when you look at the Wild fires, as Bill McKibben recently pointed out, five of the worst twenty have happened since September.



Top 20 Most Destructive California Wildfires and other statistics from Cal Fire

Most other statistics aren't quite as bad; however when it comes to temperatures it's close, with ten of the hottest years happening in the last twenty years and several articles indicate that hurricanes and tropical storms have been more common in the last twenty years than in previous years

10 Hottest Years on Record all since 1998

List of the most intense tropical cyclones in East Coast and West Coast of the United States they've been more common in last twenty years other parts of the world aren't quite so clear.

The 10 strongest hurricanes ever to hit the Atlantic Ocean 09/07/2017 Five in the last twenty years; the rest going back to 1935.

15 of the deadliest, most destructive American hurricanes in history 10/04/2015

If God was able to predict Climate Change and described it in his prophecies could that be part of his motive?

Whether he could have or not there have been predictions of it going back to the sixties when Lyndon Johnson made a speech about it to congress in 1965 as I pointed out in Could Steve Bannon Be Providing Propaganda To Enable Climate Change Research Project? and Hurricane Apocalypse Coming With or Without Fringe Conspiracy Theory This means that someone knew about it and they could have taken actions to avoid some of it; but instead they catered to oil companies, so they could make massive profits, even though they knew it was destroying the environment.

This theory involved a variation of the theories expressed by the Ancient Aliens series on the History Channel, although they make an enormous amount of blunders, which I suspect are intentional, and in order for that theory to be viable a sincere effort has to be made to correct those blunders. The reason of these potentially intentional blunders might be that they may want to confuse the issue until it suits their purposes, assuming it ever does.

If this theory is correct it could potentially explain how massive megaliths were moved thousands of years ago and many other archaeological mysteries that aren't widely reported in the traditional media as well. It could also explain many of the alleged revelations that have had a major influence on our history, including those that allegedly inspired early religions and the best documented ones received by Joseph Smith in the nineteenth century. It could also explain a lot of other major unsolved mysteries including UFOs, mystics like Edgar Cayce, Padre Pio, Uri Geller, Jose Arigo, Edward Leedskalnin and many more; although there are still details that need to be worked out, and possible mistakes that need to be corrected.

This isn't a guarantee, of course, but if this theory is wrong there are still plenty of things that we should be sure of including that we need to do far more to protect the environment, allow protection of workers rights, reduce epidemic levels of fraud from religions and corporations, allow a much more diverse media to reach the majority of the public including ones that are willing to cover all candidates that want to run for office instead of only those that are supported by Wall Street campaign money and the six oligarchies that control the media and more.



However if this theory isn't right or somewhat close then there are still a lot of major unsolved mysteries that need to be explained about our history as well as current events. Are we supposed to believe that a brain surgeon would come up with a theory as insane as storing grain in the pyramids? How would you feel if you found out that your doctor had beliefs like that? Are we supposed to believe that the political establishment doesn't know how to come up with a more rational group of candidates than the clowns they've been covering?



The political establishment would of course say that these are the candidates that the public support; however before the public supported them they needed to get an enormous amount of obsession coverage while the media establishment refused to cover rational candidates. Furthermore there is an enormous industry of political operatives that study how to manipulate the majority of the public or as many as they can successfully fool; and they also have an enormous amount of help from religious leaders that are indoctrinating their followers to believe the most absurd things.

There's no way that a clown and accused pedophile like Roy Moore could come close to getting elected to the Senate unless a shocking percentage of the public had a cult mentality blindly following their leaders. These people believe that they can support one war after another based on lies oppose environmental protection and reasonable health care and still pretend they're "Pro-Life!"

The political and academic establishment is much more aware of the potential results of their actions and many of the disasters or conflicts that have been happening could have been avoided if they acted on the best research which is available to these academics and politicians. Like the conflicts with North Korea, Vietnam and in Israel and many other places there were people that understood the consequences much more than they let on to the public; but the information about this has been recorded in reliable locations so some of this isn't entirely fringe conspiracy theories, although there needs to be more details worked out and a sincere effort to actually get things right instead of intentionally trying to confuse the issues.

Also it wasn't entirely Donald Trump's decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem at all, as the media implies, this was also recommended by Chuck Schumer according to, Schumer says he advised Trump to declare Jerusalem Israel's 'undivided' capital 12/05/2017 On top of that this has been planned for decades with full support of the Congress with almost no high profile objections, although the full history of it hasn't been explained to the majority of the public. Only those that do a good job researching it on their own or have help from someone that does this research for them will be familiar with this history.

Many of the most important decisions are made without reporting the full consequences to the majority of the public, a large portion of whom isn't educated enough to sort through the details anyway. Instead they've been indoctrinated to trust leaders who routinely betray them, often accepting the choice of one incredibly corrupt candidate after another. The most devout religious people have been indoctrinated to worship their oppressors so they rarely hold them accountable and deny most of their epidemic levels of corruption or accusations about molesting teenage girls like Roy Moore or epidemic levels of corruption like Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu. Most people in they United States don't know it but Benjamin Netanyahu is involved in as many financial scandals as Clinton or Trump; or perhaps thanks, to denial or ignorance and complacency they're not even aware of the epidemic levels of corruption by Clinton or Trump either or at least not the one they support.



The faithful are routinely taught that God is constantly testing them for one purpose or another; and they often seem to believe that this is a test of their loyalty, which might be true for all I know but when loyalty means obeying orders when it comes to fighting one war after another based on lies, or when it means destroying the environment or looking the other way at epidemic levels of corruption then passing a loyalty test means flunking an intelligence test!



For additional sources see the following:

Is Donald Trump correct about the history of the Jerusalem Embassy Act? 12/06/2017 "We rate the statement Mostly True."

S. RES. 176 Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. MAY 24, 2017 With a vote of ninety to zero with ten abstaining, reaffirming plans to make Jerusalem the capital

Roll Call Vote 115th Congress - 1st Session On the Resolution (S. Res. 176 ) June 5, 2017, 05:32 PM

A corruption investigation could bring down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 08/10/2017

All the Scandals Involving Netanyahu, and Where They Stand 09/05/2017

Why Israelis support Netanyahu despite scandals 11/09/2017

The #McResistance: In a vote just six months ago every Democrat in the Senate from Chuck Schumer to Elizabeth Warren demanded Trump move the U.S embassy to Jerusalem. #AIPAC #CUFI #Zionism https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS 12/10/2017

Are Vatican II and the Jewish Restoration to Jerusalem in Apocalypse? 12/06/2017

Rabbis to Trump: 'You are fulfilling prophecies' 12/07/2017

You Can Be an Evangelical and Reject Trump's Jerusalem Decision 12/06/2017

Why Is Trump Moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem? 12/05/2017

At this point it would be harder to name news events that AREN'T signs of the apocalypse. 12/06/2017


For profit insurance has an incentive to betray people after disasters!

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It's hard to imagine that this would even happen once; however it has, or something close to it, as described in the following article and even though this is unlikely to happen to many more people insurance fraud is bound to impact almost everyone, either directly or indirectly:

Couple sue after insurance agent tells police their hibiscus plants were pot 11/18/2017

SARVER, Pa. (AP) -- A couple who say they were handcuffed for hours in a police patrol car after their hibiscus plants were confused for marijuana are suing the police and an insurance company.

Edward and Audrey Cramer say in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that a Nationwide Insurance Co. agent investigating a fallen tree at their Buffalo Township home sent photos of their flowering plant to police. The lawsuit alleges that Buffalo Township police officers with assault rifles went to their home on Oct. 7 to investigate.

Audrey Cramer, 66, said she was partially dressed when she went to the door and police would not let her put on pants before she was handcuffed.

"I was not treated as though I was a human being," she said. "I was just something they were going to push aside."

Edward Cramer, 69, said he returned home a half-hour later to find his wife in the back of a police cruiser and officers pointing guns at him. He also was placed in the cruiser despite trying to convince the officers the plants were hibiscus, not marijuana. "They actually ignored me," he said. "They wouldn't even listen. I said, 'I can show you pictures on the internet.'"

The Cramers eventually were released without charges. They are seeking monetary and compensatory damages and court costs. Complete article


For profit insurance is one of the biggest scams if not the biggest, in the economic system. They spend an enormous amount of money from your premium dollars on advertising, commissions, lobbying, and many other bureaucratic expenses; and a large portion of these expenses are designed, not to improve service, but to increase profits which are also subtracted from the amount of money they pay out on claims!

They never mention this in the advertisements you see on TV!



Instead they keep repeating claims that you can "save" money by switching from this company to that; which can't possibly be true for all of them; and if they're spending all that money on advertising as the way they compete with each other it can't be true for any of them!

Insurance companies spend an enormous amount of the money they collect in insurance premiums on advertising that provides no information that helps consumers make informed decisions; instead it drains the money available for claims! And on top of that they spend an enormous amount on lobbying and financing campaigns so neither the media or the political establishment has an incentive to inform the majority of the public about how effective single payer is in other countries.

If the public is going to find out about the basic fundamentals of insurance they have to find out about it at the grassroots level or from alternative media outlets, which many of them are doing; which is why there is an enormous amount of support for single payer despite the lack of information provided by the most powerful institutions in the country!

Another thing the media practically never tells you is that after disasters like Hurricane Harvey, Katrina, Andrew etc., if you Google any given disaster and lawsuit against insurance companies you'll find an enormous number of people that thought they were covered but couldn't collect! There are plenty of lawyers, aware of this, like the following that are offering to help collect, but they'll want their cut too:

Homeowners Facing Denied Claims After Hurricane Harvey 08/29/2017

As Harvey dumps trillions of gallons of water on Houston, leaving homes and belongings permanently destroyed, we’re sorry to report that our neighbors and communities may be facing another disaster—a flurry of insurance companies that refuse to honor their policies. Dan Karr, the founder of a company that creates reports on insurance providers, believes that the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey will soon mirror the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina.

The Ghost of Katrina Continues to Haunt the Gulf

In 2006, hundreds of destitute homeowners on the Gulf Coast filed lawsuits against insurance companies who denied claims after Katrina. The core issue was whether or not a client’s home was destroyed by floodwaters or by wind. Complete article


One of the most fundamental principles of propaganda is that if you repeat a lie often enough and suppress the truth or relegate it to the fringes then the majority of the public will believe it; and this is exactly what the insurance companies and the media are doing to preserve the for profit insurance industry!



They never explain the most basic principles of insurance, or pooled risk, to the public, instead giving them an enormous amount of hype.

Insurance is pooled risk where everyone puts a modest amount of money into a fund that is saved for a disaster; and when someone has problems they can draw from that fund for an emergency. There are always some administrative costs but if it is only used when necessary and they provide full disclosure there is a much better chance of minimizing that.

"Socialized" insurance doesn't guarantee that this is minimized; however if it is accompanied by full disclosure than it has a much better chance of accomplishing this than for profit insurance, especially if they can keep almost all of their activities secret due to proprietary information laws, which is a fancy way of saying they're carrying out a conspiracy to confuse the public with sophisticated language. There are plenty of reports in foreign media about their own insurance systems, and although they may not be perfect they work much better than ours and if the media, or alternative media reported on it then we could do as good as them, or if they provide full disclosure and fix what ever mistakes they might have, even better!



Another thing they never tell us is that, with Climate Change escalating, there are a growing number of storms which leads to more claims than they can pay out so they might be looking for ways to cut corners to keep their profits up. Stories about people being terrorized because their insurance company sent police information about possible drugs, that could conceivably save them from paying claims, might be rare but it is inevitable that much more problems come about one way or another, and the insurance industry has to be aware of it! One insurance company has tried to put the best spin on this and appear as if they're taking a moral stance according to, Insurance giant Axa dumps investments in tar sands pipelines 12/12/2017 As far as for profit insurance goes this might be as good as it gets and in the short term if we can't convert to a Single Payer system right away, some people might want to give them preferential treatment; however that won't be good enough in the long term.

The majority of insurance companies and the mainstream media, which hardly reported this story, especially on television where most people get their news are still trying to prop up the same broken system and convince people the solution to their problem is to buy more insurance without much if any prevention, which means that insurance has already turned into a Ponzi Scheme that is inevitably going to collapse!

There are, of course an enormous number of stories about crimes, including murder, arson, and other fraudulent schemes that are encouraged by insurance as well including Murdered woman's kids, not husband who killed her, must get her $500K in life insurance, U.S. judge says 12/18/2017 where a judge has ordered insurance companies to pay out even though the victim appears to have been murdered, even though it isn't to the heirs that carried out the murder. As I reported previously in articles listed below this is just one example of times where money from insurance was used to pay out claims even when it was a result of crime committed for insurance purposes; and these are just the ones that were exposed! There's no way of knowing how many cases there were that weren't exposed and if they expose them after the fact they can rarely ever get more than a fraction of the money back.

This can be minimized by reasonable regulation that is designed to minimize incentive fro fraud including banning full coverage or buying more insurance than people absolutely need. In a Single Payer system it might all be automatic and it is unlikely that it would pay out as much for damages as people lose in a disaster but that would only encourage prevention which is what people should focus on in the first place. Instead of buying more insurance it would be better to minimize dangers to health by eating healthy and exercising driving safe, making homes safer from fire, etcetera covering any given field.

There's little or no chance that people within the political establishment are going to allow major reforms if they have any choice; however with a growing number of people recognizing how corrupt the traditional media is, if enough go to alternative media outlets for their information and elect alternative candidate the media tries to ignore then we can eventually push for single payer minimizing the waste from insurance.

If other countries can do it so can we, as long as people take their heads out of the sand!



The following are some of my past articles on this subject:

For-Profit Insurance is Government Authorized Crime Syndicate

Cops Killing And Arson For Insurance Routine?

Killing Kids For Insurance Is Semi-Routine

Life Insurance and media companies are encouraging lots of murders

The “Fiscal Cliff” and the coming collapse of the insurance industry





The following is some additional data on the subject including reports on expenses from insurance that have nothing to do with serving the best interests of customers. One of these expenses are paying journalists to publish puff pieces, that are actually advertisements in disguise, let me know if you recognize one.

Industry Profile: Summary, 2017 Total for Insurance: $117,673,483 retrieved 12/18/2017

In the 2012 election cycle, the insurance industry contributed a record $58.7 million to federal parties and candidates as well as outside spending groups.

The 80/20 Rule: How Insurers Spend Your Health Insurance Premiums 02/15/2013

Where does my health insurance premium really go? 04/14/2014

10 Things Life Insurers Won't Tell You 06/19/2011

Do Life Insurance Companies Really Pay their Claims? By Kymberly Redmond 2017

Hurricane Harvey: Anticipating a Flood of Claims and Litigation 09/01/2017

20 of the most recognizable actors in the commercial world 01/04/2012 seven include insurance comercials

7 Richest Commercial Actors 02/21/2014 three including Dennis Haysbert, Stephanie Courtney aka “Flo” and Dean Winters aka “Mayhem” are for insurance

The 37 Richest People In Advertising, Ranked By Income 05/13/2013





Uneducated Progressive Lawyer’s would be far better Than Trump’s Clowns!

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Perhaps the biggest problem with the recent withdrawal of Trump's judicial nominees's isn't that they're so unfamiliar with complicated laws; instead it might be that they got this far before the media decided to report on it; or perhaps it's that the laws are so complicated in the first place, and that the elites use this complexity to manipulate the majority and enable them to rob us blind.

Not that I think we should allow these nominees, including Matthew Petersen to go through, but it shouldn't take an advanced education to realize that the elites are rigging the system, and part of the way they do this is to make laws too complicated for most of us to understand, so that we're expected to rely on "experts" to make decisions for us.

Another major problem is that the vast majority of these nominees aren't getting much coverage at all, including some others that are almost as incompetent or that many of these nominees that have been exposed as being so bad have been in government all along without much if any attention. They've drawn attention to Brett Talley's previous support for the Ku Klux Klan, which led to his withdrawal as a nominee as a judge but before this nomination he was already Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice and now that his nomination for a judge ahs been withdrawn he's still in that position and hardly anyone is paying attention. Jeffrey Mateer, who claimed that a transgender lawsuit is part of "Satan's Plan" served as the First Assistant Attorney General of Texas before his nomination, and now that the media attention is gone he's still in that positions.

I'm not a fan of Matthew Petersen, but he seems mild compared to some of Donald Trump's other nominees as far as I can tell after looking him up. If he did use reasonable discretion and supported the intent of the law, at least as they present it to the public, to defend us all equally, then he might be more qualified than the vast majority of judges that often use complex legal procedures to help rig the political system for campaign donors.

However, he's been a member of the United States Federal Election Commission for almost ten years and remains there now that his nomination has been withdrawn, yet I haven't heard anything about him speaking out against the political establishment and media only covering candidates that collect enormous amounts of money from corporations ensuring that only candidates they support can get the name recognition they need to get elected essentially rigging the entire election process as part of a routine!



I haven't heard him, or any other politician speak out about how allowing a fraction of one percent of the richest people in the country control over ninety percent of the media, which is exactly what the first amendment was supposed to prevent, and use this control to preselect which candidates are chosen as nominees similar to the way Beijing decides which candidates are allowed to run in Hong Kong; but most people don't even seem to notice and repeating propaganda to keep them distracted is also routine!

What isn't routine is reporting on the vast majority of the judges that have been nominated all over the country to lower courts that are already making major decisions, until a handful of the worst get nominated to the Supreme Court, and even then the worst of it isn't reported, while the report a sampling of it in a lower profile manner than what is on TV like the following article exposing a handful of additional extreme candidates that weren't mentioned on TV:

3 Trump Judicial Nominees Withdraw, Raising Some Questions About Vetting 12/19/2017

.... It took longer for the handwriting to become clear for Brett Talley, a 36-year-old Justice Department official, ghost hunter and believer in the paranormal.

He was approved by the Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote in November, despite a rare and unanimous unqualified rating by the American Bar Association. But as his nomination sat waiting for a vote by the full Senate, news organizations reported that he had failed to disclose key information required for all nominees on his Senate questionnaire. Specifically, he failed to disclose thousands of controversial blog posts under a pseudonym, including one supporting the early Ku Klux Klan, and failed to disclose that he is married to the chief of staff for White House counsel McGahn.

Finally, there was Jeffrey Mateer, an outspoken supporter of religious liberty, nominated with the strong support of his home state senator, Ted Cruz of Texas. Shortly after the nomination was announced, gay rights groups called attention to frequent comments Mateer had made calling same-sex marriage "disgusting" and likening it to polygamy and bestiality. Speaking about a lawsuit brought by a transgender student, Mateer, said "it just shows you how Satan's plan is working and the destruction that is going on."

The three nominees who have withdrawn are not the only ones who could have problems. Damien Schiff, nominated for the Court of Federal Claims, wrote a blog post that called Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy a "judicial prostitute." Another, Thomas Farr, has been accused of lying about his role in suppressing the black vote in North Carolina. Both have been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee, and are awaiting confirmation.

But others have sailed through quickly with GOP support. To cite just one example, John Bush, a prominent Republican lawyer was confirmed in June for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit despite some 400 often intemperate and very political blog posts under a fake name — posts that linked to so-called alt-right reports containing conspiracy theories and false information, such as the discredited claim that former President Obama was not born in the United States.

Pressed at his confirmation hearing by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Bush said he regretted having equated the Supreme Court's 1857 decision upholding slavery with the court's 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision, and he maintained that he would have no difficulty following the Roe ruling.

The breakneck speed of nominations and confirmations makes it sometimes look as though the Senate "will confirm anyone who has a temperature of 98.6," observes Russell Wheeler, a Brookings Institution scholar who studies the judicial appointment process. He thinks that the Trump nominees may be "more uniformly conservative" than nominees in previous Republican administrations because Trump has given "freer rein to the [conservative] Federalist Society." Complete article

While the majority are relieved about a handful of Trump's fanatical nominees being withdrawn there are more being approved with little or no reporting. And even nominees from the so called progressives are more right wing than they're letting on, including Merrick Garland, who wouldn't have been considered progressive at all if not for the fact that the GOP decided they could stall for a year. Barack Obama carefully selected someone to please these right wingers instead of trying to at least nominate a real progressive and make a good political argument for it to expose the GOP, and they stonewalled him anyway.

Obama and the rest of the establishment Democratic Part have had an incredible knack for caving to the Republican Party, which is part of the reason they couldn't get the progressive support they needed to get elected and what enabled Donald Trump get elected in the first place!



By now most people have forgotten how favorable to corporate interests Neil Gorsuch is as I mentioned in a previous article, Propaganda Campaign For Fascism In Progress, but he's demonstrated over and over again that he supports corporate control of the government and economic system, including his most famous case Hobby Lobby, which allowed employers to make religious and health care decisions for workers. Now that he's on the Supreme Court the media hardly mentions him at all, which is more effective than a campaign to make him look moderate, because if people aren't thinking about him they won't realize how extreme he is.

When they were pushing the public relations campaign one of Obama's young female lawyers did a commercial to support him which was clearly designed to make him look moderate, but he's unlikely to support women's rights at all, perhaps even abortion. In addition to not caring about women's rights, he's also demonstrated that he cares more about corporate profits than protecting the environment like his mother and even if the "Fascism Forever" reference in his yearbook was partly a joke, it accurately reflects his ideology, now and when he was in college, which is why it made it into the yearbook!

It shouldn't be too surprising that one of Obama's lawyers supported him, after Obama caved on every prosecution against Wall Street corruption when he was in office!

I could go into a long list of things that are obviously being rigged for the benefit of the rich at the expense of the rest of us; and in many cases lawyers that use complicated laws created by other lawyers are making arguments to justify epidemic fraud, trying to convince us that they're the "experts," but the final results favor the ruling class almost every time; and if there is an exception it's almost always because there's an enormous demand for it at the grassroots level!



Energy companies spend an enormous amount of money on propaganda about how they're working to create jobs and protect the environment; but if that were true many of the disasters that have happened, including the Gulf Horizon never would have happened. A few months ago Federal Judge ruled that the Public Has No Right To Know About Dakota Pipeline Spill Risks 04/19/2017 but whether it's because the media is getting a cut of the loot in the form of advertising sales or not this was only reported in a low profile manner. Additional reports from Robert Bullard author of "Dumping in Dixie," among other sources, expose that there's an enormous of pollution killing thousands of people, yet it is hardly reported in the traditional media and judges and lawyers have complicated arguments that are designed to convince us this is justified!

But you won't hear about that in the media or debated by political candidates unless the grassroots start getting their candidates from alternative media outlets!



Mainstream media is spending an enormous amount of time telling us they're defending democracy by exposing Trump's scams; however the reason he was elected in the first place is that they gave him obsession coverage in and refused to cover sincere grassroots candidates. The Russia conspiracy they keep obsessing about can't be nearly as bad as the fact that they only cover corrupt candidates! 



Somehow none of the candidates that they are willing to cover or news reporters ever speak out against the wars based on lies including weapons of mass destruction when it can actually stop the wars; but after it's too late they're trying to convince us that they're digging for the truth to expose it!

If they wanted to inform the public they would have reported more on disclosures like Scott Ritter, which was demonized when it counted; or kept anti war pundits like Phil Donahue instead of firing him! Then after they fight wars based on lies the only candidates they cover are those that supported them when it counted, rigging future elections for more wars based on lies!



They make psychological research into the indoctrination of children by advertisers a trade secret and make it illegal for insiders to report when oligarchies gradually reduce the quality or quantity of merchandise they're selling to consumers. Trade secrecy laws also prevent them from telling the public about "slotting fees" that stores rent to oligarchies, or that supposedly competing manufacturers are making their products in sweatshops next to each other.

The claim that this is a "free market" is a lie! they now have a small number of oligarchies dividing up the market; and people familiar with alternative media or good non-fiction books know it!



These lawyers, judges and lawmakers creating and enforcing these laws aren't even trying to do a good job pretending to support a reasonably fair system, assuming anyone is actually paying attention. But of course they have researched all kinds of ways to keep us distracted so that a large percentage of the public is obsessed with celebrities or sports so they rely on them to tell them what to think.

It doesn't take a genius to recognize many of these scams especially if more people learn where to look, which isn't traditional media that represents a fraction of one percent of the public!

I'm not saying that some of these complicated legal arguments aren't necessary; butt they could and should make a large portion of them much simpler so that the public can understand it.

Once we get a more educated public with the help of alternative media outlets, at least until we have major media reform, then we should find a better way to nominate judges and report on their record, long before they get nominated to the Supreme Court and it becomes clear that there have been fanatics in the judicial system all along.

I don't know whether it's better to rely on elections for judges or appoint them but either way the public needs to be better informed and if corrupt politicians or political operatives rig the system we need a reasonable way to get the fanatics out if they don't serve our interests!



Walmart Crime Report December 2017

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Walmart broke a record for the most shootings on their property, or in incidents that began on their property, including chases that started as shoplifting incidents, in 2017 with at least 121 beating last years previous record of 104. However, this record was broken early in November, and their Christmas season, had fewer shootings than last year with only seven in December, although two of those resulted in deaths and two more in serious injuries. One of the deaths, and another injury, were an officer related shootings, one where a police officer was shot and the suspect was killed by return fire and the other death in a separate shooting is being investigated as a murder.

There were also at least sixteen other gun related incidents including another shooting, although it was with an air-gun and several panics or false alarms, armed robberies stolen guns or an abandoned found in a shopping cart, a stand off with someone threatening to commit suicide, and an armed police impersonator.

In addition to the two shooting deaths, there were two more bodies found on the property, three that died as a result of accidents and another body that was found in a burning car, making the total body count for the month eight dead. Hardly a month goes by, including this one where there isn't a local story about how much more crime there is at Walmart than other stores, however these stories are almost never reported nationwide, even a year ago last August when it got much more attention in the printed and internet media the national televised media, which a shocking percentage of the public relies primarily on, hardly mentioned all these problems.

They finally ended their controversial program, which they called "Restorative Justice," at least in some states; however they only did this after court rulings calling it extortion and other backlash from people outraged by the program. This program spread throughout the country without ever reporting it widely to the majority of the public, even now that it has been eliminated. It should have been obvious, even before they began it that it was a disaster waiting to happen, but the decisions were made by ideological businessmen that don't seem to care what impact their policies have on the public. The bigger concern should be that the government allowed it to happen in the first place.



A cop in Texas who refused to arrest a hungry shoplifter, against Walmart's wishes was taken off duty, although after the story went viral on the internet they said it was for unrelated causes, whether anyone believes it or not. I suspect there are many more police outraged with Walmart that are reluctant to come out and say so publicly, thanks to the media pressure they may not be able to retaliate against him to much, which is all the more reason to get these stories out. Another amusing incident happened in Texas when an advertising agency searched for a logo for one of Walmart's ads and picked one without reading it too carefully, and published an ad that said "Save money. Screw people over."

I don't know whether I should shed tears for the advertisers or Walmart executives, or maybe just laugh it up without losing any sleep over this one!



In addition to the three crashes, or fallen car, that killed people there were at least ten crashes, high speed chases, carjackings or attempted carjackings, including numerous injuries, and one totaled car that was crashed by an eleven year old left in the vehicle alone. December may have been slow for shootings but not crashes, and as usual the vast majority of fender benders don't get widely reported.

They also had at least six knife or hatchet crimes, including three stabbings, one of a police officer, and a knife that was thrown at another police officer. another chase involved a person being chased with a cross bow and another with two people using hammers for smash and grab incidents. The reports don't always say where they got their weapons, but in many cases people charged with armed robbery don't bother bringing their own weapons including hammers or knives, possibly even a crossbow, they just go through Walmart and steal them.

And even in a slow December crime month they always have at least one brawl. It wasn't a slow month for fires or arson either with at least seven fires, some of which the causes haven't been reported, although at least a few are arson.

A cop was found guilty of beating a man falsely accused of stealing a tomato, and another one was arrested for buying stuff with stolen money, in this case they were both held accountable although they rarely hold them accountable for beating or killing people in the line of duty with excessive force. But this doesn't stop police or security from tackling shoplifters, often for petty thefts and holding them to the ground. There is a growing trend referring to people that confront shoplifters, as "Good Samaritans" although the Biblical reference to this is for someone that was considered of ill repute helping out an injured man when a priest and a member of the royal family refused to help, not for someone fighting battles, even if it is for a justifiable cause.

No members of the Walton family ever have to confront shoplifters in potentially violent situations, yet they're involved with the decisions that lead to many of their workers doing so, and the workers that often get bit, hit, dragged stabbed pepper sprayed etcetera, get little or no compensation for their actions, and in some cases they even get fired. The policy for these incidents often changes and is often not reported until after they happen and the workers often don't seem to know about it until then.

As usual they had several incidents at self-check-out lanes, indicating that although they save a modest amount of money on cashiers, they spend more on security for these incidents; and the tax payers also foot the bill for the arrests and court costs; but that is considered a negative- externality that doesn't affect profits, as long as people remain silent about it. They're even experimenting with cashier-less stores after all these disasters, as a way of competing with Amazon. There are also numerous incidents where their customers get beat or assaulted, sometimes it's customers and workers that are both impacted by corner cutting that wind up fighting each other.

Walmart is being sued again for anti-pregnancy bias, selling flushable wipes that clog septic systems, forced to stop clearing endangered forests, they've been caught selling fake "fingerlings" which can catch fire, and facing a backlash for selling Antifa sweatshirts. In a free enterprise system that is diverse and small companies compete against each other some can sell items like this catering to one view, while others sell different items to a different crowd allowing a larger variety of products to compete, the way a free enterprise is supposed to work; however in an oligarchy system, like we have now public pressure deprives people of things they want to buy since almost the entire economic system is controlled by a small number of corporations.

They also had protests about their policies cutting holiday pay for people forced to work during Thanksgiving or other times close to family time for most people. They're being accused of double charging, their gift cards have been subject to scams, and a woman who brought her young son to the rest room with her was scolded again, and another woman was allegedly kicked out for giving away Walmart Gift cards. One women responded to being treated badly for breast feeding her baby by arranging a "Nurse-in" at Walmart to try to get through to them, although that is virtually impossible without an enormous amount of attention.



They've also suspended their relationship with Tavis Smiley, after he was accused of harassing women; but it's hard to imagine why this so-called defender of the poor ever had a relationship with Walmart in the first place, with their reputation.

Another allegedly dirty needle was found in an online order.

Another man was arrested for crawling around the floor trying to lick women's shoes.

You would think these types of strange incidents would only happen once at most, but not at Walmart.

Strange things happen at Wal-Mart!





In 2006 Wake Up Wal-Mart did a study, "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" based on incidents in 2004, (PDF) about crime at Wal-Mart which showed that it increased when Wal-Marts opened up and that crime was higher at Wal-Mart than at other retailers. Since then Wal-Mart Shootings began compiling a list of gun related incidents at Wal-Mart and demonstrated that they have a large number of them, including on average more than one shooting per week somewhere in the country. In January of 2014 another study, "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" provided additional statistical research indicating that Wal-Mart might be contributing to higher crime rates or at least a slowing of the decline in crime. The study found that. “on average, communities with Walmarts had 17 more property crimes and two more violent crimes per 10,000 people than those communities without Walmarts.” I reviewed this more in Wal-Mart’s crime problem, Rolling Back Safety more than prices? where I explained that although this study is helpful they could have done better with additional data that is available and I reviewed some of that. I also added my own review about why I think that Wal-Mart policies have been contributing to higher crime in a previous blog, Wal-Mart high crime rate continues un-investigaterd and have provided additional information under the author tag Walmart Crime Watch.

Stacy Mitchell has also compiled a list of other studies about Wal-Mart and how they impact society, Key Studies on Big-Box Retail & Independent Business. To the best of my knowledge Wal-Mart has done as little as they seem to get away with, often relying on rhetoric that isn't backed up with action, when it comes to addressing any of their critics concerns, including crime. One of the responses they’ve come up with is what they call "Restorative Justice" which gives first time shoplifters a chance to avoid being arrested or any criminal record if they take an on line course which costs $400 up front or $500 in payments, plus perhaps, reparations. This has been part of the privatization process and often denies suspects of the due process or access to a lawyer, perhaps even intimidating and extorting from some people that might not even be guilty. Walmart seems to be trying to find a way to turn crime into a profit making situation instead of looking for the most effective ways to reduce it. Making Change at Walmart is asking If you or someone you know has gone through @Walmart's "Restorative Justice" program for first-time suspected shoplifters, send us a DM. 03/30/2017 to ensure that it isn’t doing more harm than good. I did my own review of this program as well at Walmart’s “Restorative Justice” Endangers Public Without Reducing Crime. The following are a list of incidents that occurred in December 2017. According to the "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" the average store in their sampling had 250 incidents per year, indicating that these are only a fraction of the crime reports at Wal-Mart, and presumably, the ones most likely to make the news on the internet nationwide. This isn't statistically representative, as the 2006 or the "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" study or some of the studies cited by Stacy Mitchell; but it does provide some additional information that may help recognize how many problems there are at Wal-Mart.



Man steals $1,600 in jewelry from Va. Walmart 12/01/2017

Armed Ashland City man accused of impersonating cop, stealing from Tenn. Walmart 12/01/2017

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Ashland City police finally got a break in a case they’ve been investigating for almost a year.

In Walmart surveillance video, a man is seen checking out at the register with a 9mm handgun on his waist.

The man walked out, paying for his groceries but not paying for an expensive sound bar he had on the bottom of his cart.

When approached by store security, the man claimed that he was an undercover Metro police officer.

According to Ashland City Police Chief Mark Coulon, the man is neither a cop nor is he licensed to carry a weapon. Complete article


Timnath police: Man groped 6-year-old boy's genitals in Colorado Walmart bathroom 12/01/2017

Timnath police arrested a 27-year-old Cheyenne, Wyo. man on suspicion of felony sexual assault on a child for allegedly groping a 6-year-old boy's genitals in a bathroom Wednesday at the Walmart at 4500 Weitzel St.

Police say Javier Dominguez-Gallegos also allegedly tried exposing his own genitals to the child, according to an arrest affidavit written by Timnath Police Department Officer Kimberly Betrus.

The boy reportedly told police he did not know the suspect. Complete article


Loaded handgun found in NC Walmart shopping cart 12/01/2017

CHARLOTTE, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - According to cmpd a loaded glock 17 9 millimeter hand gun was found in a shopping cart here at this walmart. The employee who found it immediately turned it in and customers are thankful it didn't fall into the wrong hands.

I mean I just don't even have too many words to say. I'm so amazed you know, especially being a parent, I mean you want the best. I mean, you think going to a store you wouldn't expect a shopping cart to have a loaded gun in it."

"It's very shocking and very irresponsible." Complete article


Northland Missouri Walmart evacuated after gun scare 12/02/2017

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two teens were taken into custody early Saturday after a gun scare at a Northland Walmart.

Police said they were initially called about midnight on a report of a person waving a gun at the Murphy USA gas station on Church Road.

When officers arrived, they saw a man get into a black SUV and drive off. The vehicle was stopped at Walmart a short distance away. Police said one person in the vehicle got out and ran into the store.

Authorities said they believed someone with a gun was inside the Walmart, so they evacuated the store.

"We heard some people yelling up at the front door, like to get out of the building. So I looked up at the front door and I saw a couple of police officers waving their shotguns, saying 'Everybody get out of the store, get out of the store,'" shopper Joshua Cross said. Complete article


Walmart trains employees for holidays using virtual reality 12/01/2017

Shoppers jammed the checkout line in Walmart’s electronics department during the holiday rush, their carts full of items to buy.

But as Perry Lewis, a Walmart assistant manager, surveyed the scene, he saw some problems: The long lines appeared disorganized; an associate left a register to grab an item; children crowded too close to the work space behind the counter; and some customers looked irritated.

Lewis watched the situation unfold not in the store but through a virtual reality headset he wore during a class at a Walmart training center in Glen Burnie. Because his three-dimensional view made the events seem real, he might as well have been in the middle of the action. Complete article


Trio Distracts Cashier to Steal $4K in Gift Cards From Santee Ca. Walmart 12/01/2017

Three N.O. women busted for stealing more than $1K from Slidell La. Walmart 12/01/2017

Teen stabbed at Shawnee Okla. Walmart after trying to protect woman being assaulted by intoxicated husband 12/04/2017

SHAWNEE, Okla. – A teenager was stabbed at a Shawnee Walmart after trying to protect a woman who was allegedly being assaulted by her intoxicated husband.

Late Friday, police were called to the Shawnee Walmart on reports of a stabbing.

When officers arrived, they learned that 57-year-old Roy Dean Harjo showed up at the Walmart to pick up his wife.

Harjo, who was allegedly intoxicated, reportedly got into an alteration with his wife and assaulted her.

According to the Shawnee News Star, a teenager, believed to be 17, and some friends tried to intervene on the woman’s behalf.

That is when Harjo allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed the teenager. Complete article


Good Samaritan injured while apprehending shoplifting suspect outside Nevada Walmart 12/03/2017

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A struggle with a shoplifting suspect Saturday night at a southeast Las Vegas valley shopping center led to the suspect and Good Samaritan suffering injuries.

The incident occurred around 6:45 p.m. at Walmart Supercenter, 2310 E. Serene Ave., near South Eastern Avenue, according to Lt. Brian Cole of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

The suspect took some small items and then was chased by security and citizens. During the struggle, the suspect stabbed a citizen in the leg, causing superficial injuries. Complete article


Man accused of masturbating in front of customers at Texas Walmart 12/03/2017

LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas — A second suspect has been arrested in Liberty County, Texas for indecent exposure.

Randy Earl Jones, Jr., 25, was taken into custody by the Cleveland Police Department and has been placed in Liberty County jail facing Class B misdemeanor charges for reportedly pleasuring himself in front of customers at the Walmart in Cleveland. Complete article


Fake 'Fingerlings' sold through Walmart could be dangerous 12/04/2017

(WMAR) - Santa is coming soon and kids have most likely submitted their Christmas lists, but there is one toy that is on the naughty list this year.

Fingerlings are one of the hottest holiday toys, but some customers who purchased them online through Walmart are upset.

Fake versions of the Fingerlings were sold through a third party on Walmart's site.

These fake goods aren't just a disappointment, but they can also be dangerous. Authorities say they've seized counterfeit toys with lead in them and electronics that can catch fire. Complete article


Throwing Walmart merchandise at girlfriend ends in charges in Pa. 12/03/2017

Police: Bomb Threat At Saraland Alabama Walmart 12/03/2017

Walmart faces backlash after selling Antifa sweatshirts online 12/04/2017

WASHINGTON - Walmart faced a wave of criticism after it began selling Antifa sweatshirts on its website.

The sweater in question is black with white writing that reads, “ANTI FA” with a lightning bolt.

“This 'We Are Anti Fa' white AC/DC style font sweatshirt will express yourself inside the opposition to the ideology, organizations, governments and people from the far right (fascism). Just remember to keep creating a better world,” the product’s description reads in part.

According to Walmart’s website, the sweatshirt is sold and shipped by a third-party company. The sweatshirt, which cost $26.99, is currently out of stock, leaving many to believe Walmart pulled the product after facing an intense backlash, leading for some to call for a boycott of the massive superstore.

More than a dozen comments were left under the product, including one from user bob21801, which reads, “Perfect for the far left, true fascist basement dweller communists, but not a good choice for us conservative patriots.”

While the majority of product reviews were negative, leading to 1.5 stars out of a 5-star review, user esist commented, “All of the 1 star reviews are from Fascist sympathizers.” Complete article


Man arrested for stealing handicap scooter from Gastonia NC Wal-Mart 12/03/2017

Bloomfield resident charged with felony armed robbery at NM Walmart 12/02/2017 a total of $49.44 in stolen merchandise

Man tries to pass counterfeit bills to Fla. Walmart 12/02/2017

Who is this? Police look for Pa. Walmart theft suspect 12/04/2017

Two arrested after allegedly stealing from Germantown Walmart, high-speed chase and crash 12/04/2017

GERMANTOWN, Wis. (CBS 58) – Two people are in custody after police say they stole from a Germantown Walmart and led police on a high-speed chase.

Investigators say around 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 3 officers responded to a theft in progress at the Walmart on Appleton Avenue. Police later found the suspect vehicle on County Line Road and started following the vehicle. The vehicle then fled southbound on I-41 reaching speeds of around 110 mph, according to officers.

The suspect vehicle then crashed at STH 145 and 91st and the two people inside the car tried to run away before being taken into custody. Complete article


Police: Man tried to kiss, lick woman's shoes at NC Walmart 12/05/2017

KNIGHTDALE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina man is accused of trying to kiss and lick a woman's shoes at a Walmart.

