STOP CODDLING DOMESTIC ABUSERS

The shooting death of Poughkeepsie police officer John Falcone on Friday as he came to the aid of a three-year-old girl who had just witnessed her father kill her mother in a parked car was another example of extreme domestic violence becoming the new normal. The killer had recently been released on bail after assaulting his wife twice in January. The woman had moved out with her children but had agreed to meet her estranged husband to get the family car back. Instead the husband shot her dead in a parking lot before killing Officer Falcone and eventually himself. This incident is part of a disturbing trend with people using guns instead of lawyers when resolving domestic disputes. It's time the judicial system began treating these situations at least as seriously as we now treat drunk driving. These things are no longer "family matters." Like all criminal activity, the criminal needs to know there will be a heavy price to pay for crossing the line. No more low bail or suspended sentences for first-time offenders. Take guns away from abusers. Have real hot lines where women can get immediate help. If we have to take money away from some feel-good social program, so be it. People are dying out there. Deal with it.

CHELSEA CLINTON MARRIAGE KAPUT

After all that hoopla and all that money, it appears money and fame can't buy you love. I'm hearing from a number of sources that Marc Mezvinsky has flown the New York coop he has shared with wife Chelsea Clinton since their July 31 marriage. Some Clinton flacks are trying to spin it as a trial seperation but don't buy it. As was true during our reporting of the marriage, the fact that nobody in the Clinton camp will confirm or deny the report tells me it's true.

TIME FOR GIFFORDS HUSBAND AND DOCTORS TO SHUT UP

Feel free to call me an insensitive slob but could someone tell Mark Kelly, husband of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords to step away from the hot lights of the TV cameras and just shut up. We get it. Your wife was shot, it's unfortunate but when did it become about you? Don't you get enough attention as a shuttle commander? Stop emoting with Diane Sawyer and all those other phonies looking for ratings. I won't even bring up the fact you met your wife when you were quite married and Giffords was in a relationship. You both dumped your significant others and got married. I'm sure Kelly's ex is gagging every time she sees you blabbing on about love and committment. I'm also telling you here first, Mark Kelly is already thinking about running for his wife's seat because she won't be going back to Congress at the end of the day. Mark my words.
Then there's Dr. Peter Rhee, the ER doctor who just happened to be on call when the shooting happened. This guy is giving more interviews than Chuck Schumer. Now he's moved his wife and family into a hotel next to the hospital to "care" for Congresswoman Giffords. I wonder if he does that for every shooting victim? I can already see him on Oprah and shortly thereafter with his own show on her network.

ARIZONA SHOOTINGS WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING

Judging by the obscene politicizing of the shootings in Arizona, does anyone really believe anything's changed? The left tried to make it about talk radio and Sarah Palin and refused to concede this was simply a nut job with no political agenda or the intellect to form one. The Tea Party, while totally without blame in all this, spent the last ten days spinning its agenda in a furious defense. Then you had another leftie lunatic who managed to get himself shot along with Congreesswoman Giffords, decide to threaten some Tea Party leader at a media sponsored Town Hall. He was arrested and now is whining about the stress he's been under. This will go on and on and don't kid yourself about a kindler and more gentle political discourse. It just isn't going to happen.

HILLARY CLINTON'S OUTRAGEOUS LIE

Just in case anyone forgot, failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton showed her true colors the other day while speaking to an Arab audience. Referring to the Tuscon shootings, the current Secretary of State attributed the muderous rampage to an "extremist." This was an outright lie intended to curry some kind of positive response from the Muslim community similar to what we've seen with Obama's constant apologies for America's dominance over the years. To call the shooter an extremist is to imply he had a political agenda. We know for a fact he didn't. His best friend told ABC News, the shooter had no interest in politics and didn't listen to talk radio or watch TV. He was and is simply bonkers. But that knowledge didn't stop Hillary from using the tragedy to make points with radical Muslims and American leftists. Remember, this is a woman whose career is littered with lies and half-truths. Using the forum of Secretary of State to spread inflammatory rhetoric throughout the Middle East is beyond irresponsible. I for one am thrilled we weren't dumb enough to put her in the White House.

