Happy All Hallow's Eve! Yes, I know it's past midnight. S' O.K.: Ev'ry Day is Halloween in San Francisco! :p
Having suspended his campaign before Hurricane Sandy struck in order to organize, plan, initiate and co-ordinate swift, effective federal support and assistance to the areas hit the hardest, President Obama spent Wednesday with N.J. Gov. Chris Christie (R) in Marine I surveying the extensive and stunning level of damage done to New Jersey by the Superstorm.
You wouldn't think it now - hearing the much-deserved praise Governor Christie has been heaping on the President, FEMA, the federal government's response time and swiftness of effective action (no post-Katrina entropy here) - but just two weeks ago the RNC Keynote Speaker and Romney surrogate was making a public appearance in which he verbally raked President Obama over the coals for being "a failure". Prior to the natural disaster, such baseless criticism was just classic, caustic Christie.
So, what has Mitt Romney been up to (other than carpet-bombing the airwaves in Ohio and other swing-states with TV and Radio ads filled with blatant, patently-false accusations)? Hmmm... Well, on Tuesday, Mitt put lipstick on a pig and renamed an Ohio "Romney Victory Rally" a "Storm Relief Event". What's the difference? The Romney campaign asked attendees to bring canned foods to the venue for collection/donation to The Red Cross/Sandy Relief.
What a nice gesture - Right? Wrong. It was the hollowest of gestures. A fraud. A ruse. In Truth, the whole "Relief"-reboot was calculated and staged to facilitate a 'Compassionate Mitt' photo-op. How do I know? Because Romney staffers went on a mad rush to Wal-Mart the eve before and purchased $5000.00 worth of food, goods, diapers.
Upon their return to the event location, they piled their Wall-haul in front of the entrance to the designated "Take a pic with Mitt" area. And, when people showed up empty-handed, they could be directed to the Wall o'goods, instructed to grab, say, a can of peanut butter, walk in, hand it to Mitt - which was his cue to then say, as earnestly as possible, "Thank you." and - "Say 'Cheese'!" - a campaign staffer would then snap a photograph of the oh-so-touching Mitt-moment.
(snif) Give me a moment, please. (sniff) I'm trying to squeeze out a Mitt-tear or Mitt-two.
This "Mitt-Relief" event was neither sincere nor thoughtful. Go to The American Red Cross website. FAQ: The Red Cross neither collects nor accepts donations of hard goods. It's impractical. They do the most good by actively assisting those in need. Not by getting bogged down having to collect, transport, sort and transport (again) hard goods.
For anyone who sincerely wants to support The Red Cross/Assist the thousands of Americans who are suffering in the wake of Superstorm Sandy...
Please do so in a genuine, practical and effective way: 1.) Write a check to The Red Cross. 2.) Donate blood. 3.) Text "REDCROSS" to 90999 to send a $10.00 donation.
Thank You.
Showing posts with label Red Cross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Cross. Show all posts
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Friday, October 24, 2008
San Francisco Irony: A Brutal Thug Promotes Red Cross Volunteering
Last night I was working my room...
It's an ongoing project of mine...
One that's been going on for several years...
I had my TV on, but I wasn't paying it any attention since unconvincing commercials were occupying the airwaves.
Suddenly, a male voice slithers through the speakers - identifying himself by a name that I instantly recognized and will not forget any time soon - completely shattering the peace and quiet of my environment and my mind.
I stopped what I was doing and sharply caught my breath as a flood of images of an unlawful and violent act I had witnessed flashed across my mind's eye. An act of extreme brutality that was committed by the very same crude creep who was now strolling through the streets of San Francisco in a commercial on my TV screen.
The less-than-human being's name: "Gabriel (Gabreal?) Gallreade".
To my complete surprise and growing disgust, 'Officer Gabriel' - as he was known in the neighborhood where he sadistically served - was appearing in and speaking through the commercial.
I was horrified.
I am horrified.
In the ad, as he's seen strolling around various sunny streets as his conversational voice-over describes his being a resident of The City. He describes the beauty of The City. He offers that, "... we need to work together" to keep our City this way. He then claims to be a long-time volunteer for The Red Cross. He then adds, "Who am I? I'm an officer with the SFPD in Ingleside.".
I fight the urge to hurl something heavy at the brute... I don't want to break my TV.
Obviously, the organization who sponsored the ad doesn't know.
Apparently, 'Officer Gabriel' didn't tell them... I'm not surprised.
It's unbelieveably ironic in fact that...
Here was Gabriel Gallreade, the same brutal, pea-brained and large-fisted p.o.s. whom I had witnessed (a few years ago) with my own eyes start cocking his arm back and punching - with a closed fist - the face of a disabled, intoxicated, homeless kid... whose hands were already 'cuffed behind his back and who was not resisting arrest in the slightest... a kid who had committed the unforgiveable terrorist act of burning a ticket that Officer Gabriel had given him a few minutes earlier.
I left my perch to search for my camera to document this vicious crime. By the time I returned, the police van had arrived and blocked my view... Keeping me from seeing the worst of this brutal beating. When I saw photos that were taken of the kid's face shortly after the event, I was speechless. Apparently, Ofc. Gabriel, making full use of the resources at hand, had beaten the corner (metal and concrete) garbage can to death with the kid's face.
If I can remove myself from the images and memories of the event which are seared into my brain... I can almost find some humor in the horror here...
A long-time SFPD Police Officer whom I had witnessed commit a vicious and brutal physical assault on a non-threatening and handcuffed young man (sadly, he's not the first nor the last to do so) is currently the 'poster boy' campaigning for volunteers for The Red Cross.
Yeah, I'm sure he's a long-time contributor to The Red Cross.
I'm also quite sure that he's sent a fair number of homeless people to the hospital over the years.