News outlets report Knightdale police arrested 25-year-old Nahshon Luther Homes on Monday and charged him with misdemeanor sexual battery. The arrest warrant says Holmes attempted to "satisfy his sexual arousal by laying underneath the victim and in between her legs in an attempt to lick her shoes against her will."

Knightdale Police Chief Lawrence Capps says the shopper told police she was talking with another person when she noticed a man on his back who was trying to slide to get close to her. She followed him when he rushed out and got a description of his vehicle. Complete article


Two robberies at Tx. Walmart and United could be from the same suspect 12/04/2017

AMARILLO, TX (KVII) — On Monday evening just after 4 pm, Amarillo Police Department officers were sent to the Walmart at 4215 Canyon Drive on suspicion of a robbery.

A victim present, told officers the suspect was a Hispanic male with long, dark hair, dressed in all black, had forced them out of their vehicle and then the suspect left in the vehicle.

Later that afternoon, around 4:30 pm, officers were sent to the United Market Street at 2530 S. Georgia on a robbery. Another victim described this suspect to be similar to the suspect at the Walmart robbery, and forced them out of their vehicle and left. Complete article


Mich. Walmart clerks assaulted as couple tries to flee with full cart 12/0/2017

KALAMAZOO, MI - Two people were arrested early Monday morning after they apparently tried to steal a shopping cart full of merchandise from a Walmart store and assaulted two employees who tried to stop them.

"Two people loaded up a cart to push it out the door," said Kalamazoo County Undersheriff James VanDyken. "It's what we call a 'push-out.'"

He said deputies were called to the Walmart Supercenter at 509 N. 9th St. in Oshtemo Township at about 1 a.m. on Dec. 4. Employees of the 24-hour business had stopped two people trying to leave the store without paying -- a 24-year-old and a 16-year-old. VanDyken said he did not know whether the male or female suspect was the minor.

"They said, 'You need to leave immediately,'" VanDyken said.

But he said the employees were also trying to get the identities of the pair in order to ban them from ever coming back into the store. That's when the assaults occurred. Complete article


Costco, Walmart and Target Sued Over Flushable Wipes 12/04/2017

Retail giants Walmart, Target and Costco and others are getting sued for blowing out toilets and sewer systems with allegedly "flushable" wet wipes.

Here's the straight poop ... a homeowners association in NY state is making a big stink over several brands of flushable wet wipes sold at the stores. According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, the wipes claim to be safe for sewers and septic tanks because they break down easily after flushing.

Not so, according to the suit. The HOA says these wipes are built to hold up under the "pressure of scrubbing" ... your anus, that is. That's great news for the wiper, but horrible for the wiper's toilet system, allegedly. Complete article


Woman cited after child attempts NC Walmart larceny 12/04/2017

Man accused of robbing Tx. Walmart turns himself in 12/05/2017

Ariz. Wal-Mart shoplifting arrest leads to heroin, meth bust 12/0/2017

Thieves wanted for using stolen credit cards at Walmart in Delray Beach Fla. 12/05/2017

Police: Wayne County man used stolen debit card at Auburn NY Walmart 12/06/2017

FBI looking for woman – or man – who robbed Tx. Walmart bank on FM 1960 last June 12/05/2017

Police blotter: Homeless man arrested; trespassing at Walmart; assault reported 12/05/2017

Man accused of robbing Tx. Walmart in Sept. turns himself in 12/05/2017

PHOTO: 2 suspects wanted after theft at Chesterfield Va. Walmart 12/05/2017

Police: Armed man stole money from Ill. Walmart 12/05/2017

WATSEKA, Ill. (WAND) – A manhunt has started in the search for an armed robbery suspect.

Police say a man stole money from a Walmart store in Watseka before fleeing the scene in a car. They say the robbery happened at about 10:45 p.m. Monday, when someone entered the business with a gun tucked into their waistband.

Officers are describing the suspect as a white man between the ages of 40 and 50. They say he is about 6 feet tall and has a smaller build. Police say he had on glasses, a surgical mask, a stocking cap and a black Carhart coat at the time of the crime. Complete article


Insiders buy at GE, sell at Wal-Mart 12/05/2017

Insiders have been buying shares at beleaguered General Electric Co. (GE) but selling at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT).

At General Electric, four executives bought shares in November. John Flannery, who became GE's CEO in August, bought 60,000 shares. That brings his GE holding to 683,026 shares, worth $12.2 million at Dec. 1 prices.

Francisco D'Souza, a director, bought 55,000 shares last month, bringing the value of his GE holdings to $1.63 million. D'Souza is CEO and co-founder of Cognizant Tech Solutions Corp. (CTSH). .....

WAL-MART

At Wal-Mart, earnings have declined three fiscal years in a row. Analysts expect a slight improvement in the fiscal year that ends next month. But insiders aren't sending a positive signal.

Entities controlled by the Walton family, whose late patriarch Sam Walton founded Wal-Mart, sold more than 11 million shares in a series of November transactions. The family still owns some 1.5 billion shares, or about 51 percent of the company.

Since Wal-Mart is valued at $288.3 billion, the family stake is worth about $147 billion at Dec. 1 prices.

Given the Waltons' immense wealth, you could regard the sales of 11 million shares as the mere equivalent of stopping off at the automated teller machine. This particular ATM belched out more than $1 billion in November. Complete article


Man gets life for killing Gwinnett Ga. Walmart guard in attempted TV theft in April 2016 12/05/2017

Thief racks up online Walmart charges on Ozarks Missouri family's bank account 12/06/2017

Suspect Arrested Trying to Steal From Nevada Walmart During Shop With the Sheriff 12/06/2017

Officer Shot, 1 Person Dead At Walmart In NW Miami-Dade Fla. 12/06/2017

HIALEAH (CBSMiami) — A police officer, in uniform, was shot while working an off-duty detail at a northwest Miami-Dade County Walmart Supercenter.

Miami-Dade Police said Officer Manuel Gonzalez was working off-duty detail for security purposes, near NW 32nd Ave and NW 79th Street, when he was called to a suspected shoplifting incident. When he arrived, at some point, there was an exchange of gunfire and the officer was shot at least five times, in the upper and lower torso, at close range.

“The cop was bleeding by the ribs…I heard six shots go off,” said witness Manuel Gonzalez. Complete article

Suspect Shot Dead by Officer in Walmart Parking Lot Had Criminal History 12/07/2017


Road-rage shooting in Colton Ca. Walmart parking lot narrowly misses cellphone store clerk 12/06/2017

When Veronica Ramos went to work at Cricket Wireless in Colton on Wednesday, she was prepared to deal with unsatisfied customers, but she wasn’t prepared to have a stray bullet whiz by her head and lodge itself less than 2 feet from where she was standing.

“I’m not really scared right now, honestly, I’m just irritated,” Ramos said in a phone interview. “I didn’t sign up to be shot at. I did not sign up for a job that puts my life at risk. I sell cellphones for a living.”

About 11:30 a.m., Ramos was helping a customer program a newly purchased phone when she and the customer heard an argument outside the store in the Walmart shopping center at 1120 S. Mt. Vernon Ave., she said.

“I didn’t pay too much attention because I was programming the phone but then we heard a loud pop,” she said. “Then we heard a second pop and that’s when the bullet hit the window.” Complete article


Columbus police seek identity of 2 men armed with hammers who robbed Ga. Wal-Mart 12/06/2017

Columbus police are trying to identify two suspects in the Oct. 3 armed robbery at the Wal-Mart at 5448 Whittlesey Boulevard.

Two men entered the store around 4:50 a.m. and took $25,550 worth of cell phones. They used hammers to intimidate the clerk on duty, authorities said.

Officials released Wednesday afternoon shows the two suspects and the vehicle they allegedly used to commit the crime. Complete article


Accused red-hair bandits pepper spray Tx. Walmart customers in Montgomery Co. 12/06/2017

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) -- Two women are wanted tonight in Montgomery County for hosing people with pepper spray inside a Walmart.

Authorities said their "Elmo-like red hair" should help track them down.

The unreal situation unfolded inside the store off Riley Fuzzel Road on November 22nd.

Eyewitness News spoke with Captain Dan Zientek with Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constables. He said the duo were in the process of stealing about $400 worth of makeup. A manager approached them and they used the pepper spray as an escape plan. Complete article


Bomb threats made to 2 Walmarts in El Paso County Colorado 12/06/2017

Beware of third-party sellers on Walmart’s website 12/06/2017 "When I had issues with the product that was damaged in shipping, I contacted Walmart to find out how to get refund and return them, and they let me know I needed to contact a third-party seller," Blackburn said.

Police arrest Va. Walmart employee for allegedly stealing cash, inventory scanner 12/06/2017

Man caught on camera stealing Salvation Army red kettle at Walmart in Gladstone Missouri 12/0/2017

Judge sides with Ca. Walmart Environmental review was sufficient, he rules 12/07/2017

Man charged with stealing 31 iPads from Springville NY Walmart 12/06/2017

Paw Paw police seeking trio who left Mich. Walmart with unpaid basket of goods 12/05/2017

Suspected shoplifter arrested after second trip to Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza Fla. 12/07/2017

Henrico Va. Walmart employee charged with 33 counts of embezzlement 12/07/2017

Possible bomb scare at Walmart in Watchung NJ 12/07/2017

Cops thwart heist of expensive items from Fla. Wal-Mart 12/07/2017

Man admits he flashed two girls at Wisc. Walmart 'for the thrill of it' 12/07/2017

Semi hits bridge in front of Ammon Idaho Walmart 12/07/2017

Jury deliberating case of officer beating man over a tomato inside a Ga. Walmart 12/07/2017

ATLANTA - A jury is now deliberating in the case of a recently-retired Atlanta police officer who beat a man falsely accused of stealing a tomato in Walmart.

Trevor King, 49, is facing a two-count federal indictment tied to willfully using unreasonable force and falsifying a police report in the October 2014 incident that broke Tyrone Carnegay’s leg. At the time, King was an Atlanta Police Department sergeant working an off-duty security job at a Southwest Atlanta Walmart.

The FBI learned about the case through a 2016 report by Channel 2 Action News that included exclusive video of the beating. Complete article

Officer found guilty in beating man over a tomato inside a Walmart 12/08/2017


SAPD: Woman stabs off-duty officer under chin, slashes Tx. Walmart employee's face 12/08/2017

An off-duty Floresville police officer and a Walmart employee were attacked by a woman with a knife Friday morning on the Northwest Side.

The officer was rushed to University Hospital for treatment and is now in stable condition, as is the Walmart employee.

The suspect, who hasn’t been identified, was shopping for clothing in the Walmart in the 1600 block of Vance Jackson Road around 5:30 a.m., according to Sgt. Tim Esp.

“She had gathered some clothing like she was going to buy it or something,” he said. “An employee is walking by her, doesn’t say a word to her. There’s no confrontation or anything.”

But for no apparent reason, the woman attacked the employee with a fixed-blade knife, causing an 8-inch superficial cut across the employee’s face.

Esp said the employee and a coworker rushed to notify an off-duty Floresville police officer working security at the Walmart.

As the officer and the suspect walked towards each other, the woman slashed the back of his head with her knife. A struggle ensued, during which the woman stabbed the officer under the chin. Complete article

Walmart stabbing suspect had 'rough year,' friend says 12/12/2017 SAN ANTONIO - A woman accused of stabbing two people at a Northwest Side Walmart last week may have been pushed over the edge by the holiday season, according to her ex-boyfriend.


Suicidal situation outside Va. Walmart ends peacefully 12/07/2017

Update: The woman was taken into custody and Mine Road will be open again momentarily.

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. — A suicidal woman, armed with a gun, is in a car parked outside Walmart on Garrisonville Road, according to a Stafford County Sheriff’s spokesperson and WTTG.

“Deputies are negotiating with the subject for safety,” according to the spokesperson. “There are no road closures and traffic is only slightly impacted at this time.” Complete article


Griffin Ga. woman files complaint against Walmart for anti-pregnancy bias 12/07/2017

A Griffin woman has filed legal action against Walmart for company managers’ treatment of her, charging them with discrimination against pregnant workers.

In a filing with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Atlanta, Whitney Tomlinson, 30, a single mother, is asking for an unspecified amount of money from the Arkansas-based retail giant, as well as for orders that would compel different behavior by the company.

“I want Walmart to make real changes so that what happened to me doesn’t happen to anyone else,” she said in a statement. “Walmart could have easily provided a way for me to keep working during my pregnancy, but they wouldn’t.” Complete article


11-year-old totals car in Mishawaka Ind. Walmart parking lot 12/07/2017

MISHAWAKA — A South Bend woman says she doesn't know what to do after a bizarre accident at the Mishawaka Walmart.

Dawn Scott was wrapping up her shift when a co-worker said someone hit her car.

To everyone's surprise the person who totaled her car was an 11-year-old. Complete article


Crime: Thieves hop off with swiped beer from NC Wal-Mart 12/08/2017

Racine Wisc. man accused of crawling behind Walmart counter to steal cigarettes 12/07/2017

Authorities searching for shoplifters at Walmart in Madison Heights Va. 12/07/2017

Man accused of robbing wallet from would-be cellphone buyer in Tx. Walmart parking lot 12/07/2017

Bomb threat forces Walmart evacuation in Boynton Beach Fla. 12/08/2017

Fla. Judge Orders Halt To Clearing Rare Land Targeted For Walmart 12/08/2017

Labor groups protest Walmart's holiday-pay policy in Phoenix Ariz. 12/08/2017 Additional protests in Kentucky and elsewhere

Protesters dressed in holiday costumes picketed in front of a Phoenix Walmart on Thursday contesting the company's holiday-pay policy.

Members from the group Making Change at Walmart (MCAW), the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 99 and elected officials gathered with signs and holiday costumes protesting Walmart's policy that allows workers to earn a paid day off for each holiday worked instead of additional holiday pay.

Randy Parraz, campaign director of MCAW, said the event was to call attention to how the company is treating its workers during the holidays. Complete article

Santas demand holiday pay at Ky. Walmart 12/08/2017


Kaufman Tx. cop who refused to arrest hungry shoplifter, against Wal-Mart's wishes, taken off duty 12/08/2017

A Kaufman police officer was taken off the job this week after he became Facebook-famous for refusing to arrest a hungry shoplifting suspect.

But the department says its internal investigation is unrelated to "the compassion and kindness" shown by Sgt. Nick Stevens, but rather an incident later at the police station.

Stevens was dispatched to a Wal-Mart around noon Wednesday after a theft was called in.

When he arrived, police said, Stevens met with the suspect who told him that he had stolen food and a drink because he was hungry and hadn't eaten in two days. Stevens let the man off with a warning and gave him some cash.

The Wal-Mart insisted on pressing charges, though Stevens felt it wasn't necessary. However, when the victim of a crime wants to press charges, police are obligated to do so.

Stevens' daughter, Kelsey Stevens, took to Facebook on Wednesday, saying her father was taken off duty because he wouldn't arrest the shoplifting suspect. She has since deleted the post. Complete article


Man faces charges after allegedly propositioning girl at Wash. Walmart 12/08/2017

Police arrest Bedford Va. Walmart robbery suspect 12/08/2017

Police: Hudson NH Walmart thief likely hit other stores 12/09/2017

Woman passed out in Pikeville Ky. Walmart parking lot with 3-year-old in lap 12/10/2017

Police looking for man that stole TV from York County Va. Walmart 12/10/2017

Judge halts clearing of rare forest targeted for Walmart 12/10/2017

MIAMI (AP) — Bulldozers downing trees on a property targeted for a Walmart-anchored shopping center were ordered to stop work after a federal judge issued an emergency injunction sought by environmentalists fighting to save the vanishing forest.

The judge issued the injunction Friday, hours after the Center for Biological Diversity and three other groups sued to overturn a decision earlier this week that cleared the way for the mall, 900 apartments and a parking lot. The land near Zoo Miami had long been targeted for conservation and is part of what was once one of the largest tracks of pine rockland, a globally imperiled forest, outside Everglades National Park.

In her ruling, Judge Ursula Ungaro said the plaintiffs showed a likelihood of winning their case and that ongoing work could cause irreparable harm. Complete article


Logan WV Walmart reopens after storage area fire 12/10/2017 (presumably unrelated fire at NM Walmart same day)

LOGAN, WV (WCHS/WVAH) — A Walmart in Logan County is back open after a fire broke out in a storage area Saturday night.

The Logan Fire Department said a fire started at about 9:15 p.m. Saturday in a back storage area of the store.

The store was evacuated as crews worked to put out the fire. Firefighters said the fire was contained within 15 minutes, but there was heavy fire damage to the stock area and smoke damage throughout the store. Complete article

Albuquerque NM Fire Department responds to a fire at a Walmart in NE ABQ 12/10/2017


Smoke forces Bartow Fla. Walmart to be evacuated 12/10/2017

Las Cruces NM police investigate human remains found behind Walmart on Rinconada 12/10/2017

LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces police are investigating human remains found Sunday morning.

Las Cruces Police Department spokesman Dan Trujillo said the remains were found by a person walking a dog in an undeveloped area behind the Walmart Supercenter on Riconada Boulevard.

The remains were found about 9 a.m., he said. Complete article


Alleged Nov. makeup thieves behind bars after pepper spray attack at Walmart in Montgomery Co. Tx. 12/09/2017

Alleged NY Walmart wallet thief arrested 12/09/2017

Man gets life for Jan. shooting deaths outside Mich. Walmart in Craigslist marijuana deal gone bad 12/11/2017

Gov. Haslam offers $5K reward in Bristol, TN Walmart shooting death case in Sept. 12/11/2017

Thief steals Salvation Army kettle from Jacksonville Fla. Walmart 12/11/2017

Walmart in Mooresville NC evacuated after bomb threat 12/11/2017

Winter Park paper company says Wal-Mart, others stole design 12/11/2017

El Paso man allegedly tries to steal over $700 worth of goods from Tx. Walmart 12/11/2017

Police seek ID of man accused of groping girl in toy aisle at Renton Wash. Walmart 12/11/2017
Renton Wash. Walmart groping suspect exposed himself to little girls at a second Walmart, police say 12/14/2017

Police investigating shooting death in Waukegan Ill. Walmart parking lot as homicide 12/11/2017

WAUKEGAN, Ill. (WLS) -- Waukegan police have launched a homicide investigation after a person was found dead in a Walmart parking lot Monday evening. Police said they were called to the Walmart in the 3900-block of Fountain Square Place around 6 p.m. for a reported hit and run, as well as reports of shots fired. There, they found a person dead on the east side of the parking lot. "We've canvassed for witnesses, located some witnesses. We're reviewing surveillance footage in the area," said Waukegan Police Chief Wayne Walles. Complete article

Man found shot to death in Walmart parking lot in Waukegan 12/12/2017

3 charged in Waukegan Walmart parking lot murder, arrest warrant issued for 4th suspect 12/18/2017


Mother who brought son into women's restroom claims Tx. Walmart employee scolds her 12/11/2017

HOUSTON - A north Houston mother said she was in disbelief after a Walmart employee told her that her 9-year-old son was too old to go into the women's restroom with her. "I was very upset because you hear so many news stories of children being targeted, the first thing everybody asks is, 'Where was mom? Where was the dad? Why were they allowed by themselves?'" Claudia Munguia said Complete article


Woman At RI Walmart Pretends To Scan Items At Self-Checkout In An Attempt To Steal Them 12/1/2017

I’ve said this before, but I hate using the self-checkouts at any store since it honestly usually takes longer than just a regular human ringing you up. Something always goes wrong and an employee ends up having to help you anyway so I say let’s just get rid of them and get back to good old fashion humans scanning our stuff for us. At the very least it can prevent people from attempting to steal stuff like the lady in the video below tried to. The video below was taken at a Walmart in Cranston, Rhode Island, and shows a customer pretending to scan items at the self-checkout and then just tossing it in her shopping cart. The person who filmed this described the incident this way on YouTube: “We had a little bit of time before getting our son off the bus so we decided to get a sandwich at Subway. As we were eating we saw this woman pretending to scan most of her items and hand them off to her husband who was bagging them and putting them in another carriage. I decided to record her doing this and we then told a Walmart employee. The Walmart employee stopped them at the door and asked for a receipt. She stated it was a short receipt for so many items in their cart and asked them to follow her to customer service. Customer service returned the few items they paid for and told them to leave.” Complete article


Police: Suspect fraudulently used credit card at Arkansas Walmart 12/11/2017

Man arrested for making threats at Conestoga Mall, Nebraska Walmart 12/12/2017

Woman allegedly seen snorting heroin in meat section of SC Walmart, according to authorities 12/11/2017

Police need help in identifying NC Walmart theft suspects 12/12/2017

Walmart releases statement ahead of demonstrations 12/12/2017

Richmond Va. Walmart reopens after bomb threat evacuation 12/12/2017

Two wanted for $7K in iPhone thefts from Walmart in Wilkes-Barre Twp. Pa. 12/12/2017

Fla. Walmart manager arrested for grand theft and fraud 12/12/2017

Suspect tries leaving SC Walmart with $800+ in items, deputies say 12/12/2017

Woman dead in Walmart parking lot crash west of Boca Raton Fla. 12/12/2017

BOCA RATON A Broward County woman was killed Monday after she was struck by a car backing out of a parking spot at a Walmart in suburban Boca Raton, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

Michelle Ann Samuels of Coconut Creek died at Delray Medical Center from injuries she received after being hit by a 1996 Honda driven by Angela Amoriello of Boca Raton. No age for Samuels was immediately available.

Amoriello, 63, told PBSO investigators she was backing out of a parking spot just before 4:45 p.m. at the Walmart at State Road 7 and Palmetto Park Road when she noticed Samuels walking toward her vehicle. Complete article


Mississippi Walmart Robbery Suspect Caught 12/12/2017

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A man who police believe was involved in two armed robberies in Tupelo, is arrested.

Around 1 a.m., December 12, police officers were attempting to pull over Lawrence A. Wright, on Cliff Gookin Boulevard.

Investigators say Wright was driving a white truck, and failed to stop.

He got out and ran on foot a short time later, and was taken into custody.

According to police, Wright is a suspect in an armed robbery at the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market gas station, on South Gloster. Complete article


Orem woman arrested for shoplifiting from Utah Walmart, swapping price tags 12/12/2017

Man charged with criminal damage in Ill. Walmart parking lot 12/12/2017

Suspects sought in multiple Southwest Florida Walmart thefts 12/12/2017

Walmart evacuated in Delray Beach after report of a bomb threat 12/13/2017

Police seek information on alleged wallet thief at Tunkhannock Pa.-area Walmart 12/13/2017

Group rallies against Walmart on Bentonville Square Arkansas 12/13/2017

The activist group Making Change at Walmart demonstrated on the Bentonville Square Wednesday.

The workers' group gathered outside the Walton's 5-10 store on the Bentonville Square at 9 a.m., before going to the Neighborhood Market on Main Street. At noon, the group will gather at the corporate office on 8th Street "to deliver a special holiday gift to Walmart CEO Doug McMillon. The group is protesting Walmart's changes to paid time off.

Walmart changed its holiday pay policies in 2016. Instead of paying workers extra on a holiday, it put all time off (including holidays, vacations and sick days) into a pool. Workers can use the paid time off on holidays or on other days, or can cash out the days for extra money. Complete article

Walmart Will Let Its 1.4 Million Workers Take Their Pay Before Payday 12/13/2017


Shoplifting suspect with a hatchet arrested after chase through Chicopee Mass. Walmart 12/13/2017

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Chicopee police arrested a shoplifting suspect who allegedly led an officer on a chase through the aisles of Walmart Tuesday afternoon.

Chicopee Police Officer Mike Wilk told 22News an officer was called to the Memorial Drive store around 4:00 p.m. after a loss prevention officer called them to report a man hiding a hatchet and other merchandise in his coat. The items were allegedly falling out of his jacket as he walked around the store.

When the officer went to confront the suspect, later identified as 22-year-old Aaron Collette, he allegedly began running through the store, throwing items out from his coat, and nearly knocking over customers. Complete article


Metro grandmother beaten, robbed in Okla. Walmart Neighborhood parking lot 12/13/2017

OKLAHOMA CITY - 74-year-old Sharon Gentry was out running errands Saturday morning when she pulled into the Walmart Neighborhood at S.W. 104th and Western.

“Put my car in park, took the key out and, I’m not kidding you, there he was. It was seconds,” Gentry said.

Surveillance video from the store shows Gentry pull into the parking lot in her dark colored Toyota Camry.

The suspects follow right behind in a light colored Lincoln MKX.

They back into the parking spot right next to her.

“He had his hand apparently on my passenger door and, when he heard the click, he just opened it right up and, within two seconds, I’m thrown through the car out through the passenger side,” Gentry said. Complete article


Walmart is selling a marijuana Christmas tree that will ‘light up’ the room 12/1/2017

Walmart is selling a “Weed Marijuana Leaf Christmas Tree” this season.

(At least it was until Wednesday afternoon when the retailer pulled the tree from its website, though cookie cutters shaped like marijuana leaves remained for sale on the site.)

“The ad copy reads like it was fueled by office party egg nog,” writes Bruce Barcott, deputy editor for the cannabis website Leafly. Complete article


Couponer arrested for allegedly hitting Ill. Walmart employee 12/13/2017

A 76 year old shopper in Illinois was arrested last week after a Walmart employee refused to accept his coupon (valid only online) so he allegedly hit the employee!

According to CouponsInTheNews.com, the police report indicates that the employee believed the customer “was trying to throw the coupon at him but actually struck him on the right side of his face" while he was being escorted out of the Walmart.

The shopper was given a ticket for disorderly conduct and will have to go to court to deal with it since he refused to sign the ticket. There could even be some jail time involved, apparently. Complete article


Customer claims Westminster Colorado Walmart is trying to double charge her after Good Samaritan paid layaway bill 12/13/2017

WESTMINSTER, Colo. -- A Westminster woman is upset with her neighborhood Walmart, accusing the store of being a neighborhood Grinch.

Desiree Gonzalez says the store is trying to charge her for a layaway item that's already been paid for.

Gonzalez walked into the store at 72nd and Sheridan in Westminster on Tuesday, and was told that a Good Samaritan had picked up the tab and had paid for the 55 inch television she had on layaway. Gonzalez was planning to purchase the TV as a Christmas gift for her mother.

However, store employees could not find the television, and Gonzalez says a store employee eventually told her someone must picked it up already and that she needed to pay for a TV if she wanted to take one home. Complete article


McComb man wanted in armed robbery at Mississippi Walmart apprehended 12/13/2017

A McComb man is accused in an armed robbery at Walmart has been apprehended.

Joseph William Stallings, also known by the nickname "LJ", was wanted by McComb Police Department after they say he entered Walmart on Dec. 12 and took electronic equipment.

Once he had removed the security sensors from the merchandise, he allegedly concealed it and tried to leave with it. Police say Walmart employees attempted to keep Stallings from leaving and he pulled a gun on them. Complete article


Shoplifting suspect bites two Oconee County Ga. Walmart employees 12/13/2017

A woman trying to steal a case of beer at Walmart on Epps Bridge Road recently bit two store employees who attempted to thwart the theft.

Both employees are fine, a spokesman for Walmart said Wednesday, but the woman’s identity has not been determined.

The assault occurred at about 11:40 p.m. Dec. 5, when an employee confronted the woman as she was trying leave the store with a case of beer in a shopping cart, according to an Oconee County sheriff’s report.

However, the suspect punched the employee in the face and the pair then ended up on the floor as they fought, deputies said. A second employee ran over to help and he was bitten on the forearm, while the other employee was bitten on the thigh. Complete article


Two Separate Shoplifting Incidents at Milford Del. Walmart 12/13/2017

Police: Colorado Walmart bomb threat a 'false alarm' 12/13/2017

Man acting as own lawyer convicted of hitting Ill. Walmart worker in 2015 12/13/2017

Third time not a charm for duo shoplifting from WV Walmart 12/13/2017

Walmart employee says she committed theft to help people: Mayfield Heights Ohio Police Blotter 12/13/2017

Deputies: Man stole over $1,000 worth of merchandise from NY Walmart 12/14/2017

Man charged with theft of smart phones from Mass. Walmart 12/14/2017

Couple wanted for shoplifting at Okla. Walmart 12/14/2017

Pa. Walmart 2015 shooter’s chilling tattoo shocks courtroom as he’s sentenced to life in prison 12/14/2017

Mississippi Triple murder suspect fugitive caught while allegedly shoplifting at Spring Tx. Walmart 12/14/2017

SPRING, Texas (KTRK) -- A triple murder fugitive wanted after escaping a north Mississippi jail last month has been captured in Houston again. Deputies caught up to him at a Walmart in Spring.

Harris County Sheriff's Office District 1 Patrol Deputy N. Gonzalez was called to the Walmart in the 3400 block of FM 1960 W, where loss prevention officers held two men suspected of shoplifting.

Neither man had ID, but fingerprints proved one of the suspects was Antoine Adams, 28. Deputies quickly learned Adams was wanted for three murders and a felony escape charge. He was also listed on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Top 10 Most Wanted fugitives. Complete article


Walmart suspends ties to Tavis Smiley show, tour 12/14/2017

Walmart is suspending its relationship with talk show host Tavis Smiley.

The retail giant says it is "troubled by the recent allegations" facing the TV, radio and book star.

The move comes a day after PBS indefinitely suspended distribution of Smiley's talk show after an independent investigation uncovered "multiple, credible allegations" of sexual misconduct by its host. Complete article


Police: Suspected shoplifter carjacks customer at Federal Way Wash. Walmart, crashes on SR-18 12/15/2017

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. - What started as a suspected shoplifting at a Federal Way Walmart store, ended with a carjacking then crash involving a police cruiser on State Route 18 Thursday night, according to investigators.

Police were called to the Walmart located on 16th Ave S. near Enchanted Parkway around 8:30 p.m for a shoplifting in progress.

When they arrived, the said the suspect stole a customer's car then fled the scene. Complete article


2 sought after theft, crash at Ocoee Fla. Walmart 12/15/2017

OCOEE, Fla. - Ocoee police are searching for two men accused of stealing from a Walmart before crashing a stolen car.

Police said the theft was reported Thursday night on West Colonial Drive.

Ocoee police said officers spotted the getaway vehicle, described as a white Mercedes Benz SUV stolen out of Seminole County, and an officer attempted to make a traffic stop.

The driver sped off, however, and crashed into a palm tree near the store's parking lot entrance, police said. Complete article


Liverpool NY woman says money disappeared off Walmart gift card in apparent scam 12/14/2017

CICERO, N.Y. — It was a frustrating moment for a Walmart shopper in Cicero.

A Liverpool woman was buying Christmas presents with a gift card when she found the rest of her balance had been used.

The scary part is that records show the card was used at a store that does not even exist. Complete article


Potosi Missouri Cop, Wife Bought Def Leppard CD, Walmart Lingerie with Stolen Money 12/14/2017

A Potosi cop and his wife stole money from an ambulance service and used the profits for a variety of personal expenses, including gift cards, a Def Leppard album and lacy thong underwear from Walmart, federal prosecutors say.

William "Mal" Gum, a captain with the rural Missouri police department, was the administrator for the Washington County Ambulance District until he retired in February. His wife, Charlena "Charli" Gum, also worked for the service. Complete article


Franklin Wisc. Police Report: Three people try to steal $1,300 TV from Walmart 12/14/2017

Man accused of shoplifting over $2,000 from DL Minn. Walmart 12/14/2017

Three arrested for passing counterfeit $100 bills at Chambers County Tx. WalMart 12/14/2017

Pulaski Wisc. man arrested in connection with Walmart theft; 31 batteries recovered from vehicle 12/14/2017

Dubuque Iowa Police ask for public's help to ID suspected Walmart wallet thief 12/14/2017

Grand Rapids Mich. man gets life in prison for double murder in Walmart parking lot 12/15/2017

Man arrested after stealing 31 car batteries from Brown Deer Wisc. Walmart 12/14/2017

Man Fights Off Would-Be Carjacker in Walmart Parking Lot in Tamarac Fla.: BSO 12/15/2017

Authorities are hoping surveillance video will lead them to a knife-wielding suspect whose attempted carjacking in a Tamarac parking lot was foiled by a man who was able to fight him off.

The incident happened the afternoon of Dec. 5 in the parking lot of the Walmart at 6931 Northwest 88th Avenue, according to a Broward Sheriff's Office incident report.

According to the report, the 44-year-old victim, Leon Miguel, saw a man checking car handles and looking into windows in the parking lot.

Miguel approached the man and said "Can I help you, what are you doing?" the report said.

"You wanna die today?" the suspect said, while pulling out a knife. The report said the suspect then put the knife in his pocket and walked up to Miguel in a fighting stance.

The two started to fight and Miguel was able to knock the suspect's knife away. At one point, the suspect got into Miguel's Kia and tried to drive away, but Miguel was able to pull him out of the car, the report said. Complete article


Police investigating 'bold' smash and grab at Slidell La. Walmart 12/15/2017

SLIDELL, LA. - Police on the Northshore say two men entered a Walmart and started smashing electronics cases before walking away with thousands of dollars in merchandise.

According to the Slidell Police Department, the crime happened at the Wal-Mart store located on Natchez Drive early Monday morning. Police say two men entered the store armed with hammers and began shattering locked glass cases that contained electronics.

Police say one of the suspects, armed with a hammer in both hands, chased away an employee who had approached them. The two men then loaded up the merchandise, worth nearly $10,000, and fled the scene. Complete article


Police arrest man for allegedly running from Portage Wisc. Walmart with crossbow 12/15/2017

A Milton man has been charged with felony theft, accused of bolting from the Portage Walmart with a crossbow and cart full of “high-ticket items.”

Chad Lovelace, 32, appeared in Columbia County Circuit Court on Thursday charged with one count of retail theft, carrying a potential sentence of up to 3½ years in prison.

Lovelace was arrested Tuesday night after Portage police received a report of a theft just before 11 p.m. The Walmart store manager told officers that he had seen a man with a red jacket and green hat filling a cart with “high-ticket items” including knives and a crossbow. Complete article


Mich. Walmart closes after bathroom vandalism floods store 12/15/2017

SOUTH HAVEN, MI -- A Walmart store was closed Friday after vandalism damaged water pipes in the men's restroom, causing "extensive" flooding throughout the store, police said.

The South Haven Police Department responded t about 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15 to a report of malicious destruction of property at the Walmart on 73rd Street. A vandal or vandals had damaged water pipes in a restroom. Complete article


NC Woman claims dirty needle included in online order from Walmart 12/15/2017

GASTONIA, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - Companies are working around the clock to deliver online orders for the holidays, but what a Gastonia family claims they discovered inside a box delivered to their home left them in shock.

Sagan Toussaint tells FOX 46 Charlotte that her kitten was playing inside a box that her bed, which she ordered online from Walmart.com, was delivered in. She claims that the cat climbed out of the empty box carrying a dirty needle in its mouth. Complete article


Police ask for help in identifying people at Rome NY Walmart 12/15/2017

Undercover cops arrest teen allegedly selling pot brownies outside Ga. Walmart 12/15/2017

$1,400 in baby formula stolen from NJ Walmart 12/15/2017

Family of woman killed in Wisc. Walmart shooting asks that claims be dismissed 12/15/2017

Theft suspect caught on camera at Tallahassee Fla. Walmart 12/15/2017

PD: North Branford man arrested for shoplifting at Conn. Walmart 12/17/2017

Sheriff's office: Madison Heights man wanted for shoplifting from Va. Walmart 12/17/2017

Warrant: Woman scanned items but left Ga. Walmart without paying for them 12/17/2017

Know these people? Cops look for Pa. Walmart theater system theft suspects 12/17/2017

NC Walmart cleared of holiday shoppers after ‘civil disturbance’ 12/17/2017

A reported “civil disturbance” cleared a busy Walmart on Myrtle School Road Sunday afternoon, creating a sense of panic although no injuries were reported.

Gastonia Police were called to the retail store at 3:20 p.m. over reports of a “civil disturbance.” There were unconfirmed reports of someone also possibly slashing tires in the parking lot.

Leah Hedgpath and her sister, Leslie Hedgpath, were in the back of the store in the baby clothes department when police came into the store and evacuated the building of shoppers and employees.

“They came through holding their rifles and everything, yelling at us to get to the front of the store,” Leah Hedgpath said.

“It was like a stampede,” she added. “Pure panic.”

Hundreds of shoppers exited the store as police apparently searched it looking for a suspect. Leah Hedgpath made a video of the cops responding and people walking around outside the store. Complete article


MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Va. Police Department responded to an alleged armed robbery early this morning at Walmart. 12/17/2017

At 1:54 a.m. police received a call from someone at the store reporting an armed robbery. According to call logs, three people attempted to rob the store in long coats and ski masks.

The three suspects left through an emergency exit on the south side of the store before police arrived.

No further information is available at this time. Complete article


GPD: Woman hit, dragged Fla. Walmart manager 12/16/2017

A Gainesville woman was arrested for stealing merchandise worth $344.38 from Walmart and then dragging and hitting the store manager who tried to stop her on Friday, Gainesville Police said.

Faith Vernesia Nobles, 36, walked up to the self-checkout lane of the Walmart, located at 5700 NW 23rd St., at 8:06 p.m., according to an arrest report. The store’s video surveillance showed that she pretended to scan each item, and then walked towards the exit with the stolen goods, police said.

The store’s manager and loss prevention officer, who had been watching Nobles through the security cameras, confronted her, police said. Nobles tried to get away from the pair, when the store manager grabbed her in an effort to detain her until police arrived, according to the report.

In grabbing Nobles, the manager’s arm got caught in Nobles’ purse straps, according to the report. She dragged the caught manager into the parking lot in an effort to escape, police said.

Nobles hit the Walmart manager across the face and in the ribs, according to the report. Complete article


Robbery at Sand Springs Walmart leads to high speed chase into Tulsa Okla. 12/18/2017

Police say several people are in custody after a robbery and high-speed chase early Monday morning.

The incident started around 4 a.m. as a reported larceny in progress at the Walmart near Highway 97 in Sand Springs. Police say someone in a group of four or five suspects pepper sprayed at least three Walmart employees as they were trying to steal items.

An officer later found the suspects' vehicle and started chasing them on Highway 412. Speeds exceeded 90 or even 100 mph, according to police.

The chase ended near 51st and North Peoria Avenue in Tulsa. Four people were taken into custody, but police say they're still looking for a young black male who ran from the scene. He was wearing an orange hoodie and a ball cap, according to police. Complete article

Four arrested after Walmart robbed, employees pepper sprayed and police pursuit Employees of store in Sand Springs kept at bay with pepper spray 12/19/2017


5 arrested for pulling knife on Conn. Walmart employees during shoplifting incident 12/18/2017

SHELTON, CT (WFSB) - Five people face charges in connection with a shoplifting incident at a Shelton Walmart where one of the suspects pulled a knife on employees.

Police said they arrested 31-year-old Monica Santos, 27-year-old Trisha Donaldson, 32-year-old Luis Torres, 30-year-old Juan Torres and 29-year-old Vanessa Torres. All of the suspects are from Bridgeport.

Around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, police said Santos, Donaldson and Luis Torres shoplifted about $800 from the Walmart on Bridgeport Avenue.

Walmart employees tried to stop them, but Santos pulled out a knife before all three fled. Complete article


Cops: Gwinnett mom left child in car as she shopped at Ga. Walmart 12/18/2017

Sheriff’s report: Man found dead at Hilton Head SC Walmart after ‘overdose’ 12/18/2017

A man was pronounced dead at an area box store late Friday night after what a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office report called an “overdose.”

An employee at the Hilton Head Island Walmart Supercenter on Pembroke Drive was taking out the trash, according to the report, when he found a unresponsive man on the ground and rushed inside to call for help.

A Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at the store around 11 p.m., according to the report. Emergency medical personnel were already there and administering CPR. Complete article


SC man accused of hitting cars at Walmart had drugs, gun and 5-year-old with him 12/18/2017

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC - A South Carolina man who collided with a number of cars in a Walmart parking lot, while a 5-year-old child was in his vehicle, has been arrested on multiple charges.

In addition to the young child, the Cowpens man also had guns and drugs in his possession at the time of the incident, according to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Jimmy Williams, 34, of Cowpens, was charged with multiple offenses by the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, including: Complete article


Police: Two young children in backseat as their dad injected heroin in Oregon Walmart parking lot 12/18/2017

ST. HELENS, Ore. — St. Helens Police say two young children were placed in protective custody after police found their father using heroin in a Walmart parking lot.

