[A repeat from March 9, 2014] Two guys are in an airplane flying at 35,000 feet. Suddenly there’s a loud “BANG.” The pilot comes on the intercom “Ladies and gentlemen, we have just lost one of our four engines. We have three other engines and it is no problem to fly. But we’ll be about one hour late getting to our destination.”
A little while later – another loud “BANG.” Captain comes on “Folks, we have lost a second of our four engines. But this plane can fly on two. But we’re going to be about two hours late getting to our destination.“
A few minutes later, there is another huge “BANG.” The captain comes on the intercom and says “Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve never had this happen but we’ve lost a third of our four engines. This plane is designed to fly on one engine so we’re fine. But we’re going to be about three hours late getting to our destination.”
So the one guy turns to the other and says “Man – if we lose that fourth engine, we’re going to be up here all day!”
Month: February 2025
Save for the soles of her feet
[On the subject of crime – a repeat from July 7, 2018] Assistant States Attorneys dealt with murder cases. With frequency. The files always included in depth police reports, crime scene and morgue photos and a litany of witnesses and grand jury or preliminary hearing testimony. It was one thing to handle a double homicide at a local bar. Or a home invasion murder. But the files that were hard to take were those where the victims were children. I could only deal with these matters for short periods. Often eyes misty. And then I had to turn to something else.
In one particularly horrific case, a 6 year old girl was forced to stand on all fours. While a boyfriend of the mother would beat her. He’d use the buckle end of the belt. If she cried or whimpered, an avalanche of trauma rained down on the little girl. He would stand over her. Waiting for her to flinch. After months of torture, trauma, beatings and horror, the little girl – her name was “April” – finally succumbed after a punch that split her sternum. And the boyfriend – Felix F. – was charged with her murder.
The coroner – always a staple in a murder case – took the stand and testified that the little girl’s hypothalamus had literally disappeared given the daily beatings and chronic fear that she endured. The good doctor testified – I remember well – that there was not one square inch of her body that had not been brutally traumatized “save for the soles of her feet.” Felix was convicted and sentenced to a long term.
Yes. I know. This is hard to read. But – you tell me – what do we do with such people?
Parole
[A repeat from March 20, 2014] On August 17, 1973, Ernie S – an 18 year old with a lengthy rap sheet – broke into a home at 5009 South Ellis in Chicago where Susan Marie H was working as a graphic artist in a small studio in the home. Susan surprised Ernie while he was rifling through two purses in the dining room. He picked up a large knife and stabbed her five times in the chest and stomach. She screamed and Ernie ran out. Susan’s friends in the other room came in and sat her at the kitchen table. She was doubled over and bleeding heavily. Officers who arrived on the scene realized there was no time for an ambulance. They picked her up and raced her to a hospital. Susan – age 23 – was DOA.
In 1976, I was 29 and a seasoned Assistant States Attorney in the Felony Trial Division. I’d handled a lot of murder cases and I remember details of many. But this one stands out. It was a 2-1/2 week jury trial which I tried with my partner Chuck H. My daughter was born in the middle of the trial. The jury deliberated for an hour, Ernie was convicted and sentenced to 100 to 300 years (see post of 10/28/12).
About 7 years ago, I had a call out of the blue from the State’s Attorney’s Office. “Mister Petersen, do you remember a home invasion/murder involving Ernie S__?” I said “yes” and provided graphic details. The State’s Attorney who called me said “wow – you guys really do remember.” Of course. I will never forget. Upon his election, State’s Attorney Richard Devine began asking former State’s Attorneys to participate in parole hearings. On the bad cases. I just testified for the third time on Wednesday. Asking that Ernie never be released. It is terribly emotional. Susan’s parents both died a few years after Susan’s death. Eight months apart. They were in their mid-50’s. Two of Susan’s siblings have died. Why? Grief. Susan’s sister Pat has testified “you have no idea how suffocating the grief is when something like this happens to a family.”
Ernie? A few years after his conviction, he escaped from a prison van taking him to a hospital. He ran into a Joliet high school, stormed into a classroom and dragged a 14 year old girl into a stairwell. Police were minutes behind and he was recaptured.
Neither the death penalty nor life without parole were available in 1976 but this is one case where either would have applied. Instead remaining family members have had to argue against his release every few years. Reliving the pain.
[Postscript – Ernie went before the Parole Board in 2019. And they let him go. . . . .]
The Secret to Peace is Us
[A repeat of May 31, 2018] I just had lunch at my desk. And watched an 18 minute TED Talk – http://www.ted.com . In the past, I have endorsed the value of TED Talks. And I’ve posted on a few favorites (December 29, 2016 and February 5, 2017). While I am often guarded in making recommendations, today’s talk is an A-lister.
I just watched “The Walk from ‘No’ to ‘Yes'” presented by William Ury – an American author, anthropologist and negotiation expert. Ury co-founded the Harvard Program on Negotiation and helped develop the International Negotiation Network. He is the author of numerous books including Getting to Yes which describes the method of principled negotiation and establishes the idea of a “best alternative to a negotiated agreement.”
Ury’s presentation touched on the divisive issues faced in the Middle East — between Israel and Palestinians. And the religious strife in the region. And Mr. Ury offered ideas – that are being used today. In short, he reaches out to each one of us to become a part of the peace process. I know — sounds simple. But if you’re having lunch, you’re bored or you want to see how you can make a difference – please — invest 18 minutes and watch http://www.ted.com/talks/william_ury#t-1105977 Why? Because the secret to peace is Us. . . . .