SARAH PALIN DIDN'T SHOOT ANYBODY

Poor Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords hadn't gotten to the emergency room before all these TV blowhards had put the gun in Sarah Palin's hand. Is she over the top annoying at times? You betcha. But holding her or her political ideology responsible for Jared Loughner's act of insanity is really reaching. The last time I checked, crazy isn't an ideology or political party. Sometimes nuts is just nuts. Everyone needs to calm down.

NOT BUYING HOMELESS GUY STORY YET

I know everyone is gushing over the feel-good story of Ted Williams, the homeless guy with the great voice. On the surface it appears to be a great tale of redemption and happy endings. But we need to know a lot more about this guy before we have him hosting the Academy Awards. This is a guy who ran out on his wife and four kids and jumped down a rabbit hole of drugs and crime. He claims he has been clean for two years but already reports are surfacing about him using and being arrested last July. Remember, a lot of street people are by definition hustlers and con men. They have to be to survive. Now I don't want to hear a lot of liberal hand-wringing about what drove him to bail out. He made a choice and old habits die hard. Just because he popped up on YouTube and the morning chat shows doesn't mean he isn't a deeply troubled man or his troubles are over. He had a wife and a good job 20 years ago and he chose drugs and the street. That impulse doesn't go away chatting with Jimmy Fallon.
There was a drug-addled homeless woman living on a subway grate in Manhattan years ago named Billie Boggs. When the cops tried brooming her from panhandling in front of a restaurant, the ACLU and other assorted do-gooders adopted her and made her their poster girl for the nobility of the streets. They cleaned her up, put her on talk shows and even took her to Harvard where she delivered some absurd "lecture." Where is Billie Boggs today? No one knows because as soon as the TV lights went dark so did Billie. Her drug habit and diminished mental capacity had her back on the streets in short order. Her liberal supporters dropped her like a bad habit because she wasn't playing the role they envisioned for her. I hope I'm wrong but Ted Williams could be the next Billie Boggs. If he is, they'll desert him just as fast.

FIRST SNOW EVER IN NEW YORK!

OK, it snowed yesterday and the wind blew pretty good. But do we really need wall to wall TV coverage of what used to be a fairly routine event? Does the Mayor have to be on TV reassuring his city of wussies that everything will be fine. I was watching one station when a breathless reporter asked some random guy how he was holding up. He said just fine and began complimenting the snow plow guys. Well, you'd have thought he farted judging by how fast they dumped him. Clearly they want whiners and hysterical idiots. Unfortunately the woods are full of such types. I also love the NYC horror stories about people "stranded" on streets or in their cars. Hey folks, it's New York City. How far do you really have to go to find shelter or something to eat.

ESCAPED MEXICAN CONVICTS DEMAND UNEMPLOYMENT

Yesterday's escape of nearly 150 of Mexico's nastiest convicts from a prison in the northern Mexican town of Nueva Laredo has American authorities worried. Forget the fact these guys are killers, rapists and robbers, these folks will shortly be demanding the benefits of American citizenship. Do you think they're staying in Mexico? No they're heading for the border and then down to the umemployment office and snapping up some Obama swag before grabbing some food stamps, a wefare check and some free medical care. They will also need to get their kids enrolled in school and check out some section 8 housing. And don't even think about asking to see their papers. These are proud Hispanics and they don't take kindly to racial profiling. Once they're settled in, then they will resume murdering and pillaging the countryside.

JUST SAY YES TO PROFILING

Over the weekend a Dominican livery cab driver in New York City was robbed and shot seven times by a Hispanic thug in his 20's. Normally this would be just another ugly story from the big city. But wait...Fernando Mateo, who heads the Livery Drivers Association told reporters and his drivers they need to begin racially profiling anybody they pick up. He said 99% of those committing these robberies are black or Hispanic and if they look iffy to refuse them service. You can bet we'll hear a lot of howling and whining from the left on this. Of course, those objecting to racial profiling wouldn't be caught dead in a livery car or the neighborhoods they serve. I drove a cab years ago and always profiled because I enjoy breathing and money. Even so, I was robbed at gunpoint by one of the usual suspects. The poor livery driver is fighting for his life and was working extra hours to buy Christmas presents for his kids. Let's not forget who the bad guys are here.