Police were called to the store parking lot around 1 p.m. last Friday, Dec. 15 for drug activity. There, they found a man injecting drugs behind the wheel of a black SUV, a woman in the passenger seat and two young kids in the back. Complete article


2 vehicles struck by gunfire in Walmart parking lot in Greensboro NC 12/18/2017

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Two vehicles were struck by gunfire Monday evening in a Walmart parking lot in Greensboro, according to a news release from Greensboro police.

At 6:02 p.m., police responded to the Walmart parking lot located at 2750 Ring Road in reference to a discharge of a firearm. Upon arrival, several bystanders pointed officers toward a black Honda leaving the parking lot.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and short vehicle pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, the vehicle stopped and a male passenger exited the vehicle and fled the area. The vehicle then continued a short distance and finally pulled over near Phillips Avenue and Huffine Mill Road. The female driver was taken into custody. The male subject was also located and taken in to custody. Complete article


Report of gunman at Chicopee Mass. Walmart turns out to be BB gun buyer 12/18/2017

CHICOPEE -- Police and Walmart management evacuated Christmas shoppers from the Chicopee store for a short period of time Monday afternoon after a shopper reported seeing a man with a gun in the parking lot.

Chicopee Police spokesman Officer Michael Wilk said police responded to the 591 Memorial Drive superstore at about 4:35 p.m. after store management reported the sighting. Shoppers were escorted from the store as police and store security viewed surveillance video.

Wilk said the evacuation was reversed once authorities realized while viewing the video that the man with a gun was, in fact, a shopper who had purchased a BB gun and was leaving the store. Complete article


Menacing customer with scissors makes Ohio Walmart's naughty list 12/18/2017

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Threatening, Market Place: A customer threw goods at an employee and threatened her with scissors 8:11 p.m. Dec. 4 at Walmart. Angry after waiting for service in the fabric department, the customer threatened the employee who responded to provide help. The subject left before police arrived. A photo was obtained on the store security system for future identification. Complete article


Suspects sought in Ohio Walmart armed robbery 12/18/2017

Two cartons of cigarettes were the only items taken late Sunday evening in an apparent armed robbery at the Hillsboro Walmart, authorities said, and two suspects remain at large.

Hillsboro Police Chief Darrin Goudy told The Times-Gazette that police are “pursuing some leads” on the robbery, which took place at roughly 10:40 p.m. Sunday night.

Goudy said witnesses told police that two males wearing ski masks entered Walmart around that time, and one allegedly brandished a handgun before the pair took two cartons of cigarettes from the bullpen area where tobacco products are sold. Complete article


Suspect jailed for allegedly stealing $1,031 in goods from Pa. Walmart 12/19/2017

Hero Ohio Walmart clerk stops scam, saves Christmas 12/18/2017

The Oroville Ca. Walmart was evacuated for a short time Monday 12/18/2017

Police seek suspects in ‘bait and switch’ Ky. Walmart thefts 12/18/2017

Man injured after car backs into him in Crystal Lake Ill. Walmart parking lot 12/19/2017

WATCH: Man steals red kettle, stand at Tyler Tx. Walmart 12/18/2017

Metro police seek to identify Ga. Walmart shoplifting suspects 12/19/2017

Suspects steal hover boards, Segways from Chesterfield Va. Walmart 12/19/2017

Gaylord Mich. Walmart attracts shoplifters, say police 12/20/2017

Otsego County has the highest rates of shoplifting in Michigan. According to data compiled by M-Live, Otsego County had 142 shoplifting arrests in 2016.

Gaylord Police Chief Brett McVannel says his officers respond to about three shoplifting calls in an average week, and 85 percent of them are at one store – the local Walmart.

“The biggest reason is that Walmart has some of the best technology available,” says McVannel. “Their camera systems go every single spot in their store, and they are able to watch people from the time they walk into the store to the time that they leave.”

Walmart is exceedingly good at catching shoplifters, says McVannel, and the Walmart Supercenter in Gaylord is a very busy place.

“People from all over northern Michigan will come to Gaylord because we have our Walmart,” he says. “People come to our community to shop a lot, which in turn … they may come to Gaylord to shoplift.” Complete article


Mom says Missouri Walmart kicked her out for passing out gift cards 12/20/2017

BRIDGETON, Mo. – A family said they were kicked out of a local Walmart while teaching their kids a lesson about giving.

The Twichell family said they were passing out Walmart gift cards at the Walmart store in Bridgeton as a way of giving back to the community Sunday afternoon.

They bought more than a $1000 worth of gift cards. Complete article


Walmart has invested heavily in its U.S. workforce. Is it working? 12/20/2017

Walmart (NYSE: WMT) completed a two-year plan to invest $2.7 billion in its employees in the United States in February. That investment included raising its minimum wage to $10 an hour, while its average full-time hourly wage climbed to $13.38 an hour for full-time workers and $10.58 an hour for part-time employees.

The wage increases were only part of the company's efforts to both improve its workforce and make employees' lives better. Walmart also greatly stepped up its training and has even recently begun offering workers tools to help them manage their finances.

It's a big commitment by the company at a time when the labor market has contracted due to unemployment rates hovering around historic lows. Walmart has done some nice things, but it isn't doing them just to be nice. The chain needs a well-trained, stable workforce, and these investments, at least in theory, should make that happen. Complete article


Wrongful death suit proceeds vs. Wisc. Walmart 12/20/2017

Deputies seeking two people for questioning in Fla. Walmart theft 12/19/2017

Elkin NC police investigate report of possible mugging at Walmart store 12/19/2017

SC Walmart employees’ vehicles broken into 12/20/2017

Metro police seek to identify Ga. Walmart shoplifting suspects 12/19/2017

Victor student uses CPR to revive woman in NY Walmart parking lot 12/19/2017

'Road rage' in Chicopee Mass. Walmart parking lot leads to charges against both drivers 12/20/2017

CHICOPEE - A road rage dispute in the Walmart parking lot led to one driver being punched in the face, the other struck by a car, and both drivers facing assault and battery charges, police said.

And it all started with one driver cutting in front of the other in search of a parking space, and the exchanging of words, police said.

Chicopee police spokesman, officer Michael Wilk said the entire dispute was recorded by Walmart's security cameras, and from the footage and witness accounts, police were able to establish probable cause to charge both drivers.

Arrested at the scene was Frederick Golba, 58, of Shepherd St., Chicopee. He was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and committing a hate crime. Complete article


Man targeted by Walmart Secret Shopper scam, wants to warn others 12/20/2017

Cartersville Ga. man chooses wrong time to shoplift from Walmart during Shop With a Hero event 12/20/2017

Naughty Walmart ad accidentally printed in Tx. 'Alvin Advertiser' newspaper 12/20/2017

ALVIN, Texas (KTRK) -- An Alvin newspaper publisher is apologizing after a not-so-jolly holiday ad made its way into a special edition.

"The Alvin Advertiser" released their Christmas holiday newspaper this morning, but something caught the eye of a lot of readers.

Instead of reading "Save money. Live better," a Walmart ad read instead "Save money. Screw people over."

The publisher explained an employee was looking for a Walmart logo on the internet and accidentally grabbed the wrong one. Complete article


Walmart reportedly explores cashier-free stores to keep pace with Amazon 12/20/2017

How do you like the idea of waltzing into a store, taking what you need, and then getting the hell out? No checkouts, no lines, no waiting.

Walmart is exploring the idea of stores without staff where you can simply “grab and go,” with computer vision technology monitoring what you place in your bag so it can automatically tot up the amount and take it from your bank account, sources claiming to have knowledge of the matter told Recode this week.

Yes, it does sound very similar to Amazon’s Go store, a concept unveiled about a year ago but which has yet to launch for the public. The last we heard, Amazon was having some difficulties at its test store in Seattle regarding the all-important payment system, with the technology unable to track more than 20 customers at a time. Complete article


Wal-Mart Suspends a Controversial Shoplifting Punishment 12/20/2017

Retailer stops programs that offer shoplifters protection from prosecution for a fee after complaints and a court ruling calling practice ‘extortion’

Until recently, a first-time shoplifter caught in any of about 2,000 Wal-Mart stores got a choice: pay hundreds of dollars, complete an education program and all will be forgiven—or don’t and potentially face prosecution.

Corrective Education Co. and Turning Point Justice, Utah-based companies that provide the programs, emerged in recent years as alternatives to the often-overtaxed criminal justice system. They spare law-enforcement resources and hold offenders accountable without leaving the scar of a criminal conviction, their supporters say.

But Wal-Mart Stores Inc., one of the biggest clients of Turning Point and Corrective Education, suspended the programs earlier this month as more local officials questioned the legality of asking people for money under threat of criminal sanctions, though it said it found the programs effective at reducing shoplifting and calls to police.

The move followed a ruling from a California court in August finding that Corrective Education’s program violates state extortion laws. Complete article Are private education programs for shoplifters a second chance or extortion? June 2016

Debra Black was accused of stealing about $6 worth of goods from a Goodwill store.

Black, a quadriplegic in her early 60s, claims she didn’t intend to steal. She says she hung a child’s purse and other items from the arm of her wheelchair so she could use her hands, and forgot about them as she left the store in Orange County, California.

A security guard brought her back inside and accused her of shoplifting.

Retailers don’t usually prosecute such small thefts. But according to Black, the guard “interrogated and intimidated” her into signing up for a private online educational program run by the Corrective Education Co., based in Orem, Utah. At $400 (reduced from $500), the CEC course cost 66 times the value of the items.

Black agreed at the scene to enroll—but never completed the program. According to her lawyer, Christina Sosa of Potter Handy in San Diego, Black agreed to enter the program only because she felt bullied by the guard’s threats to call the police. Black didn’t make the $100 payments, even as CEC sent debt-collection letters threatening to turn her over to police. Black responded by suing the company for debt-collection violations.

Black’s lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, and her claims of coercion were not heard. But in November, the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office filed an unrelated suit against CEC for extortion, unfair business practices and more. It alleges that the company uses the threat of prosecution and misleading statements to pressure suspects into paying. CEC denied all the allegations in its answer filed last December.

Complete article


Trio stole puppy, ran over owner at Walmart in Marion, deputies say 12/20/2017

SUMMERFIELD, Fla. - Two women and a man were arrested Tuesday night in Marion County on suspicion of stealing a man's puppy during a transaction outside a Walmart and then running the man over.

Justin Karrels, 42, Jeannie Hayden, 55, and Tiffany Stegall, 18, were arrested in connection with the incident, which was reported at the Walmart at 17961 South U.S. Highway 441 in Summerfield.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said the victim had advertised his German shepherd puppies for sale on social media and was contacted by the suspects. After they agreed on the price for one of the dogs, the victim took the puppy to the Walmart so the transaction could be made in a public place, deputies said.

Officials said Karrels and Stegall took the puppy without paying and attempted to leave. The victim tried to stop them, but Karrels struck him and he fell to the ground, deputies said. Hayden then drove over the victim’s legs, deputies said. Complete article


This Mom Held a Nurse-In at Idaho Walmart After She Was Asked to Leave for Breastfeeding Her Son 12/20/2017

Being a new mom isn’t easy. Besides juggling postpartum pain, sleepless nights, and, you know, raising a child, it’s hard to find time to do the other stuff life demands, like grocery shopping.

It’s even harder when your baby starts crying in the middle of the store and you have to drop everything to breastfeed, but then you’re asked to leave because you're supposedly making other shoppers uncomfortable.

During a visit to her local Walmart in Twin Falls, Idaho, a clerk approached Ashley McCall to let her know she couldn't nurse her 6-month-old son, Cillian, on a bench in the store. McCall asked the employee if she could take her baby to the bathroom instead, but was told "it would be better if I just took him home." Complete article


Man steals purse from woman sleeping in truck at Missouri Walmart 12/20/2017

People sought for questioning in Walmart theft in Crawfordville Fla. 12/19/2017

La. Walmart clerk arrested in theft of $4,600 12/21/2017

Pa. Walmart employee admits he took upskirt photo 12/20/2017

Pair sought for theft at Walmart in Tappahannock Va. 12/21/2017

Body found in flaming car in Devils Lake ND Walmart parking lot 12/21/2017

DEVILS LAKE -- A body was found Wednesday evening, Dec. 20, inside a burning vehicle in the parking lot of a Devils Lake Wal-Mart.

Firefighters responded at 5:37 p.m. to a car fire at 1424 Highway 2, said Cory Meyer, the assistant fire chief for the Devils Lake Fire Department. The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames but the department was able to put the blaze out quickly, he said.

A body was found inside the car once the blaze was extinguished. The Devils Lake Police Department is investigating the death. Police have not released the identity of the dead person or the circumstances of his or her death. Complete article


Walmart Is Investing In Shopper Data: How That Will Change The Grocery Aisle 12/21/2017

It might not be able to put a price on trust, but Walmart is preparing to pay the fare for getting personal, and it could cost the entire food industry billions in shifting sales.

The world’s largest brick-and-mortar merchant has acknowledged it is lagging in the quest to personalize through the use of shopper data. Now, perhaps because of Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods, which could yield unprecedented in-store and online data models, Walmart is embarking on a “multiyear journey” to get its data in good enough shape to produce relevant personalized experiences.

“From 1 to 10 in our use of data, I would say we’re probably about a 2,” Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart, recently told attendees at its annual investor conference. “We use data to improve in-stock and replenish. We don’t use data to personalize.” Complete article


Police: One person stabbed in family fight at Lawrenceburg Tenn. Walmart 12/21/2017

Police say a family dispute led to a stabbing in the parking lot of Walmart in Lawrenceburg on Thursday.

It happened at Walmart at 2130 North Locust Avenue.

Police said three family members began arguing when two men began fighting. During the fight, one the men pulled out a knife and stabbed the other multiple times. Complete article


Woman choked by shoppers in Fla. Walmart 12/21/2017

Fresh off the violent video of the attack at Edison Mall on Sunday, another woman said she was attacked while shopping.

Lee County deputies said it happened Wednesday at the Walmart on Pine Island Road in North Fort Myers, where a woman pushing her shopping cart grazed into three ladies.

One of them began to scream, "You almost hit a pregnant woman!"

Investigators said the trio followed the victim around the store, yelling until one of them grabbed her by the neck and choked her against the shelves.

Many shoppers asked the same question: Where were store employees or security? Complete article


Walmart's new service suggests that the company is reconsidering ‘always low prices' 12/21/2017

A Walmart subsidiary is testing a “personal shopping” service that allows customers to send text and picture messages to place orders with the store. Once placed, orders of “household items” will be delivered in 24 hours or less, according to Recode, while anything else will arrive in 2 days or less.

Returns made to Code Eight are free, and they’re picked up from a customer’s home or apartment building.

But it’s not for everyone. The new service is being tested in New York City and targeted at “high net worth urban consumers,” particularly “busy NYC moms.” This ain’t the Walmart you’re used to. Complete article


Suspect jailed for allegedly stealing $1,031 in goods from Pa. Walmart 12/19/2017

Woman arrested after multiple fraudulent returns at Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza Fla. 12/21/2017

Man arrested after children found alone in car in WV Walmart parking lot 12/21/2017

Police looking for man who robbed NH Wal-Mart credit union 12/22/2017

Springfield Ohio man accused of stealing $2K in goods from Walmart stores 12/22/2017

Nevada Walmart 2015 burglar sentenced to additional prison time 12/21/2017

Heavy police and FBI presence reported at Moline Ill. Walmart 12/21/2017

Car falls, kills man in EHT NJ Walmart parking lot 12/21/2017

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — An Absecon man died Wednesday after the car he was fixing fell on him in the Walmart parking lot, police said.

Officers arrived at the lot at 3:43 p.m. Tuesday and found Joseph McGowan, 43, underneath his car, Lt. Robert Gray said in a statement Wednesday. The department issued a subsequent statement Thursday stating McGowan ultimately died from his injuries Wednesday.

Police said McGowan was trying to fix his Mercury Grand Marquis, when it rolled off the jack and on top of him, Gray said. Complete article


Trash compactor fire closes Teterboro NJ Walmart for two hours 12/21/2017

Some holiday shopping may have been interrupted at the Walmart in Teterboro Thursday when a trash compactor caught fire and closed the store for around two hours, officials said.

No one was injured when the compactor behind the store caught fire around 4:40 p.m. but smoke billowed into the Walmart, causing the closure, Teterboro Fire Official Robert Knobloch said. The fire was extinguished in an hour and the cause remained under investigation, Knobloch said.

The building was not damaged. Complete article


Two vehicles shot with pellet guns at Possum Run Ohio Walmart 12/21/2017

MANSFIELD - A 19-year-old Georgia man was issued summonses for criminal trespass and littering after a Wednesday afternoon incident at Walmart in which two vehicles were shot with pellet guns.

Lenny D. Brown was issued the summonses and taken to Richland County Jail after police talked to him at the store.

Police were called a little after 4 p.m. about a possible criminal damaging. Edwin P. Przybylowicz, 84, of Webster, New York, told police he was driving past Walmart when he heard multiple loud bangs against his vehicle. He got out to see multiple chips and dents on the side of the car.

Gerald M. Vance, 69, said he saw an unknown man run from the woods, heading east. He said he also found multiple chips and dents in the right passenger side of his vehicle. The rear right window was shot out. Complete article


CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Customers frantic after fire breaks out in Milpitas Ca. Walmart toy section 12/21/2017

MILPITAS (KRON) — KRON4 has obtained new video on Thursday night of customers running frantically away from a fire inside a Milpitas Walmart.

The viewer who shot this video says this happened at the Walmart in Milpitas around 8:30 p.m. in the toy section.

The viewer also tells KRON4 the store was evacuated. Right now, we don’t know what started the fire. Complete article


Police: Man accused of robbing Oregon Walmart jewelry counter, throwing knife at officer 12/22/2017

PORTLAND, Ore. – Police say a man tried robbing the jewelry counter at a Walmart in Southeast Portland Thursday night.

Officers responded to the Walmart at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Southeast Holgate Boulevard at 6:42 a.m. for a report of a robbery with a knife.

Witnesses told police when they arrived that the suspect had entered the store and walked to the jewelry counter where he pulled out a large knife and demanded money from employees. Complete article


La. Walmart employee accused of stealing $1,600 for mother's bills 12/21/2017

Walmart executive named U.S. Attorney for western Arkansas 12/22/2017

Teen accused of assaulting police officer inside Tx. Walmart 12/21/2017

Woman suspected of stealing iPhone 8 from Alabama Walmart wanted for questioning 12/22/2017

Stillwater Okla. police investigate two separate thefts at Walmart 12/22/2017

Arrest made after shots fired in a Missouri Walmart parking lot 12/23/2017

Columbia police made an arrest after shots were fired early Saturday at Walmart, according to a news release from the department.

Officers were dispatched after reports of shots fired in the parking lot of the Walmart on Grindstone Parkway. Police were told that the suspect had left the area by car.

Officers found a car matching that description shortly afterward. The suspect was identified as 33-year-old Demarcus Maxwell of Memphis, Tennessee. A firearm was found in the car with one empty casing inside the weapon, according to the release.

Maxwell admitted to being involved in the shots fired in the Walmart parking lot and was arrested for unlawful possession of a concealed weapon, unlawful use of a weapon, and operating a motor vehicle while his license is revoked, according to the release. Complete article


Slidell La. PD: Four arrested after Walmart brawl 12/24/2017

SLIDELL, La. — Four arrests have been made after video of a fight at a Walmart in Slidell went viral on social media, police said.

Slidell police said they arrested 19-year-old Alexis Neal, of Slidell, 38-year-old Majara Walker, of Slidell, 17-year-old Seanice Warren, of St. Louis, Missouri and 22-year-old Morgan Walker, of Slidell for disturbing the peace by fighting.

According to officials, Slidell police received calls at 1 p.m. Saturday of a large fight in the produce section of Walmart.

Police said the fight involved over ten people, and two had to be transported to local hospitals for minor injuries.

Officials added the motive of the fight was due to a previous conflict between two different families, who happened to encounter each other at the Walmart. Pepper spray was also used in the fight. Complete article


Man facing arson charges for allegedly starting NM Walmart fire 12/22/2017

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Police say they have arrested a suspect in connection with the recent fire sparked behind the Walmart on Eubank just south of I-40.

According to a criminal complaint, Michael Limon is accused of starting the fire that damaged a forklift at the Walmart.

The complaint states Limon was caught at the nearby Sam's Club trying to steal a cheesecake. After he was forced to return it, surveillance video shows him walking to the Walmart store and starting the fire, which caused about $40,000 worth of damage. Complete article


Shoplifting suspect ‘held to the ground’ at SC Walmart 12/24/2017

A man was arrested and charged with shoplifting after he tried to steal a jacket and perfume from the Walmart on Seaboard Street, according to a police report.

The suspect, 26-year-old Jeffrey Blanton, was allegedly caught on camera taking a gray jacket off the rack and putting Crush Perfume and Curve Crush Perfume in his pockets, according to a police report.

He tried to “flee the scene on foot” without paying for the items when he was stopped by several citizens, the report says. When the responding officer got to the scene, “the offender was being held to the ground by several individuals.”

The total value of the items taken was $60.84, according to police. The suspect was booked and charged with shoplifting. Complete article


Gun stolen at Fayetteville NC Walmart causes panic 12/24/2017

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — An incident involving a stolen gun caused a commotion at Walmart on Skibo Road on Thursday afternoon, according to The Fayetteville Observer.

About 3 p.m., Fayetteville police spokeswoman Asia Cannon said inaccurate information based on radio scanner traffic began circulating about a shooting at the Walmart. Officers arrived and discovered that a man had grabbed a gun off another man who was open-carrying the weapon. The man who grabbed the gun then ran off.

During the incident, someone yelled out in the business about a gun, and a commotion broke out. Cannon said one Walmart employee was treated by emergency personnel for an asthma attack. No one else was injured. Complete article


Two young children hit at Walmart in Dublin Va. 12/23/2017

The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office responded to a motor vehicle crash involving pedestrians at the Walmart in Dublin, Va.

According to deputies, an unoccupied 2008 Ford F-150 struck two small children and came to rest after striking two parked vehicles afterward.

During the investigation into the crash, deputies learned that the driver of the Ford truck, William Hinkle Jr., of Dublin had exited his truck, leaving it running on the automotive side of the building. Shortly after, the vehicle began to roll backwards into the main parking area of the store, striking two small children before coming to rest, according to the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. Complete article


Armed robbery at Carlisle Pa. Walmart 12/24/2017

CARLISLE, Pa. — According to police, two males entered the Carlisle Walmart and robbed the store of about $8,000 worth of cell phones, early Saturday.

Police say the suspects were wearing dark clothes and one had a green ball cap.

One suspect displayed a black pistol during the robbery, according to investigators. Complete article


Woman charged with shoplifting at Columbus Ga. Walmart on Christmas Eve 12/25/2017

Deputies: Canandaigua man made fraudulent transactions at NY Walmart 12/25/2017

Do you know this woman? Cops look for suspected Pa. Walmart purse-snatcher 12/24/2017

Police arrest man accused of dealing heroin near Kitty Hawk NC Walmart 12/26/2017

Dartmouth Mass. Police investigate suspicious package at Walmart 12/24/2017

Tennessee woman arrested in Idaho Walmart burglary 12/26/2017

Police seek vehicle burglar after stolen credit card used at Lubbock Tx. Walmart 12/26/2017

Police try to ID burglar who broke into Vermont Walmart 12/26/2017

Duo on felony probation arrested for theft at Apple Valley Ca. Walmart 12/26/2017

Man accused of fraudulent return scheme targeting Idaho Walmart stores 12/27/2017

Meriden woman charged with shoplifting from Walmart in Wallingford Conn. 12/26/2017

Man arrested after taking over $700 worth of items from Waterloo Iowa Walmart 12/27/2017

Walmart pulls Lord Ganesha plush doll following furious response from Hindus 12/27/2017 Hindus have vented their fury against Walmart, which has now withdrawn the sale of Ganesh Plush Doll.

Ind. Walmart shoplifter pulls a gun on employees 12/27/2017

A Walmart shoplifter pulled a gun after being questioned by employees on Dec. 24 at around 3:56 p.m.

The Washington Police Department received a call from Walmart advising that a male subject had been suspected of shoplifting, and then pointed a firearm at employees while in the Asset Protection Office demanding that they not follow him or call the Police.

After further investigation, WPD Officers were able to locate Dustin Armstrong, 24, of Montgomery, hiding in the men’s restroom at Burger King.

Armstrong was arrested without incident and charged with armed robbery, theft, two counts of intimidation, two counts of pointing a firearm and criminal recklessness with a firearm. Armstrong was also found to be wanted out of Morgan County, Indiana for a probation violation. Complete article


Suspect nabbed in Williston Vermont Walmart burglary 12/27/2017

Combat wounded signs installed at Walnut Ridge Arkansas Walmart 12/27/2017

Two arrested at Ga. Walmart after report of gun at Columbus Park Crossing store 12/27/2017

Two Columbus men were arrested Wednesday afternoon at the Walmart in Columbus Park Crossing after police were called about a gun.

Malik Holtzclaw, 20, was charged with one count of simple assault, reckless conduct, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and carrying a concealed weapon. Joshua Delafuente, 18, faces obstruction of a law enforcement officer and disorderly conduct in connection with the 1:51 p.m. incident. Both are held in the Muscogee County Jail for a 9 a.m. Thursday hearing in Recorder’s Court.

Police were called to the 5448 Whittlesey Blvd. store after a report of a person with a gun. The confrontation involved the two suspects and a victim. Complete article


Police: Bomb threat at Rindge NH Walmart probably a hoax 12/21/2017

Cops: Reward offered for man who stole TV from NY Walmart 12/28/2017

Police in Search of Fla. Walmart Robbery Suspects 12/27/2017

Man accused of fraudulent return scheme targeting Wash. Walmart stores 12/27/2017

Man exposed himself to women at Deltona Fla. Walmart during holiday shopping, deputies say 12/27/2017

Drugs, gun, teeth found on NC man stopped at SC Walmart 12/27/2017

Outrage over cars illegally parking next to handicap spaces at Belmont NC Walmart 12/27/2017

Eighteen-year-old man shot in the leg in Tx. Walmart parking lot 12/27/2017

LAREDO, Texas (KGNS) - Shoppers at a Laredo Walmart got a scare when gun fire broke out in the store parking lot.

The incident happened on Tuesday night at the Walmart located on Loop 20 and Clark Street.

According to Laredo Police, two men got into an altercation, which escalated into one man pulling out a gun.

The alleged gunman started shooting and allegedly shot an 18-year-old man in the leg and in the arm. Complete article

Laredo Police arrest two women in connection to Walmart shooting 12/29/2017


Huntsville man charged in Alabama Walmart theft 12/27/2017

Woman allegedly tried to take about $650 in items from Okla. Walmart 12/27/2017

Photos released of North Myrtle Beach Walmart shoplifting suspect 12/27/2017

Man takes picture up woman's dress in Fla. Walmart, deputies say 12/28/2017

Shoplifting at Mich. Walmart brings felony charges 12/28/2017

Deputies looking for Charlotte County Fla. Walmart thief 12/28/2017

S.A. woman allegedly had meth in bra, drug paraphernalia in purse outside Tx. Walmart 12/28/2017

Woman dies after being hit by U-Haul at Henderson Nevada Walmart, driver arrested 12/28/2017

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A 79-year-old woman is dead after she was struck by a U-Haul truck on Thursday.

It was reported around 1:21 p.m. at the Walmart located at 540 Marks Street near Sunset Road in Henderson.

The woman was transported to Sunrise Hospital where she died of her injuries.

The driver of the U-Haul truck, 22-year-old Nichole Zimmerman, was stopped by Henderson Police after leaving the scene and eventually arrested. Complete article


Montpelier Vermont woman charged for returning donated toys at Walmart 12/28/2017

Police Log: Ca. Walmart greeter pepper-sprayed 12/28/2017

Lacey NJ Police Investigating Fire Police Radio Theft At Walmart 12/28/2017

Christmas morning burglars steal jewelry from Sam's Club and electronics from Walmart 12/29/2017

Hayden Idahp Wal-Mart evacuated due to fire alarm 12/29/2017

Trio of women arrested on theft, drug charges at Wal-Mart in Summerfield Fla. 12/29/2017

Security photo of Walmart robbers released by Maryland authorities 12/29/2017

Kernersville man who fired gunshots at TVs in NC Walmart in 2012 now faces charges of statutory rape 12/30/2017

Unsolved murder of Michael Heatherly in Walmart parking lot tops Tenn. homicide stories in 2017 12/30/2017

Police: Officer shoots man at a Mississippi Walmart 12/31/2017

BYRAM, Miss. (AP) — Police say an officer shot a man after receiving call about a shoplifter at a Walmart in western Mississippi.

Byram Police Chief Luke Thompson told WLBT-TV that the incident occurred around 8:55 a.m. Sunday. He says the suspect attempted to flee in a foot chase before he got into his vehicle, rammed a police car and another car in the parking lot.

Thompson says the officer fired several shots, hitting the suspect. The chase ended in front of a residence. Complete article


Video of pallet fire behind Sonora Ca. Walmart leads to arrest 12/31/2017

A 32-year-old Sonora man was arrested within hours of setting fire to wood pallets behind the Walmart store at 1101 Sanguinetti Road, police report.

Friday morning just before 3:30, the Sonora police and fire departments were dispatched to reports of a large fire behind the store. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and determined it to be suspicious, the Sonora Police Department posted on Facebook on Sunday night.

Police reviewed surveillance footage from Walmart and saw a man intentionally start the fire, the post says. Officers recognized the man as Aaron Eugene Jolley, 32 of Sonora. Complete article


Gunmen rob North East Md. Walmart 12/29/2017

NORTH EAST — Police are seeking two men who held up the Walmart Supercenter at gunpoint early Friday morning.

Cecil County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Walmart, located in the unit block of Northeast Plaza Shopping Center, for a reported armed robbery at 3:30 a.m. Friday.

The investigation revealed that two black men entered the store from the front entrance and walked around the store for a period of time before arriving at the electronics department.

It was there that one of the suspects displayed a handgun to an employee while demanding electronic equipment, police reported. The suspects then took an undisclosed amount of electronic equipment and left the store through the main entrance. Complete article


Who is this? Cops look for suspected Pa. Walmart thief 12/31/2017

Man Inhales Aerosol Duster at Palm Bay Fla. Walmart 12/29/2017

Shots fired Monday afternoon at Colorado Walmart in west Greeley 01/01/2018


Government trains people to kill that turn against us again!

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Another veteran shot another cop!

It was, of course, reported widely for a day or two, but then the national media quickly forgot it, for one reason or another.

Some in the grassroots media do a much better job reporting on it, like Michael Harriot, who wrote the following; but even he didn't cover it all:

Why Is the Media Afraid to Call Matthew Riehl a Racist, Anti-Cop Terrorist? 01/03/2018

He was a racist and a terrorist. He was an Islamophobe. He spread white supremacist memes. He used the terminology of the “alt-right.” He called Barack Obama a “lying piece of shit.”

You probably have no idea who I’m talking about, because when Matthew Riehl fired more than 100 bullets at Douglas County, Colo., sheriff’s deputies on Sunday, he was initially called the “Denver shooting suspect.” CNN described him as the “Colorado gunman.” Fox News described him as a “Wyoming lawyer.” The Associated Press highlighted his mental illness. Newsweek described him as an “Iraq veteran.”

Almost every major news outlet has reported how Riehl killed 29-year-old Deputy Zackari Parrish and wounded three other law enforcement officers outside of Denver, so you probably already know the story.

Except you don’t.

None of those outlets has called the incident a “terrorist attack.” Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock told CBS News that it was an “ambush-type of attack,” despite the fact that the Department of Homeland Security labeled a string of December shootings at Harrisburg, Pa., police officers a “terror attack.” But, to be fair, the perpetrator of that crime had a Muslim name. .....

Law enforcement organizations have yet to attribute Riehl’s murderous rampage to the “Ferguson effect” or blame it on “Black Lives Matter.” I know what you’re thinking: “But was there any indication that Riehl had ties to Black Lives Matter?”

The answer is no. There is no evidence that Riehl was connected in any way to the Black Lives Matter movement. But there was also no evidence that Micah Johnson had any ties to the Black Lives Matter movement when he killed five Dallas policemen in 2016, except for the fact that conservative outlets made the connection even though the Dallas police chief explicitly said that Johnson had no connection with the group. Johnson never attended a Black Lives Matter meeting. He never identified himself as a member of BLM. Complete article


Michael Harriot was right about the double standard by the media; however Micah Johnson and Matthew Riehl, along with some of the police they fought were all trained by the government, in the military, police force or both to allegedly protect us; however in the case of one war after another that we fight, they're based on lies, like the ones about weapons of mass destruction, and the threat that they're protecting us from is a sham! The methods they use to train these veterans involves teaching them to obey orders without question and to deal with their problems with violence, although officially it's supposed to be only when they're ordered to.

This, of course, doesn't mean that all police or all veterans are violent psychopaths going on shootings sprees; in fact, as this case shows other police or veterans are often the victims when those the government train to kill with emotional problems do go on shooting sprees. One of the other most common victim of violence from veterans, or police, for that matter, are often their own family members.

This is far more common than the media reports and a major part of the reason for it is that they're constantly providing the propaganda to fight all these wars based on lies; and they only provide media coverage for politicians that support their ideology. People that do the best research into how violence starts at an early age and escalates from their or how military or police training can, in some cases, lead to more violence that it prevents.

The war on terror has never honestly exposed the real causes of terrorism and that a lot of it is retaliation for the attacks that we make in wars based on lies overseas ; which means that they're doing more to incite terrorism than they are to stop it! It shouldn't be hard to understand that they don't like it when we bomb them anymore than we like it when they bomb us; yet many veterans are trained to believe what they're told, even when the evidence overwhelmingly indicates it's a lie. Anti war protesters are often treated as unpatriotic; but they do a much better job recognizing the causes of violence and how to prevent it, and veterans have been coming home and going on shooting sprees far more often than the media implies, by reporting each incident briefly and quickly forgetting it.

It was only a few weeks ago that Devin Patrick Kelley went on his rampage and they reported that the military didn't adequately report the signs of his problems with domestic abuse. The same thing happened with Matthew Riehl who also had signs of mental issues that weren't reported as widely as they could have been but the media didn't focus on this nearly as much and has now moved on to other things.

Another thing that they fail to report on is that if they did report all these problems then it would be clearer that they may need these people with emotional problems if they're going to continue fighting all these wars based on lies, since they're the ones most willing to kill without question.

However it is unlikely that this begins with military training, although boot camp indoctrination does escalate violent tendencies. One of the most important contributing causes of violence later in life is the way children are raised early in life, often starting with corporal punishment which is used to teach blind obedience and it is also used to teach children to accept the beliefs from their parents without question, which makes them very susceptible to continued indoctrination at boot camp that uses the same tactics, instead of treating any emotional problems that cadets might have.

Boot Camp indoctrination doesn't teach cadets to question orders; it teaches them to blindly obey, or as they say in "A Few Good Men," they "Obey orders or people die," which might sound very good and seem to be true if it is repeated over and over again like the propaganda in "A Few Good Men" or in the real world where it is a realistic portrayal of real boot camp and the media where they always present us as "fighting for freedom," but it's often based on lies!

This may be much easier when they recruit veterans that are taught to believe what they're told without question, often even racists veterans like Matthew Riehl and Wade Michael Page, who also have emotional problems and are often involved in domestic violence. With the shrinking pool of potential veterans, especially after growing disclosures about weapons of mass destruction that don't exist or reports about how veterans aren't being treated well after they're discharged, and that when there are problems like at Abu Ghraib it is the lowest veteran that was trained to blindly follow orders that got all the blame while those that gave the orders weren't held accountable it is much harder to recruit.

This means that they have to recruit veterans anywhere and everywhere they can and screening out people with emotional problems will make that more difficult. Amazingly, on top of that the political establishment is blatantly admitting that they're not going to keep their promises to these veterans anyway, like when they routinely betray promises about immigrants, or so called "dreamers" that have been led to believe that they would have a path to citizenship if they serve the military, but they routinely abandon this promise.

They're also trying to recruit a growing percentage of minorities to fight their wars based on lies, but when many of these minorities come home and they return to their abandoned inner cities they realize that the government isn't keeping their promises. It becomes clear that when the police are often shooting black people and the economic system isn't providing them with educational or economic opportunity that they're fighting to defend only the wealthy, not the majority of the public, although it is easier for white people in the suburbs to ignore this when they don't live in the ghettos that have sky high rates of violence.

It's much easier to blame black people for all the violence that takes place in these ghettos; however it's not the black people that make the decisions to slash funds for education and child care while they're spending a fortune on wars based on lies and to ship jobs overseas so that they don't have any opportunities.

There's much more details to the research into how violence escalates starting from early abuse and that it gets worse in boot camp indoctrination; so it's much easier to dismiss this as "blaming society" for the things done by the people without any resources; however it's not all of society and sometimes the details are relatively simple assuming you actually want to acknowledge them.

It should be incredibly easy to understand that spending billions of dollars on wars and prisons while cutting funds to schools and child care are bound to cause major problems, especially when it's only the funds for education to the poor, not the rich that is being cut. Nor should it be easy to understand that when they use outsourcing to ship jobs overseas combined with deceptive advertising about the economic system to ensure that the working class gets their wages crushed so they can't afford to pay for education or child care, while the ruling class gets advertising, union busting, public relations, insurance, political pundits, or other white collar jobs that pay well but don't improve the quality of life for the majority of the pubic is epidemic fraud!

Nor would it be hard to understand this if white people actually had to live in the ghettos and be treated the way blacks are treated by police to understand that they aren't always there to protect them at all. In this case it began with a veteran that shot and killed a cop and wounded several others before being killed by police, but in the vast majority of cases it's the police that are the ones that kill either veterans or blacks or in many cases both.

Not that I'm trying to blame the police for this, or at least not entirely, and some of the better police officers realize this. It's actually the politicians that make the decisions that lead to these confrontations that are more responsible including the ones about police training. But many police officers are trained like veterans to blindly obey orders and only how to escalate tensions with the threat of increased violence.

In one case, that I've cited in the past, David Couper, former police chief of Madison Wisconsin, has advocated for reform in police training speaking out against bullying and hazing in the police academy, so like some of the veterans, including those speaking out against wars based on lies or family members some of the most effective solutions are coming from police, but the media rarely reports on his research anymore than they report on how early child abuse leads to escalating violence or how the predatory economic system abandons inner cities and leaves them without the resources to function properly.



I've gone into this more in numerous previous articles including a recent one when Devin Patrick Kelley went on his shootings spree in the following articles:

Texas Church Shooting Exposes Cover-up of Military Domestic Violence Problems

Does Training Cause Police Domestic Violence And Infighting

Military Indoctrination Endangers Veterans and Public for Wars Based on Lies

Or for additional stories about this shooting see the following:

Colorado gunman threatened to ‘fire’ sheriff before shooting deputies 01/01/2018

Colorado gunman who killed deputy left alarming online trail, officials say 01/02/2018

Colorado shooting: Concern over Matthew Riehl's mental state flagged a month ago 01/02/2018

Colorado Shooter Matthew Riehl Shared Alt-Right Memes on Facebook 01/02/2018

Deadliest U.S. mass shootings, 1984-2017 10/02/2017

Motive behind the madness in Sikh shooting 08/09/2012

Fellow veterans paint conflicting views of Douglas County shooter Matthew Riehl’s military service 01/04/2018




Media coverage of Oprah Winfrey demonstrates opposition to democracy!

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Did you notice that on the morning after the Golden Globe Awards when the entire media establishment started talking about how Oprah Winfrey might be running for president at the same time it virtually proved that they were coordinating their propaganda?

Did you notice that for all practical purposes they might as well have admitted that only wealthy celebrities are entitled to get the coverage they need to run for higher office?

Did you notice that the same people trying to take credit for leading the way to defend women's rights are the people that clearly must have known about it years ago but, at best looked the other way, or in some cases helped cover it up and even promoted politicians that were involved in it?

We're supposed to live in a country where anyone can grow up and become president, governor or at least a senator or representative or some other office that serves the public's interests.