U.S. Foreign Policy
“. . . wherever the American flag was planted, there tyranny must disappear.”
(A repeat from March 9, 2022) We all have favorite books. One of mine – that I just read for the 4th or 5th time – is U.S. Foreign Policy by Walter Lippmann. It was published in 1943 in the dark days of World War II. A time when 80 million people were killed in the brief span of six years. Lippmann’s premise is that America had no foreign policy following the Spanish American War (1898) until after World War II began. This absence of policy led to the bloodshed in the first half of the 20th Century. President Woodrow Wilson wrongly faulted World War I on a system of alliances. He therefore decided to abandon all alliances (which led to Germany, Japan and Italy developing theirs). Here are a few Lippmann lessons:
Never volunteer to do or not do something — unless there is reason and reciprocity for doing so.
Treating all adversaries alike is a huge mistake. Each one is different.
“America cannot escape its history but it can – at fearful cost – misread its history” — Abraham Lincoln.
Collective security can be a remedy and substitute for alliances.
America’s foreign policy must be solvent before it can afford to issue any more promissory notes.
The “vital interests of the nation” – national interest – should guide foreign policy.
China and Russia will be major forces to contend with in the future.
Survival of the nation, its independence and security are a greater end than peace.
When contemplating these and other salient points of Lippmann’s incisive essay, we can see that America’s objective has not been to subjugate other nations to statehood or territorial inclusion. One need only see America’s heroic efforts to raise Germany and Japan from the ashes of war to rebuild, develop economic success and to kindle friendship. America’s military objectives abroad (whether wise or foolish) have always been intended to repel tyranny and cruelty and not to rule over a country or territory. And then we have Russia – whose objectives are to plant the flag — crush opposition, destroy economy, enslave the people and control with an iron hand. And jackboot.
Pat Paulsen
[A repeat from October 21, 2020] Following my post on the candidacy of Alfred E. Neuman for President in 1956, a friend reminded me of another celebrity who ran for President of the United States — Pat Paulsen. Some of you, may scratch your heads “Pat Paulsen, Pat Paulsen” but this chap was a contender. From 1968 until 1996.
Patrick Layton Paulsen (1927-1997) was an American comedian who spent a lot of time on television. He was a regular on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and he even had his own short-lived show (13 weeks) in 1970. But Pat Paulsen is probably best remembered for his appearances on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour which premiered in 1967. In 1968, Tom and Dick Smothers convinced Paulsen to run for President. And he did. While his candidacy was predicated on humor, he actually appeared on the ballot in New Hampshire on several occasions. When asked about his policies, he’d respond “picky, picky, picky.” And he got votes all over. Check out a few of his campaign slogans.
As I’ve always said – The future lies ahead
I am neither left wing nor right wing. I am middle of the bird.
In America, any boy can grow up to become President. Or if he never grows up, Vice President.
United we sit.
The number 1 cause of forest fires is trees.
Will I obliterate the national debt? Sure, why not?
It’s tough campaigning. Kissing hands and shaking babies.
A Paulsen-Neuman ticket? Coulda worked. . . . .
Locard’s Exchange Principle
[A repeat from September 24, 2017] A crime. No leads. Police and investigators pick through the scene. Ask questions. Examine the scene again. Look. Study. Listen. Sniff. Search. And often solve. Often thanks to Dr. Edmond Locard (1877-1966) – a pioneer in forensic science. Dr. Locard (known as the French Sherlock Holmes) developed a basic principle of forensics that “every contact leaves a trace.” Writer Paul Kirk in 1953 described Locard’s Exchange Principle as: “Wherever he steps [or] whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, will serve as a silent witness against him. . . . .” In other words, the occasion of every crime – leaves behind traces of the criminal. And thus a potential means for solving the case. . . . .
Locard’s Exchange Principle also applies to life in general. As we wander through our daily lives, wherever we walk, stand, sit or set foot, we leave behind a part of us. Whoever we talk to, cross paths with or acknowledge, we leave a trace. Of our presence. The trace can be positive or negative. A sharing of concern, love or sympathy. Or it might be anger, distraction or inattention. But as we move on this journey, whether we like it or not, there is a forensic trail. That bears witness. The traces we leave behind as we shuffle from one day to the next may not mean much to us. But they could mean everything to someone else.
Mother Teresa once said “Kind words can be short and easy to speak. But their echoes are truly endless.” Actions leave echoes too. And attitudes. What traces are you leaving behind?
The Star Thrower
(A repeat from April 21, 2013)
One of my favorite short stories is “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977). The author got up early one morning and began walking the ocean beach. He was alone. The gray fingers of dawn touched the horizon. It was dark but he could see that the sand was covered with starfish – live starfish being swept in by the tide. He continued walking.
Off in the distance on the beach, he saw the shadow of a figure that would stoop — and throw. Stoop — and throw. As he approached the figure, he saw that it is a young man. Who was picking up starfish and slinging them back into the sea. As he reached the young man, he stopped to watch. The author looked at the young man and said “look at the beach. It’s covered with starfish. What you’re doing doesn’t make any difference.” The young man looked back as he picked up a starfish “you see this one? It makes a difference to him” and he threw the starfish into the waves.
This message is so powerful it brings tears to my eyes. What do I do to make a difference? What do you do to make a difference? We are each blessed with special gifts. Abilities. We may not be able to throw a starfish into the sea. But we may be able to throw a lifeline to some person. With a kind word. A generous deed. It may not mean much to us. But our small actions may make all the difference in the world to someone else.
Renaissance Hombre 