Murdered 25-year-old saves lives with his organs

CLIFTON, N.J. (AP) — James O’Hea was told privately his failing heart gave him little more than a month to live. Terence Begley’s diabetes meant more years of dialysis and deteriorating kidneys.

That was before a tragic event – the shooting of three people in a church last November – turned life-affirming through the quick response of one victim’s family.

O’Hea, Begley and three other people received organs from 25-year-old Dennis John Malloosseril (mahl-LOO’-sir-ihl). He was shot and killed Nov. 23 as he tried to break up an argument between a fellow church member and her estranged husband, according to police and witnesses.

O’Hea, Begley and the other recipients – Malta Hameed, 40, of Clifton; Migdalia Torres, 52, of Cleveland, Ohio, and John Muscarella, 22, of East Newark – attended a memorial service for Malloosseril on Sunday at the St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Knanaya (kah-nahn-NIGH’-ya) Church, where the shooting happened.

Dennis John Malloosseril

Before the service, the recipients had an emotional meeting with Mallossseril’s parents.

“They bent down and listened to my heart,” O’Hea said. “I had tears rolling down my cheeks.”

Torres, who has suffered for 25 years from lupus that has affected her kidneys, recalled jumping out of bed at 6 a.m. on the morning after the shooting when she received a call that an organ match had been found. Like the others, she admitted having mixed feelings about the events that led to her transplant.

“I knew someone would have to die for me to get a kidney, but I didn’t expect it to be the way he died,” she said Sunday.

For the 57-year-old O’Hea, who was suffering congestive heart failure, the donation and transplant literally meant a new lease on life.

Murder victim's parents: John and Aley Malloosseril at the memorial service.

“I was weak and basically bedridden,” O’Hea said last week. “My cardiologist agreed that if I hadn’t gotten a heart, I would not have made it through December.”

Begley, 39, who no longer requires the thrice-weekly dialysis treatments he has endured for the last four years, received Malloosseril’s kidney and pancreas. Hameed received a liver and Torres received a kidney.

Muscarella suffers from cystic fibrosis and had been given a less than 50 percent chance of surviving more than two years had he not received both of Malloosseril’s lungs.

Malloosseril died of his wounds on the night of the shooting, two days before he would have turned 26. His family decided to donate his organs.  (More.)

B.S. Report–It breaks your heart but at the same time it shows that some good can come out of even the most horrible situation.

I Can’t Understand Why The LAPD Might Be Slightly “Miffed” About This…

Confidential Report Not So Confidential Anymore, Is It?

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities in Los Angeles say a confidential report on police misconduct that included the names of hundreds of officers was mistakenly posted on the Internet.

The Police Commission report was e-mailed to the news media. It also was posted on a city Web site on Friday but removed less than an hour later.

The report included the names of about 250 officers that the internal affairs unit had investigated over allegations of racial profiling.

Police Commission Executive Director Richard Tefank called it an “unfortunate mistake.”

Commission and LAPD representatives apologized to the president of the police union, the Police Protective League.

Union president Paul M. Weber called it “absolutely outrageous.”

B.S. Report– “Unfortunate mistake.”  What about all the good cops who just had their names dragged through the mud on some City Web site?  How about we plaster the names of Police Commission Executive Directors’ who can’t do their jobs properly on the internet?  Remember, these officers aren’t even guilty of anything.  They were simply being investigated, and, for something as low-level as racial profiling.  That could mean that some big-mouth just lodged a meaningless complaint.  I’m not saying they’re all innocent but for sure they’re not all guilty.

Better yet, how about we put the names of all the incompetent newspaper reporters who wrote stories that later needed a retraction because they were filled with falsehoods?  Notice what’s missing from this story?  How about the person or department responsible for putting the officers names on the internet.

Who put the names on the City Web site?  I assume it was someone in the Police Department administration staff–but what was the role of the news media?  Since this is an L.A. Times story, and we all know where they stand, you wouldn’t expect them to explain that.

Al Gore Takes Home Another Grammy For “An Inconvenient Truth”

Hasn't He Been Winning Awards For This "Mockumentary" for 3 years?

An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore has won the 2009 GRAMMY Award for Best Spoken Word Album.

An Inconvenient Truth is read by Beau Bridges, Cynthia Nixon and Blair Underwood.

With wit, smarts and hope, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH ultimately brings home Gore’s persuasive argument that we can no longer afford to view global warming as a political issue – rather, it is the biggest moral challenges facing our global civilization.

The 2009 Grammys recognize albums released between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008.