Or at least that's what the propaganda they repeat over and over again tells us; but it's an obvious load of crap and the recent surge of coverage skyrocketing Oprah's presidential ambitions should make it even more obvious. For all practical purposes they seem to have declared that Mitt Romney has already won the Senate seat from Utah, even though Hatch only recently declared he wouldn't run and few others had a chance to declare they would even consider it.

This has been standard operating procedure for decades; in 1999 the declared that Al Gore and George Bush would win their respective nominees then provided the obsession coverage they needed to make this come true; and when John McCain had a surprise victory in New Hampshire they resorted to obsessive amounts of dirty tricks, especially in the states that respond to appeals to emotion the most to ensure that the candidates would be limited to those approved by the media.

In 2016, despite all the propaganda they provided saying Trump was an anti-establishment candidate they provided him the obsession coverage he needed when they to get name recognition and attract the most foolish of the electorate even though his lies weren't even any good; but by rigging the nomination for Hillary Clinton with the entire political and media establishment, including Oprah, who said "You don't have to like her," they gave him an opponent so pathetic that he could win!

The mainstream media is a master at propaganda trying to convince people that their candidates have grassroots support, which is part of the way they rigged the nomination for Hillary Clinton; but in this case they were incredibly sloppy and a large percentage of the public saw right through it.

Another classic propaganda tactic is to take a simple principle that the masses can understand, or at least pretend to understand, and repeat it over and over again, until it is perceived as fact, without scrutiny! This is some of what they did with their so-called movement to stand up to sexual harassment by all wearing black.



How does telling people to wear black prevent sexual harassment?

It doesn't, of course, although they could claim it draws attention to it, at least for a little while, which might be true but it does little or nothing more than that and distracts from efforts that might be more effective.

Why are they referring to this as a grassroots movement?

Did this idea come from a small movement of lower or middle class people then move from one city to another until it went viral, perhaps with the help of the internet?

Highly unlikely, it is far more likely that a small number of leading celebrities came up with the idea or perhaps it was suggested to them by others involved in the political establishment for one reason or another.

The real reason they're portraying this as grassroots is because they want to convince the public to follow celebrities which can be controlled by the most powerful people in the political establishment. I don't need inside information to figure out all this, since they can't keep their propaganda tactics secret sine it has to be presented to the public, I just have to understand these propaganda tactics and recognize them when they're being put into practice; and it helps to be familiar with the history of how the political and media establishment has been working.

Rumors about this going on were going on long before any of us were born but they've always been at the grassroots, and the political and media establishment have publicly acted as if it is just disgruntled people trying to smear hard working celebrities, or something like that as indicated in the following article, including comments from George Clooney, who famously held a fund raiser for the incredibly phony Hilary Clinton that was obviously selling out to the financial establishment:

The rumor is, she slept with him to get the part. The reality is uglier. 10/10/2017

This is one of the narratives emerging from the heaps of allegations piling up against Hollywood mega-producer Harvey Weinstein, who is the subject of two bombshell investigations, one by the New York Times and one by the New Yorker, which collectively reveal a pattern of Weinstein’s sexual harassment, abuse, and assault dating back decades. Tuesday afternoon, harrowing allegations came down from two of the entertainment industry’s most successful, established female stars: Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie.

Paltrow was 22 years old when Weinstein “summoned her to his suite at the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel for a work meeting” that culminated in Weinstein touching her, “suggesting they head to the bedroom for massages,” the Times reports. Paltrow was “petrified,” she says, and alerted her then-boyfriend, Brad Pitt, who in turn confronted Weinstein, who then came back to Paltrow to threaten her to tell no one else. Weinstein allegedly “made unwanted advances” on Jolie, also in a hotel room, in the late 1990s. As she told the Times in an email, “I had a bad experience with Harvey Weinstein in my youth, and as a result, chose never to work with him again and warn others when they did.”

Weinstein’s behavior was reportedly an open secret in the industry. While some have come forward to say they did, in fact, know about this all along — or that they, too, had an “audition” with Weinstein that left them feeling “violated” — some have taken a different approach: They knew something, but certainly nothing as bad as this. In an interview with The Daily Beast, George Clooney commented, at length, about the allegations against Weinstein. (Weinstein, as the story notes, gave Clooney his “first major big-screen role.”) Calling the alleged sexual misconduct “indefensible,” Clooney went on to contextualize his reaction to the news.

“I’ve heard rumors, and the rumors in general started back in the ’90s, and they were that certain actresses had slept with Harvey to get a role,” Clooney said. “It seemed like a way to smear the actresses and demean them by saying that they didn’t get the jobs based on their talent, so I took those rumors with a grain of salt.”

He went on, “But the other part of this, the part we’re hearing now about eight women being paid off, I didn’t hear anything about that and I don’t know anyone that did. That’s a whole other level and there’s no way you can reconcile that. There’s nothing to say except that it’s indefensible.” Complete article


George Clooney and the entire celebrity class of people have an incentive to portray the acting field as if it is based entirely on talent, not who you know, or as the old saying "Who you blow" to get their job, but that isn't even close to the truth, although it would be politically incorrect to say it in the circles they travel in. This is something that is probably only whispered in Hollywood, and perhaps for some people that dream about going to Hollywood and find out the hard way what it's like they might speak about it to their friends.

However these rumors weren't news and they didn't start as late as the nineties as Clooney says they've been around much longer, and I heard them as early as when I was a teen; but when I stopped paying attention to celebrity gossip I was less likely to hear the latest rumors. I haven't been the most religious person but those who have have often told their daughters tat they should abandon their dreams of going to Hollywood and get a real job or find a husband, in some cases because those who do are "all whores." I wouldn't go that far but, even though I don't agree with all the views of these pious ladies, some of them might be far closer to the truth than many of us suspected as proven by the disclosure of these scandals.

This attitude isn't new, according to many history books, that often put it more delicately actors or actresses that traveled to do plays in Shakespeare's time were all considered to be trashy women or "whores," and anyone that reads Machiavelli might find that he provides a description of women that is similar, although it helps to consider the biases me clearly had. He often wrote as if many rich men bent over backwards to treat them well, but this is highly unlikely and even if they did buy them stuff at times, it is virtually guaranteed that at others they beat them or raped them to keep them in their place.

I've written numerous times about various research about psychological manipulation tactics that the media political and military establishment have used to control the public, and even if it annoys any regular readers that may have gotten used to it, I'll post a few below for any that haven't read them. The Political establishment has passed down some of their psychological manipulation tactics from generation to generation for thousands of years although, at times they may have been disrupted when empires collapsed; but anyone that has read Machiavelli or other historians knows that past kings or emperors have often had advisers from the educated class to help them control the public; and that research has gotten much more sophisticated since World War II.

This isn't completely secret, a lot of it has been reported in the academic world, alternative media outlets, good library books and sometimes by people who are ridiculed as conspiracy theorists, including some that are incredibly incompetent as the stereotype implies, and others that do far better work, but get less attention; however it is rarely ever mentioned in the traditional press, which portrays all researchers that disagree with them with a broad brush implying they're all fringe.

They've learned how to use the carrots and stick approach and now that all these disclosure have been taking place it is much more reasonable to think there's a good chance that Donald Trump really did pay off an adult film star to keep quit before the election, as recently reported, or intimidate a girl that claimed to have been raped by him to drop her lawsuit shortly before the election as well, which was only reported in a low profile manner at the time.

Weinstein has been exposed using Israeli intelligence to spy on potential victims and use this to intimidate them and offer opportunities for them if they learn to go with the program.

This isn't just wild speculation; it is proven to be true over and over again although the evidence is often only reported in low profile ways. Courtney Love Tried to Warn People About Harvey Weinstein in 2005 when she said, “I’ll get libeled if I say it. .... If Harvey Weinstein invites you to a private party in the Four Seasons, don’t go.” This was on camera yet there was no investigation and the media didn't report it until it broke wide open last year, which is probably the only reason she didn't get sued for libel for telling the truth. If Weinstein had sued her it would have drawn more attention and the media was willing to help cover it up.

The clear implication, along with all these "non-disclosure agreements" is that the truth can be a commodity that is bought and sold or negotiated by lawyers based on political power not evidence or the free exchange of ideas.

For one reason or another, one exception that got an enormous amount of coverage back in the nineties was the sexual harassment accusation against Bill Clinton, which were public all along, yet the entire media establishment from the left downplayed it. It first, they said that at least he stopped when girls said no and that the scandals that turned out to be true were at least consensual; but when it became one scandal after another and some of them clearly weren't so consensual Hollywood still went along with efforts to down play it.



Thinking back it should be clear that we probably never should have nominated Bill Clinton in the first place let alone elected him, instead supporting someone like Jerry Brown who at least seemed better at the time; but even he was from e the political establishment. It would actually have been much better if we had a diverse media back then that covered much more issues and candidates. But by the time Hillary Clinton ran for president in 2016, they clearly picked her long before the public had any say about it and not only did the entire Democratic Political Party line up to support her announcing that they wouldn't run but so did the entire celebrity class despite the fact that the public hated her and her attacks on women that had legitimate complaints were well known to anyone that wanted to know about them including Oprah Winfrey and Meryl Streep who are now trying to portray themselves as heroes with the help of the political class that enables them.

The real victims are the people that believe all this propaganda and try to get the easy way to fame and fortune by going to Hollywood and spend all their money trying to become rich and famous only to find out these rumors about sleeping to the top are at least partly true!



In addition to blindly supporting the political establishment and making an emotional appeal about something bold happening when Barack Oabama was elected and remaining silent and remaining silent when he caved on one issue after another to support Wall Street including mass incarceration Oprah also has a history of reporting war propaganda as Stephen Lendman points out in Oprah Winfrey for President in 2020? 01/10/2018

Phil Rockstroh also points out how she's used her charisma, celebrity status and connections to manipulate people in Thus Spake Oprah As The New York Times Spots UFOs Over The Comb Over Empire 01/11/2018, although he takes some literary licence with some of it he's close to the truth. She didn't rise to the top by exposing all the scams the media has been involved in; she rose to the top by helping them with them.

Oprah Winfrey has used her charisma to push weight loss scams which can easily be exposed by searching the internet to find Oprah Winfrey & Kirstie Alley Weight Loss Scams Revealed? 01/23/2016 where they observe that "Oprah’s fans are like a cult." which the media almost never reports; and on the only occassion that I remember them mentioning this they had a gleeful fan of Oprah say something like, "Some people call Oprah's followers a cult; if this is true it's a cult that I want to be part of," with a big smile on her face as if blindly following the leader is a good idea as long as it's the great and glorious Oprah.

Oprah also gave Dr. Phil his start on her show repeatedly recommending him as if he was a great psychologist. The truth is that I've never like him but once I learned more about indoctrination tactics and the way they escalate from early use of authoritarian upbringing including corporal punishment it has been even more obvious that he's a fraud. Recently Evan Allen and David Armstrong exposed him for the fraud he is setting his TV patients up for failure so that he could get good ratings for his reality TV show and sell his treatment plans or those that he affiliates with even if he tries to maintain plausible deniability when they get exposed.

In all fairness just googling around for picture of Harvey Weinstein with Hollywood women doesn't automatically mean they're complicit, especially if it happens to be one that the progressive movement likes like Susan Sarandon who was the only high profile person to consistently speak out against Hillary Clinton that I know of and she was demonized by a large portion of the political and Hollywood establishment; just like when the Dixie Chicks were demonized for speaking out against the Iraq war when it was obviously based on lies.

The political and media establishment has done an enormous amount of research into the herd mentality and how it can be manipulated by propaganda, especially when a shocking percentage of the public worships celebrities even though they're involved in one scam after another.

By refusing to cover anyone but the celebrities that go along with the program they make it extremely difficult for a small percentage of the public that is better educated about the issues to get their point across and the majority follow one cult or another!

In the case of the Dixie Chicks, even though they're far better than the majority of celebrities they also have a history of proving their own war propaganda like "Travelin' Soldier" which sounds very romantic and is a great song; but it glorifies war indirectly by glorifying the soldier without discussing the true cost of war and that it isn't so glorious. I don't want to demonize veterans that intended to do what's best for their country but fell for the propaganda anymore than I want to demonize the enablers that started out as victims but the most effective way to end this abuse of power involves exposing these tactics even when it it means facing facts that many may not want to acknowledge.



The following are some related articles and sources including an expose on Dr. Phil who was highly recommended by Oprah even though he's a major scam artist:

How Dr. Phil’s new addiction recovery venture trades on his TV show’s marketing clout 12/29/2017 by Evan Allen and David Armstrong

Dr. Phil says he rescues people from addiction. Others say his show puts some guests' health at risk 12/31/2017 by Evan Allen and David Armstrong

Dr. Phil: Rescuer or Reckless showman? 12/29/2017-01/01/2018 (If these Boston Globe articles are restricted due to "Privacy mode" or some other reason see this article with the text of both.)

Meryl Streep, Who Once Called Harvey Weinstein ‘God,’ Speaks Out Against Him After Sexual Harassment Allegations 10/09/2017

Susan Sarandon Has Some Interesting Theories About Harvey Weinstein and Hillary Clinton 11/27/2017

10 years later, Dixie Chicks right all along 03/05/2013

Not Ready to Make Nice 10/25/2006

Dixie Chicks "Travelin' Soldier"

Oprah awkwardly endorses Hillary Clinton: ‘You don’t have to like her’ 10/21/2016



The following are some of my past articles about psychological manipulation and propaganda:

Frank Luntz confesses to sabotaging democratic process for clients

Fundamentals of Psychology

Manipulation Tactics

Political Manipulation

Philip Zimbardo, Lucifer Effect, Stanford Prison Experiment

Corruption or Bias in the American Psychological Association

Eli Roth’s Milgram/Obedience experiment much more extensive than most people realize

Political Psychologist Are Suppressing Democracy

Human Research Subjects

Anti-violence social experiments could be part of a slippery slope


Apartheid States of America

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Are religions really supposed to teach higher morals or to enable different people from around the world to get along with each other?

If so, they don't seem to be doing a job at it, or at least not many of the highest profile ones, especially the biggest ones where the congregations are so large it must be much more difficult for people to get to know each other or their pastors.

A quick look at FBI statistics for violent crime including murder clearly indicates that some of the most religious areas, in the bible belt, are often at the top of the list for murder rates, and some of the most secular areas are at the bottom when it comes to murder rates. A closer look also indicates that some of the highest crime states also have the greatest inequality and more abandoned inner cities.

That's only if you compare regions within the United States; it gets even worse, or better depending on how you look at it when you look at a List of countries by intentional homicide rate. The reason this could make things much better is that we could figure out what other countries might be doing that enables them to get much lower crime and murder rates, especially in Europe, including some countries which are much less religious and have much lower murder and crime rates.

The United States has among the highest murder rates among the developed world with an average of about 5.4 on over the past fifteen years; it dropped to 4.5 in 2013 and 2014 before climbing back up to 5.3, almost as high as the average in 2016. Many third world countries have much higher rates; however they're often oppressed by violent undemocratic regimes, including many that are supported by the United States government. There is little or no effort to educate the public about these trends or the contributing causes, which includes, but isn't limited to religion, to the public so they can make public policy decisions to restore the downward trend, which has now been reversed.

One of the countries with the lowest murder rates in the world is Norway, which we could learn from whether a lot of them want to immigrate to the United States or not; and instead of worrying about whether or not they immigrate to the united States we could and should learn from the things that they might be doing right including providing child care for their people, and preventing child abuse including corporal punishment.



I went into this more in Ignored evidence linking corporal punishment, poverty and crime grows and Does lack of education increase violent crime? Religion? in an earlier review that shows states still using corporal punishment in schools are much more likely to be in the top ten for murder rates along with additional evidence to show that it leads to escalating violence and that it is often supported for religious reasons. There was one possible exception to the evidence indicating that the most religious states are often the most violent, which is Utah, which is mostly Mormon and Gordon Hinkley, the former first president of the Mormon Church came out against corporal punishment, unlike Protestant or Catholic Churches, which also supports other evidence that corporal punishment leads to escalating violence.

A more recent follow up on that includes Media is aiding and abetting in Televangelist Fraud and Megalithic Churches correlated with local murder rates which shows that the murder rates are much higher, on average, in a large portion of the cities that have some of the biggest megachurches, or in many cases that they're just outside large dysfunctional cities with high murder rates, and that secular areas or areas that do a better job addressing social concerns like child care and education are much less likely to have high murder rates.

This corelation is even more extreme when you look at the international rates especially for States which have prohibited all corporal punishment that have much lower murder rates; and many of them also do a much better job providing child care and education, as well. Nineteen European countries along with New Zealand and Australia, and more countries in Asia, have murder rates that are less than one per hundred thousand people which is between one fifth and one tenth of the murder rates in the United States and fifteen of those twenty-one Caucasian countries have banned all use of corporal punishment. Except for Lithuania, which only banned corporal punishment last year all the European countries that have banned it have much lower rates than the United States, which adds to the evidence that corporal punishment teaches violence and leads to higher murder rates or lack of critical thinking skills, including questioning wars based on lies.

These European countries are also not involved in many of these wars based on lies which has much more support in religious areas; and additional evidence indicates that this is also a contributing factor to higher violence at home.

A closer look at the correlation between higher murder rates and megachurches also provides an enormous amount of evidence that might indicates economic apartheid as well, where one wealthier class of society makes all the decisions about the economy and has access to all the resources they need to develop properly while a poorer or middle class has much less say and less educational or child care opportunities resulting in much higher murder rates in the areas where they live in.

The vast majority of megachurches around the country are either in big cities that have abandoned ghettos or in the suburbs of these cities nearby, usually with lower murder rates, although there are some exceptions for that as well and even when their murder rates are lower than average in the United State the vast majority of them aren't as low as in the countries that do a better job providing better child care and education.

Some things should be incredibly easy to understand; if you have a choice between providing good child care and education or building large monuments, megachurches or other things that do little to help with the basic functions of society and you choose the monuments, megachurches or other things that might be considered "Graven Idols," somethings bound to go wrong. And the statistics clearly indicate that is exactly what has happened with dysfunctional cities with high murder rates, and additional research is virtually guaranteed to show evidence of more poverty, income inequality, lower health and lower quality of life.

Kind of like what might have happened when ancient civilizations built massive monuments that we consider so spectacular like the pyramids, Angkor temples, massive statues etc. They may seem spectacular; but the civilizations that built them all collapsed!

As I pointed out in the previous articles about this subject there are more megachurches in cities with above average murder rates, and if you add the suburbs, it's well over eighty percent; however at the state level it varies a little more, not surprisingly, to anyone that has spent time looking at statistics about sociology. Some of the states have more megachurches below average but when you count the suburbs, just outside more violent cities of those states the best of the are almost always over seventy percent. And, there are more Megachurches per capita in the ten states with the highest murder rates based on 2016 crime reports than the ten with the lowest murder rates; for megachurches with more than 10,000 people attending there are 3.5 churches in the top ten for every 1 in the bottom ten; and for all churches there are 2.4 in the top ten for every 1 in the bottom ten; however since the churches in the top ten are larger it would be even bigger difference based on total attendance rates, if I calculated it.

Like almost all social statistics, if someone was inclined to search for just those statistics that make religion look better there are a few opportunities; however they don't seem to be in the states with the largest volume. Instead they're in the states with the lowest volume that also happen to be in the bottom ten, although I haven't checked the majority of those in the middle except Texas. Connecticut has only eight and all of them are below average for the nation and only one above average for the state; but they're all just outside of their two biggest cities with much higher crime rates, two and a half to four times the national average. The only two in North Dakota are both in Fargo which is slightly below average for the state and a fraction of the national rate.

The correlation in the states with the top ten murder rates is much more extreme, even though a few of them have a majority with below average rates. Except for Nevada, where Las Vegas has half of the Megachurches and the rate is almost twice the national rate, these all have large abandoned inner cities with at least twice, and usually three or four times the national murder rates. Six of them have over half above the national rate and the majority of the remaining ones in suburbs fairly close to these abandoned inner cities.

I haven't looked as thoroughly at whether or not large cities with high murder rates have more megachurches as those with lower rates, however a small sampling indicates they do. Out of the eleven states with over a million people in them the only three that have below average murder rates, San Diego San Jose and New York, all have much fewer megachurches than Houston or Dallas; Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Antonio and Phoenix, all have lower murder rates than Houston or Dallas although Phoenix isn't much lower and they all have fewer megachurches; in the case of San Antonio they have a higher population than Dallas with fewer murders and megachurches. However both Philadelphia and Chicago have higher murder rates than Houston and Dallas, and although they have more megachurches than the three that are below average they have fewer than Houston or Dallas. Austin, slightly below a million people, which has lower murder rates and is also in Texas, has more churches per capita than Dallas or Houston but the ones in Dallas and Houston are bigger meaning they probably have more people attending these churches; and if you count the suburbs of Dallas or Houston they both have much more megachurches than Austin.

El Paso also has fewer megachurches per capita than Houston or Dallas and it only has a murder rate that is half that of the national average. It may be worth noting that both El Paso and Brownsville are well below half the national average despite the fact that they have a lower median income than most of the cities with below average murder rates, and they're both on the border with Mexico where you might expect high crimes with all these i problems we're allegedly getting with illegal immigration, and they have 80% and 94% Hispanic populations. A closer look at this might indicate that an enormous amount of the fear mongering in the media is based on false facts. These two Hispanic communities have much lower murder rates than many white communities with similar populations and incomes.

Nor have I looked as thoroughly, yet, at megachurches around the world; however a quick glance at Global Megachurches-World's Largest Churches compiled by Warren Bird indicates that in Europe, where murder rates are very low they have few megachurches and they're not as large, Asia has much more, and their crime rates are fairly low; but there's a large volume in both Africa and Latin America where the murder rates are much higher than they United States. These are also dysfunctional countries under control of tyrants that are often more accountable to multinational corporation than their own people.

Any good sociologists of statistician will agree that correlation alone is not enough to prove causation without additional research; however it is enough to indicate that there must be some connection for one reason or another, especially when it is this big. Part of the explanation is, of course that larger cities have higher murder rates; however this correlation is too large for that to explain all of it, and some of these comparisons account for that.



Perhaps one of the best researchers on the subject of income inequality is Jonathan Kozol, who has written over a dozen good books on the subject starting with "Death at an Early Age," describing his own experience in the Boston School system and how they were reluctant to respond to many legitimate concerns from parents with little or no political clout. He followed this up with "Savage Inequalities" and "The Shame of the Nation" exposing how unequal schools are; and "Rachel and Her Children" and "Amazing Grace" showing how this extends to homeless shelters medical treatment and exposure to much more pollution than wealthy people have to put up with.

His work is among the best research that I have seen, although additional researchers include Chris Hedges author of "Days of Destruction; Days of Revolt" Hendrick Smith author of "Who Stole the American Dream," Naomi Klein author of "The Shock Doctrine" and "No Logo" and many more that aren't promoted much in the mainstream media at all; but they provide much better research exposing economic inequality and how the democratic process is breaking down, since the mainstream media is controlled almost entirely by multimillionaires and billionaires that benefit from enormous amounts of economic inequality.

Jonathan Kozol has exposed how the political establishment has spent an enormous amount of money in legal expenses, lobbying, and deceptive to challenge court ruling that require equal treatment for minorities in education. Obviously they could have spent these legal and lobbying expenses on improving education instead reducing the gap, but chose not to, and as a result of inadequate education they have created a lot of other problems that contribute to higher crime rates in abandoned inner cities, adding massive amounts of additional expenses in court costs and prisons to deal with crime.

He also wrote about numerous hotels run by people with political connections that were contracted out to house the homeless at incredibly high rates, yet they provided incredibly poor services that didn't enable poor families to get back on their feet. These Hotels were clearly far more concerned with enriching the owners than with helping the homeless become more productive; and Kozol showed how some other programs did a much better job for much lower costs. These corrupt hotels have been exposed and shut down from time to time so the ones he wrote about were closed but more took their place, although they may not have done so equally across the country.

Some of these hotels he helped expose, often with the help of other investigative researchers, were in New York City in the eighties and they were shut down. Since then the murder rates began to steadily drop in New York City until it became the second or third city with over a million people that had below average murder rates; for a long time San Diego was the only one that did that. I wouldn't be surprised if these politically connected hotels are far less common than they used to be in New York City, but they may still be more common in other cities that still have higher murder rates, including the ones that helped reverse the decline in violent crime that reached a historical low in 2013 and 2014 before climbing again in 2015 and 2016.

If we added to that the enormous amounts of money spent on these megachurches that are also in these abandoned inner cities that aren't providing adequate child care or education this could show how to resolve many of these problems without an enormous amount of additional expenses, especially in the long run, although in the short run it may be necessary to continue paying some of these high court costs, since violence won't disappear overnight but it is a far better investment than prisons and it works without slowly causing society to decay, which is what is happening in these abandoned inner cities.

Some of this should be basic common sense, and the solution to these problems would be clear if the media did a better job reporting on the most reliable research instead of treating people like Jonathan Kozol, Noam Chomsky, Chris Hedges or Howard Zinn, like fringe radicals; they're actually much less extreme than the people with political clout that are making these decisions, which are Machiavellian.



One of the things Niccolò Machiavelli recommended, to control the working class, was to keep them poor with little resources that the wealthy ruling class were able to control and use to manipulate the majority. In his time there was no education available to the working class at all; this didn't begin until the industrial revolution and factory owners found that they needed educated workers, then as Howard Zinn describes in "A People's History of the United States" they provided enough education, and only enough education to teach workers how to do a good job. To this day the elite ruling class that lives in the wealthy suburbs with lower murder rates are making the majority of decisions about the education system for the working class and the poor, and they're using it to deprive them of the education they need to stand up to the political corruption that they benefit from.

This is literally right under their noses in Washington D.C. where the murder rates are 27.07 five times the national average rate; but the politicians live in the suburbs where the murder rates are much lower, and presumably they must have some way of keeping the lower classes in their place so they don't wander into the wealthy neighborhoods that may have a lot of gated communities, especially for politicians and high paid lobbyists. Baltimore is even worse with a rate of 40.05 and it's only a short drive across those wealthier suburbs, yet the politicians manage to stay oblivious to it when they decline to provide funds for education or child care that could solve a lot of these problems and is much less expensive than hiring police and paying for prisons after the fact. Maryland is routinely among the states with the highest murder rates along with Missouri that has similar characteristics where their are megachurches within abandoned inner cities and all the megachurches in Maryland and almost all in Missouri are nearby in the wealthier suburbs where the people that make decisions about funding live and are safe from the crime, or at least safer. If you compared it to Europe's lower rates, even these wealthy suburbs have high rates.

Most of the other states in the top ten for murder rates are even worse where a majority of the megachurches are in cities with above average rates and some are way higher; and even in Minnesota, which is routinely in the lowest ten for murder rates and has a state average of only two has characteristics of apartheid in Minneapolis where the rate is more than double the national average and five times the state average. Several of Minnesota's biggest megachurches are in Minneapolis and even though the majority are in suburbs with lower murder rates they're all near Minneapolis; once you get farther away in the rural areas to the west there are no megachurches.

It doesn't take a genius to realize that these separate but unequal megachurches are being used the same way the separate but unequal schools are being used to control the public and teach them to accept their place without questioning the political and media establishment that only covers incredibly corrupt candidates that clearly seem to be studying to see how to make promises to get elected only to break them over and over again once they get in office.

These megachurches and the political and media establishment helped ensure that the candidates that got the nomination catered overwhelmingly to the ruling class without addressing the concerns of the working class. Without appeals to emotion and rigged media coverage there's no way these two clowns could ahve gotten either nomination, which is what enabled the worst demagogue in history to get elected to the presidency!

Clearly we could learn an enormous amount from these countries that are taking care of their children much better to improve our own education system and end this obsession with worshiping at Megachurches that make appeals to emotion that are used to indoctrinate the working class to accept massive income inequality and to support one war after another based on lies as indicated by several articles including What It’s Like for a Working Mom in Oslo, Norway 08/21/2014; however that doesn't mean we should follow all their practices or stop with those reforms. This article focuses on Else Marie Hasle who is a "Marketing professional," which most people think of as a respectable job; but there's just one problem.

Marketing is one of the trades that we consider respectable and well paid but it's essentially well paid respectable fraud used to rob us blind in one industry after another, although there might be some exceptions that aren't quite as manipulative. Marketing is used to convince working class people to buy that useless insurance that Alex Trebek is peddling even though a large portion of the money collected goes to pay for the ads and Alex is getting his share of the loot; it's used to make torn jeans seem fashionable so foolish girls pay more for clothes that are already falling apart; when a major industry like Wells Fargo or BP gets caught red handed in a massive scam that robs or endangers the public marketing, or public relations is used to convince the majority of the public that they're respectable again so they can continue to dominate their respective industries.

Marketing is one of several industries, including political punditry, union busting and televangelism that is used to indoctrinate the public and shifte wealth from the majority to the wealthy elites, and we need a far more diverse control of large institutions that need to be held accountable to the public. Discussions about "ethics in marketing" are often controlled by the educated class that is benefiting from it and little or no effort is made to warn people about epidemic levels of fraud from a variety of sources.

Our economic system is controlled by a small fraction of the public, and contrary to the propaganda they come up with, it is not a "free market system" which enables the public to control the economy by making informed decisions; the information the public uses to make those decisions is controlled by marketing people.

It's not just the televangelists and megachurch pastors that need to be exposed for their epidemic levels of fraud but any type of industry that is involved in fraud including charismatic speaking like Suze Orman constantly telling people they need more insurance or other financial scams without telling them about her own financial incentives to promote these scams.

Although this review, so far has focused on Protestant Megachurches there are plenty of others that are doing little if anything to help the public that funds them one way or another including massive Scientology, Mormon, Catholic, or Muslim churches that use an enormous amount of resources without providing for many of the basic functions of society. Many of these religions have alleged revelations, like the commandment not to worship "graven idols," warning followers not to build such monumental structures and worship them; yet in the case of this commandment it wasn't long after it was given that Joshua built the Ark of the Covenant, with fancy jewels and other ornaments that served no practical purpose, and they began worshiping it. Like a lot of other things in religious teachings there are some verses that recommend one thing then others that often recommend the opposite; and they're often subject to interpretation so charismatic cult leaders routinely change their interpretations at any given time depending on what they want out of followers that blindly believe almost everything they teach, in many cases.









For additional information on the subject see the following:

Jonathan Kozol "Death At An Early Age"

Jonathan Kozol "Savage Inequalities" (Complete online copy)

List of Muslim mosques in the United States

List of largest Muslim mosques

Scientology Churches

Largest Catholic Churches in the United States

Largest Mormon Temples

What universal child care does for Norway 05/16/2013

Racial segregation of churches in the United States

The public and private faith of Hillary Clinton 10/31/2016

A New Decade of Megachurches 2011 Profile of Large Attendance Churches in the United States by Warren Bird and Scott Thumma

The million dollar question: Should I attend a megachurch?

Charismatic Primer 12 – Global Megachurches By Continent – Africa 10/08/2013





Theory: People Who "Worship""Freedom" get tyranny!

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Why did Donald Trump, or Hillary Clinton for that matter, even get one vote from the grassroots, not counting those faked votes from people involved in bribing the government?

Neither of these two pathetic clowns even did a good job pretending to represent the grassroots, while they were both involved in a mind boggling epidemic level of fraud that was partly exposed long before they made their candidacies official in 2015!

For that matter, if the political establishment knows how to run a better scam, which they do, why aren't they coming up with one?

I'll get back to that one, in a future article, although I've mentioned it before, and start with why there are so many cult followers pretending to participate in the democratic process.

Do you think that Trump voters ever really thought that Mexico would pay of that wall? The media is constantly interviewing these Trump supporters, many of whom can't see through the most obvious scams. I doubt if they're presenting them in proper context, and most of the polls show that his support has never been that strong. The only reason that he was able to get elected was because they managed to rig the Democratic nomination for another pathetic candidate that is almost as bad if not worse.

Hillary Clinton really wasn't much better, which is the only way an absurd clown like Trump was able to get elected! Is the public really that incredibly stupid? Actually no; they made it clear in polls long before these two were nominated that they weren't happy with either of these two candidates; and that if they were provided with a reasonable choice that they wouldn't have wanted either one of them.

The problem was the mainstream media and political establishment refused to provide reasonable coverage for a reasonable choice that had support from the grassroots. But this wasn't enough; in order to nominate these two clowns they had to convince a strong base to support them, even if it might not be quite as big as the media coverage seemed to indicate. The political establishment has been studying how to divide the public into two parties for decades if not since the beginning of the Republic, or when Niccolò Machiavelli wrote "The Prince" and his "Discourses" hundreds of years ago or sooner.

One of the most effective ways they've been able to manipulate the public is by studying how the crowds follow the coolest people or other leaders often without questioning them or holding them accountable and trusting things they say even when they don't make sense. There have been a long list of leaders in any given group that know how much they can get away with and one of the most common organization that has been teaching followers to obey and trust their leaders, prophets or messiahs is of course religion.

Religious people are accustomed to believing some of the most absurd things, although they don't seem to seem absurd to them and one set of absurd beliefs that is easily recognized in one place if often accepted without question in another; and even though we've become accustomed to it; since many people hesitate to discuss their beliefs publicly many of us are unaware just how many insane beliefs are acceptable to some people until it is widely reported as it has been among Donald Trump supporters.

During the primaries many of us focused more on Hillary Clinton's indoctrination because it seemed so incredibly easy to recognize the absurdity of many of Donald Trump's claims, including the claim that he could get Mexico to pay for the wall and that it can just get "ten feet higher" when he shouts it at a rally and repeats it over and over again; and apparently whether or not these people believed it or not they repeated it over and over again until, perhaps some of the people that didn't initially believe it started believing it.

Many people might think that the Democratic Party is less extreme when it comes to blindly obeying their religious leaders, and perhaps they might be a little bit; however if they had a strong base that turned out for Hillary Clinton, including African Americans or Latinos, and a major part of the reason is that the political establishment was able to get their religious leaders to line up behind her, despite her horrible record on many things including mass incarceration, it may not be that much better.



Hillary Clinton supported mass incarceration and the privatization of education along with NAFTA and many more of her husbands policies that were great for corporate America; but terrible for the working class especially minorities. These things should have been easy to recognize for people that were familiar with the news on the subjects, especially if they didn't rely on mainstream media which reported on it to a limited degree but omitted the worst of it. Many younger people that were much more accustomed to checking alternative media outlets and active politically were much less likely to support her; some of them supported Bernie Sanders or even Jill Stein; while others were skeptical of all politicians. At least when Bernie Sanders was challenged by the better informed Black Lives Matter movement he engaged them and responded to their legitimate concerns which may have convinced some of them.

Unfortunately when Hillary Clinton was challenged by the Black Lives Matter movement John Lewis came to her defense, although it's hard to image why. The mainstream media has been telling us for years that he's a "Civil rights Icon" which they began repeating much more often during the 2016 campaign and since then when he speaks out against Trump as if he can do no wrong. But when he claimed during the civil rights movement that he didn't see Bernie Sanders and stated or implied that Hillary Clinton was supporting the civil rights movement all along this was a partial lie. He may not have seen Bernie sanders and Sanders may not have been one of Martin Luther King Jr. closes allies at the time; however Sanders has always been a consistent supporter of the civil rights movement, even if at times some segments like the Black Lives Matter movement didn't always give him blind support.

Hillary Clinton was at best never more than a pretender although for a while in the seventies it might have seemed like some of her political activities might have been sincere, by the time she became First Lady of Arkansas, those familiar with her record and activities at that time should have known that she was far more supportive of Monsanto and other big businesses, including Walmart which she was on the board of at that time, than she ever was of the civil rights movement. When she was in high school as a Young Republican she supported Barry Goldwater who was one of the strongest opponents of the civil rights movement; and as First Lady of the United States, Senator, and Secretary of State she was even worse, and it didn't take much research to see how bad she was, which is why young people accustomed to checking alternative media outlets were able to see through her and spoke out against her.



Should the entire civil rights movement stand down when the great and glorious "Civil Rights Icon" that the media often portrays as the "conscious of congress" tells them to even when he's endorsing one of the most outrageous candidates the Democratic Party has supported in decades who the vast majority of the public doesn't like?

That's clearly what the entire political establishment was counting on and they successfully used this tactics to help rig the nomination for Hillary Clinton and if their nominee wasn't so horrible and unpopular there is no way that a clown like Donald Trump could possibly win!



Why did so many of Clinton's supporters blindly trust their leaders when they endorsed such an awful candidates; and why do so many of Trump's supporters still support him even though he's such an obvious clown that I usually don't even bother making a case against him and if I did there is no way I could keep up with more than a small fraction of his scams, or Hillary's for that matter, even though at times I've tried.

Many of these people have been taught from birth to trust their leaders and respond more to appeals to emotions than to develop critical thinking skills; and an enormous part of the reason for that is religious indoctrination which was much more prevalent among older people. This is why younger people were much more likely to support Bernie Sanders or Jill Stein, and often not without reservations when they think their might be problems.

A major part of the reason why older people are much more likely to believe their leaders without question or recognizing incredibly obvious flaws in their arguments may have been their early upbringing when they could have done a better job developing critical thinking skills. One of the earliest methods of child rearing recommended by the Bible, in numerous versus involves the use of corporal punishment to teach them to behave, and although it may not always specify it is also used to teach people to believe what they're told and to trust their leaders without question.



A small sampling of the Proverbs that encourage spanking or some other form of corporal punishment include 13:24 "Whoever fails to use the stick hates his child; whoever is free with correction loves him." and Proverb 22:15 "Folly is anchored in the heart of a youth, the whip of instruction will rid him of it." However not all Christian leaders have supported these interpretation; Saint Augustine has never approved of the use of corporal punishment, and his arguments against it in his writings are based on rational experiences that have shown that it doesn't work. And more recently Christian child psychologist James Garbarino has recommended different methods without abusing children although he hasn't often come out entirely against corporal punishment, as many secular child rearing experts have.

This is the way children are taught from an early age, James Dobson recommends that spanking begin no later than when a child is eighteen months old before he even knows how to talk or understand why he's being punished, which teaches him to act out of fear and seek the most effective way to avoid pain instead of learning how to develop critical thinking skills.

This is how many children are taught to begin worshiping God and adopt their "chosen" religion, which is actually chosen by the parents and forced on the child using coercive methods. Then some of them go on to teach them to treat the Bible, their God and belief system with awe instead of applying scrutiny. One of the Catholic translations of the Bible even provides instructions on how to read it that start with saying a brief prayer and kissing the Bible as if it is a magical object and reading in a in a state of awe, instead of understanding it or, heaven forbid, figuring out if their might be problems or contradictions in it.

If you're supposed to figure out anything about the Bible it's supposed to be how to worship God and how to interpret it in a manner that glorifies God and makes him seem worthy of blind faith, instead of figuring out whether he actually exist or not; or asking why God doesn't communicate when so many wars based on lies are fought based on religions he allegedly inspired. This creates a lot of problems since the Bible recommends slavery; suggests that it's appropriate for Lot to offer to allow his daughters to be raped in order to spare people he thinks are Angels; and that it is acceptable for God to demand that Abraham sacrifice his son on an alter, only to have him saved at the last minute when God intervenes.

A common justification for the infamous demand that Abraham sacrifice his son is that this was God's way of saying that it would no longer be necessary to do this; in some cases some people making this case have said it very passionately, including on religious shows where audience members can't ask questions; but if they could they might hesitate to do so since the speaker seems so emotional they might expect her or him to get angry which many people do when discussing religion.

However if you read the Bible it doesn't actually say it that way at all; it just lists Abraham's activities in a mater of fact manner without any mention of him agonizing over it, as most modern interpretation seem to say he does. This is a common theme of blind obedience that is repeated over and over again and that it was interpreted for thousands of years until it became morally unacceptable to interpret it that way by people that challenged blind obedience then some modern interpretations kept as much support for blind obedience as they could convince people to go along with, even when leaders are incredibly corrupt of lying constantly leading people into wars based on those lies or other serious problems.



Exodus 14:4 says "I shall then make Pharaoh stubborn and he will set out in pursuit of them; and I shall win glory for myself at the expense of Pharaoh and his whole army, and then the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh.' And the Israelites did this." which should be considered an obvious form of entrapment; however religious people aren't taught to develop critical thinking skills or challenge their leaders.