THE SARAH PALIN EXPERIMENT

Have you noticed the mere mention of Sarah Palin makes people crazy? It's like nothing I've ever seen. Even during Watergate people didn't get that worked up over Nixon. I don't know why exactly but nobody ever shrugs their shoulders when Palin's name comes up. So I've taken to having some fun with it. You should to. I was in a New York City restaurant last night with friends. I casually asked the group if they'd noticed people seem to have a strong reaction to Sarah Palin. That's all I had to say. I then sat back as everyone at the table started sputtering on about Palin, her family, Dancing with the Stars, her book sales. One of the people with us is a 21-year-old German exchange student. Even she came out smoking. "In Germany, we think she's very stupid." So here's the question. Why are people so worked up about this woman?

CHARLIE RANGEL FOUND GUILTY ON 11 COUNTS

To no one's surprise sleazy Harlem Congressman Charlie Rangel was found guilty of numerous ethical violations. The commmon demoninator was dishonesty and arrogance. He failed to reprt income, gifts and stole from political contributors. So what happens to Rangel now. He either gets a letter of reprimand or censure from the House. In others words, nothing. It would take a 2/3 vote of the House to expell the bum and democrats won't do it. Yet I read this morning another less connected African-American just got 13 years in jail for holding up a deli in Poughkeepsie with a toy gun. Rangel stole millions and violated the public trust yet he gets to go home and play the tiresome race card. Something's very wrong with our judicial system and Congress.

ANYBODY FOR A TAX HIKE?

The Hyde Park town board is proposing a substantial tax hike despite the toughest economic environment in memory. Most annoying is a 25% raise for the Town Clerk, who has been on the job for less than a year. Most other towns in the Hudson Valley are proposing tax reductions or very small increases. Beekman just announced a zero % increase. Hyde Park Supervisor Tom Martino blames state and federal mandates for his 15% increase. My question is how does everyone else seem to manage? that's right, they're not playing politics and rewarding their political friends,

HYDE PARK BOARD HITS ROCK BOTTOM

Just when you thought this dysfunctional town board couldn't sink any lower, they prove you wrong. Messrs. Monks, Martino and Athanas put on a clinic last night arguing with residents, treating them rudely and finally refusing to condemn a remark made by Republican Bob Clearwater that former Supervisor Pompey Delafield "should be shot." We all know politics can get a little rough but condoning violence against a former public service crosses the line. Clearwater later apologized for his intemperate remark but Monks, Martino and Athanas refused to disassociate themselves from the hateful remark. Making matters worse was their butt boy, planning board member Chan Murphy mocking Councilwoman Sue Serino as she discussed her brother's recent suicide. Serino was attempting to put our current economic hardships and lack of employment as reason to hold taxes steady when the obnoxious Murphy began mocking the reference to her brother. Serino understandably took offense and called Murphy, "a disgusting human being" which he is. It's unfortunate we have to wait a year to vote these people out because it looks like they intend to do as much damage as possible.

WHO RAISES TAXES NOW?

I was at the hideous Hyde Park town board meeting Thursday night as they tried justifying a proposed 15% tax hike next year. Needless to say residents weren't buying it. The irony is these were so-called fiscally conservative republicans calling for a huge tax increase locally while criticizing democrats nationally for overspending. You can't have it both ways Mr. Martino and your faux Tea Party allies. A real republican simply makes some tough choices in bad times and reduces spending. Instead these clowns want to give the Town Clerk a 25% raise among other things. Are they insane? There should be a pay freeze and hiring freeze as well. Stop blaming everything on someone or something else. You have the job so now go do it!

Bye-Bye Pelosi and Co.

