Babylon Bee: Democrats Ask ACB To Recuse Herself From Any Cases Involving The Constitution

 The Babylon Bee takes a satirical shot at the confirmation hearings of Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

WASHINGTON D.C.—With Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation looming, Democrats have raised a number of questions about her fitness as a Supreme Court justice and whether she can be impartial. They are now demanding that Barrett recuse herself from any Supreme Court cases that involve the Constitution.

“Judge Barrett seems very biased toward the Constitution,” said Senator Mazie Hirono. “She’s not only read it but seems to have some sort of allegiance to it. She can’t be impartial on any case involving the Constitution as she’ll always side with it.”

You can read the rest of the humor piece via the below link:  

https://babylonbee.com/news/democrats-ask-acb-to-recuse-herself-from-any-cases-involving-the-constitution 

Mob Rat John Pennisi’s Blog Exposes Bumbling Wiseguys, Infuriates Feds

 Dean Balsamini at the New York Post offers a piece on a former organized crime member turned cooperating witness who produces a blog on the doings of the Lucchese Cosa Nostra crime family.

This mob rat isn’t breaking legs, but he’s busting chops.

Star wiseguy witness John Pennisi, who testified at three major trials last year, has launched a blog that pulls back the curtain on his Lucchese crime family “friends” — and has infuriated his federal handlers, Jerry Capeci writes in a report on Ganglandnews.com.

The 51-year-old Mob turncoat created Sitdownnews.com to give “readers education and insight into ‘the life’ from first-hand knowledge and experience.”

Pennisi is not shy about chronicling the hits — and misses — of made men.

In one entry, “A Mob Handbook,” clueless La Cosa Nostra candidate John (Butch) Arpino allegedly seeks advice from Pennisi on how one wiseguy should let another know that he too is a wiseguy.

When Pennisi repeats the curious inquiry to John (Johnny Sideburns) Cerrella, a then-acting Lucchese captain, the boss shakes his head and says, “It is truly unbelievable, a guy like that got no business [becoming a made man]. What’s it come to? They now gotta hand them a f–king handbook after they straighten them out!”

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

https://nypost.com/2020/10/24/mob-rats-wiseguy-blog-has-feds-all-fired-up/

A Little Humor: The Difference between Guts And Balls

 Yes, there is a big difference between “guts” and “balls.” 

Guts – Arriving home late, after a night out with the boys, being met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: “Are you still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?” 

Balls – Coming home late after a night out with the boys, smelling of perfume and beer, with lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on the bottom and having the balls to say: “You’re next, chubby.” 

Although the definitions may differ, there is no difference in the outcome. 

Both will result in sure death. 

Note: The above photo is of actor Hal Smith, who portrayed Otis, the town drunk on The Andy Griffith Show.

Department Of Homeland Security Launches New Center For Countering Human Trafficking

 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released the below information:

WASHINGTON—U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (seen in the above photo) announced Thursday the opening of the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, the U.S. government’s first-ever integrated law enforcement operations center directly supporting federal criminal investigations, victim assistance efforts, intelligence analysis, and outreach and training activities related to human trafficking and forced labor.

The center, which has been operational since early September, is based in Washington and led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a global leader of criminal investigations into human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The center will be staffed with law enforcement officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and across DHS, as well as subject matter experts and support staff from 16 DHS components—all focused on the “4 Ps” of the center’s mission: prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships.

“Human trafficking is modern day slavery. There is no other way to say it,” said Acting Secretary Chad Wolf. “The words are strong because the actions are evil. The forms of exploitation, sex trafficking, forced labor, and domestic servitude that constitute human trafficking are antithetical in every way to the principles of human dignity that Americans hold dear. The launch of this Center for Countering Human Trafficking represents the investment of resources, attention, and time by President Trump to combat and dismantle all forms of human trafficking.”

On Jan. 15, Wolf signed and released the DHS Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, the Importation of Goods Produced with Forced Labor, and Child Sexual Exploitation (https://www.dhs.gov/publication/strategy-combat-human-trafficking-importation-goods-produced-forced-labor-and-child) which pledged to bolster DHS efforts to combat human trafficking and forced labor.

“Human Trafficking, whether through sex or labor, is a detriment to our society and threatens the moral conscience of our nation. Criminal organizations target those who are most vulnerable and exploit them through any means necessary, Victims are treated as commodities rather than human beings, with no regard for their health and well-being,” said ICE Senior Official Performing the Duties of Director Tony Pham. “ICE, along with our internal and external partners, will continue to fight against these atrocities and answer victims’ cries for help. The Center for Countering Human Trafficking will serve as evidence that when we work collectively against such heinous acts, we combat the threat they pose to national security and to public safety.” 

ICE’s HSI has long been a global leader in investigating human trafficking and sexual exploitation cases and bringing offenders to justice. The Center will build on the agency’s “victims first” approach, which balances victim identification, rescue and support with prevention, investigation, and prosecution of traffickers. ICE HSI is uniquely positioned to utilize criminal, immigration, and trade-based authorities to proactively identify, disrupt and dismantle cross-border human trafficking organizations.

In fiscal year 2019, ICE initiated 1,024 human trafficking and forced labor related cases which led to 2,197 criminal arrests. These effective actions resulted in nearly 700 convictions and the rescue of more than 400 victims.