The New Testament isn't always much better, in Matthew 10:34-7 it says "'Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth: it is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword. For I have come to set son against father, daughter against mother, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law; a person's enemies will be the members of his own household. 'No one who prefers father or mother to me is worthy of me. No one who prefers son or daughter to me is worthy of me." This should be considered some kind of belief system that indoctrinates cult followers to blindly obey their leaders or they'll turn them against each other, yet it's been in the Christian Bible all along, and there's much more.



If you take the Bible literally, after leading his people into slavery in Egypt and helping to free them by entrapping the Pharaoh along with the entire Egyptian population God allegedly leads them wandering in the desert before promising to help them invade another country, not becasue they're so good but becasue God is so angry at someone else and he's using the Israeli's to punish them according to Deuteronomy 9:4-6 "Do not think to yourself, once Yahweh your God has driven them before you, "Yahweh has brought me into possession of this country because I am upright," when Yahweh is dispossessing these nations for you, because they do wrong."

"You are not going into their country to take possession because of any right behaviour or uprightness on your part; rather, it is because of their wickedness that Yahweh is dispossessing these nations for you, and also to keep the pact which he swore to your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

"Be clear about this: Yahweh is not giving you possession of this fine country because of any right conduct on your part, for you are an obstinate people."



This God allegedly works through revelations without an open honest line of communication; but how can people tell whether these revelation are real if they're only given to one person who then relays it to other; or how can they be certain that God isn't a liar? According to Deuteronomy Chapter 18:20-2 "But the prophet who presumes to say something in my name which I have not commanded him to say, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must die."

"'You may be privately wondering, 'How are we to tell that a prophecy does not come from Yahweh?' When a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh and the thing does not happen and the word is not fulfilled, then it has not been said by Yahweh. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. You have nothing to fear from him.'"

Which seems to mean that they're supposed to trust alleged prophets but when a false prophet comes along they won't find out until after it's too late. As for how they might know that God himself isn't a liar; they're not even supposed to consider such a possibility, which would be blasphemous according to many Biblical quotes; or at least that's what many of the most devout seem to believe; and in many cases if they encounter people who consider this question the most passionate faithful people might respond with anger that could escalate to violence killing people they disagree with!



But if people with critical thinking skills do question God's honesty it shouldn't be hard to figure out that if he was honest he wouldn't communicate in deceptive ways that lead to support of one tyrant after another fighting one war after another based on lies or Biblical Prophecy which makes no sense at all.

Religion is supposed to teach a higher sense of morality, or at least that's what the faithful claim; however as I pointed out in Apartheid States of America many of the most religious areas have the highest murder rates in the country and less religious areas like Europe are even less violent than the least violent of the United States. This article also points out that religion is a major aprt of the reason why we ahve so many abandoned inner cities and instead of funding education and child care that could dramatically improve quality of life, teach critical thinking skills and reduce crime, they're spending fortunes on Megachurches and televangelists that are scamming the faithful on a massive scale, and helping to indoctrinate them to support one war after another based on lies from their political leaders.

And other articles that accompanied that show that our political leaders aren't paying any attention to other research on other contributing causes of crime, including Gambling, insurance, income inequality, lack of education and an incredibly unfair economic system which few if any establishment politicians challenge, although many pretend to speak out against it.

We can't get "freedom" by worshiping it and picking leaders that we trust without scrutiny, including great and glorious "Civil Rights Icons" and allowing them to do everything for us! Instead people at the grassroots have to do a better job developing critical thinking skills and stop trusting leaders who have an incredibly long record of betraying that trust!



I don't know why John Lewis and many of the so called Civil Rights leaders caved and supported Hillary Clinton who clearly never supported the civil rights movement as much as she pretended to when it suited her political agenda; but for one reason or anther they did. Some seem to think they sold out to Big Pharmaceutical companies or other Wall Street interests, and I can't completely rule this out, especially since there is some circumstantial evidence to support this belief and there are some that have been caught blatantly in corrupt activities that are even worse although I suspect that if we could get the whole truth we would find out there's more to it than that.

I don't want to be cynical and oppose everything the Democrats do, especially when they're standing up to Trump but their past corruption and political activity is what enabled him to get into office in the first place and blindly trusting them isn't going to solve the problem!

The following are a few additional sources for this article:

Open Secrets: John Lewis Health Professionals Total: $68,151 Individuals: $27,351 PACs: $40,800 (retrieved 01/23/2018)

In These Times: The Black Political Establishment Should Never Have Given Hillary Clinton a Blank Check 08/08/2016

Who Endorsed Hillary Clinton? The Congressional Black Caucus or Its PAC Filled with Lobbyists? 02/12/2016

Old black men don a cape for Hillary Clinton Here John Lewis comes to save the day for big pharma, private prisons, Walmart, etc. 02/12/2016

The Congressional Black Caucus’ Endorsement Of Hillary Clinton Is Outrageous 02/12/2016





Top Twelve UFO sightings: based on best evidence or potential significance

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If there is something to the alleged UFO phenomena that has been going on since World War II, even if the media rarely ever reports on it anymore, do you really think it should be treated like a joke?

If there is an unknown advanced intelligence visiting us, isn't it more important to figure out if there is something to it and why, than it is to jump to conclusions and ridicule everyone that disagrees?

If your friends have fallen for media propaganda about UFOs they'll make fun of you if you take this seriously; but if you don't you might as well stick your head in the sand, even though the story about ostriches doing this is a myth.

There is a good reason to be skeptical of a lot of the claims about UFOs and if there is an unknown advanced intelligence on another planet the obstacles to travel from one plenty to another are enormous; however with technology developing rapidly over the past fifty years we're already demonstrating that an enormous amount of those obstacles can and already have been overcome; although contrary to the most extreme exaggeration there's still a long way to go. But if there was an advanced intelligence that was much older than our own race they would have had much more time to overcome those obstacles, and there's a growing amount of evidence to indicate that either they have or there's a massive conspiracy to make it seem like they have and to fake the UFO sightings going on for the past seventy years.

Most young people might not know it but the media and the government once did a far better job covering these unsolved mysteries, even if they had less developed science at the time to narrow things down.

Now, at least when it comes to the highest profile discussions on the subject in the mass media, there are an enormous amount of obvious blunders on both sides of the argument, often so obvious that it should be clear that if they had peer review, which they do, they should catch a lot of these obvious mistakes. This leads me to suspect that they're not even trying to do a good job researching the issue and educating the public about it.

In addition to that the reporting on this subject is almost completely absent from the mainstream media, and when they do cover it they treat it with ridicule, instead of reviewing the most basic facts or reminding people of the history behind it. Media outlets that do cover it focus almost exclusively on UFOs; and the highest profile of those, especially the current "Ancient Aliens" are often the ones that make the most blunders. People not familiar with it that might want to search the internet may have to sort through a large volume of equally incompetent web sites before finding more rational ones that make a sincere effort to review it with rational skepticism, without completely closed minds.



These are a dozen of what I consider the most important historical UFOs that were covered reasonably well by some sources at one time or another; although it isn't necessarily the most important ones, since there's no guarantee that they were reported widely in the first place. One of the leading criteria of these choices is strength of the evidence of some major unsolved mystery, although it isn't a guarantee that it is of a visit from another civilization.

Some of them have an enormous volume of witnesses, including many that are considered very credible, often police officers, pilots, military officers, college professors with a scientific background, and even politicians. Some of them might not be quite as compelling based on the evidence that can be confirmed independently, however if there is supporting evidence then these can still help to understand the objective of these unknown advanced intelligence's objectives, assuming they exist. There's enough evidence to indicate that even if there is nothing to it as many skeptics claim, there must be an enormous effort to convince the public that there isn't, which might be an even more far-fetched conspiracy.

I'll give you a hint, Roswell isn't number one on my list; but don't rush down to see what is; even though a dramatic count down is corny and meaningless, I gave it a shot.

If there is an conspiracy to convince the public that there is something to it by people that know that there isn't, I'm not part of it.

At least that I'll admit.




Shag Harbor 1967




An extraordinary event in 1967 would practically put the small fishing village of Shag Harbor on the map. Located at the southern tip of Nova Scotia, this rural community would be host to one of the best documented UFO events of the past 40 years.

Named after the "shag," a bird of the cormorant family, the harbor was literally left off most maps of the time, but that would be changed once and for all.

The tiny fishing community has always had its stories... stories of giant sea serpents, man-eating squid, and ghost ships. The list of local color would see one more addition to its list: a story of a visit of a mysterious flying craft of unknown origin. This craft would visit the waters of Shag Harbor, permanently stamping the village's name in the public eye.

The first indication of this mysterious occurrence would come from local residents who noticed strange orange lights in the sky on the night of October 4, 1967. Most witnesses agreed that there were four orange lights that evening. Five teenagers watched these lights flash in sequence, and then suddenly dive in a 45 degree angle toward the water's surface. The witnesses were surprised that the lights did not dive into the water, but seemed to float on the water, approximately one-half mile from the shore.

Witnesses at first thought they were watching a tragic airplane crash, and quickly reported as much to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which was located at Barrington Passage. Coincidently, RCMP Constable Ron Pound had already witnessed the strange lights himself as he drove down Highway 3 in route to Shag Harbor. Pound felt that he was seeing 4 lights, all attached to one flying craft. He estimated the craft to be about 60 feet long. Complete article at UFO Casebook: The 1967 Shag Harbor UFO Crash

The Shag Harbour Incident Society is a proudly independent organization embodied of individuals who believe that our local history, chiefly the 1967 UFO sighting, should be cherished and made available to the general public.

Wikipedia: Shag Harbour UFO incident

Skeptoid Brian Dunning: The Shag Harbour UFO





Malmstom Air Force Base Montana 1967 about 16 nukes disabled




This is the story of extraordinary events that happened in 1967 to Strategic Air Command Missile Combat Officers; Missileers assigned to operate the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile , an essential part of America's Cold War strategic nuclear deterrent.

... by Jim Klotz and Robert Salas - 27-Nov-1996

ECHO-FLIGHT

In central Montana, Thursday morning March 16 1967, the E-Flight Missile Combat Crew was below ground in the Echo-Flight Launch Control Center (LCC) or capsule. During the early morning hours, more than one report came in from security patrols and maintenance crews that they had seen UFOs. A UFO was reported directly above one of the E-Flight Launch Facilities (LF) or silos. It turned out that at least one security policeman was so frightened by this encounter that he never again returned to security duty.

A short time later, the Deputy Crew Commander (DMCCC), a 1st Lieutenant, was briefing the Crew Commander (MCCC), a Captain, on the flight status when the alarm horn sounded. Over the next half-minute, all ten of their missiles reported a "No-Go" condition. One by one across the board, each missile had became inoperable,

From there on, as an ex-Missileer describes it: "All Hell broke loose!" Among the many calls to and from the E-Flight LCC one was to the MCCC of November-Flight which links to the equally dramatic story of what happened in another LCC that same morning. Complete article at UFO Casebook: 1967-The Malmstrom AFB UFO/Missile Incident

Larry King UFOs shut down Nuclear Weapons

Aliens have deactivated British and US nuclear missiles, say US military pilots 09/27/2010

'Aliens stopped WWII nuclear battle between US and Russia' claims Edgar Mitchell, the sixth man on Moon 08/14/2015

Soviet nukes and UFOs 01/26/2010





Belgium wave 1989-91




Of all the reports of UFO sightings, some of the most intriguing ones are those which come in flaps, or waves, have multiple witnesses, and photographs. One of the most celebrated cases of this type was the Belgian flap which began in November of 1989.

The events of November 29 would be documented by no less than thirty different groups of witnesses, and three separate groups of police officers. All of the reports described a large object flying at low altitude. The craft was of a flat, triangular shape, with lights underneath.

This giant craft made not a sound as it slowly and fearlessly moved across the landscape of Belgium. There was free sharing of information as the Belgian populace tracked this craft as it moved from the town of Liege to the border of the Netherlands and Germany.

This first startling sighting would evolve into a wave over the next several months. On two occasions, a pair of F-16 fighters chased the mysterious object, but to no avail.

On March 30, 1990, a frantic call to military headquarters came from a Belgian national police Captain. .....

Another unusual occurrence associated with the Belgian flap was the inability to take a clear photograph of it. Many observers had their cameras ready, and took what they thought would be clear images, but when the film was developed, the image was blurred, and the craft's outline was vague at best.

This anomaly was addressed by physics professor Auguste Meessen, who was employed by the Catholic University at Louvin. Meessen's investigation produced a theory that infrared light must be the reason that almost all the images were unclear. To put his theory to test, he exposed film to infrared, then photographed objects in regular light. The results were the same as the photographs of the triangle-shaped UFO. Complete article at UFO Casebook: The Belgium UFO Wave

Wikipedia: Belgian UFO wave

Skeptoid Brian Dunning: The Belgian UFO Wave It was simply a psychosocial phenomenon, which is why there is no evidence and only the one questionable photograph.





White House 1952




During the dawn of Ufology in the United States, unidentified flying objects made themselves known to the leaders of the free world in 1952, buzzing over the White House, the Capitol building, and the Pentagon.

Seemingly the unknown objects were defying the very governmental agencies sworn to protect the United States from foreign powers.

Washington National Airport and Andrews Air Force Base picked up a number of UFOs on their radar screens on July 19, 1952, beginning a wave of sightings still unexplained to this day.

These blips were objects traveling at about 100 M.P.H. but with the ability to accelerate to the unbelievable speed of 7,200 M.P.H.

The Washington National sighting was confirmed by other local radar, and then Andrews Air Force Base was contacted.

Washington Tower:

Andrews Tower, do you read? Did you have an airplane in sight west-northwest or east of your airport moving east-bound?

Andrews: No, but we just got a call from the center. We're looking for it. Complete article at UFO Casebook: 1952 Washington D.C. Sightings



Wikipedia: 1952 Washington, D.C. UFO incident

Open Minds: The Beginning: UFO Encounters over Washington D.C. 09/16/2016





Lubbock and Phoenix Lights 1951/97




At 9:10 p.m. on Aug. 25, 1951, Dr. W. I. Robinson, professor of geology at the Texas technological College, stood in the back yard of his home in Lubbock, Texas and chatted with two colleagues. The other men were Dr. A. G. Oberg, a professor of chemical engineering, and Professor W. L. Ducker, head of the department of petroleum engineering.

The night was clear and dark. Suddenly all three men saw a number of lights race noiselessly across the sky, from horizon to horizon, in a few seconds. They gave the impression of about 30 luminous beads, arranged in a crescent shape. A few moments later another similar formation flashed across the night.

This time the scientists were able to judge that the lights moved through 30 degrees of arc in a second. A check the next day with the Air Force showed that no planes had been over the area at the time. This was but the beginning: Professor Ducker observed 12 flights of the luminous objects between August and November.

Some of his colleagues observed as many as 10. Hundreds of nonscientific observers in a wide vicinity around Lubbock saw as many as three flights of the mysterious crescents in one night. Complete article at UFO Casebook: The Lubbock Lights, 1951



.... The Lights Appear

Evidence points to March 13, 1997 as the onset of this extremely compelling account of various and sundry phenomenal lights which moved over the state of Arizona. These lights, though referred to as the "Phoenix Lights," were actually witnessed in at least five other cities.

Phoenix has the distinction as the first Arizona city to report the unknown light sources, which were initially spotted over Superstition Mountains, east of the city, at about 7:30 PM. The first reports indicated an object of six points of light, immediately followed by a report of eight connected lights, with a separate ninth, which moved in unison with the eight.

The formation was seen again over the Gila River just before 10:00 PM. In a matter of minutes, the enormous, lighted structure had made its way over the southern part of the city of Phoenix. At this time, literally thousands of people witnessed the object or objects. It was at this time, that the first photographs and videos were taken.

The final sightings of the night were in Rainbow Valley. Witnesses there reported a very distinct "V" formation. This sighting occurred at about 2:00 AM on March 14. Complete article at UFO Casebook: The Phoenix Lights, 1997, Arizona



Wikipedia: Lubbock Lights

Wikipedia: Phoenix Lights





The Death of Thomas Mantell Chases or Dogfights




January 7, 1948, would be a day of tragedy for Captain Thomas F. Mantell of the Kentucky Air National Guard, and his family, friends, and fellow Guardsmen. The Mantell case will forever be an important part of the hotbed of UFO reports of the late 1940's and early 1950's.

He would have the unfortunate distinction of being the first human being to give his life in the ongoing chase for the elusive truth behind bizarre reports of flying craft from other worlds.

Was his sighting a carry-over from the foo-fighters of World War II? or were they altogether another phenomena?... a phenomena that was just out of his reach. He gave all he had to reach this mysterious, intelligently controlled metallic craft, but whatever it was, and whoever controlled it, escaped that day... the day that Thomas Mantell lost his life.

Mantell was piloting an F-51 that fateful day, soaring to Standiford Air Force Base, Kentucky. He was accompanied by three other Guard planes. Complete article at UFO Casebook: 1948, The Death of Thomas Mantell

Wikipedia: Mantell UFO incident

Wikipedia: 1976 Tehran UFO incident

Wikipedia: Gorman dogfight

U.S. fighter pilot: 'I was ordered to fire 24 rockets at UFO flying over East Anglia' 10/25/2008

UFO Casebook: The St. Clair County Illinois Sightings of January, 5, 2000





Brazilian Island of Colares - UFO Encounters of 1977




In 1977, the Brazilian island of Colares was visited by flying objects of an unknown nature. Nearly all kinds of UFOs were seen; some big, some small, saucer shaped, cigar shaped, luminous or not. They arrived from the North every day, from the sky and also sometimes from underwater, and it lasted for months.

Regularly, some Island inhabitants were targeted by the objects, sending strange rays to them, and many were badly hurt, with two reported dead. The Army intervenes, the press follows. 35 people were hurt by the strange rays, and many fled from the Island.

The events mainly concentrated on the city of Colares, about 2,000 inhabitants, on Colares Island, which is in the region of Pará, the delta of the Amazon river on the northeastern coast of Brazil. But the whole region was visited by the same phenomenon. Which has brought many ufologists to visit the city.

Beginning in August of 1977, in the island of Colares, a strange phenomenon began to occur, that the Brazilian call Chupa-chupa.

Strange luminous objects appeared over the few towns of the region. These objects were often projecting thin rays, seemingly of light, directed at the people. The touched people fainted and woke up with a strange anemia. They stated that they felt as if some of their blood was removed by the strange rays. Complete article at UFO Casebook: Brazilian Island of Colares - UFO Encounters of 1977

Wikipedia translated from Portuguese: UFO phenomenon in Colares

Wikipedia translated from Portuguese: Operação Prato

Wikipedia English: Operação Prato (This is almost empty as of this writing compared to the Portuguese version which goes into much more detail.)

The Night Sky: Colares Island UFO Encounter

The Colares flap refers to an outbreak of UFO sightings

UFO FILES: Brazil’s Roswell 03/12/2006

Wikipedia: Cash-Landrum incident

Above Top Secret: An in-depth (re)view of the Cash/ Landrum case

Falcon Lake incident is Canada's 'best-documented UFO case,' even 50 years later 05/19/2017

UFO Evidence: The Cash-Landrum Case





Rendlesham Forest England UFO 1980


Artist recreation


One of the most compelling accounts of UFO landings comes to us from England. The joint air bases of Bentwaters and Woodbridge, located within the vast Rendlesham Forest, would be literally invaded by unidentified flying objects over a period of several nights in late December, 1980.

The amazing accounts of the twin air bases would be replete with descriptions of Alien beings, anomalous radar readings, electromagnetic effects, and surreal atmospheric conditions. Still investigated by Ufologists today, the almost unbelievable eyewitness accounts by credible professionals make the events of Bentwaters and Woodbridge Air Force Bases a cornerstone of belief among many UFO proponents.

Shortly after midnight on December 27, 1980, radar screens at RAF Watton in Norfolk showed an uncorrelated object which suddenly disappeared in the vicinity of the Rendlesham Forest in Suffolk. The object was also tracked on radar at Bentwaters RAF, which was located north of the forest. Woodbridge was south of the forest. Complete article at UFO Casebook: UFO Landings-Rendlesham Forest, 1980

Wikipedia: Rendlesham Forest incident

UFO Evidence: The Rendlesham Forest Incident

Interesting questions raised in Parliament about Rendlesham Forest UFOs 08/05/2015





Kecksburg Pennsylvania UFO crash 1965




What exactly soared through the late afternoon skies of Canada, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania on December 5, 1965? Eye witnesses described the unknown object as a "fireball," but it seemed to be under some type of intelligent control, as it veered somewhat in Ohio toward the Quaker State.

One of the first official reports of that day came from Frances Kalp, who phoned in her experience to radio station WHJB in Greensburg at 6:30 P.M. She related seeing a fiery object crash into a wooded area near her home in Westmoreland County. Kalp and her children had approached the site within a half-mile, and there they saw an odd object resembling a "four-pointed star."

Radio station employee John Murphy immediately phoned in the report to the Pennsylvania State Police Department. The Police phoned Kalp and arranged to meet her in Kecksburg.

Murphy also raced to the site of the alleged crash. He interviewed Kalp and her children for his report, while the State Police searched the woods for the crashed object. Murphy eagerly awaited the return of the searchers. When they finally completed their search, Murphy was unable to get any clear information from either Carl Metz or Paul Shipco, who headed the search. They only stated that they were calling in the Military to handle the case.

Undaunted, Murphy made phone contact with Captain Dussia at State Police Headquarters in Greensburg. Murphy was instructed to visit the office to receive an official statement on the search party results. Upon arriving at headquarters, Murphy noticed that the Military had already arrived in force. Murphy was startled when he received the "official" statement;

"The Pennsylvania State Police have made a thorough search of the woods. We are convinced that there is nothing whatsoever in the woods."

By this time, Murphy was convinced that there was a cover-up of some kind. If there was nothing in the woods, why would the Military be in force at Pennsylvania's Police headquarters? Complete article at UFO Casebook: The 1965 Kecksburg, Pennsylvania Crash

Wikipedia: Kecksburg UFO incident

MUFON: Kecksburg Crash - 1965

Sci Fi Urges Gov't To Come Clean 06/23/2003





Travis Walton Alleged Alien Abduction in Snowflake Arizona




Travis Walton (born February 10, 1953) is an American logger who was supposedly abducted by a UFO on November 5, 1975, while working with a logging crew in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. Walton could not be found, but reappeared after a five-day search.

The Walton case received mainstream publicity and remains one of the best-known instances of alleged alien abduction. UFO historian Jerome Clark writes that "Few abduction reports have generated as much controversy" as the Walton case. It is furthermore one of the very few alien abduction cases with corroborative eyewitnesses, and one of few abduction cases where the time allegedly spent in the custody of aliens plays a rather minor role in the overall account.

UFO researchers Jenny Randles and Peter Houghe write that "Neither before or since has an abduction story begun in the manner related by Walton and his coworkers. Furthermore, the Walton case is singular in that the victim vanished for days on end with police squads out searching … it is an atypical 'Close Encounter: Fourth Kind' (CE4) … which bucks the trend so much that it worried some investigators; others defend it staunchly." (Randles and Hough, 186)

Discovery in the woods

The case began on Wednesday, November 5, 1975. Then 22 years old, Walton was employed by Mike Rogers, who had for nine years contracted with the United States Forest Service for various duties. Rogers and Walton were best friends; Walton dated Rogers' sister Dana, whom he later married. Others on the crew were Ken Peterson, John Goulette, Steve Pierce, Allen Dallis and Dwayne Smith. They all lived in the town of Snowflake, Arizona. Complete story at MUFON: "Travis Walton Abduction - 1975"

Wikipedia: Travis Walton UFO incident

Travis Walton Home page including excerpts from his book

Skeptical Information on the Travis Walton "UFO Abduction" Story

40 years later: Most documented UFO sighting, abduction still draw interest 11/14/2015

UFO Casebook: Alien Abduction Case Files

20 Real People Who Claim to Have Been Abducted by Aliens including actress Fran Drescher and Russian Governor or World Chess President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov





Crash at Corona and Roswell




Original 1947 story as reported before the weather balloon claim was made:

Army Reveals It Has Flying Disc Found On Ranch In Mew Mexico

Sacramento Bee July 8, 1947

ROSWELL (N.M.). July 8. (AP) --The army air forces here today announced a flying disc has been found on a ranch near Roswell and is in possession of the army. Lieutenant Warren Haught, public information officer of the Roswell Army AIr Field, announced the find had been made "sometime last week" and had been turned over to the air field through the cooperation of the sheriff's office.

Higher Headquarters

"It was inspected at the Roswell Army Air Field and subsequently loaned by Major Jesse A. Marcel of the 509th Bomb Group Intelligence office in Roswell to higher headquarters."

The army gave no other details. Haught's statement:

"The many rumors regarding the flying discs became a reality yesterday when the intelligence office of the 509th (atomic) Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force, Roswell Army Air Field, was fortunate enough to gain possession of a disc through the cooperation of one of the ranchers and the sheriff's office of Chaves county.


Complete article at UFO Evidence

Wikipedia: Roswell UFO incident

Roswell Proof: The Public "Roswell Incident"



Fatima UFO Hypothesis 1917




The Fatima UFO Hypothesis is a theory that the Miracle at Fatima was a UFO incident. Many UFO researchers including Jacques Vallee, Joaquim Fernandes and Fina d'Armada have expressed the theory. Jacques Vallee first expressed it in the sixties. [1] He believes that the typical responses to this incident for the most part fall into two different categories, the first the scientific response that the people must have mistaken a natural event for a miracle and that nothing important happened, the second the religious response in which this is a miracle and it should be accepted without question. Some researchers including Vallee and Eric Davis into this phenmomenon prefer the term Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) rather than the term UFO since it is not associated with the Extraterestrial Hypothesis (ETH). Vallee does not believe we should jump to the conclusion that this is the result of Extraterrestrials without further evidence. In 1976 Joaquim Fernandes and Fina d'Armada began an in depth research project into the original newspaper articles and other documents and used this to develop their theory that the incident at Fatima may have been related to the UFO phenomena that began in the forties.

Their work was first published in 1982 in "Extraterrestrial Intervention at Fatima: The Apparitions and the UFO Phenomenon." The incident began on May 13 1917 when three young children claimed to see a lady whom many assumed was the Virgin Mary. When reviewing the original text Joaquim Fernandes and Fina d'Armada found that Lucia Santos the eldest of the three didn't initially say it was our lady of Fatima but just "a small pretty lady". This lady allegedly told them to go to the same spot for six consecutive months. The next five months attracted a growing crowd to observe the event that rose from 40 to 50 people in June, to about 4,500 people in July, 18,000 in August 30,000 in September and 50,000 to 70,000 people in October. [2] Joaquim Fernandes and Fina d'Armada sorted through many different versions of this event and concluded that in most cases the ones that were recorded the earliest were the most reliable. Whenever possible they also interviewed any surviving witnesses, however this didn't include Lucia Santos since they couldn't interview her without approval from the Vatican. [3] [4] Joaquim Fernandes and Fina d'Armada didn't come to any final conclusions about what happened at Fatima due to insufficient information. They recommended more research in the academic community. [5]

Full hypothesis at UFO Hypothesis Far More Credible Than Catholic Claim of A "Miracle Of The Sun"

Additional information at Hurricane Apocalypse Coming With or Without Fringe Conspiracy Theory which includes review of unusual weather phenomena at Fatima during the incident.

Additional information about The miracle of Fatima




Preliminary Conclusions




The list of people that have seen something unexplained in the sky is way to long to completely dismiss it lightly, although a reasonable amount of skepticism about the possibility that it might be alien visitation is appropriate, especially for people that haven't looked too closely. In some cases like Kecksburg or Shag Harbor the local peoples are much more inclined to believe in them, since many of them may have either seen them or know someone that has seen them. They also believe that their sightings should be reported much more widely and in some cases claim that the evidence is stronger than the Roswell claims, which may be right, although looking at many of the most popular ones might be appropriate before coming to that conclusion. This includes former president Jimmy Carter and Governor Fife Symington who admitted to seeing the Phoenix Lights, apologized for treating it like a joke, and said that it can't be dismissed lightly.

It also includes actress Fran Drescher who claimed to have been abducted by aliens, although she provides no corroborating evidence. Air Force Captain Robert Salas claims they shut down nuclear missiles, and there are numerous other claims from other military personnel which should be of interests to national security, assuming people believe that this is an effective deterrent, either because aliens can disable them or because there are military officers claiming they can.

There are also plenty of stories of air force planes getting into dogfights with them and at least one high profile case where a pilot chased them and perhaps ran out of oxygen and crashed dying as a result of a UFO sighting that was confirmed by numerous other pilots also involved in the chase, although they didn't follow Thomas Mantell to higher altitudes where he may have lost oxygen. This includes numerous flights over the White House in 1952 which sent the nation into a panic, although this has long since gone down the memory hole and most people don't even consider the possibility that it might have broader implications.

The Colares Island incident in Brazil has much bigger implications, since there's an enormous amount of evidence from dozens of witnesses along with medical evidence to indicate that many people were injured or even killed by some form of beam allegedly coming from the UFOs. In this case there is major evidence of medical illnesses even if it didn't come from the UFO; and there is a much different story of it being told in the United States than the one told in Brazil or to those that are accustomed to speaking and reading Portuguese. The UFO files reported on this on the History Channel in 2006, but there has been little additional coverage of it in then United States, except perhaps to those that seek it out and might find more reliable sources. The English version of the Wikipedia article on it is almost useless; however the one in Portuguese, which the vast majority of people in the United States would never even think to check, goes into much more detail, indicating that people in Brazil are much more familiar with it.

Additional UFO sightings that have caused medical problems with evidence from hospitals and doctors treating the victims include Cash-Landrum incident in Texas and the Falcon Lake incident in Canada and there is evidence of radiation or some other extremely rare poisoning that doesn't happen naturally to Stefan Michalak, Betty Cash, Vickie and Colby Landrum, that is important to research whether it's related to UFOs or not. There's definitely something that had an impact on the health of these people and in the Colares Island and Cash-Landrum incident there's reason to believe that the military was involved, even if it's not related to extraterrestrials.

Most of the alleged cases of Alien Abduction aren't nearly as strong as the evidence for the incidences in Colares Island or the Cash-Landrum incident; however the Travis Walton abduction might be the exception, where there were seven witnesses to the UFO and it was followed by a missing person that didn't reappear for several days while the police were searching for him and there was a massive media frenzy. This story would be extremely hard to fake but if there is nothing to alleged alien abduction then many of the other ones might be partly true, although they're mostly based on memories allegedly retrieved through hypnosis, which may not be very reliable. One of the highest profile researchers is Dr. David Jacobs; however he isn't a medical doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist, his PhD. is in history and his methods are seriously flawed. On one occasion when he obtained to contradictory memories through hypnosis after asking about the same subject twice, instead of trying to correct the contradiction he decided to solve the problem by avoiding confirmation of stories by double checking them, which is highly unscientific.

This is just one of the many blunders that are so obvious that they should have caught it before reporting it to the public; but instead of correcting this mistake he just builds on it so people reading his work should be able to see right through it, which is perhaps the intent, to confuse the issue. Most other researchers into the alleged alien abduction phenomena aren't much better, however John Mack may be the exception, but even he can't confirm the abductions through any means except hypnosis.

The most famous UFO case is of course Roswell. But far fewer people are aware of Philip Corso's claim that he was given access to the technology retrieved from the crash and others, and shared it with many multinational corporations as reported in his book in 1997 a year before he died. Like a lot of the other research into UFOs it has a fair amount of flaws; however it is far more credible than most other claims of reverse engineering, including Bob Lazar's. If there is something to it then the implication are far more important than most people have even considered.

This could mean that there is potential contact with aliens and that the rapid development of technology since the fifties that has escalated even more in the nineties and after the turn of the century could be a result of this. It also means a massive cover-up although they haven't kept if completely secret.

But the incident that I considered most important may be the so-called "Miracle of the Sun" at Fatima Portugal a hundred years ago because it has the largest number of witnesses long before the UFO phenomena was recognized as potential extraterrestrials, and it was accompanied by evidence of an accurate prediction of future events between May and October of 1917, although the other alleged predictions around this event proved to be false and may have been added after the fact.

Skeptics haven't come close to explaining what happened at Fatima; instead, like a lot of the other biggest mysteries surrounding UFOs or other unexplained phenomena the mainstream media simply never talks about it at all so it's only considered at a low profile manner by a small percentage of the public that recognize the potential significance. On the rare occasions where the media does mention Fatima or other major unsolved mysteries they treat it with ridicule and quickly change the subject.

Fatima may also be the strongest evidence potentially connecting the UFO phenomena and religion. This is practically never mentioned, even on Ancient Aliens on the History Channel, which only mentioned it briefly without going into tit's full significance, as I attempted to do in some of my past articles below.



For some additional details on some of my past articles on the subject see the following:

UFO Hypothesis with rational use of Occam's Razor

Did Padre Pio Or Other Alleged Mystics Have "Revelations" from "God?"

Phony Apocalyptic Judgement Day May Be Here!

Prophets and Mystics

Hurricane Apocalypse Coming With or Without Fringe Conspiracy Theory

Looming North Korea Nuclear Apocalypse Result of Incompetence? Or Staged?

107 Wonders of the Ancient World

Is “Prism” news? or is it ECHELON?

A Brief History of the Mormon Church

Why so few arrests for Crop Circles makers? Is there microwave evidence?

"God's Not Dead" But Is He Nice?

Multinationals Are Using Public For Research On Massive Scale

Yes Virginia There Is A Trump And Clinton Conspiracy but could it be related to a far-fetched Apocalypse Prophecy or a weak copy of it?

Wanted unsuspecting research subjects

Is Stanton Friedman working for the CIA to refute reverse engineering claims?

Deadly Monopolies and Medical Slavery?

Deadly Monopolies With Alien Technology?

UFO Hypothesis Far More Credible Than Catholic Claim of A "Miracle Of The Sun"

Could Steve Bannon Be Providing Propaganda To Enable Climate Change Research Project?



There's a few popular memes saying the "truth is no longer hidden; now people hide from the truth," which isn't quite true many things are still hidden; however some things are scattered where few will find it and many people are in denial, so even if it's not exactly the truth it's damn close. And people who don't take time to do their own research will have to rely on others to do their thinking for them, since the truth won't fit on a bumper sticker or meme!




Walmart Crime Report January 2018

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Walmart rarely ever takes a break when it comes to high crime problems including shootings, robberies, arson, crashes and much more.

They had at least nine shootings this month, including at least three that resulted in deaths, one of which was a suicide, one of the non-fatal ones was an officer involved shooting, and another also involved two stabbings, and several others involved injuries big or small. As usual several of them were robberies or domestic violence arguments.

In addition to the suicide there was another attempted suicide by someone that closed his car and put a hose from the tail pipe into it, but a police officer prevented him from completing it. It's surprisingly common for people to go to Walmart to commit suicide, many homeless are herded there because they have no place else to go, including many that die from natural causes, once again because they have no place else to go and they have no access to health care.

Counting the three people that died from gun shots there were a total of at least twelve people that died, or were found dead at Walmart including three that died in accidents or as a result of complications happening after an accident, one that died as a result of an argument leading to him being punched, and several that were presumably natural causes, one that had been in the parking lot for a days if not weeks before being noticed, which isn't that uncommon. One of the deaths was remains that were found in a wooded area nearby that had been there for months if not longer, and another was south of the Texas border in Mexico where the drug cartels left someone’s head with a warning in a shopping cart. However, this is not typical of the Hispanic community, especially on this side of the border as propaganda often implies. On this side of that border at that end is Brownesville and at the other end of the Texas and Mexico border is El Paso; but even though they both have large Hispanic majorities (94% and 80%) and relatively low income, they have less than half the national murder rates in large cities that are usually above average.

There were at least eleven more gun related crimes, mostly robberies either of the store or of customers in the parking lot, including one where they stole a car. One of the armed robbers informed an employee that his gun was his "receipt" when he was asked for it. There were also more thefts at the Self-check-out lane which have been increasing since they began them, and there should be little or no doubt that their attempts to cut down on employee expenses are a major part of the reason for their high crime problems which are putting people in danger. This is not only because it is an invitation for people to shoplift; but it also results in an enormous amount of angry customers and workers, the vast majority of which don't respond with crime, but when they all get ignored it is inevitable that some of them will.

They even have their vendors fighting each other in a feud where one of them damaged the display of another, which might remind people that pay attention that this isn't a competitive market at all anymore, it's an oligarchy where a hand full of corporations divide up the retail sector and control it using divide and rule tactics against their own vendors, workers, and customers, with Walmart taking the lion's share, thanks to help from politicians pushing their stores through with tax breaks enabling them to put sincere businesses out of business. These stores, to a large degree, are actually massive consignment stores where vendors rent space and pay slotting fees, often sending their won workers to stock the shelves.

It's only when they fight each other like this that the traditional media mentions it at all, often so that Walmart can deny responsibility. To find out how our economy really works people need to read alternative media outlets, and even then a large portion of it is kept secret, or as they call it "proprietary," which sounds sophisticated enabling them to try to claim, falsely that this secrecy is for our benefit.

One of their workers stole thousands of dollars for her mother’s surgery, yet there's little or no attempt to make health care available for workers, any more than they make fair wages available enabling them to use this to control them as well. And in case of emergencies like the false air raids in Hawaii, they once again showed that they have little or no concern for the public when they threw panicked customers out. In a real emergency this could be much worse; our government rigs the economy to benefit the oligarchies, yet they have no responsibilities to the public.

There are also more cases where the workers or cops are involved in fraud, or in one case an assistant manager that was caught filming a boy in the restroom. But even though these police, management, or loss prevention officers are treated much more leniently, when they do get caught they're rarely held accountable when they jump to conclusion about their own workers or customers, that are often false.

There were also at least two cases where people were chased with machete's which happens more often than most people would suspect and several additional stabbings or attempted stabbings. They had over half a dozen crashes, chases or carjacking’s, including one where teens were arrested for stalking and robbing an eighty-one year old of her car. This was in Florida and they were surprisingly, or not so surprisingly, quick to decide to try a twelve year old as an adult.

This is now routine, and the only things some of these authoritarian states seem to know how to do is to increase the threat of punishment, even when it doesn't work, it's only applied to the poor, mostly minorities, and other methods have proven more effective. Places that do a better job providing child care or early education, either in the United States, or even better other parts of the developed world, are much less likely to have this problem in the first place.



There were about half a dozen or so fires as well, including what looks like another attempted suicide and at least one or two that were probably arson. Just four or five years ago it was typical to have one or two fires every month, now there are almost always at least two or three times that many.

Those are just a handful of the highest profile cases, but there's always much more including fights with police or loss prevention officer, a variety of threats, sex crimes, an attempted robbery where the robber knocks over a nine year old that happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, several people escaping attempted abductions, and another FBI impersonator stalking people.

Walmart has been exposed again for ruining people’s engines as a result of oil changes done badly. This has happened dozens of times over the years, sometimes they simply forget to put oil back in or don't actually do the work they charge for. Searching Twitter or Google quickly turns up many more of these stories, often with credible confirmation, but the traditional media only reports it in a low profile manner.

They're being sued again for numerous environmental cases, and deceiving people over organic eggs, which is similar to many other cases showing that they have absolutely no credibility. They used Machiavellian tactics, when closing their stores all at once again, but did it in such an incompetent manner that it managed to anger everyone, bragging about raising wages, then only ours later announcing massive layoffs and reports that they closed without any notice to either customers or workers took lots of people by surprise when they often showed up for work or to go shopping only to find that the doors were locked.

There should be no doubt Walmart feels absolutely no responsibility to the public, and there is absolutely no way they would behave this way if they didn't think they had all these politicians in their pockets.

Not only is their behavior atrocious but they should be considered a far greater threat to democracy than these so-called terrorists, many that are incited by outrageous behavior by multinational corporations like Walmart or the oil companies.

Walmart has been exposed again for having the most employees on food stamps, even long term employees that can't earn a living working full time, and when they're done with them they often fire them for flimsy excuses, including another elderly greater that has spent a long time working for them, who is joining the list of people suing.

They're studying how to manipulate people even more trading customer information with suppliers who submit to their demands enabling them to study how to manipulate people based on shopping habits, using robots to keep track of their inventory; and they even want to become health care providers.

If they can't be trusted with anything else, who would even think of trusting Walmart with their health?

They've also had more recalls, including baby rattles that could break and be a choking hazard; and think twice before you trust them to transfer money, one woman had hers stolen through a scam that wasn't committed by Walmart, but they might have enabled it and wouldn't take responsibility for it any more than they take responsibility for anything else.