Well, it's almost 24 hours since America showed Nancy Pelosi and the Obama agenda the door and I'm still buzzing. My only regret is that hideous Harry Reid managed to retain his Senate seat in Nevada. A chastened President Obama held a press conference today and came as close as he can to being humble. The overwhelming rejection of almost everything he's done since assuming office has apparently broken through his legendary arrogance and conceit. One thing I found interesting in the results was conservatives managed to discern the difference between good and bad candidates. The fact that voters refused to buy Sharon Angle, Christine O'Donnell and Linda McMahon tells me not being a democrat was not enough to insure victory. All three candidates had a ton of money and media exposure but voters refused to elect flawed candidates. It makes the overall landslide more credible. My final observation after hitting a number of election night celebrations is democrats do better food, at least in Hyde Park!

12-YEAR_OLD ARMED ROBBER

Everyone is talking about the case of a 12-year-old Poughkeepsie kid arrested for trying to rob a woman near the train station with what appeared to be a handgun. A passing patrol car observed the little thug as he accosted the woman and arrested him at gunpoint. The "gun" turned out to be a BB gun. Is this kid a poor misguided boy from a poor family and no father? Probably but try telling that to the poor woman he attempted to rob. I also recall I was over six feet tall at 12 so he might not have been too non-threatening in appearance. I'm also willing to bet his victim was coming home from work at 5:30pm. What do we do with kids like this who grow up in a culture of violence and total disregard for conventional society or rules. It might be time to roll back the clock and lock these miscreants up. If we don't they will simply proceed down the road and become full time adult criminals. There should also be penalties and restitution imposed on whatever passes for parents. Lastly, imagine if it had been dark and the cop shot this kid with a gun in his hand. Who would the bad guy be? What would you suggest society do with this kid?

BAD TIME FOR BUSH BOOK

OK, first of all I had no idea George Bush was writing a book. I thought he had the good sense and good taste to lay low for a while like most ex-presidents. But apparently not. What I find odd and troubling is Bush's book is getting leaked all over the internet at a time when republicans don't need to remind people about the Bush years. If I'm the about to be smoked democratic party, I'm dancing a jig about now. Bush did enough damage to the republican brand when he was in office. Why bring it all up again as republicans are about to win big on Tuesday. It proves again, Bush is a moron.

SHOULD DAYTOP GET THE BOOT?

That's the lead story in this week's Hudson Valley News. The issue is an old one with a new face. Daytop is a residential drug and alcohol treatment center located on an old estate in Rhinebeck. The residents are not confined in any way and can come and go at their pleasure. A few weeks ago one of the residents broke into the home of a nearby resident as they slept. Luckily for them, nobody woke up. The intruder was high as a kite and eventually stole their car before being captured a few days later. The incident conjured up vivid memories of that poor family in Connecticut slaughtered by a couple of drug crazed losers.
At a recent meeting of the Rhinebeck Town Board, the victims and other residents rose to demand Daytop be closed. The primary objection is Daytop houses convicted criminals and people with significant substance abuse issues. Should they be living side by side with residents who have neither problem? Should taxpayers be forced to roll the dice with their children's safety to accomodate a program intended to be an alternative to incarceration? In my opinion, no they shouldn't and the town is insane to incur that kind of potential legal liability. Remember if one of these victims had awakened and startled this thug, a number of people could have been murdered. Even the liberal residents of Rhinebeck seemed to get that the other night. Your thoughts?

NPR IS A JOKE

NPR contribitor and Fox analyst Juan Williams was summarily fired from his NPR gig for saying he gets nervous when he sees Muslims on a commercial airliner. So do most sane individuals but it doesn't make them bigots or racists. It makes them rational. Every terrorist event since 9/11 involving an aircraft had one common denominator. The perpetrators were Muslims and justified their cowardly and muderous actions through some distorted interpretation of the Koran. Do I or Juan Williams think every Muslim on a plane wants to kill me. No but I'm sure paying more attention to anyone of Arab or Muslim appearance who goes anywhere near the front of the plane or acts suspiciously. That's not profiling or prejudice, it's the manifestation of the human survival instinct. Normally I would say NPR is entitled to hire and fire within reason but given they are funded with taxpayer money, I have a problem. Taxpayer money means citizens of all political and religious persuasions. Their voices should be heard as well as those of the far left. But as we all know, liberal talk radio has always be a financial loser and liberals have had to rely on public funds to stay on the air. That's fine but let's not make it so obvious by firing a decent and intelligent guy like Williams.