Reporting suspected sexual or labor exploitation can help decrease or stop further victimization, as well as lead to the identification and rescue of other possible victims. To report suspicious activity or instances of sexual abuse or exploitation, contact your local law enforcement agency. Tips can be submitted online at https://www.ice.gov/tipline, by phone at 866-DHS-2-ICE or by contacting your local ICE office.

For more information about the Department of Homeland Security’s overall efforts against human trafficking, visit http://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign 

Ralph Cipriano: U.S. Attorney Rips Krasner, Inky, Over Killing By D.A.'s Staffer

Veteran reporter and author Ralph Cipriano (seen in the below photo) at BigTrial.net offers a piece on the scandal at the DA office, which has not received much news coverage here, with the notable exception of Ralph Cipriano’s blog. 

(Which is why Philadelphia Weekly changing editorial direction to a conservative newspaper and offering an alternative voice in the city is so important. On a personal note, my Crime Beat column will appear next week in Philadelphia Weekly).   

Ralph Cipriano’s post offers the U.S. Attorney’s comments on the DA scandal. 

It's day two of the local news media blackout over the latest scandal in the Philly D.A.'s office, involving a gun violence counselor who shot and killed a male prostitute. 

And who's trying to expose the ongoing cover up?  

U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain went on Twitter today to rip D.A. Larry Krasner: 

"Your Philly DA's office: where Krasner hires an employee who allegedly ends up shooting and killing a man. You can't even make this stuff up. The destruction that Krasner has wrought on that office is a tragedy." 

McSwain subsequently went on Twitter again to rip The Philadelphia Inquirer, which, as usual, was sleeping through another news cycle involving possible bad publicity for their favorite progressive D.A.: 

"So where's the @PhillyInquirer article on this? Everybody knows that the Inquirer bends over backwards to protect Krasner, but this is a little too obvious -- even for them." 

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

https://www.bigtrial.net/2020/10/us-attorney-rips-krasner-inky-over-da.html 

'Everything I do Is Criminal': South Jersey Member Of Philadelphia Crime Family Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison for Selling Illegal Drugs

Joseph Servidio, who was caught on a wiretap recording stating, "Everything I do is criminal," was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey released the below information: 

CAMDEN, N.J. – A Cape May, New Jersey, man was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for distributing approximately 300 grams of crystal methamphetamine and thousands of pills containing heroin and/or fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. 

Joseph Servidio, a/k/a “Joey Electric,” 60, of Marmora, New Jersey, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler to an information charging him with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including 50 grams or more of crystal methamphetamine. Judge Kugler imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: 

Law enforcement sources have identified Servidio as a member of La Cosa Nostra (LCN), the Mafia. Servidio distributed pills that contained heroin and/or fentanyl along with conspirator Carl Chianese. The pills they distributed were stamped with markings that made them look similar to prescription opioid pills (Oxycodone or Percocet). Servidio and Chianese were also involved in the distribution of multiple-ounce quantities of crystal methamphetamine. Servidio and Chianese sold the pills and crystal methamphetamine on multiple occasions to an FBI undercover agent in exchange for cash payments. 

In total, Servidio was responsible for the distribution of over 200 grams of fentanyl and heroin and approximately 300 grams of crystal methamphetamine. 

Chianese, 80, was sentenced by Judge Kugler in March 2020 to 10 years in prison and ordered to forfeit the firearm and United States currency, as part of the sentence imposed. Salvatore Piccolo, 68, another member of the Philadelphia LCN who sold crystal methamphetamine to the FBI undercover agent, was sentenced by Judge Kugler in November 2019 to 150 months in prison.  

In addition to the prison term, Judge Kugler sentenced Servidio to five years of supervised release. 

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge George M. Crouch, Jr., Newark Field Office, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. 

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Askin of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Camden Office.

Tom Selleck Looks Back At His Sharpshooting Aussie Western, 'Quigley Down Under'

 I enjoyed watching Tom Selleck in Magnum P, I. years ago, and I enjoy watching him in his current TV series Blue Bloods. 

He’s an understated actor and a good actor, and by all accounts, he’s an intelligent and decent guy. 

I’ve also enjoyed watching Tom Selleck in westerns, such as the TV miniseries The Sacketts and The Shadow Riders, both of which were adapted from Louie L’Amour’s western novels. 

Cowboys & Indians magazine offers a look back at Tom Selleck’s other western, the 1990 film, Quigley Down Under. 

Tom Selleck believes the 30th anniversary of his popular big-screen western Quigley Down Under is worth celebrating — and knew exactly how he wanted to do it. 

“I called a guy who restores antique firearms and had him restore an 1878 Colt revolver,” Selleck says. That gun does not appear in the film, but Selleck thinks it’s the kind Quigley would have chosen. “If he owned a handgun, it would be a state-of-the-art double-action revolver — that’s why I picked it. Plus, I just love the old-time way it looks.” 

Selleck displays the Colt in a case with a brass plaque that reads “I said I never had much use for one. Never said I didn’t know how to use it.” 

That line, from the film’s audience-rousing climax, is etched in the memory of western fans who embraced the film in 1990, as well as those who have since discovered it through subsequent cable TV showings. 

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

https://www.cowboysindians.com/2020/10/tom-selleck-quigley/