B.S. Report–“With wit, smarts and hope?”  What documentary was that guy watching? How about with distortions, innuendo and a bunch of now disproved claims.  We all understand by now that these awards shows are as much political events with a “point of view” as popular music events.

Well, anyway, congratulations Mr. Gore on another award for this hysterical work.  I’m sure next year you’ll probably pull down another Grammy for the rap version of “An Inconvenient Truth.”

Someone named Chris Brown (a hip-hop guy) was arrested…

R&B singer Chris Brown booked on suspicion of making felony criminal threats

You're In Trouble Hip-Hop Guy

[Updated 9:21 p.m.] R&B singer Chris Brown has been booked tonight on suspicion of making felony criminal threats in connection with an incident involving his girlfriend, pop singer Rihanna, according to Los Angeles Police Department sources familiar with the case.

Brown was booked at the Wilshire Division station and posted $50,000 bail, sources said. He left the station before 9 p.m.

Los Angeles police said earlier they planned to detain Brown for questioning on an alleged domestic violence assault. In an updated statement tonight, police said, additional charges may be filed against Brown when the case is presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Brown listed his residence as Washington, Va.

[Updated 7:25 p.m.] Brown arrived at the Wilshire Division police station before 7:15 p.m., accompanied by his attorney Mark Geragos and Geragos’ investigator, Scott Ross. The pair drove into a parking lot behind the police station on Venice Boulevard just east of La Brea Avenue in a black Cadillac Escalade. They entered through a back door where a posted sign read “authorized personnel only.” Police are expected to release a statement later this evening

Both Brown and Rihanna canceled their performances at tonight’s Grammy Awards. (There’s more, if you like.)

B.S. Report–Yes, I plead guilty–most of these singers and a lot of today’s actors I just don’t know.  But I do know that quite a few of them seem to be getting into trouble.  And this guy, Chris Brown, knows how to get the maximum publicity out of getting arrested (or being in jail) by doing so on Grammy night.

That could have been a good move Chris except for the fact that you were arrested for allegedly beating up your girlfriend. That’s definitely not a good move.

Girlfriend or maybe "ex-girlfriend," singer Rihanna. Not a good move Chris, not good at all.

I guess the Grammy’s were on last night…yawn

Big winners: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

Los Angeles (AP) – Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ unorthodox partnership yielded rich rewards on Grammy night, as the pair nabbed five Grammy’s for the haunting CD “Raising Sand,” including record and album of the year honors.

But their Grammy sweep was overshadowed by the shocking arrest of another nominee as the broadcast was taking place – teen heartthrob Chris Brown, who was in police custody for an alleged felony assault on an unidentified woman the night before. Police records showed he was being held on $50,000 bail.

Brown and longtime girlfriend Rihanna, also nominated, were both slated to perform in different slots of the show, but separately dropped out at the last minute. The victim of Brown’s alleged assault wasn’t identified, and it wasn’t immediately clear whether Rihanna’s absence was related to Brown’s.

The pairing of the former Led Zeppelin rocker and Krauss, a bluegrass queen, may have seemed downright weird on paper, but the T Bone Burnett-produced album was universally acclaimed and highlighted Krauss’ unique talent of mastering different musical styles.  Subdued but emotionally stirring, “Raising Sand” was an artistic triumph for both artists, and perhaps demonstrated why Krauss is the most decorated female artist in Grammy history.

Lil Wayne entered the evening with the most nominations with eight, and ended the night with four, including rap album of the year.

But it was Jennifer Hudson who provided the night’s most emotional moments onstage. The Oscar winner took her first Grammy award – for best R&B album – for her self-titled debut.

Jennifer Hudson

Hudson, 27, made no direct reference to the October killings of her mother, brother and nephew that kept her in seclusion until just this month. But while fighting back tears, she made it clear that her family was foremost on her mind.

“I first would like to thank God who has brought me through. I would like to thank my family in heaven and those who are with me today. (More.)

B.S. Report–I don’t watch award shows out of general principle. These people are already lionized and yet they seemingly spend half the year giving each other awards. I know a lot of you like these shows, especially the Grammy’s, Emmy’s and Oscar’s, but I just can’t bring myself to salute these people.

I think it was different when we didn’t know so much about them-when I was growing up I enjoyed watching the Academy Awards, but I guess I’ve grown old and cynical.  Plus, I think a lot of the music is garbage.

Just One More Reason Why New Yorkers Should Not Have Gun Control Laws…

Man Guilty of Attempted Murder in NYC Stabbing Spree

NEW YORK (AP) — A former mental patient who went on a stabbing spree in subways and Manhattan’s theater district was convicted Friday of attempted murder and assault.