Even the Bats are going wild at Walmart, literally!

They've always had a big problem with pest control, and frankly, it shouldn't be surprising; how can anyone possibly believe that such a large store would be easy to keep sanitary enough for food? This would be basic sense, anyplace but Walmart!

Walmart insanity is enough to make you want to go running around naked screaming grabbing people!

Well maybe not you, but apparently, possibly, someone else.

Strange things happen at Wal-Mart!





In 2006 Wake Up Wal-Mart did a study, "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" based on incidents in 2004, (PDF) about crime at Wal-Mart which showed that it increased when Wal-Marts opened up and that crime was higher at Wal-Mart than at other retailers. Since then Wal-Mart Shootings began compiling a list of gun related incidents at Wal-Mart and demonstrated that they have a large number of them, including on average more than one shooting per week somewhere in the country. In January of 2014 another study, "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" provided additional statistical research indicating that Wal-Mart might be contributing to higher crime rates or at least a slowing of the decline in crime. The study found that. “on average, communities with Walmarts had 17 more property crimes and two more violent crimes per 10,000 people than those communities without Walmarts.” I reviewed this more in Wal-Mart’s crime problem, Rolling Back Safety more than prices? where I explained that although this study is helpful they could have done better with additional data that is available and I reviewed some of that. I also added my own review about why I think that Wal-Mart policies have been contributing to higher crime in a previous blog, Wal-Mart high crime rate continues un-investigaterd and have provided additional information under the author tag Walmart Crime Watch.

Stacy Mitchell has also compiled a list of other studies about Wal-Mart and how they impact society, Key Studies on Big-Box Retail & Independent Business. To the best of my knowledge Wal-Mart has done as little as they seem to get away with, often relying on rhetoric that isn't backed up with action, when it comes to addressing any of their critics concerns, including crime. One of the responses they’ve come up with is what they call "Restorative Justice" which gives first time shoplifters a chance to avoid being arrested or any criminal record if they take an on line course which costs $400 up front or $500 in payments, plus perhaps, reparations. This has been part of the privatization process and often denies suspects of the due process or access to a lawyer, perhaps even intimidating and extorting from some people that might not even be guilty. Walmart seems to be trying to find a way to turn crime into a profit making situation instead of looking for the most effective ways to reduce it. Making Change at Walmart is asking If you or someone you know has gone through @Walmart's "Restorative Justice" program for first-time suspected shoplifters, send us a DM. 03/30/2017 to ensure that it isn’t doing more harm than good. I did my own review of this program as well at Walmart’s “Restorative Justice” Endangers Public Without Reducing Crime. The following are a list of incidents that occurred in January 2018. According to the "Is Wal-Mart Safe?" the average store in their sampling had 250 incidents per year, indicating that these are only a fraction of the crime reports at Wal-Mart, and presumably, the ones most likely to make the news on the internet nationwide. This isn't statistically representative, as the 2006 or the "Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates?" study or some of the studies cited by Stacy Mitchell; but it does provide some additional information that may help recognize how many problems there are at Wal-Mart.



Shots fired Monday afternoon at Colorado Walmart in west Greeley 01/01/2018

At least three people were involved in an altercation that ended up with a gun being fired Monday afternoon at the Walmart in west Greeley.

According to Greeley Police Lt. Scott Smith, there was a report of shots fired about 2:15 p.m. at the store, 920 47th Ave. There were no reported injuries and minimal damage to property, as there was an uninvolved vehicle that was struck by a bullet, Smith said.

Smith said there was a disturbance in the Walmart parking lot, which led to the shooting, according to witness statements and video surveillance. He did not immediately know how many shots were fired.

"From what we understand, while people were involved in this altercation in the parking lot, somebody came from the store, saw it and fired the gun," Smith said. Complete article


Pa. Woman who thought grandson was in jail is out $4,500 in Walmart gift cards 01/02/2018

Former NJ pastor pleads no-contest to choking 4-month-old girl at Kansas Walmart 01/01/2018

Man flees Va. Walmart in truck after stealing electronics 01/02/2018

Highland Ill. Police looking for suspect in Walmart theft 01/02/2018

Police: Short Pump Va. driver struck Walmart shopper 01/02/2018

SHORT PUMP, Va. — A woman was arrested January 1 after an incident outside the Walmart store in Short Pump.

Henrico Police were called to the 11400 block of West Broad Street, near Pouncey Tract Road, to investigate reports of a car hitting a pedestrian.

“The victim reported a vehicle struck shopping carts which, in turn, struck him,” a Henrico Police spokesperson said about Monday’s incident. “Witnesses attempted to keep the driver at the scene, but she struck one witness with her car and left. The witnesses provided a description of the driver and the license plate of the vehicle. They also stated there was a child in the car.” Complete article


Mobile Alabama man wanted for assaulting elderly customer in Wal-Mart 01/02/2018

Mobile Police are searching for a man they say was caught on camera following an assault on a senior citizen in a Wal-Mart in Tillman's Corner.

The incident occurred on December 14, 2017. According to the MPD Cyber Intelligence Unit, an unknown suspect was attempting to get through an aisle, in which several people were standing in his way.

The suspect, police say, punched a 72-year-old male in his back, causing an incident in the store. Complete article


California man found dead in Kalispell Montana Walmart parking lot 01/02/2018

A homeless man from California was found dead in the back of a van in the early morning hours of Dec. 29 in the parking lot of Walmart in Kalispell.

Walmart employees called in the van after it had been parked for an extended period of time and they noticed there weren't any tracks around it as they removed snow from the parking lot. Upon closer approach to the vehicle, they saw the body.

According to Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry, 61-year-old David Martinez appeared to have been living in the van and died of natural causes. The official cause of death will not be known until the toxicology report is returned from the state crime lab, which Curry said can take weeks. Complete article


Former Ohio Walmart greeter wants to retire on his terms after he says he was wrongfully let go 01/02/2018

MIAMI TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WRGT/WKEF) - A former Walmart greeter is looking to retire on his own terms, after he says the company wrongfully let him go. He became a popular mainstay at the location on Kingsridge Drive in Miami Township, and now he is taking the steps to restore his pride.

George Grubb is charismatic, and spent 22 years greeting people at Walmart.

"He talks to them like he's known him for years or his life," his nephew Tom Cobaugh said. Complete article


Police seek man they say used counterfeit money at Mass. Walmart 01/02/2018

Teen detained in San Antonio Tx. Walmart shoplifting case arrested on heroin charges 01/02/2018

Man flees Va. Walmart in truck after stealing electronics 01/02/2018

New Year's Eve: man arrested in Del. Walmart shoplifting charges 01/02/2018

Suspects in Carson City Nevada Walmart Burglary 01/02/2018

131 Walmart stores stop selling ammo after Calif. Department of Justice error 01/02/2018

Highland Ill. Police looking for suspect in Walmart theft 01/02/2018

Brownwood man arrested for leading police on car chase through Tx. Walmart parking lot 01/03/2018

Police make shoplifting arrest at Okla. Walmart 01/03/2018

Yet another theft investigation at Walmart yields arrest in Milford Delaware 01/03/2018

Mom charged with leaving young kids in freezing temps while shopping at Ky. Walmart 01/03/2018

Police identify woman in Mississippi Walmart surveillance video 01/03/2018

Tenn. Police search for suspects who stole iPhones from Walmart 01/03/2018

Four teens arrested after shoplifting at Brown Deer Wisc. Walmart 01/03/2018

Officer in Beavercreek Ohio Walmart shooting says he never saw Crawford threaten anyone 01/03/2018

10-year-old recalls frightening child luring incident at Wash. Walmart 01/03/2018

Rindge man charged in NH Walmart bomb threat 01/03/2018

Somersworth NH police looking for Walmart Money Center robber 01/04/2018

Judge keeps bulldozers at bay on Fla. Walmart site but too late for swath of rare Miami forest 01/03/2018

A federal judge extended an injunction halting work on a Walmart-anchored shopping center in rare pine rockland on Wednesday after learning the project’s developer has already cleared a wide swath of the disappearing forest.

It’s not yet clear how much damage the work caused, or whether the forest can be restored if environmentalists win their case.

Attorneys for Palm Beach County developer Peter Cummings said trees were cleared on 31 acres near Zoo Miami in just three days last month — the time it took environmentalists to obtain an initial emergency order halting work from U.S. District Court Judge Ursula Ungaro. George LeMieux, the developer’s attorney, could not say whether the forest floor was plowed, which would make restoring the rockland nearly impossible. Complete article


Jacksonville Alabama Police investigating shooting, stabbing near Walmart 01/04/2018

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Jacksonville Police are investigating a fight near Walmart that left one man shot and another stabbed.

Authorities say the shooting stemmed from an argument over stolen property.

A 19-year-old is in custody in connection with the shooting and charges are pending.

The shooting victim stumbled from behind the Walmart bleeding from his wound. He was later taken to a hospital where he had surgery Thursday morning. Complete article


Man Dies After Single Punch During Fight in High Point NC Walmart 01/04/2018

HIGH POINT, N.C.-- An Archdale man is facing a murder charge after getting into a fight inside a High Point Walmart Tuesday night.

According to High Point police, officers responded to a call about a fight inside the Walmart Supercenter on North Main Street. Officers started CPR on a man who was unconscious on the floor of the business. Police identified the man as Raymond Collier, 34.

Collier was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for further treatment of severe head trauma. He died Wednesday as a result of his injuries.

Police say after looking at video and talking to witnesses, they were able to determine that Collier injuries resulted from a single punch from 25-year-old Samed Ali Shah. Investigators say Collier and Shah got into a verbal altercation and Shah punched Collier knocking him unconscious. Complete article


Former Walmart.com CEO says Walmart store closures are a good sign for e-commerce 01/04/2018

Unlike some retailers, store closures will be a marker of strength for Walmart, according to former Walmart.com CEO Carter Cast.

"I think there are store closures ahead of Walmart that are going to be good for the company and good for shareholders," Cast said on CNBC's "Power Lunch."

Cast, who worked with Walmart from 2000 to 2007, applauded Walmart's efforts to adapt to online commerce, in a time of change for retail. Complete article


Woman avoids jail after locking kids in trunk to shop at Utah Walmart 01/05/2018

SALT LAKE CITY — A 40-year-old Utah woman who admitted locking her two young children in the trunk of the car while she shopped at a Wal-Mart store has been ordered to perform 60 hours of community service and sentenced to a year’s probation.

Riverdale Justice Court Judge Reuben Renstrom sentenced Tori Lee Castillo of Ogden Thursday after she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of reckless child abuse. A second count was dismissed.

Riverdale police say witnesses heard the children ages 2 and 5 making noise and saw the car shaking on May 25, so they got the older child to pull the emergency latch and called 911. Complete article


DeSoto Tx. Police Looking For Man Who Stole 3 TVs From Walmart 01/04/2018

Woman charged with stealing Wisc. Walmart items 01/04/2018

Urbana woman gets probation for stealing from her Ill. Walmart cash drawer 01/04/2018

Simple mistake? Walmart thinks Hilton Head’s Harbour Town SC is actually in Maine 01/05/2018

Dixon police release photos of suspects wanted for Ca. Walmart grand theft 01/05/2018

Abilene Tx. Walmart employee accused of stealing thousands of fake online orders 01/0/2018

Rochester man charged with February Auburn NY Walmart thefts 01/06/2018

Crook uses illusion trick to steal hundreds of dollars from Fla. Walmart in Sarasota, police say 01/05/2018

Cowpens man accused of armed robbery at SC Walmart 01/05/2018

Tallahassee Fla. Police Department: Man stole electronics taken from Walmart 01/05/2018

Man tries to flee after Tx. Walmart theft 01/05/2018

Man accused of stealing $388 compound bow from NY Walmart 01/03/2018

Fire Chief: Leland NC Walmart blocks entrance with carts, causes fire hazard 01/06/2018

Help ID woman who stole purse at Winter Haven Fla. Walmart 01/05/2018

Woman arrested for incident at La. Walmart 01/05/2018

Evans Mills woman charged with petit larceny at NY Walmart 01/04/2018

Pedestrian fatally struck in Moonachie NJ hit-and-run ne4ar Walmart 01/05/2018

Short-staffed due to storm NC Walmart only lets a few customers in at a time 01/04/2018

‘She even had the same purse,’ casino guard tells police of suspect in Mississippi Walmart video 01/04/2018

Police investigate bomb threat at Chickasha Oklahoma Walmart 01/06/2018

Police disarm man sleeping in parked car at Colorado Walmart 01/06/2018

Sheriff’s detective needs your help to identity suspect in theft of merchandise at Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Fla. 01/07/2018

Feud between two snack company workers ends in damage at Bluffton SC Walmart, police say 01/06/2018

An employee for a snack food company was setting up a display of chips Friday at the Bluffton Walmart when confronted by an employee of a competing snack food company, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office report.

The competitor purposely pushed the entire display over damaging about 16 bags of chips the man told police.

With a laugh the competitor said, “I hope you’re having a good day,” and then left the store in a delivery van, the report states.

The man said the competitor doesn’t like him because he used to work for his company. He told police the competitor lost the job because of “poor service”.

The total value of damage to the chips was placed at $25. The man told police he thought the competitor had damaged other displays as well in the past but he couldn’t prove it. Complete article


Woman Found Safe After Abducted from Nixa Missouri Walmart Parking Lot 01/07/2018

NIXA, Mo. -- A woman was allegedly abducted from a Nixa Walmart parking lot by a man in a white car with a sunroof Sunday evening.

Nixa Police said in a press release that the man followed the woman in his vehicle, then got out and pulled the woman from her vehicle. He allegedly threw the woman over his shoulder and put her in his car.

The police say the man drove away heading south on U.S. Highway 160.

Nixa Police said officers are reviewing security camera footage.

UPDATE 10:28 p.m.: Nixa Police have located the woman, she is now safe.

Police are still searching for the suspect.

The suspect and victim did know one another, according to the press release.

"We do NOT believe this was a random crime," police said in the release. Complete article


Man drives into Hermitage Pa. Walmart 01/08/2018

HERMITAGE – There were no injuries Thursday morning when a vehicle crashed through the front of the Walmart store in Hermitage.

The accident occurred at 11:48 a.m. at the store, 1275 N Hermitage Road, Hermitage, after a 77-year-old Hermitage man lost control as his vehicle was traveling down a traffic way in front of the building.

Hermitage police and firefighters responded to the scene. Police Chief Eric Jewell said the man had a medical condition that caused the accident.

“It was a blood-sugar incident and he was taken to the hospital,” police Chief Eric Jewell said. “Damage to the building was minor.” Complete article


Woman sets herself on fire near Miami Gardens Fla. Walmart 01/08/2018 (Note article below refers to this taking place in "Walmart Parking Lot," which was typical of references before the August 2016 series of reports about high crime at Walmart when some media began referring to "Walmart Parking Lot" as "near Walmart.")

MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - A woman who caught herself on fire in Miami Gardens was airlifted to a nearby hospital.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, a woman suffered self-inflicted burns to her body. 7Skyforce hovered over the scene at the Walmart in Miami Gardens, located at Northwest 195th Street and 27th Avenue, where she crews responded to the incident.

Fire rescue airlifted the woman to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Complete article

Woman Airlifted to Hospital After Suffering 'Self Inflicted Burns' in Miami Gardens Walmart Parking Lot 01/08/2018


Reward offered to catch La. Walmart thieves 01/07/2018

Do you know this man? Cops look for Pa. Walmart theft suspect 01/07/2018

Hobbs NM Police search for Walmart credit card thief 01/07/2018

Defuniak Springs Fla. Police: Foot chase in Walmart leads to arrest 01/08/2018

BPD: Simmons Left Ill. Walmart With Stolen TV, Heroin 01/0/2018

Man wanted for murder in Waukegan Wal-Mart parking lot arrested in California 01/08/2018

3 suspects indicted in Feb. 2017, north Huntsville Alabama Walmart parking lot shooting 01/08/2018

Walmart thief gets new title: Tenn. Walmart burglar 01/08/2018

Burglary suspects targeted Ky. Walmart stores, police say 01/08/2018

Couple arrested after attempted carjacking at Clarksville Ind. Walmart, police say 01/08/2018

CLARKSVILLE — A couple has been arrested after police say they tried to carjack a woman in the parking lot of Walmart Saturday.

Dustin Z. Gouge and Nicole L. Hopkins were arrested after the alleged incident Saturday night. Gouge faces preliminary charges of auto theft, resisting law enforcement and possession of a syringe. Hopkins faces a preliminary charge of assisting a criminal.

According to court records, Clarksville Police were dispatched to the scene around 10:30 Saturday night, on a report of a suspicious person.

On scene, they spoke to a woman who said she had been sitting in her car waiting for her boyfriend when Gouge started knocking on the window, telling her to get out so he could show her a leak in the back of the car.

When she refused, Gouge became more aggressive, the woman told police, continuing to order her out of the car. She said she was afraid and moved to the driver's seat and drove away. The victim said Hopkins stood behind Gouge when he was telling her to get out, but hadn't spoken.

A description given by dispatch led officers to find the two as they exited the store. Complete article


Bats swoop between shoppers in meat section of Alvin Tx. Walmart 01/08/2018

ALVIN, Texas (KTRK) -- Shoppers were transfixed when a group of winged intruders made their way through a Walmart store in Alvin tonight.

Jerry Lattermann shot some incredible video of several bats gliding between shoppers in the meat department of the store on N. Bypass 35.

Lattermann said the bat sightings happened just before 6:30 p.m.

While he couldn't tell us where he thought the bats came from, Lattermann said most of the bystanders seemed to have a good time watching them as they scoped out the store aisles.

At one point, the bats could be seen flying around the bakery, but seemed to prefer the cooler temperatures around the steaks and cold cuts. Complete article

Walmart: We are trying to get rid of bats in Alvin Tx. store 01/09/2018 (Video with Bats going wild!)

The bats are back: Officials work to rid Walmart store of bats 01/21/2018

City workers sent to help evict bats at Alvin Walmart 01/22/2018


Truck catches fire at Gunbarrel Road Tenn. Walmart Friday evening 01/08/2018

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A car caught fire in the parking lot of the Walmart Supercenter on Gunbarrel Road Friday evening.

We are working to find out how the fire broke out.

Viewers shared photos of the incident as it developed. Complete article


Walmart is Facing a Federal Lawsuit Over Deceiving Buyers of Organic Eggs 01/09/2018

Walmart Stores (WMT, -1.21%) misled U.S. shoppers by selling organic eggs laid by hens raised in enclosed structures under package labels that said the birds had access to the outdoors, a federal lawsuit alleged on Monday.

The suit highlights uncertainty among consumers about production practices in the $500 million organic egg industry, farmers said, after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) last month shelved plans to spell out for the first time what it means for birds to have access to the outdoors.

Walmart sells cartons of eggs to shoppers at a premium under its Organic Marketside brand with labels saying the eggs came from hens with “outdoor access,” according to the lawsuit filed by a customer.

However, the birds are raised by Cal-Maine Foods Inc (CALM, +0.34%) inside enclosed structures that have screens to let in air, the complaint said. Complete article


Ill. Walmart employee stole 2K for mother's surgery 01/09/2018

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A Walmart employee is behind bars after police say she stole over $2,000 from her cash register.

Decatur police say they arrested Alexandria D. Bell on Tuesday around 1 a.m. on preliminary theft charges.

According to a sworn statement, Bell began stealing from her cash drawer on Dec. 13. A store employee told police that Bell stole money about 12 different times.

Each time Bell had a transaction she would open the cash register and take out cash and hide it. Each transaction was caught on video.

During a police interview, Bell told police that she took the money to pay for her mothers surgery after she had a heart attack. Bell believes she took about $2,020 from her drawer. Complete article


Ohio man with loaded gun arrested after incident at Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Fla. Plaza 01/09/2018

An Ohio man with a loaded gun was arrested Monday after an incident at Wal-Mart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza in The Villages.

James Andrew Beckett, 34, of Williamsfield, Ohio, pushed a shopping cart full of stolen merchandise at about 3:30 p.m. out of the grocery store side of the building and was confronted by a Sumter County sheriff’s deputy. Beckett started to push the cart directly at the deputy, but then turned away. The store’s loss prevention officer saw Beckett pull out a gun and toss it into the bushes. It was later determined the gun had a round in the chamber.

The shopping cart contained $405.85 in merchandise, including a pressure washer, 24-pack of Keystone Light beer, orange juice, bleach and Purple Power cleaner. Beckett had in his pocket a cell phone stolen from the store, according to the arrest report. Complete article


Police investigating alleged suicide at Virginia Beach Walmart 01/09/2018

VIRGINIA BEACH — Police do not suspect foul play in connection with a person who was found dead at a Virginia Beach Walmart.

Virginia Beach Police Department officers were called to the 657 Phoenix Drive store at 2:33 p.m. after someone reported that someone shot themselves at the location, Master Police Officer Tonya Pierce wrote in an email.

When police arrived, they found a dead person at the location. Complete article


Thieves steal $11,000 in cell phones from Broken Arrow Okla. Walmart 01/08/2018

Man wanted in laptop thefts at Va. Walmart 01/09/2018

Deputies looking for man who stole TV from WV Walmart 01/09/2018

Woman assaulted at Holly Hill Fla. Walmart store 01/09/2018
Holly Hill Fla. man arrested in punching of woman in Walmart 01/19/2018

Woman witnesses aftermath of alleged assault in Katy Tx. Walmart parking lot 01/09/2018

Tallahassee woman accused of twice stealing TVs from Fla. Walmart 01/10/2018

Jury selection continues in NY Walmart killing 01/10/2018 During his arraignment, Barkley claimed he was trying to kill presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Edwardsville man in custody on intimidation, theft charges at Ill. Walmart 01/0/2018

Hendersonville NC officer cleared of wrongdoing in Walmart shooting 01/09/2018

U.S. Marshals search for murder suspect last seen at Pooler Ga. Walmart 01/10/2018

Police: Derrick Cole Pursued Young Girl At Ill. Walmart 01/0/2018

Pueblo West Coilorado Walmart evacuated due to reports of gas smell 01/09/2018

‘Wristwatch Wranglers’ Steal $180 Worth Of Casio Watches From Missouri Walmart 01/09/2018

Couple use their children to pull off Ill. Walmart Heist, police say 01/09/2018

Group of Walmart shoplifters sought in Bluffton SC 01/09/2018

Police: Man arrested, accused of attacking, robbing another man outside Newport News Va. Walmart 01/08/2018

Lebanon Tenn. police seek assistance to identify suspect in Walmart theft 01/09/2018

Suspects steal $2,000 worth of prepaid cards from Mississippi Walmart 01/10/2018

Accused Colorado Walmart Shooter: ‘I’m Not Prejudiced Against Hispanics’ 01/10/2018

Bismarck man arrested for terrorizing after waving machete in ND Walmart 01/10/2018

BISMARCK, N.D. - A Bismarck man was arrested Wednesday after waving a machete and yelling at the north Walmart.

Bismarck police say they arrested 25-year-old Darvens Jean Mary after being called to store around 11 a.m.

Police say they tried to talk to Jean Mary, but he wouldn't cooperate and law enforcement immobilized him.

He was arrested for terrorizing. Complete article


2 children killed in crash near Tx. Walmart 01/10/2018

Two children died in a crash near a Cedar Park Walmart on Wednesday afternoon, police officials said.

A truck and a van crashed about 3:35 p.m. on West Whitestone Blvd. and Walton Way, near U.S. 183, officials said.

The two children, who were traveling in the van, died at the scene, police said. A woman driving the van was taken to a hospital in critical condition. A man and a woman traveling in the truck were treated for minor injuries at the scene, officials said. Complete article


Walmart to roll out ‘Scan & Go’ technology in another 100 stores 01/10/2018

Walmart will expand its Scan & Go technology in another 100 stores across the U.S. this year.

The retail giant announced its expanding a test of the popular Mobile Express Scan & Go app, which allows customers to scan and bag items, including produce, while they shop and pay directly with their phones. There’s no waiting in line at the register.

Scan & Go is currently being tested in a few select markets, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Orlando and Northwest Arkansas, and is expanding to stores in 33 states across the U.S. When customers launch the app, it automatically lists participating stores nearby.

Once customers are done shopping and have paid for their items, they simply walk through the Mobile Express lane on their way out, Walmart officials wrote in a blog. The technology is already available in Sam’s Club locations nationwide. Complete article

Shoppers react to Scan and Go at Walmart 01/30/2018

Like It Or Not, Wal-Mart Increasing Self-Checkout Lanes 01/30/2018


Sam's Club store closings are a PR mess on Walmart's big day 01/11/2018

It started as a good day for Walmart.

The company announced that it will raise its minimum wage to $11, hand out bonuses of up to $1,000 and expand its parental and maternity leave policy, partly as a result of the new lower corporate tax rate.

Ivanka Trump tweeted that "America is on a roll," and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin thanked Walmart from the White House briefing room.

But while the praise was pouring in, something else was happening. According to local news reports, some workers and customers were showing up at Sam's Club, the buy-in-bulk warehouse owned by Walmart (WMT), to find stores had shut their doors.

On its big day, the largest private employer in America had a public relations mess on its hands.

News dribbled out on social media, where some people said they had been laid off suddenly. Some of the details were filled in by notices posted on state government websites in accordance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. Only late in the day -- in a reply to a question someone asked on Twitter -- did Sam's Club say that 53 stores were closing and 10 being converted to fulfillment centers. Complete article

Walmart, Sam’s Club closing in Stonecrest Ga. leaving many wondering why 01/16/2018


Police searching for man wanted in armed robbery at Auburn Ind. Walmart 01/10/2018

AUBURN, Ind. (WANE) – Police said a man robbed the Auburn Walmart Wednesday afternoon. It happened around 2:10 at the business on Touring Drive.

Auburn Police said the man showed a gun and demanded money from the business. He then ran on foot with an undisclosed amount of money.

The man, pictured above, is described as white, between 5’10” and 6′ tall, 200-230 lbs. He was wearing a brown coat, blue jeans and brown boots. Complete article


Man claims to be FBI agent, follows women at Upstate SC Walmart, report says 01/10/2018

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. — A man who claimed to be an FBI agent and who is accused of following women around an Upstate Walmart store was arrested Tuesday after a foot pursuit, according to a police report.

Spartanburg County deputies were called to the Walmart on Highway 9 about someone impersonating an officer. A Walmart staff member pointed out a man who was standing outside the store, and said when she and another employee approached him after complaints that he was following women around the store, he identified himself as an FBI agent.

The employees said that the man refused to leave the store, and said he was calling in a SWAT team.

A deputy said that when he approached the man, later identified as James Townsend Davis, 52, Davis started cursing in front of customers in the parking lot and said he was an FBI agent and he did not need to talk to the deputy. Complete article


WV Walmart shopliftings result in three arrests 01/10/2018

Suspects wanted in Alabama Walmart theft of approximately $900 worth of headphones 01/10/2018

Police seized $6,400 worth of liquid meth from Ga. Walmart shopper 01/11/2018

Officers search for three people accused of stealing TV's from Harbison SC-area Walmart 01/11/2018

Oil change at Okla. Walmart ruins Ft. Gibson couple's engine 01/11/2018

FT. GIBSON, Okla. - 2 Works for You Problem Solvers helped a Ft. Gibson couple hold Walmart accountable after an oil change went wrong and ruined their engine.

“It’s been a nightmare," Ft. Gibson resident Zach Reynolds said.

While at the kitchen table, Zach and Daylene Reynolds re-read the only paperwork they have.

“I dread even seeing Walmart’s name pop up on my phone," Reynolds said. Complete article

According to Twitter search words: "Oil change Walmart engine" there are an enormous number of stories of this happening, some backed up by traditional media confirming part or all of the stories, or including comments from Walmart telling people they want to address the problems but that they should contact customer service.


Officials: Stanley Lake near Conroe Tx. may be contaminated after sewage leak at Walmart 01/11/2018

CONROE, Texas (KTRK) -- Homeowners in an idyllic Conroe area neighborhood are frustrated they can't use the small lake behind their homes.

Cape Conroe is a small subdivision that sits next to a Walmart off highway 105 and Stanley Lake near Lake Conroe.

The Municipal Utility District (MUD) posted notices on the doors of homeowners, telling them not to use Stanley Lake for any reason until further notice. "My concerns are I have two, four-year-old boys that play back there. It's in our backyard," said Gretchen Murray, one of the area's homeowners. "I don't know what kind of effect it could have on them."

The problem began on Tuesday when the Walmart on Highway 105 found sewage coming out of a manhole in its back parking lot. Complete article


Anchorage Alaska PD: Machete-wielding man arrested at Midtown Walmart 01/12/2018

A machete-wielding man who authorities say previously robbed a Midtown department store struck again -- this time at Walmart.

Anchorage Police say that last Wednesday, an officer was dispatched to check out a possible robbery at the Walmart located at 3101 A St. The officer who responded spoke with the store's loss prevention officer who said a man had picked out some items from the store and walked out without paying. When the store's officer confronted the suspect, the man "waved a machete at him and continued to walk away with the merchandise," according to charging documents.

Shortly after police responded, a man who matched the description of the suspect was found outside the Walmart by another responding officer. According to charging documents, the officer saw the man was carrying two backpacks with a machete in a sheath hanging off one of them. Complete article


Cops: Man slashes Valley Stream NY Walmart worker, steals TV 01/11/2018

Detectives are seeking a man who stole a television from a Walmart in Valley Stream and slashed an 18-year-old worker who approached him, police said.

The robbery at the Green Acres Road store happened at 7:48 a.m., Nassau County police said.

The man, about 6 feet tall, 40 to 50 years old with a stocky build, “wearing a gray sweater, gray hat, black pants, black shoes and a Walmart vest,” was approached by the employee while trying to leave the store with a television he did not pay for, police said. Complete article


Lexington SC Police searching for suspects accused of shoplifting from Walmart 01/11/2018

Thornton Walmart shooting suspect wanted to fire his public defender 01/11/2018

Suspicious item found near Orlando Fla. Walmart Supercenter, officials say 01/12/2018 A bomb squad responded to the scene.

Robbery at Harstville SC Walmart, police search for four suspects 01/12/2018

HARTSVILLE, SC (WBTW) – Police are looking for four suspects in a Hartsville Walmart robbery that happened on Thursday.

According to a Hartsville Police Department Facebook post, the suspects were stealing and loss prevention noticed. When loss prevention tried to approach them they waved a gun around. After that, they fled the scene in a car. News13 has not been told any information about the type of car they left in. Complete article


Please Do Not Assault the Towering Robot That Roams Walmart 01/12/2018

IF YOU THINK shopping is tedious, try juggling 200,000 products in a Walmart. Not literally, of course, but somehow keeping the shelves stocked over an area of tens of thousands of square feet. For that you need a worker with a barcode scanner and an enviable amount of patience.

Or you could unleash a hard-working robot from a company called Bossa Nova. At over six feet tall, it roams the aisles, blasting shelves with light and snapping photos. In two minutes, it can image 80 feet of aisle, capturing a whopping 2 terabytes of raw data scanning a 100,000-square-foot-plus store. That makes it one of the first truly intelligent robots to work alongside humans in complex ways outside of a factory.

Other than city streets, it’d be hard to think of a more difficult environment for a robot to navigate than a store. The machine has to be able to not only autonomously roam the aisles, but dodge workers and step stools and customers suddenly stopping or pulling U-turns with their carts. Just look around you the next time you’re in a busy grocery store. It’s chaos. Complete article


Walmart, McDonald’s tops in Ohio for employees on food stamps 01/12/2018

Walmart, one of Ohio’s largest employers, announced Thursday it is raising the starting wages of all hourly U.S. employees to $11 an hour.

The company will offer a $2-per-hour wage increase, but that may not quiet critics who claim that the company does not pay a living wage.

In Ohio, about 11,560 Walmart employees and their family members receive food stamps, according to state data published this month by the liberal-leaning research organization Policy Matters Ohio. Complete article


Why Walmart's bait and switch matters 01/13/2018

(CNN)If the man sitting in the Oval Office honestly admitted he made his fortune from exploiting thousands of people, he'd likely be enraged when people pointed out he's small-time compared to the Walton family. Year after year, the Walmart heirs prove no one comes close to their brand of exploitation, which they wrap in public relations fluff and deception.

This week was no exception. With much fanfare, Walmart announced it was raising its minimum starting wage to $11 an hour (from $10) and giving eligible workers a $1,000 bonus, tying its munificence to the recent Republican tax cut. The business media covered the story.

Yet that wasn't the only news Walmart made public.

On the same day, Walmart, with far less fanfare, also announced it would close dozens of Sam's Club wholesale stores, laying off thousands.

But there's a lot more to the story.

A number of companies, principally in the retail sector, are raising wages not because of their corporate generosity but simply because they need to compete for workers. With the unemployment rate relatively low (even as lots of people are still out of the labor force compared to pre-recession), basic economics dictates that workers will usually have more choices to look for higher pay. Complete article


Missing NC man identified as body found behind Walmart in Nov. 2017 01/12/2018

Nothing found after Buda Tx. Walmart evacuated after bomb threat 01/13/2018

Md. Walmart Evacuated After Threat Made To Store 01/14/2018

Midtown Ariz. Walmart evacuated after threat 01/14/2018 According to police, a customer was leaving the store, when he told employee, there was a bomb in the building.

This SC Walmart was evacuated by police late Sunday night 01/15/2018

Pair sought for stealing credit card at Pa. Walmart, scurrying away on scooters 01/15/2018

Woman shot and killed at Mississippi Walmart 01/15/2018

STARKVILLE, Miss. - A woman died after being shot at a Walmart in Mississippi.

The shooting happened at the Walmart in Starkville around 9:30 on Saturday morning.

Officers said a woman was injured and transported to the hospital. She later died from her injuries.

A man was confronted on the scene. After a brief struggle, he was detained by police.

The Starkville Police Department has charged 41-year old William Thomas “Tommy” Chisholm with capital murder.

Investigators believe this was a domestic situation. According to witnesses, the two were in an "on again off again" dating relationship. Complete article


Car Stolen at Gunpoint: Tenn. Walmart on Memorial 01/13/2018

Murfreesboro Police are investigating an armed robbery to a customer who was sitting in her parked car at Walmart on Memorial Boulevard.

The 36 year old Second Avenue resident told Officer Bogle that she was sitting in her 2017 Nissan Sentra when a man knocked on her window and asked for a "smoke".

She told police that after saying "no" he pulled a gun and told her to get out of the car and leave the cellphone on the seat. Complete article


Police: 3 people with small child steal more than $1,000 from Fla. Walmart 01/10/2018

Wal-Mart apologizes for labeling Montana professor toilet cleaner 01/15/2018

Middletown Ohio police: Wheelchair-bound woman sat on Walmart merchandise to steal it 01/16/2018

Hermiston Oregon police catch suspected Walmart thief 01/15/2018

Police Beat : Okla. Walmart shoplifter arrested 01/16/2018 A woman was arrested on Jan. 11 by Tahlequah Police Department officers after she attempted to steal $103 worth of Walmart merchandise. Officer Matthew Frits jailed Lyla Holman after Walmart employees saw her place items in her cart, proceed to self-check out, and fail to scan every item. Holman was transported to the Tahlequah City Jail, where she was booked.

Walmart, other businesses kicked frantic Hawaiians out during missile scare 01/15/2018

A Hawaii resident frantically ran into a local Walmart to seek cover when he heard reports of an incoming missile.

But instead of providing the shelter Dean Sensui had hoped for, the Pearl City store turned him away, he told Hawaii News Now.

“It’s pretty appalling, that kind of behavior,” Sensui told the outlet. “Here’s a community that supports the store and then turns their back on them when they need them the most. What kind of conscience is that? Who does something like that?”

Even a 24 Hour Fitness gym in Honolulu forced alarmed patrons out onto the street, Niki Chan told the outlet.

“I didn’t know what was going on,” Chan said. “They sent me home, they kicked us out, and I just left.” Complete article


Police: 12-year-old arrested after threatening to shoot Ohio Walmart employees, officers 01/15/2018

HAMILTON, OH (FOX19) - A 12-year-old was recently arrested after an incident at a Hamilton Walmart.

Police say the boy threatened to shoot several employees before running away from the business. He was eventually detained in the rear of a cruiser.

During the course of his detainment, police say he threatened to "shoot all y'all" and stated that if he saw any officers who were involved in his arrested coming around his "block" he would shoot them and his "crew" would shoot them.

The boy's mother, Crystal Flores-Ortiz, 34, was arrested for disorderly conduct as a result of the incident, according to police. They said she used offensive language toward officers. Complete article


Iowa Letter: Don’t trust Walmart 01/16/2018

On the day the news broke that Moline's Sam's Club, owned by Walmart Corp. was closing in two weeks, neither customers nor employees were allowed to enter the store. I hope people see how horrible the Walmart Corporation has been to the Quad-Cities over and over.

Let's not forget the store they baited Rock Island with for four years. Rock Island spent $15 million in preparing the site and relocating businesses from that lot. Walmart dragged its feet the whole time and even had the nerve to ask for extensions on the deal. This had the desired effect of scaring away Rock Island’s only Kmart store from re-signing their lease, only to pull the plug on the promised project when they knew their competition was out, which I have very little doubt was their cold, methodical plan the whole time.

Now Walmart has caused three empty lots in the Quad-City area and severely distressed their employees and our communities. There is a lesson to be learned in making deals with Walmart, just ask former Rock Island Mayor Dennis Pauley and the rest of the City Council members that lost their positions because of the fiasco.

All current and future Quad-City elected officials should never trust the Walmart Corp. again. I promise that I will vote down any future Walmart projects in the city of East Moline for our best interest. Because can we really trust the Walmart Corp. after all this? Complete article


Police: Three men steal headphones, speaker from Ill. Walmart store 01/16/2018

Police: All-clear given after bomb threat at Walmart in Anne Arundel County Md. 01/16/2018

Man, 81, dies three days after crash outside Fla. Wal-Mart 01/16/2018

An 81-year-old Pembroke Pines man died Monday, three days after crashing into an SUV as he exited from Wal-Mart, police said.

Gerald Rothberg failed to yield right of way before turning into the path of the SUV in the 100 block of Southwest 184th Avenue, south of Pines Boulevard, Friday afternoon, said Sgt. John Baker, of the Pembroke Pines Police Department.

Rothberg was driving a 2006 Buick Terraza west in the Wal-Mart exit as he approached Southwest 184th Avenue, Baker said.

Rothberg “failed to yield right of way from the stop sign and turned right into [the] path” of a 2016 Toyota 4Runner driven north on 184th by Antonio Egues, 48, of Miramar, Baker said. Complete article


Man found dead in San Angelo Tx. Walmart parking lot 01/16/2018

San Angelo police were investigating Tuesday after a man was found dead in the parking lot of the Walmart on Sherwood Way.

According to an officer on the scene about 2:30 p.m., the man's wife said the man went through San Angelo on his way to work and must have stopped at the Walmart.

After she realized he was missing, she was able to track his cellphone signal to the Walmart and called the store.

Walmart employees found his body in a blue Chevrolet pickup and called SAPD, according to police, who believed the man died of natural causes. Complete article

Police Identify Man Found Dead in San Angelo Tx. Walmart Parking Lot 01/17/2018


Oklahoma felon arrested at Ariz. Walmart after alleged armed assault 01/16/2018

Sale of bus in PV turns ugly, forcing victim to pull out a gun A fugitive felon from Oklahoma was apprehended in the clothing section of the Walmart Supercenter in Prescott Valley Monday evening, Jan. 15, after he allegedly shattered a Prescott man’s truck window with a knife at the nearby Maverik gas station.

Prescott Valley Police Department officers initially responded to the Maverik on Glassford Hill Road shortly after 5 p.m. with reports of an aggravated assault in progress, according to a news release.

As police officers were responding to the call, it was then reported that the suspect in the incident – 28-year-old Mathew Philip Solan, of Oklahoma — had fled on foot to the Walmart next door. Complete article


Walmart Takes on the Opioid Crisis With a New Tool That Destroys Drugs 01/17/2018

Pa. Walmart employee under-rang merchandise for two retail theft suspects: Police 01/17/2018

Women targeted in Jacksonville Fla. Walmart purse snatchings 01/16/2018

Second suspect arrested in Ga. Walmart kidnapping, carjacking 01/16/2018

Human trafficking at Hardeeville Walmart? What officials say about viral Facebook post 01/17/2018

Environmentalists Suffer Setback In Battle Over Fla. Walmart Site On Sensitive Lands 01/17/2018

Cold weather causes disruption of Missouri Walmart's water service 01/17/2018

Firefighter accused of taking photos up women's skirts at Katy Tx. Buc-ees and Walmart store 01/17/2018

Walmart to Host Free Health Screening Event in AR 01/17/2018

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (News release) - Arkansas Walmart stores will be hosting the first Walmart Wellness Day event of the year on Saturday, Jan. 20. from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This free health screening event provides residents an opportunity to learn valuable health information, including: blood glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, low-cost immunizations; and in select locations, customers can also take advantage of free vision screenings.

