Some of your peers are upset by the writings that appear on this blog, they have been for quite some time. But one must understand why all this happened. The negative commentary that has come out is supported by more than a few incidents that have yet to be explained away. More than a few members have now spoke up. It is no longer just ACU talking.

The stories on this blog about SEBA started out for the most part because of William Abernthie’s obvious self serving agenda, his past criminal trial from the mid 1980′s seem to set a tone for the Union that many did not like.

I served with Beef when he was a station rep for Rancho Cucamonga, I was a station rep for Glen Helen. It was the time when a lawsuit was pending over Gary Penrod’s comments about not promoting heavy set people, basically because they did not look good in uniform. The other concern was their inability to perform certain duties.

Penrod’s statement were not supported with any specifics, just his perception for the most part.

Another motive for Beefs pushing this lawsuit was his inability to get promoted through normal channels because some other Executive Staff members were NOT going to accept the “not guilty” plea in his trial. He was for the most part going to be punished for the REST of his career or as long as those in power were still working.

Abernathie commented to me on that issue more than once.

I worked with Beef briefly when he was a detective at Rancho Station. He was a hard worker, had kept his nose clean shall we say for a long time. It had been well over a decade since his trial. Despite good evaluations and work performance, NONE of that was going to help him.

So when Penrod made his comments at a station meeting at Rancho, Beef challenged the Sheriff’s comments right then and there. The stage was set for a lawsuit. Abernathie and a couple others got the ball rolling.

Jim Erwin supported the issues, so did I, as both concerns had serious merit to them. Abernathie being held back from promotion for the reasons stated needed to be challenged. We see the same issues being applied to this day with other members.

Of course Abernathie took a non-aggressive approach to handling these issues, did not want to be to vocal once the process got underway. Abernathie didn’t want anyone else rocking the boat on anything that might take away what he was working on. YA know the non-confrontational approach no matter what.

At some point the lawsuit was settled, Abernathie and others got promoted. It was not to long after that Abernathie became the SEBA President. Jim Erwin was the General Manager of SEBA.

Between the two, a small empire had been built.

Erwin had dismissed a lawyer that was handling a discipline/retaliation lawsuit for me because of over billing. I did the audit and found the evidence. Unfortunately for me, Erwin dismissed this lawyer in the 11th hour of my case. Whether that was done by design or actual concern about the money itself, remains a mystery to this day. But it put me at a serious disatvantage.

When taking Bill Hadden en tal billing into question, we know over charging for services seems to be a moot issue in reality. As Hadden told me, “what do you care, it’s not your money”.

It caused Michael Eagleson and Dee Feldmeir some grief at the time. Some thing about breech of fudiciary duties. A short lived concern.

Of course when I started grumbling about all that, I was the bad guy for bad mouthing SEBA. I guess I should have kissed the ring and kept quiet. Even if I had, the same problem rose it’s ugly head again. It has with others, so I am not to concerned about that.

What is glaring, is once Abernathie was well established as the SEBA President, the very issues he challenged were NO longer important to him.

Other victims of similiar discrimination or standards were being told, the “department can do whatever they want”. Some members still hear these same words from others at SEBA.

So on it’s face ONLY William Abernathie’s issues were important. And through political manuevering or whatever, once he had what he needed, everything else be damned.

Under Abernathie’s tenure we had no lawsuits filed to my knowledge. We did have a couple criminal cases that were handled successfully by Silver,Hadden&Silver. But some of the behind the scenes problems were never answered.

We had some accusations during contract negotiations that Abernathie and Eagleson attempted to sell members short without the membership’s permission.

What upset alot of membership was during a time of budget cuts and concessions, Abernathie attempted to get himself a $20,000.00 a year stiped attached onto his salary for all his hard work. REALLY?

This hard work remains a mystery. Traveling around the country promoting PORAC and SEBA is part of the agenda is it not? But one must ask himself is that ALWAYS necessary?

That little stiped did not set well with many.

Then another glaring and yet unanswered issue is Jim Erwin and the Colonies scandal.

Micheal Eagleson appears before the Grand Jury. The testimony given was not considered favorable for Erwin. Of course the substance of all that is still unknown.

I know for sure it did and still may have Eagleson worried in light of all the other issues that continue to come forth involving him.

But we see no support from SEBA as it relates to Erwin. So one must ask himself did he get thrown under the bus to protect someone else? Did Eagleson know full well what was going on and rat Erwin out to save himself.

Knowing how Eagleson continues to play both side of the fence, the perception is far from unreasonable.

To be continued.

One afternoon almost two decades ago I was listening to a local radio station when the DJ asked a trivia question.  “Who is the only person to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame twice?”

Since I lived only a few blocks from Roy Rogers’ home for most of my life, I better know the answer to that one.  And that answer won me two tickets to an autumn concert among the rocks at Calico Ghost Town, a deserted mining town located just northwest of Barstow, California.