“They keep saying I’m guilty, but I’m not guilty,” Kenny Alexis mumbled as some of the 12 verdicts were read, before the judge had him removed from the courtroom for speaking out.

No, you're guilty...

Alexis, 22, of Boston, was accused of stabbing four people during a 13-hour rampage in June 2006.

A jury convicted him of attempted murder of a Houston man on a subway train and a Brooklyn man on a subway platform. Alexis was acquitted of attempted murder but convicted of assault for knifing two Montreal women in the theater district.

This could have stopped him.

Alexis faces up to 25 years in prison on each attempted murder count. His sentencing was set for March 10.

Defense lawyer Steven Fusfeld argued that his client was mentally ill at the time of the crimes. Alexis had been given a psychiatric examination and found fit for trial, but another psychiatrist testified that Alexis was psychotic at the time of the stabbings and did not realize what he was doing was wrong.

Fusfeld said he would file notice of an appeal, which another lawyer would be appointed to handle.

“I still think there are major problems there,” the lawyer said outside court, referring to his client’s psychiatric condition.

Prosecutors called Alexis “anti-social and ill-tempered.” The Houston man, Christopher McCarthy, testified that Alexis attacked him abruptly as he rode a subway. McCarthy, 24, was stabbed in the heart.

B.S. Report–If just one person on the subway had a permit to carry a concealed weapon, he or she could have stopped this maniac.  Now, since the guy’s probably nuts, he may not get the sentence he deserves.

Eddie Logan Dies At 98…He Ran The Shoeshine Stand at Santa Anita Park Since Racetrack Opened In 1934!

Eddie Saw It All At Santa Anita...Every Person and Every Horse Until 2 Weeks Ago.

Logan, called ‘the foot man,’ ran a shoeshine stand at Santa Anita Park from the day the horse racing track opened in 1934 until a few weeks ago.

Eddie Logan, who ran a shoeshine stand at Santa Anita Park from the day the horse racing track opened in 1934 until a few weeks ago, died Saturday. He was 98.

Logan, who in his younger years was a boxer as well as a baseball player in the Negro Leagues, died at his home in Monrovia after suffering a seizure and stroke in early January, the racetrack announced.

Called “the foot man” by his many loyal customers, Logan was a fixture at the Arcadia track for 74 years. Jockeys, trainers, track employees, bettors and spectators all made their way to his brass-trimmed stand, where he would shine their shoes, sell them a Racing Form and shoot the breeze.

“I’ve been getting my shoes shined by Eddie 34 or 35 years or so,” Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella told The Times in 2006. “When I started coming around, he was already a legend.”

Logan liked to talk, and he liked to work, but he didn’t give tips on horses.

“I don’t finesse the customer, don’t cheat him. I just give a piece of leather what it needs,” he told then-Times columnist Scott Ostler in 1982.

Logan was born in Arkansas on May 20, 1910, and grew up in Kansas City, Mo. He often told stories of playing the outfield, shortstop and catcher with the Homestead Grays and the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues, and of going on barnstorming tours with Satchel Paige, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.

Logan also boxed, and he said he came to Southern California in 1930 for better fights and richer purses.

Along the way he worked in a shoe factory and for a trucking company.

In 1932, when Santa Anita was under construction, Logan was hired to herd the peacocks living on the site west across Baldwin Avenue, to what is now the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden.

Two years later, when the track opened Dec. 25, 1934, Santa Anita founder Dr. Charles Strub hired Logan to operate the shoeshine stand, and he manned it until Jan. 3.

Santa Anita, "The Great Race Place," Eddie's Office for 74 years.

In 2006, the inaugural Eddie Logan Stakes, a one-mile turf race for 2-year-olds, was run at Santa Anita, and Logan left his post at the shoeshine stand to present the winning trophy in the winner’s circle.

He is survived by his third wife, Marie, and a number of grandchildren.

B.S. Report–He was as nice a guy as you’d want to meet.  No trip to Santa Anita felt complete without saying hi to Eddie.  Imagine working at your job for over 74 years!

Santa Anita won't be the same without you, Eddie.

Denver International Airport’s ‘Blue Mustang’ Statue Getting Mixed Reviews

"Blue Mustang" Greets Passengers As They Board Their Plane.

DENVER (AP) — Rearing 32 feet high, the metallic blue mustang sculpture demands the attention of every traveler through Denver International Airport.

But that wild look of “Mustang” is prompting some to wonder if the sculpture installed just a year ago should be moved somewhere less prominent. Alternate monikers suggested for the horse with the glowering eyes include “Bluecifer,” “Satan’s Steed” and “Blue Devil Horse.”