New this year, Walmart is introducing a virtual reality experience in select stores to assist with smoking cessation. According to the CDC, approximately 23.6% of adults in Arkansas smoke cigarettes regularly. This free resource is intended to be a step toward quitting tobacco. Complete article

Quitting smoking? Ohio Walmart stores to offer free health screenings 01/17/2018


Police: Man stabs himself in the neck while running through Moses Lake Wash. Walmart 01/17/2018

MOSES LAKE, Wash. - A man reportedly stabbed himself in the neck at the Moses Lake Walmart Tuesday morning.

According to iFIBER One News, Moses Lake police were called the store on North Stratford Road for reports of a distraught 26-year-old man. Employees told officers that the man was yelling that his family was being murdered.

When police arrived to the store, the man began running through the aisles with a large kitchen knife in hand. Police tell iFIBER One that eventually the man began stabbing himself in the neck, while continuing to run down the aisles. Complete article


Pender deputy resigns amid NC Walmart fraud investigation 01/17/2018

Former deputy Jordan Beale Cullifer is charged with obtaining property by false pretenses in New Hanover County. A similar charge is leveled against him in Burgaw.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- A Pender County deputy resigned Saturday just days before he was arrested in New Hanover County for allegedly committing fraud at Walmart, officials said.

Jordan Beale Cullifer, 39, is charged with obtaining property by false pretenses in New Hanover County. A similar charge is leveled against him in Burgaw.

According to New Hanover County Sheriff’s Lt. Jerry Brewer, on Jan. 10 Cullifer allegedly bought a television from the Porter’s Neck Walmart. He later returned to the store and claimed when he got home and opened it he found an older TV inside. Walmart replaced the used TV and Cullifer then allegedly went to Walmart in Burgaw and returned it for a full refund, Brewer said. During his exchanges with Walmart workers, Cullifer made clear he was a Pender County deputy, Complete article


WATCH: Homeless in Salem Oregon can no longer stay overnight in Walmart parking lots 01/17/2018

Man jailed after scamming Okla. Walmart 01/18/2018 Tahlequah Okla. Police Department officers arrested a man Jan. 15 after he allegedly fled Walmart after stealing $2,296 worth of merchandise.

PD: Man arrested for groping woman in Ariz. Walmart 01/17/2018

2 Cullman County women charged in Decatur Alabama Walmart theft 01/17/2018

Have you seen these suspects shoplifting from Walmart and Target in Lexington SC? 01/18/2018

Multiple employee arrests made after Brown Deer Wisc. Walmart theft investigation 01/17/2018

Body found in vehicle at Pittsburgh Mills Pa. Walmart parking lot 01/18/2018

A man was found dead in a vehicle at the Pittsburgh Mills Walmart parking lot in Frazer, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office.

The man's body was found around 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The medical examiner did not release the man's name, but said he is 32 years old and from Sharpsburg. Complete article

Officials ID body found in Pittsburgh Mills Walmart parking lot 01/24/2018 “He was there for an extended period,” Kuhns said Wednesday.


Three teens stalked woman, 81, at Fla. Wal-Mart and stole her car 01/18/2018

Three teens, looking no older than 15 to 18, stalked their 81-year-old victim, following her into a Lauderdale Lakes Wal-Mart and back out into the parking lot, a police report said.

There they split up. Two of the boys flanked the woman Monday evening while the third boy approached her from the front, pointed a gun at her and demanded her keys, the report said.

“I was at the car door and suddenly from nowhere come like kids, maybe 16 or not even,” Albina Curik said.

Thinking the youngster was joking, Curik asked him to repeat his demand. Instead he snatched her car keys from her hand, she said. Complete article

12-year-old charged as adult in armed carjacking at Walmart 01/22/2018


Sheriff's Deputy saves man in Wash. Walmart parking lot 01/18/2018

AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. - On January 14 at around 6:30 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff's Deputy Brad Humphrey was driving through the parking lot of the Airway Heights Walmart when his attention was drawn to a vehicle parked on the far west side.

As he drove toward the vehicle, he noticed a dryer hose attached to the exhaust pipe which ran into the open trunk.

Deputy Humphrey parked, approached the vehicle, and observed an adult male covered with a blanket, reclined in the driver’s seat. All the windows of the vehicle were rolled up and the rear passenger seat was folded down, exposing the trunk, allowing the exhaust fumes of the running vehicle to enter the passenger compartment. Complete article


Woman insists she did nothing wrong during arrest at Houston Tx. Walmart 01/18/2018

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Thalia Huynh relives the memories of June 21, 2017 every day. Huynh and her daughter, Dalena Bustos, were both under arrest, twisting and turning on the floor of a west Houston Walmart.

"Oh my gosh, I was so humiliated," Huynh recalled. "It's very embarrassing."

According to Huynh, around 6:30 that night, she and her daughter went to the Walmart at 2700 S. Kirkwood to buy food.

Huynh said they left after her sister called and told them she had already started making dinner. As the pair was leaving, police records show a plain-clothes loss prevention officer approached them.

Huynh said she didn't know at the time that the man worked for Walmart.

"We're walking out and a man approaches me, and he grabs my purse, right before we walk out of the store, and I'm grabbing my purse back from him," she remembers. Complete article

Video of Arrest at Houston Walmart Goes Viral — Months Later 01/19/2018


Police on lookout for sex assault suspect accused of molesting 6-year old boy in Colorado Walmart restroom 01/18/2018

WINDSOR, Colo. -- Police are on the lookout for a man accused of sexually assaulting a six-year old boy, in a restroom at Walmart.

The suspect posted a $1,000 bond after he was arrested, then disappeared.

The alleged assault happened November 29 at the Walmart Supercenter, at I-25 and Harmony Road.

"It was his birthday, which adds insult to injury," the boy's father told Denver7. "A family member took him to Walmart to get a birthday present. He had to use the restroom." Complete article


Man accused of robbery at N. Utica NY Walmart 01/18/2018

Mason City woman accused of stealing keys from truck at Iowa Walmart, hiding meth pipe between legs 01/18/2018

Chelmsford Police: Heroin Trafficker Arrested At Walmart 01/18/2018

Guilty plea in Brimfield Ohio Walmart Nov. 2017 parking lot robbery 01/18/2018

Dubuque Iowa PD asking for help identifying Walmart thief 01/18/2018

Man Sentenced To Over A Year in Prison For Minn. Walmart 2015 Threat 01/18/2018

Ga. Wal-Mart shoplifter found with $6,400 in meth claimed ownership of drugs, police say 01/19/2018

Temple mother arrested after child found wandering in Tx. Walmart parking lot 01/19/2018

Police looking for man accused of stealing from Pa. Walmart 01/19/2018

Man accused of molesting child in Colorado Walmart bathroom Nov. 2017 sought by authorities 01/19/2018

Reports of Masked Person Holding Weapon Outside Ca. Walmart Ends With Deputies Shooting Man in O.C. Neighborhood: Sheriff’s Dept 01/19/2018

A man allegedly armed with some type of weapon who is accused of assaulting a woman while fleeing deputies was shot in Lake Forest Friday evening, authorities said.

About 4:15 p.m., authorities were called out to investigate reports of a man wearing a costume mask who was holding a weapon and running outside the Walmart in Foothill Ranch, located at 26502 Towne Centre Drive, according to a news release from the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

By the time deputies responded, the man had left the location.

After that, dispatchers began receiving multiple calls regarding a man matching the person's description in a residential area near Angela Street in Lake Forest, the release stated. Complete article


Police: Two Wanted Felons Injure Two Officers At Arkansas Walmart 01/19/2018

FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) — Two felons wanted for aggravated robbery and other felony charges are accused of injuring two officers Friday (Jan. 19) at Walmart.

Joshua Shawn Coffman, 20, and Braden Collins, 19, are accused of felony second-degree battery, and misdemeanor fleeing, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Police said while the two were being arrested, Coffman injured an officer’s shoulder, and Collins injured an officer’s eye.

About 1:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to Walmart on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard after store employees called about “suspicious people”. When officers arrived, the two were at the front of the store and were acting aggressive toward store employees, a police report states. Complete article


Small-town budgets hurting from loss of mini Walmarts 01/20/2018

LUTHER, Okla. (AP) — Luther sold its youth football field to Walmart about three years ago so that the company could build one of its Express stores, using the money from the sale and the new tax revenue to pay off the roughly $200,000 in debt that resulted from an embezzlement scandal involving the former town treasurer.

The store opened in May 2015 and closed only eight months later when Walmart pulled the plug on its Express experiment, shuttering all 102 of the smaller stores it had opened in mostly Southern and Midwestern towns to compete with dollar stores. Although many locations were taken over by Dollar General, the tax collections just don't measure up even though the Dollar General stores offer many of the same products, but not a pharmacy.

Tax collections in Luther, a town of about 1,600 on the outskirts of Oklahoma City, rose by $12,000 to $16,000 per month while the Express store was open, said City Manager Scherrie Pidcock. Since Dollar General opened in the larger building, the town's monthly revenue has recovered about two-thirds of the amount it was collecting with the Walmart Express, Pidcock said.

Luther has tried to pinch pennies any way it can. When its lone paid firefighter - the chief - quit the otherwise all-volunteer department in July, he was replaced by a volunteer, saving the town his roughly $2,800 a month salary. Mayor Jenni White, who took office a few months after the Walmart Express closed, said Luther had to put off buying two new police cars. Complete article


Man accused of leaving child in car while shoplifting at Walmart in Jupiter 01/20/2018

One dead after attempted armed robbery at Dunwoody Ga. Walmart 01/20/2018

Police said he had previously been involved in an armed robbery at a Johns Creek Kroger store.

DUNWOODY, Ga. - The Georgia Bureau of Investigations have identified the man who was shot and killed by a Dunwoody police officer on Saturday, January 20, outside of a Dunwoody Walmart.

Jason Lappe, 44, was shot by a Dunwoody police officer and was transported to Grady Memorial, where he later died.

According to Sgt. Robert Parsons with the Dunwoody Police Department, Lappe was a suspect in an armed robbery that took place at a Johns Creek Kroger. He was later confronted in the Walmart parking lot by Dunwoody police officers and a Johns Creek police officer.

"When confronted by officers, the suspect did not comply with their verbal commands and exited the vehicle," Parsons said in a statement. "Fearing for his safety and the safety of others, an officer fired one shot, striking the suspect." Complete article


Man shot in leg during drug deal outside Ohio Walmart, police say 01/20/2018

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Police are looking for the suspect who shot a man during a drug deal around 3 p.m. Saturday in a Walmart parking lot.

According to Sgt. Brandon McCroskey of the Fairfield Township police, the suspect shot the victim in the leg during a drug deal while the victim was in his vehicle. The victim then accelerated his vehicle and struck other vehicles and a cart corral.

The suspect fled the scene on foot. Police believe the suspect was picked up by the same vehicle that dropped him off: a red 2007 Toyota Camry reported stolen Friday. Complete article

Police arrest student at Colerain HS in Ohio Walmart parking lot shooting 01/23/2018


Liar, liar: Someone set pants on fire at Colerain Ohio Walmart, police say 01/20/2018

COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Police are asking for help identifying two people suspected of setting fires in a Walmart store Saturday night.

An officer working a detail noticed someone had set some clothes on fire at about 7 p.m. inside the store at 8451 Colerain Ave., police department spokesman Jim Love said.

The officer scooped up the clothes, took them outside and put them out with a fire extinguisher.

“At that point, he was notified there was another fire going on inside the store,” Love said. “He ran back inside the store and was able to put it out. He was notified once again there was another fire (but) couldn’t find the third fire.” Complete article


Woman robbed at gunpoint in Collierville Tenn. Walmart parking lot 01/20/2018

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A woman was robbed at gunpoint in the Collierville Walmart parking lot, according to Collierville Police Department.

The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Police said the woman was approached by a man wearing blue jeans and a red hoodie.

The suspect pulled a pistol on the woman and took her purse. Complete article


Walmart employee almost stabbed during alleged shoplifting 01/22/2018

Three people from Chattanooga were arrested this past week after they allegedly shoplifted at the Sweetwater Walmart and tried to stab an employee.

Sweetwater Officer Brandon Cansler said he was told two people had pushed a buggy full of merchandise out of the store without paying and as an employee tried to stop them, one pulled out a pair of scissors and tried to stab the employee Monday night around 9:30 p.m.

Cansler said he was given the description of a dark gray Nissan Altima with tinted windows to look for and he soon found it on New Highway 68 near Cleveland Road. Complete article


Police looking for 3 men who flashed woman at Missouri Walmart 01/20/2018

Hundreds Of Dollars' Worth Of Items Stolen From Cleveland, Okla. Wal-Mart, Police Say 01/21/2018

Burglary charged against man banned from NY Walmart 01/20/2018

Blotter: Man trespassed twice at Tx. Walmart, gets multiple charges 01/21/2018

Community member found 11-year-old at Idaho Walmart 01/22/2018

Man accused of assaulting Pa. Walmart employee over air mattresses 01/22/2018

SWATARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A Pennsylvania man allegedly enraged over Walmart not having any air mattresses is accused of beating the employee who told him they were out of stock, according to WNEP.

The incident happened at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 9 at the Walmart located at 6535 Grayson Road in Swatara Township. The victim was working in the sporting goods section of the store when a man approached him and asked for an air mattress.

The employee checked on their availability and when he returned with the news that the store was out of air mattresses, the customer reportedly became enraged and tackled the employee to the ground, punching him on the head. Complete article


Shoplifter And Off-Duty Trooper Get In A Scuffle At WV Walmart 01/21/2018

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) - A shoplifter and an off-duty State Trooper got into a scuffle Saturday evening.

Troopers say store employees noticed a couple attempting to steal items from the store.

Employees recognized an *off-duty* trooper in the store, and asked him for help.

The Trooper tried to detain the male suspect and a scuffle ensued. Complete article


Skeletal human remains found behind Pa. Walmart store: Report 01/22/2018

Forensic experts and state police are at work trying to identify skeletal remains that were found near Shippensburg over the weekend, the Cumberland County coroner's office says.

The human skeletal remains were found Sunday by a hiker in a wooded area behind the Walmart in the 200 block of South Conestoga Drive in Shippensburg Township, said the office of Charley Hall, county coroner.

State police were called to the scene around 12:16 p.m. Sunday, and secured the scene. In addition to state police, forensic experts from Mercyhurst University in Erie are assisting in the investigation.

The person has not been identified, and the cause or manner of death has not been determined. Complete article


GRAPHIC — Human Head Found in Mexican Border State Walmart Cart 01/22/2018 (Just South of Mexican border with Texas and east of Gulf Coast)

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Tamaulipas — Narco-terror suddenly spread after members of the Gulf Cartel left a human head inside a Walmart shopping cart.

The discovery was made at the time when hundreds of families gathered at the popular shopping center in this city, the capital of the border state. Information obtained by Breitbart Texas reveals that the head was found next to a cartel message inside a shopping cart.

Security guards at the shopping plaza were first alerted after terrified customers discovered the macabre scene. Authorities with the Tamaulipas Attorney General’s Office sealed off the area to collect the remains. Preliminary information revealed that the head belonged to a yet unidentified man who is believed to be between 35 and 40 years old. The victim was dark skinned, had mustache, and sported bushy, dark hair. The head was placed on top of a green fluorescent poster stock with the message: “Greetings from the Gulf Cartel CDG, you will suck CDN, we are here atte El CH.” Complete article


Officials search for Waterford Conn. Walmart robbery suspect 01/22/2018

Donald Smith calls young girls his 'target area,' alludes to Fla. Walmart abduction, say prosecutors 01/22/2018

Two men arrested for allegedly stealing computers from Hampstead Md. Walmart 01/2/2018

Police respond to bomb threat at Carencro La. Walmart, shoppers evacuated 01/22/2018

Walmart dominates north Texas retail market 01/22/2018

Woman claims she was injured by lawn mower at Belleville Ill. Walmart 01/23/2018

Toms River cops bust NJ Walmart TV thief suspects with help from social media, news outlets 01/23/2018

Mississippi woman with 9 outstanding warrants arrested at Wareham Mass. Walmart 01/23/2018

Police seeking suspect in Alabama Walmart theft 01/23/2018

Goose Creek SC police looking for suspects in Walmart credit card theft 01/23/2018

Sahuarita Ariz. Police arrest 3 suspects shortly after items reported stolen from Walmart store 01/23/2018

Manor Tx. PD looking for Walmart gift card theft suspect 01/23/2018

5 suspects allegedly stole $7K worth of electronics from Va. Walmart 01/23/2018

Mom claims teenage daughter was sexually assaulted inside NH Walmart 01/23/2018

HOOKSETT, N.H. — A local mother is sharing the frightening story of her daughter being assaulted right in front of her in a crowded Walmart.

Hooksett police said they are now investigating the incident and that an arrest will be made soon.

“My daughter was standing as close to me as you are right now, and yet she was sexually assaulted three feet from me,” said Heidi Biron, recalling the incident.

Biron said the assault happened last week while she shopping with her three teenage daughters at Walmart in Hooksett.

The family was at the self-checkout when a man grabbed Biron’s 13-year-old daughter's behind and would not let go until the girl hit him.

“I looked at her face and the look of terror, and she just said, ‘He touched me,’” Biron said. “And the way she said it, I knew.” Complete article

Concord man accused of sexually assaulting teen girl, shoplifting at Hooksett Walmart 01/24/2018


State takes custody of child allegedly sexually assaulted in Walmart lot in Worcester Mass. 01/23/2018

Deputies: Man wearing cowboy hat stormed into SC Walmart, pointed gun at customers 01/23/2018

BOILING SPRINGS, SC (FOX Carolina) - Spartanburg County deputies said a 20-year-old man was arrested after multiple witnesses reported a man with a gun entered the Walmart in Boiling Springs and ordered everyone to get on the ground.

According to jail records, Jason Wooten of Wellford is charged with attempted armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime for the incident Monday at the store on Highway 9.

The incident happened just after 2 a.m. Complete article


Armed Woodstock man steals 60-inch TV from Ill. Walmart, police say 01/24/2018

WOODSTOCK – A 24-year-old Woodstock man was arrested Monday night after police said he stole a 60-inch Vizio TV from a Walmart in Woodstock and brandished a handgun when he was asked to pay.

Woodstock police responded about 5 p.m. Monday to the supercenter, 1275 Lake Ave., for reports of a person who might have displayed a weapon to employees, according to a news release from Woodstock police.

Witnesses on the scene told police that the offender tried to take the TV, valued at about $700, from the store without paying. When an employee asked the man to show a receipt for proof of purchase, the man brandished a handgun, Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said. Complete article


NY Walmart shoplifting turns into police chase and drug bust 01/23/2018

HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (18 NEWS) - One man is behind bars after he led police on a chase from Watkins Glen to Horseheads that ended in a drug bust.

New York State Police identified the suspect as Jedidiah Bradford who led authorities on a chase through Schuyler County.

Police said the suspect tossed drugs out of the window during the course of the chase along with the stolen items from Walmart. Complete article


Couple’s three girls were taken away after Ariz. Walmart reported innocent bath time photos 01/24/2018

Lisa and A.J. Demaree's decade-long legal ordeal started with, by all accounts, an utterly innocent family moment.

In 2008, the couple took their three daughters, then infants 5 months, 4 months and 18 months old, on a vacation to San Diego. They snapped more than 100 photos during the trip, like parents do, including several of the girls playing together during bath time. When they returned to their home in Peoria, Arizona, they dropped the camera's memory stick off at a Walmart for developing.

Within a day, a police detective came knocking. Complete article


BCSO: Suspect stole shrimp, TV from Bluffton SC Walmart 01/23/2018

FWPD Looking For Suspects Who Stole Thousands From Tx. Walmart 01/23/2018

Three cars collide at Ga. Walmart intersection 01/23/2018

Trio From Chattanooga Charged In Shoplifting At Sweetwater Tenn. Walmart In Which Attempt Was Made To Stab Employee 01/23/2018 Three people from Chattanooga were arrested at Sweetwater, Tn., after allegedly walking out with a shopping cart of items without paying, then one of the trio allegedly tried to stab an employee who sought to stop them.

Deputies: Man seen stealing items from Powhatan Va. Walmart 01/24/2018

Police believe man was scamming, harassing people into giving him money at Ill. Walmart 01/24/2018

Armed robbery suspect to Okla. Walmart employee: 'Here's your receipt' 01/24/2018

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. - Police brought a man into custody after he reportedly pulled out a gun and robbed a store in Broken Arrow.

Broken Arrow police said they arrested Jack Campbell after he pulled out a gun and robbed the Walmart Neighborhood Market near 48th and Houston Tuesday.

The victim told police she was working at the door, checking receipts when Campbell pushed a cart through an unattended register and tried to walk past her.

Police said the cart had a coffee maker, dog food and a dog bowl in it.

Officers said the victim asked to see Campbell’s receipt, to which he reportedly showed her a gun and said, “Here’s your receipt. Now, shut up.” Complete article


Man charged after reportedly pointing BB gun at deputy outside Walmart on Merritt Island Fla. 01/24/2018

A Melbourne man was taken into custody Tuesday morning after deputies say he intentionally pointed what looked like a real handgun at a deputy while crouched behind an electrical box outside a Merritt Island Walmart.

Morgan Murphy, 55, was "ranting" about wanting to kill someone after purchasing a BB gun from the Walmart on Merritt Island Causeway about 6 a.m. Tuesday, according to an arrest report. He also attempted to purchase live ammunition from the store, but employees refused to sell to him.

Employees said Murphy was creating a disturbance and making customers fearful. After purchasing the gun, he left the store on foot.

When deputies arrived, they located the suspect crouched outside the store behind an electrical box. As they approached him, Murphy leaped out from behind the box and pointed the BB gun at a deputy, according to reports. Complete article


Tenn. Woman tries to transfer money at Walmart to pay Arkansas mother's rent, but it never sends 01/24/2018

A Memphis woman is upset with Walmart after she tried to send her mother more than $400....but it went to someone else.

Police were called, and the man behind in her line may have stolen her money. The incident happened at the neighborhood Walmart off Hickory Hill and Mt. Moriah Wednesday morning.

“It's very upsetting,” Barbara Gamble said.

Wednesday morning just before 10 a.m., Gamble walked through the door with the sole goal of sending her sick mother $460 she desperately needs for rent.

“She's sick, and has not been able to work much,” Gamble said.

Gamble spoke with the associate who filled out the paperwork, and it was a done deal...or so she thought.

“About maybe 20 minutes later, I called my mom to make sure she picked it up, and she said 'I’m at Walmart right now,and they won't let me pick it up,'” Gamble said. Complete article


Trio arrested after attempting to wheel out cart containing $1,000 in stolen merchandise at Fla. Wal-Mart 01/24/2018

Katina Powell cited in Ky. Walmart shoplifting case 01/24/2018

Binghamton man punched Johnson City Tenn. Walmart employee in the face after shoplifting, police say 01/24/2018

Wal-Mart Beats Back Suits Against Directors Over Bribes 01/25/2018

Former NJ priest sentenced for choking infant inside Overland Park Kansas Wal-Mart 01/25/2018

Infant rattles sold at Walmart, Kmart, Amazon recalled 01/25/2018

Infant rattles are being recalled because of 53,302 reports of parts breaking off, posing a choking hazard to small children.

The recall involves the "Shake & Sing Elephant Rattle" made by VTech.

Although no injuries have been reported, VTech says there have been 53,302 reports of the ears breaking off of the rattle, which could cause a choking hazard to babies. Complete article


Man injures young girl while attempting to steal from Alabama Walmart in Mobile 01/25/2018

A young girl is recovering from injuries after a trip to a Mobile-area Walmart took a turn for the worst when a shoplifter knocked her to the ground.

Mobile Police have arrested 34-year-old Jacques James, who they say tried to leave the store with a shopping cart filled with items he had not paid for.

The incident took place around 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

An officer at the store, located at 101 E. I-65 Service Road, attempted to apprehend the suspect, who began to flee.

In his attempt to get away, James, police say, pushed a 9-year-old girl onto the concrete. Complete article


Why Clinton Iowa Police have ramped up patrols around Walmart and Hobby Lobby 01/25/2018

CLINTON, Iowa — Officers are ramping up patrols where there have been recent incidents of people being approached by “suspicious subjects,” according the the Clinton Police Department.

The police department said recent social media posts have been describing these incidents near Walmart and Hobby Lobby – located on 25th Street and Jewel – located on 2nd Street. More officers will be on patrol in that area, per the chief’s orders.

In a Facebook post, the department went into detail about the incidents. These were the incidents reported: Complete article

Police Share Safety Tips After Suspicious Person Incident at Area Walmart 01/25/2018


Shots reportedly fired at Johnson City Tenn. Walmart on Market Street 01/26/2018

JOHNSON CITY, TN (WJHL) - Johnson City dispatchers say they received a report of shots fired at the Market Street Walmart this morning. The incident reportedly happened just after 8:00 a.m.

The city's website says, two men suspected of shoplifting were trying to get away from the store when a man in the parking lot confronted them.

According to police, the suspect pointed the gun at the man and the man got his gun and fired once. Complete article

Bristol Va. police find stolen Jeep believed to be connected with Johnson City Tenn. Walmart shooting 01/28/2018


Small fire sparks Walmart evacuation in Leland NC 01/25/2018

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — A fire this afternoon at the Leland Walmart cause employees and shoppers to evacuate.

The call came in just before 3:30 p.m. Leland Fire and Rescue chief, John Grimes, says a fire broke out in the fire pump for sprinkler system.

A fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire. Investigators say there was no danger to employees or customers. Complete article


Milwaukee woman arrested for eating and burning off tags at Wisc. Walmart 01/26/2018

Roane County WV deputies seek public help identifying Walmart shoplifters 01/26/2018

Attorney: Walmart Locked, 'Segregated' African American Hair Products 01/26/2018

Walmart Scan & Go premieres at Terre Haute Ind. store 01/2/2018

Police arrest man found sleeping in stolen car in Okla. Walmart parking lot 01/26/2018

Missouri Walmart assistant manager filmed 12-year-old boy in bathroom of Springfield store, police say 01/26/2018

Police say the assistant manager of a Springfield Walmart used his cell phone to surreptitiously film a 12-year-old boy in the store's bathroom.

According to court documents, the boy was at the Walmart Neighborhood Market with his mother at 3536 W. Mt. Vernon St. on the afternoon of Jan. 18 when an assistant store manager followed him into the bathroom.

Court documents say the boy told police he went into a stall, locked the door, unzipped his pants and looked up.

A phone was held over the stall, the boy allegedly said, and its camera lens was pointed at him. Complete article


State rep says Walmart broke the law when it closed Lithonia Ga. Sam's Club | Company denies his claim 01/26/2018

A state lawmaker said Walmart violated federal law when it abruptly closed a local Sam’s Club last week.

"Walmart violated the Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act by abruptly closing the Sam's Club in my community," said state Rep. Vernon Jones (D-Lithonia). "Sam's Club employees, as well as the Georgia Workforce Division and local governing authorities, should have been notified at least 60 days prior to the closure.” Complete article


Woman found with sawed-off shotgun near Clearlake Ca. Walmart 01/26/2018

Clearlake police arrested an Oakland woman Wednesday night near a Walmart on suspicion of carrying a loaded sawed-off shotgun in her backpack.

Police responded to a call of man and a woman arguing around 9:40 p.m., Sgt. Elvis Cook said. As they were detaining the man, Quintin Celestine, 32, Oakland, the woman, Ashley Bell, 29, began yelling at police from a nearby bus stop.

Bell then began walking toward the officers, who noticed a sawed-off shotgun sticking out of a camouflage backpack held in her left hand, Cook said. She then attempted to back away but police grabbed her and seized the firearm.

Officers determined the shotgun was loaded with the safety off, Cook said. The gun was allegedly stolen. Complete article


‘I did it:’ Couple accused of stealing batteries from multiple Wisc. Walmart stores, selling them to buy heroin 01/26/2018

Former employee, wife charged for stealing and using Pa. Walmart gift cards 01/27/2018

Former Missouri Walmart employee charged with stealing more than $2,000 from cash registers 01/26/2018

Police searching for man suspected of trying to rob Walmart Neighborhood Market in Kernersville NC 01/29/2018

Police investigating report of explosive at Fountain and Colorado Springs Walmart 01/27/2018 No bomb found

Bomb Scare at Nixa Missouri Walmart Leads to Full Evacuation, Employee Charged 01/27/2018 (follow up indicates it may have been a misunderstood prank)

Suspect in custody and charged with second degree terrorist threat

NIXA, Mo. — A bomb scare at a Nixa Walmart this morning lead to full evacuation and street closures Saturday morning.

One suspect is under custody and charged with making a terrorist threat in the second degree, police say.

Arif Rahman, 33, an employee at the Walmart, placed a suspicious looking item inside Walmart with the intent to scare people, police say.

City of Nixa Public Information Officer Drew Douglas says 911 dispatch received a call at approximately 9:59 a.m. Saturday morning.

"An employee of Walmart believe that they had a bomb in the back storage area of the store. They described seeing a black box with zip ties and two blinking red lights," said Douglas. Complete article

Nixa Walmart assistant manager's alleged 'prank' results in arrest, charges 01/29/2018 Rahman's girlfriend, Cassie Gardner, who lives in Oregon, wrote on Facebook that the item was a toy and that because of "racial profiling, an innocent person is now suffering".


Naked Woman under medical evaluation after incident at Tx. Walmart 01/28/2018

BRYAN, Tex. (KBTX) - Police say a woman was restrained in a Bryan Walmart late Saturday night for her own safety.

Authorities were dispatched to the Walmart on Briarcrest shortly after 10 p.m. for a disorderly conduct call. They say a woman was reportedly trying to grab people.

Police say when they arrived, a crowd had gathered around a woman who was naked and running through the aisles of the store. Witnesses tell KBTX the woman was screaming as she was running. Complete article


Woman arrested after attempt to rob Tyler Tx. Walmart store 01/28/2018

Teens steal socks, candy from Lancaster Walmart before arrest 01/25/2018

Man accused of shoplifting, assaulting officer at NC Walmart 01/27/2018

Police seek identity of Okla. Walmart thief 01/29/2018 After reviewing cameras, it was determined the woman left the store with about $85 in merchandise.

No charges for officers involved in Shadle Wash. Walmart shooting 01/2/2018

4 Sought in Arkansas Walmart Visa Scams 01/29/2018

Wal-Mart to tell suppliers: Deliver on time or face fines 01/30/2018

Hewitt Tx. police seeking women accused in Walmart gift card scheme 01/29/2018

Shasta County couple arrested in Oroville Ca. Walmart theft 01/29/2018

Two women robbed in Butler Twp. Ohio Walmart parking lot 01/30/2018

BUTLER TWP. — Two women were victims of an armed robbery in a Walmart parking lot in Butler Twp. early Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred just before 1 a.m. at the business located at 3465 York Commons Blvd, per initial reports.

A woman, described in her 40s, was leaving from shopping at the 24-hour store and once at her vehicle, where another female passenger in her 20s was inside, was approached by a man displaying a gun.

According to Butler Twp. police sergeant Mark Morgan, the suspect, who also had another man with him, was able to get away with $150. The other man did not approach the women at the vehicle, but rather stood nearby. Complete article


Man accused of exposing himself to girls at Ga. Walmart 01/30/2018

Hialeah Police Searching For Two Suspects After Fla. Walmart Parking Lot Armed Robbery and shooting 01/30/2018

The Hialeah Police Department is searching for two suspects who fired a weapon during an attempted robbery at a Walmart parking lot on Tuesday.

Two male victims who were shot at were walking to the Walmart located at 9300 NW 77th Avenue at about 9:20 p.m. when two others approached them, pointed a gun and demanded a gold chain one of the victims was wearing, police said.

One of the suspects fired the gun and a bullet grazed the head of one of the unidentified victims. He was not badly injured and is in stable condition, police said. Complete article


Fire forces evacuations at Walmart in Altamonte Springs Fla. 01/30/2018

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — A small fire forced the evacuation Tuesday of a Walmart in Altamonte Springs, officials said.

The Seminole County Fire Department said the fire was reported at the Walmart on State Road 434 and West Town Parkway. Complete article


Forbes: Walmart's Supplier Mandate: Replenish Shelves Faster, And We'll Turn Over Customer Data 01/30/2018

Walmart fired its latest salvo in its battle to compete with Amazon and play to the instant-gratification consumer mindset birthed by online shopping.

The retailer has made a data-in-exchange-for-speedy restocking product pact with the suppliers that line its shelves: It will share more data with its vendors if they in turn expedite replenishment of out-of-stock items, Reuters reported.

Walmart’s On Shelf Customer Availability (OSCA) data, which to date had only been accessible internally, is being shared at the company’s Supplier Growth Forum at its Bentonville, Ark. headquarters this week. Complete article


Walmart offering flu shots in midst of widespread outbreak 01/30/2018

SPOKANE, Wash. - Flu shots will be available at all Washington state Walmarts as health experts say the widespread flu outbreak may only now be hitting its peak. The CDC warned Friday that this year's particularly dangerous flu season is far from over.

Walmart hopes to remind Washington residents that it's not too late to get a flu shot. It could help lessen the effects and symptoms if someone were to catch the flu and could also help prevent others from catching the disease. Complete article


Florida man beats armless, legless girlfriend -- then turns himself in at Walmart 01/30/2018 "Moan said he's tired of taking care of her and pushing her in her wheelchair everywhere," the Indian River Sheriff's Office said. "He said he's also tired of being her primary caregiver and felt if he punched her and confessed it, he would no longer have to take care of her and she would become the state's problem."

PD: Man exposed himself to shopper at Peoria Ariz. Walmart 01/30/2018

Police arrest man for indecent exposure at North Charleston SC Walmart parking lot 01/30/2018

Brooklyn man attempts to hide from Troopers inside Conn. Walmart 01/31/2018

Video voyeur arrested at Kearny Mesa Ca. Walmart 01/31/2018

Judge orders competency hearing for Thornton Colorado Walmart shooting suspect 01/31/2018

Police Searching For Female Suspect Who Abducted, Robbed Woman In Penn. Walmart Parking Lot 01/31/2018

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia police are searching for a woman who allegedly abducted another woman and robbed her in the city’s Summerdale section last week.

Police say the female suspect, believed to be in her mid-30s, approached the 24-year-old victim in the parking lot of a Walmart on Roosevelt Boulevard around 7:45 p.m. last Thursday.

Police say the suspect forced the victim into her own car at knife point, then made her drive to an ATM on Rising Sun Avenue where she made the victim withdraw $500.

The suspect left with the cash, and was last seen at a Wawa on Erie Avenue getting out of an early 2000’s vehicle that resembled a Lincoln Town car with a dark roof. Complete article


61 cans of baby formula stolen from Burlington Wisc. Walmart, police looking for suspects 01/31/2018

Fugitive from Tennessee nabbed at NY Walmart 01/31/2018

Police: Criminals using Walmart to scam Ca. residents 01/31/2018

Suspected meth lab near Walmart investigated by Richland County SC sheriff’s deputies 01/31/2018

Man steals more than $430 worth of deodorant from Walmart: Brooklyn Ohio Police Blotter 01/31/2018

Report: Man banned from SC Walmart returns 01/31/2018

Muskego and New Berlin police reports: Shoplifters caught at Wisc. Walmart 01/31/2018


Pre-"Stockholm Syndrome" is the real problem!

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For decades the media and political establishment has been telling us about (Wikipedia:) Stockholm Syndrome which they portray as a mental illness where kidnapped victims are brainwashed by their captors and continue to defend them after being released; and if you accept the common definition, as described by Wikipedia or elsewhere this is a reasonable assumption; however this definition is almost certainly, at best incomplete, and it may not refer to some of the worst indoctrination and abuse of many more people, by the political establishment to accept class differences, where one smaller group of people gets all the wealth while a larger group of people does all the work, as acceptable and desirable.

What they fail to mention is the far more insidious and common indoctrination that people like Patty Hearst go through starting from birth leading them to lead lives that are totally sheltered, often thinking they might be looking out for the best interest of the majority without realizing that large portions of what she may have been taught before being kidnapped are selective lies and propaganda to justify and epidemic level of corruption by one class of people at the expense of the majority. This indoctrination may also involved intimidation from an early age to go along with what she's taught by her leaders or face retaliation.

I don't know what she went through with her kidnappers more than anyone else, but I suspect that when she was forced to listen to them she may have realized that the propaganda she was raised on wasn't entirely true and that the protesters of her time, if not the violent revolutionaries like the Symbionese Liberation Army had a legitimate grievance which should have been addressed peacefully and democratically.

She came from one of the richest and most powerful media families in history, which didn't report accurately on poverty or wage suppression anymore then than they do now. Anyone that relies on the traditional media might not know about the vast majority of problems in this country, especially about economic methods used to suppress wages, media coverage that only enables candidates supported by the oligarchies to get name recognition and get elected, which is why they break almost all promises to the majority once they get elected, even if they pretend to be anti-establishment during campaigns, and the abandoned inner cities that are all over the country, although most people probably only know a little about the ones relatively close to them.

This is reported much better by alternative media outlets or non-fiction authors that get almost no promotional help from the mainstream media who demonstrates, in the following excerpt how another media mogul virtually, and brazenly, admits that he doesn't even want to know how his investments are impacting the poor:

Jonathan Kozol "Ordinary Resurections" 2000 p.250-1

Some years ago she did some legal research and discovered that the CEO of one of the prestigious TV networks was a partner and investor in the company that owned the shamefully neglected buildings in which dozens of the St. Ann's children were residing. "I want you to come to the neighborhood and see the way your tenants live," she said when she was able to get through to him. He indicated that he’d like to come someday but could not do it then because, he said, “My chauffeur’s on vacation.” Clearly, you do not endear yourself to someone with enormous wealth and, in this instance, with the power of retaliation when you try to make him see some of the suffering from which he’s managed to obtain a valuable tax-shelter. Additional excerpts


The vast majority of our press is now controlled by six oligarchies, although, perhaps due to complaints about these six oligarchies, a handful more like the Washington Post were sold off to billionaires like Jeff Bezos or Sheldon Addison who are still members of the oligarchy and have no intention of exposing other members, although some of them might occasionally some routinely pretend to defend the working class, whether they do a good job or not.

Good journalists or researchers into subjects that the mass media refuses to cover well are routinely portrayed as fringe if the media refers to them at all; in most cases they only cover the most extreme right wing fanatics, without mentioning the best ones and imply that almost all alternative media is like that; however those that are familiar with better research or media see right through this.

As I explained in numerous articles including Dobson’s Indoctrination Machine and Authoritarianism early indoctrination to believe what they're told often begins at an early age before children learn to develop critical thinking skills using corporal punishment to teach them to bevel what they're told. This escalates to bullying, hazing and other intimidation to teach many people in the lower classes to stay in their place and in the upper classes to defend the status quo if they want to continue benefiting from it. The people in the ruling class are isolated from the vast majority of the public and as George Carlin says "They'll get it all from you sooner or later 'cause they own this fuckin' place. It's a big club and you ain't in it."



After Patty Hearst was convicted and accused of getting preferential treatment, apparently some people claimed she received the opposite and was treated worse because she came from a rich family; however she only spent twenty-two months in jail before her sentence was commuted by Jimmy Carter and eventually Bill Clinton granted her a full pardon, which the vast majority of people locked up in his fake war on drugs was never eligible for. Apparently she was able to land roles in at least five roles in films, and her daughter was fast tracked as a model, which are not opportunities that anyone from the abandoned inner cities that the media refuses to report on are allowed to have, with the extremely rare exception of someone like Lady Gaga, who, wait a minute, after looking at her Wikipedia page she came from a wealthy family to, not not her.

