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Tue, Dec

How the People of America Change in Just a Few Terrifying Moments

LOS ANGELES

RANTZ AND RAVEZ-We have all heard, read and seen countless media reports about 64-year old Steven Paddock of Mesquite, Nevada and the terror, injury and death he inflicted upon thousands of people who attended the Route 91 Country Music Festival adjacent to the Mandalay Bay resort-hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Over a week later, investigators from the Federal, State and Local Governments are still trying to determine the cause of this massive hostile action against totally innocent people. Why would a rich American citizen perform this cowardly act against fellow humans who were only out for an evening of enjoying music in an open-air arena? We still don’t have a clue as to why this wealthy Nevada resident used modified assault weapons to kill 58 and injure over 500 people, some of whom are still in the hospital in critical and serious condition. 

Authorities will continue the field investigation and developing the personal profile on this killer, gathering evidence and putting the pieces together in search of the cause of such a brutal attack on innocent people. 

While we focus on the victims, we need to remember the first responders, citizens and others who rushed to aid the victims of this horrific attack. The law enforcement, fire and medical personal and all others who helped are to be commended for taking swift action. This story will continue in future editions of RantZ and RaveZ.  

Will security be increased at public venues in the future? I am sure it will. That means one more liberty we must lose as we battle to keep people safe and counter the hostile actions of angry, deranged people and terrorist groups in our midst. I am sure many of you can remember the old days when you went to the airport to take a flight. You could run to the gate, ticket in hand, without having to having to have your items scanned or needing to take off your shoes and belt and other personal items. Those days of freedom are long gone. And even tighter security measures will be coming that will impact us all as we continue to battle those who want to terrorize and harm us. It is just the way it is in our land of Freedom, Liberty and Justice for all. A sad situation indeed.    

If you are interested in contributing funds to help those in need, here are two verified sites for your contributions: 

Red Cross  

Las Vegas Victims’ Fund:   

Stop the Gas Tax and Car Registration Increase 

Here’s something that will cost you no money…your opportunity to tell the Governor and Sacramento politicians that you are tired of them passing legislation without your consent, increasing your cost of owning a vehicle and paying for gas in California. On November 20, 2017, you will be able to exercise your right to just say NO to the Sacramento plan to jack up your gas tax and car registration fees for years to come. The increase has an inflation clause and the costs will just keep increasing. 

Remember, on November 20, 2017, sign the petition to REPEAL THE GAS TAX AND CAR REGISTRATION INCREASES. 

You can obtain petitions to circulate to your friends and neighbors at: Reform California, P.O. Box 27227 San Diego, Calif 92198. If you see me, I will have petitions to sign. We can tell Sacramento that we have had enough and will not take it any longer.     

Remember, this is only one of the many tax increases that are being pushed on the city, county and state levels.  

That’s it for this edition of Rantz and RaveZ.

 

(Dennis P. Zine is a former and retired LAPD Supervisor, former and retired 12-year Los Angeles City Councilman and current General Manager at Bell Canyon in Ventura County.) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.

-cw