“What exactly was the deal with that horse?” said Rachel Hultin, a Denver real estate agent who’s behind a Facebook site that derides the sculpture.

About 28 million travelers last year passed by the rearing blue horse, located south of the main terminal.

“It’s not the image you want in your head as you’re about to board a plane,” said Christie Carlson of the Denver suburb of Thornton. “My daughter asked me `Is that the devil’s horse?'”  (Read more.)

B.S. Report–I confess, I don’t know much about art…but I do know something about horses, although my taste is more in this direction…

Secretariat--I'll take "Big Red" over "Blue Mustang" any day!

And here is the greatest horseracing performance of all time!

NYT Columnist Dreams Of Obama Taking A Shower…Why Not, Obama’s Going To Make All Americans Take A Bath!

I Can Remember All The Fawning Articles About GW Bush–NOT!

Judith Warner: Typical Long Island Yenta

The other night I dreamt of Barack Obama. He was taking a shower right when I needed to get into the bathroom to shave my legs, and then he was being yelled at by my husband, Max, for smoking in the house. It was not clear whether Max was feeling protective of the president’s health or jealous because of the cigarette.

The other day a friend of mine confided that in the weeks leading up to the election, the Obamas’ apparent joy as a couple had made her just miserable. Their marriage looked so much happier than hers. Their life seemed so perfect. “I was at a place where I was tempted daily to throttle my husband,” she said. “This coincided with Michelle saying the most beautiful things about Barack. Each time I heard her speak about him I got tears in my eyes — because I felt so far away from that kind of bliss in my own life and perhaps even more, because I was so moved by her expressions of devotion to him. And unlike previous presidential couples, they are our age, have children the same age and (just imagine the stress of daily life on the campaign) by all accounts should have been fighting even more than we were.”  (Read more of this valentine to President Obama-if you can stand it.)

B.S. Report–I can’t take anymore of this-what planet do these people come from?  She’s plainly in love with Obama, but I just don’t understand why.  He’s done nothing of note.  What he’s trying to do with his “stimulus” bill is a disaster waiting to happen.  All he’s about is more government power.  This is absolutely a case where “the emperor has no clothes.”

Liberals (not all, of course) see things with their emotions, they’re not interested in facts.  They believe in Obama because they want to believe in him.  Look what Cher said yesterday, “He has a great spirit that will enable him to do more than anyone else could do.”  Gimme a break.  That’s HOPE–just what Obama preached during the campaign.

His policies need to be stopped because they’re poor policies.  They are anti-freedom, anti-individual choice, and anti the basic principles this country was founded upon.  Obama-nomics is an empty vessel.

One of the Last Survivors of San Francisco Earthquake dies at 106

This is one of the earliest memories of Herbert Hamrol.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Herbert Hamrol, who survived the Great Earthquake of 1906 and recalled for later generations how his mother carried him to safety that day, has died. He was 106.

Hamrol, one of the last survivors of the catastrophic quake and fire that leveled San Francisco, died Wednesday at Seton Medical Center in Daly City, a hospital spokeswoman said. His death came less than a month after he celebrated his 106th birthday with a big bash at a steakhouse.

The party was just Hamrol’s style, said friends and co-workers. He smoked cigars into his 90s, and told whoever wanted to know that his secret to a long life was “wild women and good liquor,” said Janine Barrett, a manager at Andronico’s Market in San Francisco.

Until last month, Hamrol had worked at Andronico’s stocking shelves and greeting customers – a job he took after retiring as a grocer in 1967.

“He still came in twice a week – took the BART and the bus to work from Daly City, and walked,” Barrett said. “He was very independent.”

Hamrol was a regular at commemorations of the Great Quake, telling how he escaped the crumbling apartment building in his mother’s arms.

The horses were killed by falling bricks.

“She carried me in her left arm and used her right hand to grab the stair rail,” Hamrol told The Associated Press on the earthquake’s 99th anniversary. “That’s all I remember.”

Last April 18, Hamrol was the lone survivor to attend the annual commemoration. He arrived in style, riding in an immaculate vintage car and saying he would attend this year’s anniversary, “God willing.”

“You’re not going to get an earthquake every day. So we celebrate the one that we had,” Hamrol said. “It was a beautiful earthquake, if you want to look at it in the glorious way.”

Happy till the end

B.S. Report–This guy is inspiring.  Working almost to the very end of his 106 year life.  If you want to see more pictures of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake, you can go here. The city was destroyed, for the most part, not by the earthquake but by all the fires that broke out.