I'm sure there are a few rare celebrities that rose from poorer backgrounds, but only after being brought into the oligarchy establishment and demonstrating that they're willing to go along with the program and not rock the boat. It's far more common for them to make rich people seem like they came from humble beginnings like when they developed propaganda about George H.W. Bush moving to Texas in a station wagon, or something like that trying to make it appear as if he came from the working class instead of coming from a wealthy family.

Rachel Maddow and Bill Clinton were both Rhodes Scholars which means that although they may not have been from the wealthiest of families they were allowed opportunities that most of us weren't; however they went through college under advisers that presumably picked people that would go along with the program, and were guided along the way to ensure that they do before given opportunities to get to elected office or become a major news caster, and whether my assumptions about Rhodes Scholars, especially the best known ones, are right or not these two have demonstrated repeatedly that they will promote the oligarchy ideology without raiding many of the most important questions or pointing out to the vast majority of the public just how rare it is for "rags to riches" stories in real life or that many minorities routinely promote policies like the get tough on crime that put millions of poor people in jail, while letting the wealthy off the hook, or giving overwhelming amount of coverage to Hillary Clinton to help ensure she can with the rigged primary that enabled Trump to win the General, because she was so incredibly unpopular.

Patty Hearst saga: How an American heiress went from kidnap victim to outlaw 04/03/2017





Edit 02/17/2018: After posting this I found a tip from "The Rombach Report" informing me of conspiracy theories about the CIA allegedly attempting to conduct mind control experiments on Donald David DeFreeze some of them even going so far as to claim that they intentionally set this up as an agent provocateur. It didn't take long to find plenty of more information on this, although I would be cautious about believing, or dismissing all of it. It does sound insane and if I hadn't looked at some of the absurd things that the CIA has been accused of doing, and in some cases admitting that they had done in the past, I might be inclined to dismiss it.

Numerous declassified documents have shown that the CIA was involved in mind control experiments during this period, although they allegedly, ended the worst of them before the 1970s, there is some evidence to indicate they didn't stop them completely and may continue with this research to this day. The following are some additional articles on the DeFreeze conspiracy allegations, which I haven't thoroughly reviewed myself at this time, and some of my own which I reviewed closer and when possible relied on reliable sources:

Book claims CIA, state created SLA – possible psychosurgery in Vacaville 08/07/2016

CIA Devised & Executed Patty Hearst Kidnapping, Claims Expert 'She was a pawn in a government conspiracy.' 08/05/2016

The Parts Left Out Of The Patty Hearst Trial (Part 1) 01/31/2013

On Colston Westbrook, The Slaying Of Dr. Marcus A. Foster & the Human Horror Story 11/07/2012

Anti-violence social experiments could be part of a slippery slope This article includes reports previously reviews from mostly credible sources indicating that the CIA used both Ted Kaczynski and Whitey Bulger in part of their experiments long before they became infamous mass murderers.

Philip Zimbardo, Lucifer Effect, Stanford Prison Experiment Both Zimbardo's so called prison experiment and Milgram's obedience experiments were supported by the military according to professor Alfred McCoy and Philip Zimbardo himself. The military isn't in the business of teaching their recruits to question orders which indicates that these experiments could have been done to accomplish the opposite of what they claim as these articles indicate.

Corruption or Bias in the American Psychological Association

Eli Roth’s Milgram/Obedience experiment much more extensive than most people realize

Wikipedia: Donald David DeFreeze



Intimidation about kneeling for the national anthem or the pledge of allegiance is also part of this form of indoctrination which thirty or forty years ago was becoming much less popular because they recognized that it was a form of indoctrination and that it was more important to stand up for "liberty and justice for all" than to pledge to do so.

When I was a kid and there were some schools that still did ask us to stand for the pledge of allegiance we didn't even understand it nor were we encouraged to do so, until some of the more liberal teachers pointed out that it was a meaningless ritual and it would no longer be required.

I'm not even sure if I can remember the exact words but I think I can come close, perhaps this shouldn't be so controversial, as long as it isn't coerced.









I don't know if I got that right or if it seems a little to corny, but it'll do.

Do you think Donald Trump will like it if I didn't get it quite right?



George Carlin

Forget the politicians. They are irrelevant. The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You don't. You have no choice! You have OWNERS! They OWN YOU. They own everything. They own all the important land. They own and control the corporations. They’ve long since bought, and paid for the Senate, the Congress, the state houses, the city halls, they got the judges in their back pockets and they own all the big media companies, so they control just about all of the news and information you get to hear. They got you by the balls.

They spend billions of dollars every year lobbying, lobbying, to get what they want. Well, we know what they want. They want more for themselves and less for everybody else, but I'll tell you what they don’t want:

They don’t want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They don’t want well informed, well educated people capable of critical thinking. They’re not interested in that. That doesn’t help them. That's against their interests.

Thats right. They don’t want people who are smart enough to sit around a kitchen table and think about how badly they’re getting fucked by a system that threw them overboard 30 fucking years ago. They don’t want that!

You know what they want? They want obedient workers. Obedient workers, people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork. And just dumb enough to passively accept all these increasingly shitty jobs with the lower pay, the longer hours, the reduced benefits, the end of overtime and vanishing pension that disappears the minute you go to collect it, and now they’re coming for your Social Security money. They want your retirement money. They want it back so they can give it to their criminal friends on Wall Street, and you know something? They’ll get it. They’ll get it all from you sooner or later cause they own this fucking place! It's a big club, and you ain’t in it! You, and I, are not in the big club.

By the way, it's the same big club they use to beat you over the head with all day long when they tell you what to believe. All day long beating you over the head with their media telling you what to believe, what to think and what to buy. The table has tilted folks. The game is rigged and nobody seems to notice. Nobody seems to care! Good honest hard-working people; white collar, blue collar it doesn’t matter what color shirt you have on. Good honest hard-working people continue, these are people of modest means, continue to elect these rich cock suckers who don’t give a fuck about you….they don’t give a fuck about you… they don’t give a FUCK about you.

They don’t care about you at all… at all… AT ALL. And nobody seems to notice. Nobody seems to care. Thats what the owners count on. The fact that Americans will probably remain willfully ignorant of the big red, white and blue dick thats being jammed up their assholes everyday, because the owners of this country know the truth.

It's called the American Dream,because you have to be asleep to believe it.

-George Carlin (May 12, 1937 — June 22, 2008) Complete article


Or was it Mike Barnicle that said that?



When you support the oligarchy you can get away with anything from them!

George Carlin at the Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana.




Researching Poor, Slaves, Prisoners, To Benefit Ruling Class With Alien Technology?

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There should be little or no doubt that the academic world has been using poor people for research for the benefit of the wealthy that control the patents and the health care system. Occasionally there is a story like car manufacturers studying how much diesel exhaust monkeys or humans can inhale before suffering health problems and in some cases apparently they fake the data as indicated in the following story:

German shock at car exhaust tests on humans and monkeys 01/29/2018

The German government has denounced experiments funded by German carmakers in which humans and monkeys reportedly inhaled diesel exhaust fumes.

German media say the health impact research was done by EUGT, a body funded by Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW.

Such tests could not be justified, the government said, demanding details. A minister called them "abominable".

Daimler also condemned them. VW is embroiled in a scandal over software that gave false diesel exhaust data.

In 2015 VW admitted having fitted "cheat" devices in the US that made their engines appear less polluting than they actually were. Complete article


This was reported by the BBC briefly and quickly forgotten, like a lot of other stories they admit to but don't want to draw much attention to.

This is just a minuscule fraction of research the academic world is doing and it is only reported in a relatively low profile manner so that the vast majority of the public is unaware of it. Some of it clearly indicates they're willing to go to extremes without full disclosure, although it is reported in small bits and pieces but few put them together, including about stories where they've been researching the cloning of monkeys, and some of the same Chinese researchers may also be affiliated with others harvesting organs from prisoners, often for political purposes.

To understand it better the following stories help put a few of the pieces together, indicating there's far more research going on and it's to benefit those with the most political power at the expense of those with the least regardless of where the technology is coming from.

Chinese Scientists Clone Monkeys Using Method That Created Dolly The Sheep 01/24/2018

Chinese researchers have finally figured out how to clone a primate, using the same technique Scottish researchers devised to clone the first mammal, Dolly the sheep, in the mid-1990s.

Scientists in Shanghai say they've produced two cloned macaque monkeys by taking the DNA from the nuclei of fetal monkey cells and putting the genes into monkey eggs that had their own DNA removed. .....

......

He sees a need to have "genetically identical monkeys for studying many human diseases, especially brain diseases" such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's. Complete article


Organ Harvesting From Innocent Prisoners On The Rise In China 01/31/2018

Key points in this article:

* A “Stop Medical Genocide” press conference was held on the China problem
* China conducts between 60,000 to 100,000 organ transplants per year, and the extractions are overwhelmingly made from Falun Gong followers
* The Japanese government and medical practitioners must properly face this problem

Every year China performs around 100,000 organ transplants, and a majority of those organs are extracted from living innocent victims. The truth behind this atrocity was finally unveiled.

On the 24th of January, David Matas (International human rights lawyer from Canada), David Kilgour (Member of Parliament, Canada) and Jacob Lavee (Israeli heart transplantation doctor) opened a press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan on Stop Medical Genocide to present 10 years’ worth of research into China’s organ harvesting problem.

At the press conference, they played a 20-minute video entitled “Medical Genocide: the hidden genocide in China’s organ transplant industry” while adding verbal commentary. Complete article


Growing market for human organs exploits poor 03/12/2012

EAST LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan State University anthropologist who spent more than a year infiltrating the black market for human kidneys has published the first in-depth study describing the often horrific experiences of poor people who were victims of organ trafficking.

Monir Moniruzzaman interviewed 33 kidney sellers in his native Bangladesh and found they typically didn’t get the money they were promised and were plagued with serious health problems that prevented them from working, shame and depression.

The study, which appears in Medical Anthropology Quarterly, and Moniruzzaman’s decade-long research in the field describe a growing worldwide market for body parts that include kidneys, parts of livers and even corneas.

Moniruzzaman said the people selling their organs are exploited by unethical brokers and recipients who are often Bangladeshi-born foreign nationals living in places such as the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Because organ-selling is illegal, the brokers forge documents indicating the recipient and seller are related and claim the act is a family donation.

Doctors, hospital officials and drug companies turn a blind eye to the illicit act because they profit along with the broker and, of course, the recipient, said Moniruzzaman, who questioned many of the people involved. Complete article


These are only a fraction of the stories about the poor or prisoners being used for research or to donate organs, often if they do give some degree of consent, selling their organs, only because they can't support themselves or afford their own medical care otherwise, which means it is coerced due to unethical control of the economic system by one group of wealthy people, that use this control to extort concessions from the poor.

The mainstream media doesn't deny these reports, on a few occasions they provide them, but very selectively and they don't repeat them often at all, which enables the vast majority of the public to quickly forget them without thinking things through or checking the facts to see how much more to this there must be. However there are a small percentage of the public that are keeping much closer track and researching it on their own, and occasionally even staging protests to draw attention to it; however their protests are ignored by the mainstream media which does a very effective job keeping the vast majority of the public obsessed with celebrities, sports or many other distractions, including Donald Trump's insane behavior, distracted.



Many of these reports come from very credible sources and they're not fringe conspiracy theories. Which is why the media deals with it by ignoring them instead of trying to debunk them which would only expose further lies. Alternative media outlets and some of the best non-fiction books also show how much better universal health care is in Europe that that it costs much less and they provide much better preventive care, which is a major part of the reason it's less expensive, so they're healthier and much less likely to need advanced medical treatment. This should show that Single Payer is far more effective and that it could work much better hear as well.

Additional research, also not widely reported in the mainstream media also shows that improving education, protecting the environment, improving safety regulation, preventing wars based on lies and many other things will also reduce medical expenses and make it far more affordable. There is very credible research on all of these subjects to back this up as well; however for one reason or another the mainstream media refuses to report it.

The most likely explanation for this is almost certainly ideological fanaticism and greed of the ruling class far more concerned about controlling the public than looking out for the best interest of them. On one subject after another when there's a conflict between the best interest of the public and corporate profits the political establishment supports profits and the media provides the propaganda to confuse the issue and prevent solutions.

However if there was major reforms in all these subjects then it would be far more difficult for the ruling class to find the donors or medical research subjects they need for their health care. It hardly seems likely that they prevented all these reforms so that they would have opportunities for research, and this would be ridiculed as a fringe conspiracy theory without an enormous amount of evidence, and rightly so. However, there is research including some reported by Harriet Washington in "Medical Apartheid" and "Deadly Monopolies" to indicate that when they have an opportunity to used people injured in wars or accidents that could have been prevented they take those opportunities, and they don't always provide full disclosure, or report on all the details so that the public could support candidates that would use the best science to develop a rational heath care policy, improve product safety ande prevent wars based on lies.



There's little or no hard evidence to indicate that they would be so insane as to create all these wars based on lies or prevent car accidents so they would have more research subjects; however there might be a growing amount of evidence indicating that there is more to UFO sightings than the media is reporting, and that they often distract the public by resorting to ridicule or enormous amounts of misinformation.

However the research on this subject is almost never as high a quality as the research into unethical research by good reporters like Harriet Washington and Marcia Angell; and there are an enormous amount of incredibly obvious blunders coming from both the believers of UFOs and Ancient Aliens, which you might expect since they're portrayed as fringe, and the skeptics, who often use incredibly bad debunking techniques when there is legitimate evidence of major unsolved mysteries, and they routinely indicate they've made up their minds before doing their investigating.



There may not be enough reliable research to figure out most of the details, or even if UFOs are a result of aliens that have been visiting us for thousands of years, as ancient aliens conspiracy theorist claim; however there is enough evidence to prove that either they are are a result of an unknown advanced intelligence that may have been visiting us for thousands of years; or that there's an enormous conspiracy to make it seem like UFOs are real and so are ancient aliens and that they've been sharing technology with corporations since the Roswell crash or a similar event.

Perhaps one of the most credible, and well known, claims that alien technology has been shared with multinational corporations is Philip Corso, (Wikipedia) who wrote "The Day After Roswell" (Free online copy) in 1997 approximately a year before he died. However even his claims have some credibility problems if you look at the details close enough; however a close look at the skeptics claims often shows as many problems.



I've included some links below to some of the skeptical debunking efforts below, so I won't go into all his claims; however there's enough evidence to indicate that he had an enormous amount of support that enabled him to get published and draw a lot of attention from the media establishment which routinely marginalizes those that they want to suppress. And, even though it's virtually guaranteed that there are obvious blunders in his claims, perhaps that he should have caught, there might be some evidence to indicate that it's not completely false.

Philip Corso is one of dozen's, if not hundreds, of military officers that have claimed that there is something to UFOs and that there has been contact with aliens. He was in the military, as he claimed, and he "became Chief of the Pentagon's Foreign Technology desk in Army Research and Development, working under Lt. Gen. Arthur Trudeau," as his Wikipedia article says. The strongest evidence might require a closer look which, would take to long in a relatively short article; however additional sources are listed below including some of my past articles on the subject.



Colonel Philip Corso "The Day After Roswell"

Colonel Philip Corso and his Critics: Crossing the Rubicon between Objective Criticism and Debunking

Stanton T. Friedman critical review: Col. Philip J. Corso’s "The Day After Roswell"

Also he's one of many more people that have made similar claims; and if they're partly true then it could begin to explain an enormous amount of unsolved mysteries, including how massive megaliths were moved thousands of years ago even though experiments have shown that it can't be replicated with primitive technology, other mystics like Padre Pio, Edgar Cayce, although the evidence on them is more confusing, and the incredibly rapid development of technology since World War II and even faster, over the past twenty years.

Some of the most controversial claims about UFOs including alien abductions or exchanging technology is often presented in the least credible manner, either because it's false or because there're mixed up with an enormous amount of disinformation to confuse the issue. Most of the other military disclosures that come from more credible sources are often less extreme, although they leave more questions than answers including Robert Salas, and Lt. Col. Charles I. Halt. However if there has been some contact with aliens there has to be more to it than what they've disclosed. Philip Corso is one of several others that have claimed to work with alien technology including Bob Lazar, who came out with his story eight to ten years before Corso and Boyd Bushman who made a deathbed confession fifteen years after Corso died. Both of them have major credibility problems, like several additional lower profile leakers, but they establish a pattern of behavior that might be intentional disinformation and there are also problems with efforts to completely dismiss their claims.



Bob Lazar (Wikipedia) was the first high profile person to make his disclosures; however he was quickly proven to be an obvious fraud, or so it seemed for a long time. Those that wanted to believe him did so but his alleged degrees were from colleges that claimed they never heard of him and had no records of him attending, nor could he prove that he worked at Area 51.

However as reported in Wikipedia "Regarding the propulsion of the studied vehicles, Lazar claims that the atomic element 115 Moscovium, at that time not discovered, served as the fuel, and that this was used to generate gravity waves."

How could he have even known this element would ever have been developed unless he had some kind of inside information?

Moscovium wasn't synthesized for the first time until 2003 fourteen years after he demonstrated some knowledge of it, and it was another twelve years before it was fully recognized by the scientific community.



Boyd Bushman continued with this pattern of behavior releasing information that is seriously flawed but acceptable to those that wanted to believe in it when he made a deathbed confession about working with alien technology. Rational Wiki refers to him as "batshit crazy" which certainly seems true at a quick glance; however this is hardly a scientific way to debunk false claims by making appeals to emotion and using ridicule.

If the so-called skeptic community really was as scientific as they claim they would realize that this isn't a rational effort to debunk claims. With all the conflicting information about him it's hard to tell but it does appear as if he did work for Lockheed Martin as an engineer, and it's hard to imagine why he would make such wild claims if there wasn't much if any truth to it.

However it's virtually guaranteed that some of his claims are obviously false, and his picture appears to be of a toy that was obviously faked. Even if there is some truth to some of his claims I would be highly skeptical of his claim that the alleged aliens can travel 68 light years in forty-five minutes. What this does seem to indicate is that either there is a major effort to fake it or cover it up, or perhaps disclose accurate information in unreliable ways so that they can follow up on it when it suits their purpose, assuming there is some development of alien technology. If this is the case then Boyd Bushman could be part of an effort to release this information stirring up debate only to discredit it, which actually seems to be quite common in UFO research.

Debunkings are Part of the Conspiracy: A Follow-Up on the Boyd Bushman Alien Video Claims 12/31/2014

Snopes: Boyd Bushman Makes Deathbed Confession About Aliens Did former Lockheed Martin engineer Boyd Bushman provide evidence of alien life on his deathbed? False But he did make a strange death bed confession even if the evidence didn't hold up and there is something strange about that adding to many other similar claims.

Boyd Bushman (Lockheed Martin Senior Scientist) Was The Real Deal And How I Know This To Be True. 06/19/2015

Wikipedia: Boyd Bushman

NSA 'Glomars' FOIA Request on Boyd Bushman 01/24/2018

Video emerges of 'Lockheed Martin scientist' claiming aliens are REAL and that he worked at Area 51 on UFO technology 10/30/2014



We're constantly coming up with amazing scientific break through's like SpaceX's recent spectacular dual landing of booster rockets enabling them to be reused after launching another craft. It's now almost certain that they have the technology to travel to Mars and develop some kind of permanent presence there. There's a strong possibility that travel beyond our solar system, perhaps with the help of Artificial Intelligence, Nanotechnology, even more advanced propulsion and other technologies, may not be far behind. These things and many more that are now rapidly becoming routine were once considered impossible.

There's no doubt that there are still many more questions that need to be answered but if there is something to this theory not only could it help explain how technology has been developed so rapidly, but it could also explain many other major unsolved mysteries from the past including movement of megaliths and other ancient developments that should have been impossible.

If this theory isn't close to the truth then there still has to another explanation for all the major unsolved mysteries, and pretending they don't exist won't make them go away or ensure that they don't impact us one way or another; it will only prevent us from knowing what is going on or why.



Right now we have enough information to know that we should demand full disclosure and a much better health care system that almost certainly should include Single Payer, unless someone can come up with something better. And with strong evidence of powerful institutions using the poor for research without compensation or even public domain for the so-called intellectual property used to justify patents we have enough justification to demand that they end, especially since an enormous amount of the research is funded with tax dollars, as reported by reliable sources like Harriet Washington and Marcia Angell.

However we're constantly being distracted by one absurd subject after another, including claims about Russian meddling in the election, without even discussing the fact that in order to get the name recognition candidates need to be viable they have to have a fair amount of media coverage; but the six oligarchies that control the media only cover candidates that cater to the oligarchy; which means that they did far more than Russia ever could have done to meddle in the election.

The information to confirm this conclusion isn't even secret but they keep distracting us from it with all their garbage including the debate about classified memos, which is virtually guaranteed to be a red herring. If there was anything important to these memos they could have just released them but the hype surrounding what is almost certainly less important than many things that aren't even secret is blowing it out of proportion.



Not that I'm opposed to disclosure; however this is another example of flooding the public with useless garbage to distract them from more important issues; and occasionally the distractions might even come from some of the best alternative media outlets, or at least outlets that seem like the best at times, including the Intercept and Wikileaks or perhaps even Caitlin Johnstone who is currently exposing some of their disagreements.

A few years ago I mentioned that there has been some bickering among alternative media outlets that usually cooperate to expose epidemic levels of corporate corruption and warmongering in Are Naomi Wolf, Edward Snowden, Prism, and ECHELON, dividing us? and Bickering over Prism continues to ignore ECHELON and minimize disclosure! Occasionally there are hints that there might be more of that going on including Wikileaks recent effort to fund raise off the hype about the memos, which I suspect are a Red Herring, "Know someone who has the censored Schiff FISA 'memo'? WikiLeaks will match reward funds up to $1m sent to this unique Bitcoin address:" 02/10/2018 I recognize that we need to raise funds for alternative media outlets that generally provide much better coverage than the mainstream media, which the Intercept, Wikileaks and Caitlin Johnstone almost always do but we have to be careful that this attempt doesn't lead us into another corrupt media establishment creating new biases to replace the old.

Caitlin Johnstone recently pointed out in, The Intercept Is Transitioning From Guard Dog To Attack Dog For The Establishment 02/14/2018, that billionaire Pierre Omidyar is financing the Intercept, which should be a reminder that even though they almost always do a far better job than the mainstream media they're under the influence of the oligarchies, and if there has been some exchange of technology with aliens then many of these billionaires might have benefited from it, and this could be part of a far-fetched controlled disclosure effort. As I speculated about in my past article about Steve Bannon working at Biosphere II, listed below, billionaires profiting from technology or research could be controlling almost all media and pushing in one direction or another when it suits their purpose.

Until there is an enormous amount of disclosure media reform and peer review it may be difficult to know which sources are most reliable and it will be necessary to get information from diverse sources, even if some of them have some doubts about their credibility.



The following are some additional sources that provide information on research including how to keep us distracted by obsessively covering sports or celebrities; however there's much more which you can find on your own:

Report: China still harvesting organs from prisoners at a massive scale 06/24/2016

Enhancing mutual trust is not possible until Communist China stops executing political prisoners to order 12/15/2017

SpaceX stuns with two simultaneous rocket landings, Musk’s Tesla heads to Mars 02/06/2018

Pentagon DOES have 'mystery metals that came from UFOs' says former government insider 01/26/2018

Big Pharma’s control over the news 12/15/2017

N.F.L. Expands Use of Chips in Footballs, Promising Data Trove 09/07/2018

Shriners Hospitals for Children History of Medical Research

Shriners Hospitals for Children

German shock at car exhaust tests on humans and monkeys 01/29/2018

John Oliver Exposes Herbalife And Its Dangerous Focus On Latinos 11/07/2016 In the past, he said, Herbalife has reached out to Latinos via TV spots in hit telenovelas like “La Fea Màs Bella.” And the company even hired former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in 2013 as an advisor. (Now candidate for Governor)

Mortifyingly, both right and left came to believe eugenics was the answer to the poverty and misery they could see all around them. Rather than scrap capitalism,which was actually responsible, the ‘educated’ preferred to believe the poor THEMSELVES were the problem to eradicate 01.10/2018

New Artificial Intelligence That Makes Fake Videos May Be the End of Reality as We Know It 01/12/2018

Delaware State Police showcased at artificial intelligence conference 01/19/2018

Drug overdoses contribute to record number of organ donors 01/10/2018

Naked Capitalism Daily Links 02/08/2018 Chernobyl’s abandoned dogs create their own exclusion zone community; Melting Permafrost Could Release Massive Amounts of Dangerous Mercury, Study Says; Why Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch is utterly depressing

Regenerative Medicine Helps Rebuild Wounded Warriors 09/13/2012

The Odd Science of Fandom Craig Fehrman 02/02/2018 The psychology behind Patriots fans — and all their haters

IN 2016, THREE Dartmouth professors published a paper on, of all things, Deflategate.

After surveying nearly 3,000 people (and carefully sifting their answers), the political science professors found that Patriots supporters were more likely than other fan bases to believe unproven conspiracy theories — such as one that held the NFL was punishing New England to distract from its other public-relations problems, including player concussions and domestic abuse.

That wasn’t all that surprising. But this was: The more Patriots fans knew about football, the more likely they were to buy into the conspiracies. More information, in other words, did not lead to better beliefs. A rational and informed sports fan seems about as plausible as a warm and fuzzy Bill Belichick.

The most surprising revelation, of course, may be that academics are diligently analyzing sports fans. But in a new book, “Superfans: Into the Heart of Obsessive Sports Fandom,” George Dohrmann shows there’s a lot to learn about our rooting interests.



For some additional details on some of my past articles on the subject see the following:

Top Twelve UFO sightings: based on best evidence or potential significance

UFO Hypothesis with rational use of Occam's Razor

Did Padre Pio Or Other Alleged Mystics Have "Revelations" from "God?"

Phony Apocalyptic Judgement Day May Be Here!

Prophets and Mystics

Hurricane Apocalypse Coming With or Without Fringe Conspiracy Theory

Looming North Korea Nuclear Apocalypse Result of Incompetence? Or Staged?

107 Wonders of the Ancient World

Is “Prism” news? or is it ECHELON?

A Brief History of the Mormon Church

Why so few arrests for Crop Circles makers? Is there microwave evidence?

"God's Not Dead" But Is He Nice?

Multinationals Are Using Public For Research On Massive Scale

Yes Virginia There Is A Trump And Clinton Conspiracy but could it be related to a far-fetched Apocalypse Prophecy or a weak copy of it?

Wanted unsuspecting research subjects

Is Stanton Friedman working for the CIA to refute reverse engineering claims?

Deadly Monopolies and Medical Slavery?

Deadly Monopolies With Alien Technology?

UFO Hypothesis Far More Credible Than Catholic Claim of A "Miracle Of The Sun"

Could Steve Bannon Be Providing Propaganda To Enable Climate Change Research Project?

Prevention of violence has to address all causes, not just Guns!

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The BBC initially reported on the Parkland School, within hours of when it happened, shooting by describing the standard operating procedure that we go through after each of these shootings declaring that we'll go through the same exact ritual without even changing it or recognizing how absurd it was. There was at least one other pundit that provided the same bleak description in one of the most recent other mass shootings and he turned out to be right.

You might get the impression that there is nothing that can be done about this and that we should simply accept it as a fact of life that is unavoidable!

That would be totally false!

There's plenty of good research on the causes of violence and, contrary to the coverage from the mainstream media, the only contributing factor is not gun control, although there is evidence to indicate that there are less gun deaths in states with more reasonable gun control laws. Nor is it mental illness, although there's significant evidence that this is also a major contributing cause; however, even though it is a major contributing cause the coverage about it provided by the mainstream media is almost useless, explaining little or nothing about how to treat it, or more important, to prevent it from happening in the first place!

I've gone into a series of articles, listed below, a few years ago with numerous contributing causes of escalating violence and it should be clear that they all need to be dressed which would dramatically reduce all violence, not just school shootings.

Reasonable gun control is one of those issues that should be addressed; however I doubt if it's the most important one, although when it comes to the biggest mass shootings, it may be, or at least it may appear to be. The most important contributing cause of violence, including mass shootings in schools or elsewhere, and perhaps even wars based on lies, is almost certainly early child abuse that escalates to bullying, hazing, more domestic abuse and other forms of violence including war and mass shootings. The second most important contributing factor is almost certainly abandoned inner cities where they have highly dysfunctional education and economic systems about a hundred and twenty-five of them throughout the country have more than double the national murder rate, which is already higher than the murder rates in countries like Canada and many European countries.



Two or three dozen countries, mostly in Europe, have murder rates less than 1 per 100,000 people, while the United States has a rate of above 5, which recently dipped below 5 briefly before climbing back up. Most of these countries probably do the best job providing child care and education; and as I have reported previously the majority of them have banned the use of corporal punishment either in home or in schools.

Some of the best researchers, including child psychologist James Garbarino and child rearing and bullying expert Barbara Coloroso, pictured above, have explained how abusing children at an early age teaches them to deal with their problems through violence. They've also explained how to deal with bullying and to prevent it from leading to escalating violence, like Columbine, which happened in Barbara Coloroso's home town of Littleton Colorado. This is also the same general area where James Dobson and his organization "Focus on the Family" is based, which has a very different view about early child rearing.

Unlike Barbara Coloroso he recommends use of corporal punishment starting as early as eighteen months with babies before they even learn how to talk completely or develop critical thinking skills. In addition to evidence from the European states that have banned the use of corporal punishment in both the home and schools, and have murder rates below one, less than a fifth of U.S. rates, additional evidence shows that the nineteen states that still allow it in the schools also have among the highest murder rates in the country. At least six or seven of those nineteen states make it into the top ten every year and until 2016 the only one in the bottom ten was Idaho, with Wyoming coming close, but they're the two states that have it on the books but almost never use it. The states that use it the most are the ones consistently in the top ten, and they also have the most abandoned inner cities where they don't provide adequate education or child care to children.

Early investigation into the causes of violence is almost always incomplete, especially when a large percentage of the public is often in denial about attributing the cause of violence to abuse that the perpetrator might have been subject to. The typical response might be "THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE!," or "yea but I was spanked or abused and I didn't turn into a mass murderer." This is often accompanied by a desire to get angry at the perpetrator, which is obviously understandable; but this anger often leads people to go into denial about contributing causes if it could be interpreted as an "excuse" or mitigating circumstances.

However, research into many of the worst mass murderers, including from psychologist Dorothy Otnow Lewis, who said that she has always found evidence of major abuse, often including hospital records or police records, and it is almost always much worse than what most people coming from strict authoritarian homes have to deal with. Furthermore, when it comes to preventing violence from escalating wee need to recognize the causes and prevent them from happen before it escalates. When Dylann Roof went on his shooting spree as I reported previously in The Media Is Following The Wrong Script Ignoring Solutions Again he was badly abused long before he became a mass murderer, and this is common among racist people who are often raised by racist and abusive parents that teach their own beliefs using coercive violence. If an abused child blames the minorities whether it's blacks or Jews that the abusive parent says is responsible for problems they don't get abused, if they point out flaws in the logic they know they're be beat, so after repeating lies to themselves long enough people like Dylann adopt the same racists beliefs as their parents.

There isn't as much evidence to indicate the same problems, at least that I know of, with Nikolas Cruz, but there is already some, although the media rarely repeats anything that might be considered as mitigating circumstances or and "excuse" as indicated in the following excerpts:

State investigated shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz after self-harm 02/17/2018

The agency was called to investigate. Cruz, then 18, was listed as an “alleged victim” of medical neglect and inadequate supervision; his adoptive mother, then-68-year-old Lynda Cruz, the “alleged perpetrator.”

“Mr. Cruz was on Snapchat cutting both of his arms,” the Florida DCF abuse hotline was told in August 2016. “Mr. Cruz has fresh cuts on both his arms. Mr. Cruz stated he plans to go out and buy a gun.”

According to the paper, DCF’s investigation was completed that Nov. 12. The agency concluded that Cruz had not been mistreated by his mother, was receiving adequate care from a mental health counselor and was attending school. Complete article Nikolas Cruz, Florida Shooting Suspect, Showed ‘Every Red Flag’ 02/15/2018

He said that Mr. Cruz at one point had gone to a school for students with special needs. “Kids were really picking on him and would gang up on him and beat him up a little,” Mr. Gold said. “They ostracized him. He didn’t have many friends.”

He said that Mr. Cruz’s mother had done what she could to take care of him, and that the two had an extremely strong bond.

“His mother was his entire life and when he lost her, I believe that was it for the boy’s peace of mind,” he said. Complete article


Like Columbine there is apparently evidence to indicate that bullying might have been a contributing factor, however it wasn't reported nearly as widely. When Columbine happened they reported much more on the culture in their school exposing the bullying that was going on and one of the students that helped expose this was Brooks Brown and as he described in his book he was also ostracized for speaking out against it. Barbara Coloroso also investigated this and tried to point out that this was a contributing cause in her book “The Bullied, the Bully and the Bystander” where she wrote, ‘After the video tapes shot by Dylan and Eric were made public well over a year after the shootings, there was still a sense of entitlement and superiority expressed by at least one member of the Columbine football team. In his mind, he had a right to taunt and torment anyone who was “different,” anyone for whom he had contempt: “Columbine is a good, clean place except for those rejects. Most kids don’t want them here. They were into witchcraft. They were into voodoo. Sure we teased them. But what do you expect with kids who come to school with weird hairdos and horns on their hats? It’s not just jocks; the whole schools disgusted with them. They’re a bunch of homos…If you want to get rid of someone, usually you tease ‘em. So the whole school would call them homos….”'

Unfortunately the media didn't report the bullying that Nikolas Cruz nearly as widely, nor, as far as I can tell did they provide much if any opportunity for good researchers like Barbara Coloroso or James Garbarino however they did invite David Cullen, who the media portrays as an expert on Columbine to come on TV at least a couple times, as they often do after more school shootings happen, even though he has demonstrated that he's in denial about how bullying leads to escalating violence as I found out about seven years ago when I encountered him on Open Salon and had this conversation with him and after I pointed out the above quote from Barbara Coloroso, instead of addressing it he said, "for those just tuning in, one flaw in zach's logic: he's citing researchers who DID NOT research columbine, but relied on conclusions about the data they read in the media," and stopped responding to my comments. I accepted his claim that they weren't direct researchers at the time but later found out that Barbara Coloroso lived in that city and was much closer to it and did research it directly. He also relied on Robert Hare as one of his experts who I read up on more after that conversation and found out that he was incredibly incompetent, as I pointed out in the article about that conversation.

Apparently the conservative ideology may have also enabled one of the survivors of the Columbine massacre to get elected to the local legislature according to Colorado state rep, Columbine survivor, pushes to end gun-free zones in schools 02/20/2018 As I indicated previously gun control is almost certainly not as important as important a contributing factor as stopping early abuse or abandoned inner cities, but as one of the articles listed below indicates the evidence does seem to indicate that there is less gun violence in states with more reasonable gun control, and much fewer suicides, not to mention that it would also make it much less likely that a shooting turned into a mass murder if the shooter couldn't get military style assault rifles, which apparently was easier for him to get than a handgun which he couldn't have bought until he was twenty-one.

This same legislature apparently voted to kill a bill, last year that would have banned corporal punishment in Colorado, which is one of the nineteen states that still allows it. A 2002 study, "School Shooting Fatalities and School Corporal Punishment: A Look at the States," reported in The Psychology of Child Torture 01/18/2018 also showed that school shootings and deaths were more common in the states that still allowed corporal punishment at that time, when it was still twenty-three. The surge in shootings this year also indicates that, at least this year they're much more common in the nineteen states that still allow corporal punishment with five out of seven of the school shootings and all twenty of the deaths, as of this writing, in states that allow corporal punishment. However, in the years in between it hasn't been quite as clear, and there seem to have been some odd statistical swings including a surge from only seven incidents in 2011 to thirty-six incidents in 2014 when it peaked before declining to only nine last year, seeming to indicate that it the problem might be getting better for one reason or another, until this year with seven in only seven or eight weeks.

The peak for deaths was in 2012 when the Newtown shooting took place, with an exceptionally high number. However last year only one of the nine shootings took place in schools still allowing corporal punishment. And even though the total number of shootings in between the 2002 study and this year has as many if not more shootings in states that still allow corporal punishment the total number of deaths seems to have been in states that have banned it thanks to a small number of high profile shootings that killed a large number of people.

No doubt the gun control conspiracy theorists might claim that this is part of the conspiracy to advance gun control by using this as an excuse; however since the number of deaths is still very small compared to the total number of murders each year which is usually about fifteen thousand, and they're a result of a small number of big shootings rational skeptics might justifiable claim that this is a statistical anomaly which is more common without a large enough representation, which we shouldn't want, of course. Furthermore the gun rights advocates pushing these conspiracy theories ignore the fact that if that was the objective they probably would have done a far more effective job passing laws to restrict guns than they have; and there's little or no doubt that behind the scenes lobbying by the NRA, as well as their public activity is the real reason why gun control laws are so arbitrary and irrational that they make it easier to get a military style assault rifle that enabled this shooting to kill so many in this shooting.



We may not have enough research to explain all these bizarre swings in gun violence but there is enough to indicate that the media isn't covering the best research and that if they did that we could dramatically reduce violence like Europe does, where many of their countries have less than one murder per hundred thousand people.

Some things should be so incredibly obvious that everyone should understand them like if we spend an enormous amount of money trying to justify cuts to education and child care and more on the military so we can fight wars based on lies that it is bound to backfire one way or another. It shouldn't be hard to figure out that one of the ways this is happening is high violence in abandoned inner cities and occasionally there are even mass shootings in wealthier communities that aren't accustomed to this violence. It should also be clear that if major economic inequality is a major part of the problem, which one of my previous articles listed below indicated it is, that an economic system that rewards professions that are more concerned with deceiving the public like advertising, lobbying, union busting, and other profession that are more concerned about shifting wealth to the rich than providing a service for the public is also a major contributing cause of violence, although it might require a closer look at some of the research assuming people actually want to learn the truth.

The protests demanding gun control resulting from this shooting seems to be building faster than most, and if they get some results that is great but if they only address part of the causes, and not the most important parts then it's not going to help much.

We shouldn't be just trying to eliminate gun violence when it finally hits a wealthy community but protect all of us.



The following are additional sources on the subject:

School shooter showed violence and mental instability at home, police reports reveal 02/17/2018

Florida shooting suspect was adopted and both of his parents recently died 02/15/2018

Florida High School Killing Suspect Nikolas Cruz Vented Racist and Violent Fantasies Against Black, Gay and Hispanic People in Online Group Chat 12/17/2017

White Supremacists Claim Nikolas Cruz Trained With Them; Students Say He Wore Trump Hat in School 12/15/2017

Killer in a Trump hat: Shirtless Florida gunman does backyard target practice wearing one of the President's Make America Great Again baseball caps before murdering 17 children in school massacre 12/16/2017

Snopes: Did the Florida Shooter's Instagram Profile Picture Feature a MAGA Hat? True 12/1/2017

No, Lax Parenting Is Not to Blame for School Shootings 02/16/2018

Alabama school board members take steps to finally get rid of corporal punishment 12/09/2017

Still Separate, Still Unequal: America's Educational Apartheid 09/01/2005 Adapted excerpt from "The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America"

“The Bullied, the Bully and the Bystander” by Barbara Coloroso.

Analysis: Bullying expert Barbara Coloroso provides tips for parents, educators 11/22/2010

National anti-bullying expert defines the problem — and the solutions 09/28/2016

Max Hayman Award 2011 James Garbarino, PhD

The far-right smear campaign against students who survived the Parkland massacre 02/19/2018

School shootings in the United States

List of school shootings in the United States organized by state

Wikipedia: United States presidential election, 2016



The following are my past articles on numerous contributing causes to escalating violence:

Ignored evidence linking corporal punishment, poverty and crime grows

Does lack of education increase violent crime? Religion?

Media is aiding and abetting in Televangelist Fraud

Apartheid States of America

Megalithic Churches correlated with local murder rates

How much does Income Inequality Affects Crime Rates?

States with high murder rates have larger veteran populations

Teach a soldier to kill and he just might

The tragedy of gambling politics in United States

How does gambling and gun control impact violent crime?

Politics, not technology, caused botched executions

Troy, Cameron, Gary all innocent? And executed?

Democrats do a bad job on crime; Republicans and the Media are worse!!

Politicians increase crime; Grass roots efforts reduce crime; Politicians steal the credit

Life Insurance and media companies are encouraging lots of murders

Union Busting adds to corrupt bureaucracy and incites crime



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