Don't pick a fight with cops


An RPI student, Nicolas Nigro, is claiming he video taped a number of police officers beating a fellow student, Luis M. Lluberes.
The video is fuzzy and dark and it's difficult to determine what is going on were it not for the commentary of the student behind the camera.
"He is an RPI student. What reason does an RPI student have to get hit with anything," said Nigro with an air of superiority as silhouettes presumably beat a fellow student with nightsticks.
Here are a few reasons: According to reports, Lluberes pushed Officer Brandon Cipperly with two hands, took a swing at him and tried to take his nightstick. And according to Police Chief John Tedesco, Lluberes was very intoxicated and he put up such a fight it took three officers to get him under control.
When I was growing up, it was kind of understood that if you go out, get hammered and pick a fight with the police you're gonna get a good ass whooping.
It was and still is as sure a thing as gravity.
From what we've seen and heard and know, the cops did nothing wrong.
The only thing questionable is giving Nigro tickets for open container and disorderly conduct. But, we can't blame the cops there either.
Tedesco said Nigro refused to leave the scene. While we're not sure what transpired before the cops gave him a ticket, another general rule of thumb we learned while growing up was that if you act like a jerk, you're probably going to get a ticket. If you show some respect, you stand a good chance of walking away with a warning.
Maybe RPI can work that very simple lesson in between quantum physics and molecular biology classes.

Don't eat crack cocaine

Monday, Tedesco held a press conference to talk about a man, Herbert Flowers, who died while in police custody after he ingested a substantial amount of crack cocaine.
The autopsy report pretty much concluded a substantial amount equals enough to kill him.
We weren't there for the press conference, but we heard that one of the television reporters asked the chief something like "what lesson is there to be had here."
Sgt. Terry Buchanan, was promoted to captain today, whispered to a couple print journalists the only logical answer: "Don't eat crack cocaine. Don't do it."
He's a pretty smart guy that Buchanan. It's no wonder he got a promotion.
There you have it. Our tips of the day. Dear Abby eat your heart out.

Jim Franco

Sorry we didn’t weigh in earlier about developments in the voter fraud case. We were on vacation.

It’s amazing really.

A judge has been asked to compel nine Democrats, including five City Council members, to give up their DNA in order to determine if it matches samples found on dozens of allegedly fraudulent absentee ballot envelopes in the 2009 Working Families Party primary.

Given what is out there already, we’d be surprised if he doesn’t. And even if he doesn’t, there is probably enough evidence — with sworn affidavits and a thorough investigation by the State Police — to bring charges anyway.

As elected officials, public employees and/or just upstanding members of the community they should volunteer a swab and get it over with. That is, if they have nothing to hide.

A few things that come to mind:

One, we think all will plead guilty to something to avoid potential jail time if they take it to trial, which is a shame really. And the plea deals could come before the Sept. 14 court date even though they haven’t formally been charged with anything yet.

Two, there are one or two who might take it to trial, so we hold out hope for some entertainment.

Three, the court has more important things to worry about like real criminals rather than a bunch of political hacks so it will probably accept, with thanks, any sort of plea.

Four, why hasn't anyone called for the paid suspension of Troy City Clerk Bill McInerney and/or Election Commissioner Ed McDonough until everything is resolved?

They are innocent until proven guilty, which is why we are suggesting a paid suspension, but they are public employees implicated in tampering with documents and there some pretty compelling evidence. And they are in charge of some sensitive documents.

It's be easy at the county level, where the GOP is in the firm majority, but the Dems control the council so they would have to go against one of their own — one implicated right along side of them which is why they won't do it. Suspending McInerney certainly wouldn't help their case now would it.

The five councilmen are President Clement Campana, John Brown, Gary Galuski, Michael LoPorto and Kevin McGrath. The other four, including McDonough and McInerney, are former Troy Housing Authority employee Tony DeFiglio and Brown's brother Dan.

If we remember correctly, when there were allegations about a fake robo call made against a Democratic candidate by a bunch of the Republicans, a bunch of the same people implicated in this case were demanding they be fired.

We have no doubt the calls were made, but the difference is those allegations didn't really have any substance behind them outside of what could be now defined as a disgruntled employee.

These allegations carry the weight of a Supreme Court judge tossing out a bunch of ballots because they were tainted and smelled of fraud, an official State Police and special prosecutor investigation, sworn affidavits by dozens of voters and another judge who will probably ask for, or better put demand, their DNA.



Jim Franco