There was this other time that I observed him one night as he drove the SFPD Van up onto the sidewalk and - as he snarled out commands over the PA system to "Move on! Get out of there!" - he literally chased another homeless man - who was wheelchair-bound - from under the covered shelter of a closed Goodwill store doorway and out into a driving rainstorm.
... Not exactly the personality or quality of character that you'd think The Red Cross would want to be associated with.
Like I said... they must not know.
I think I'll do my civic duty and enlighten them.
From what I observed and was told over the years, Officer Gabriel seemed to get some perverse enjoyment from harassing and abusing the homeless... kids in particular. People who live outdoors are extremely vulnerable. No doors to lock. No family or good neighboors to look out for them. And in a courtroom... who do you really think a judge or jury is likely to side with... a tattooed homeless youth with profanity written on their hand-sewn clothing, who may be in need of a shower and who has a plethora of unpaid 'Unlawful Camping' Tickets? Or a veteran SFPD police officer who volunteers for The Red Cross? Officer Gabriel is a textbook school-yard bully... only now he's been given a nightstick, a handgun and carte blanche.
Shame on You, Officer Gabriel.
I don't know why you consistently treat homeless people like mud on your boots and I don't care.
I saw what you did.
I know what you are.
And I'll take a lie detector test to prove it.
Shame on the SFPD for not kicking you and other brutal nutjobs off of the force.
You're not a role model. Not for The Red Cross. Not for SFPD cadets.
I can see you as a guard at Gitmo though...
Peace.
L.
It's an ongoing project of mine...
One that's been going on for several years...
I had my TV on, but I wasn't paying it any attention since unconvincing commercials were occupying the airwaves.
Suddenly, a male voice slithers through the speakers - identifying himself by a name that I instantly recognized and will not forget any time soon - completely shattering the peace and quiet of my environment and my mind.
I stopped what I was doing and sharply caught my breath as a flood of images of an unlawful and violent act I had witnessed flashed across my mind's eye. An act of extreme brutality that was committed by the very same crude creep who was now strolling through the streets of San Francisco in a commercial on my TV screen.
The less-than-human being's name: "Gabriel (Gabreal?) Gallreade".
To my complete surprise and growing disgust, 'Officer Gabriel' - as he was known in the neighborhood where he sadistically served - was appearing in and speaking through the commercial.
I was horrified.
I am horrified.
In the ad, as he's seen strolling around various sunny streets as his conversational voice-over describes his being a resident of The City. He describes the beauty of The City. He offers that, "... we need to work together" to keep our City this way. He then claims to be a long-time volunteer for The Red Cross. He then adds, "Who am I? I'm an officer with the SFPD in Ingleside.".
I fight the urge to hurl something heavy at the brute... I don't want to break my TV.
Obviously, the organization who sponsored the ad doesn't know.
Apparently, 'Officer Gabriel' didn't tell them... I'm not surprised.
It's unbelieveably ironic in fact that...
Here was Gabriel Gallreade, the same brutal, pea-brained and large-fisted p.o.s. whom I had witnessed (a few years ago) with my own eyes start cocking his arm back and punching - with a closed fist - the face of a disabled, intoxicated, homeless kid... whose hands were already 'cuffed behind his back and who was not resisting arrest in the slightest... a kid who had committed the unforgiveable terrorist act of burning a ticket that Officer Gabriel had given him a few minutes earlier.
I left my perch to search for my camera to document this vicious crime. By the time I returned, the police van had arrived and blocked my view... Keeping me from seeing the worst of this brutal beating. When I saw photos that were taken of the kid's face shortly after the event, I was speechless. Apparently, Ofc. Gabriel, making full use of the resources at hand, had beaten the corner (metal and concrete) garbage can to death with the kid's face.
If I can remove myself from the images and memories of the event which are seared into my brain... I can almost find some humor in the horror here...
A long-time SFPD Police Officer whom I had witnessed commit a vicious and brutal physical assault on a non-threatening and handcuffed young man (sadly, he's not the first nor the last to do so) is currently the 'poster boy' campaigning for volunteers for The Red Cross.
Yeah, I'm sure he's a long-time contributor to The Red Cross.
I'm also quite sure that he's sent a fair number of homeless people to the hospital over the years.
There was this other time that I observed him one night as he drove the SFPD Van up onto the sidewalk and - as he snarled out commands over the PA system to "Move on! Get out of there!" - he literally chased another homeless man - who was wheelchair-bound - from under the covered shelter of a closed Goodwill store doorway and out into a driving rainstorm.
... Not exactly the personality or quality of character that you'd think The Red Cross would want to be associated with.
Like I said... they must not know.
I think I'll do my civic duty and enlighten them.
From what I observed and was told over the years, Officer Gabriel seemed to get some perverse enjoyment from harassing and abusing the homeless... kids in particular. People who live outdoors are extremely vulnerable. No doors to lock. No family or good neighboors to look out for them. And in a courtroom... who do you really think a judge or jury is likely to side with... a tattooed homeless youth with profanity written on their hand-sewn clothing, who may be in need of a shower and who has a plethora of unpaid 'Unlawful Camping' Tickets? Or a veteran SFPD police officer who volunteers for The Red Cross? Officer Gabriel is a textbook school-yard bully... only now he's been given a nightstick, a handgun and carte blanche.
Shame on You, Officer Gabriel.
I don't know why you consistently treat homeless people like mud on your boots and I don't care.
I saw what you did.
I know what you are.
And I'll take a lie detector test to prove it.
Shame on the SFPD for not kicking you and other brutal nutjobs off of the force.
You're not a role model. Not for The Red Cross. Not for SFPD cadets.
I can see you as a guard at Gitmo though...
Peace.
L.
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