Calico is a perfect place for a concert.  There are no city lights to drown out the stars.  There are no city sounds to interfere with the music.  As a matter of fact, nature makes its own music—the howl of an occasional coyote or the chirp of a cricket.  Those are my last memories of Calico Ghost Town until yesterday.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

There was some really good music and the park is a nice place to visit but the heat was terrible.  I thought it was just me.

When I got back to the truck, the thermometer read 107 degrees.  Again, I thought that was just because it had been sitting on that hot pavement between all that hot rock in the tiny canyon.

Around 6 p.m. I decided to check the Weather Channel to see what the temperature was in Barstow.  It was 100 degrees, which means Calico in the middle of the day was much hotter.  So I guess I wasn’t being a wus after all.

On another note, the blog is up and running like you guys wanted it.  (Thank you for the additional donations.  I am not naming names as some have asked me not to.)  So, where are the stories. I know you guys want cop stories and I have to have your help but none of my sources are sending me anything.  How about it guys?

BTW, for all intent and purpose, I have no phone service at this time and have not had it for about 10 days.  This is not a financial issue but rather an Walmart-idiot-employee issue.  The StraightTalk guy was pissed when I said I was going to switch services and the next thing I know he took his exacta knife to my sim card on my month-old phone. They were supposed to replace it within 3-5 days.  Well it is still not replaced with not much hope in sight.  If anyone knows the corporate number where I can get real service, I would appreciate it.

I have already tried their corporate customer service number.  They were going to have a supervisor contact me by early last week, and that hasn’t happened either.

Bottom line is that you have to contact me by email or via the blog.

Many of the 13 candidates in California’s 8^th Congressional District are spending some big dough on fancy mailers, radio and television spots, signs in every conceivable location and the ever-annoying robo calls during dinner.  Political consultants say that is the way to win an election . . . spend, spend, spend.

Well these highly paid consultants may very well be right.  It is a tried-and-true formula that has been used for decades with great success.

But there are a few of us who think those political mailers are perfect cat box liners and nothing more; political signs make an area look trashy; switch channels when political ads pop up; and hang up on robo calls.  Politics in cyberspace, however, is new and not nearly as boring.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Photo from November 2011 protest at Devore Animal Shelter

The county of San Bernardino’s main animal detention center, the Devore Animal Shelter, is once again one of two California sites where a national protest against high-kill shelters will take place.  The protest is set for Saturday, May 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Devore is one of the most controversial shelters in the state due to the fact that a majority of the animals taken in are euthanized while shelter management has refused to allow community volunteers to assist in raising adoption rates or to work towards a “no kill” model.  Shelter supporters, which consist of local animal breeders and shelter staff, strongly oppose attempts to reduce euthanasia rates.  Many advocate breed-specific euthanasia and have suggested on local blogs and in other local media that all specimens of certain breeds or mixes should be put to death.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

]]> http://iepolitics.com/newblog/2012/05/10/examiner-devore-animal-shelter-is-site-for-yet-another-national-protest/feed/ 3 http://iepolitics.com/newblog/2012/05/10/iepolitics-anyone-who-has-owned-one-of-each-knows-this-to-be-true/ http://iepolitics.com/newblog/2012/05/10/iepolitics-anyone-who-has-owned-one-of-each-knows-this-to-be-true/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 04:47:09 +0000 Administrator http://iepolitics.com/newblog/?p=1264 Continue reading →]]> Excerpts from a dog’s diary

Day number 182
8:00 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am – OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am – OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
1:30 pm – ooooooo. bath. bummer.
4:00 pm – OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 PM – OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 PM – OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE

Excerpts from a cat’s diary

DAY 752 – My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture…Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.

DAY 761 – Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors,I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair…must try this On their bed.

DAY 765 – Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was… Not working according to plan.

DAY 768 – I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called “shampoo.” What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still LODGED between my teeth.

DAY 771 – There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event, however, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call “beer.” More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of “allergies.” Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 – I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and he speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my activities. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time…

-Author Unknown

The Examiner hits did increase dramatically but still are a very long way from where I need them to be.  Honestly, I would much prefer to earn the money to pay for this site through hits than donations.  This economy sucks so much right now and everyone is struggling.  Hits are free and fast.

At the same time I don’t want to downplay how much I appreciate what some of you have done to help.  Thank you very, very much.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I feel like we are on the verge of winning a very big battle.  You know it will six years next month since this blog was first started.  None of us knew then what was in store for us and how this would turn out.  It has been a roller coaster ride for sure.

It has been decades since television viewers were introduced to a new weekly Western series where parents could watch with their children without covering ears and eyes. Tales of the Frontier is produced in classic Western format with a wholesome message suitable for the entire family. Viewers will not be subjected to blood and guts or sex scenes but instead to family values and principles.

The catch is that Tales is not broadcast in the traditional manner. It is presented on demand over the Internet. Viewers can watch it on a smart phone, computer, or internet-connected television. The shows are free and can be viewed anytime after their debut.

The first episode, “Prodigal,” debuted last Thursday on AskMilton.tv. As of Tuesday, the show attracted 85,000 views with a 90 percent retention rate. The second episode in the series will be available for viewing at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 10.

To read the rest of the story, click here.