Nagin Defends Use of 'Phantom Police' in New Orleans
 

Nagin Defends Use of 'Phantom Police'
Ray Nagin, mayor of New Orleans, lashed back at critics after the FBI discovered that up to 700 so-called members of the city police force simply did not exist. Funding for many of these officers was provided by the federal government.

"During the storm and aftermath we'd heard reports that hundreds of New Orleans police officers had deserted their post," said an FBI spokesman."

Further investigation indicates that these posts had never been manned in the first place, and the funds supposedly paid in wages has disappeared."

"Sure, we "overstated" the number of officers on the force,"said Nagin. "We did this to deter crime."

As Nagin explained it, the "phantom officers" were used as a decoy to "frighten" would-be offenders. "Just as George Washington lit fake campfires to lull the British troops before his surprise attack at Princeton, we in New Orleans have employed a similar strategy."

The effectiveness of Nagin's alleged strategy is in doubt, though.
New Orleans has one of the highest crime rates in the nation.

As for what happened to the funds that were supposed to have paid police salaries, Nagin asserted that they were used to hire consultants and purchase computer software needed to sustain New Orleans' "Virtual Police Force."

"The software had to be custom made," said Nagin. "It's not something you can buy at CompUSA. Software designers don't come cheap. Neither do the public relations experts who developed our media campaign."

The media campaign featured TV spots of various street people implying that they could be undercover cops. In one ad, an apparently toothless derelict looks into the camera and says, "I be watchin' you. So don't you go misbehavin'."

Unimpressed by Nagin's explanation, the FBI asserted it will continue its investigation.

And they want us, the citizens of these United States, to give them $40 Billion no strings attached and no oversight, to rebuild New Orleans!

Give Me a Break!!!!!!!

Is this lying?
A virtual police force.... :rotfl:

Why Not....It looks like they've been running on a Virtual Government for years. :doh:

Thanks
 

Thanks for posting that MIKE. Been saying since the hurricane that there is more than stinks down there than the sewerage floating around. I'll bet the governor is in on it too.

That guys an idiot...about time he starts taking some flak.

While I wouldn't doubt curruption took place and is still taking place, this may be another urban legend:

Check the link: http://www.snopes.com/katrina/satire/police.asp

I see jail time for someone.

Mike,
where did you find that article? I can't find it anywhere on the wire services.

The dis-information that roams the Internet really blows my mind.

Thanks Mike!

Yep.... Anyone other than Pete read the link I put up? Now I'm not an expert but I believe snopes is considered "fair and balanced"

I did! I did! :bl:

-spence

John,
Missed your post at first, which is why I asked. I couldn't find the story on any of the wire services and I'm pretty sure they all would have picked up on it if it was true.

I don't believe anything I read on the internet......except what you guys tell me. :jester:

Snopes is a great website. If it doesn't come from CNN, the AP, or Reuters, and I don't believe it, I always check there.

You might want to check their reports too.

Classic!

I nearly posted that someone would make a "liberal media bias" comment, but deleted it...

Pete_G...the merlot sipping, Starbucks drinking pink panty wearing left wing nut job hell bend on creating a socialist surfcasting scene in Newport :spidey:

-spence

NAGIN
 

I CALL IT STEALING. THE LIMOSINE LIBERALS WILL CALL THE PHANTOMS INOVATIVE. THAT PROGRAM PAYS FOR 75% OF A COPS PAY THE FIRST YEAR, 50% THE SECOND AND 25% THE THIRD. THE MUNICIPALITY THEN ASSUMES THE ENTIRE SALARY. IF THE SALARY WAS SAY $40,000.00 THE FRIST YEAR AND WERE TALKING 700 COPS ON THIS THEN THAT MEANS HE WAS STEALING $30,000.00 X 700 COPS FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF HIRE. THAT AMOUNTS TO HIS STEALING $21,000,000.00 OF FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE PHANTOM POLICE. I'LL BET HIS SO-CALLED COMPUTOR SYSTEM THAT HE BOUGHT FROM RADIO SHACK COST ABOUT $1200.00.

CASH
 

NAGIN DIDN'T GRAB THAT KIND OF CASH WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR BEING IN ON IT.

Liberal media bias there is no liberal media bias. :devil2:

You guys DO Realize this is a fake story....Don't you?

Don't tell me Dan Rather and Mable Mapes have been at it again... :rotfl:

There is a liberal media bias, though not as pronounced as purported to be.

There are Left Wing Whackos

There are Right Wing Whackos

Some Right Wing Whackos, ala Limbaugh, promote stories that often turn out not to be true, and in hindsight it is called "entertainment".

Left wing whackos, ala Rhandy Rhodes, ring a fair amount of BS as well. And people eat this stuff up - from both wings. People believe this stuff, almost on a blind faith since such and such said it was true. I listen to both sides and hear so much unfiltered bullcrap - it makes me sick...

I'm dying to hear an HONEST person that evaluates the TRUTH and not a platform or an agenda. Anyone know of an HONEST program that discusses the issues? I like listening to Ed Schultz - a little left but seems mostly honest...

Dr Phil :D

John, if you're really dying I'd be happy to come over and give you several hours of pragmatic and objective programming.

:jump:

-spence

I thought Randy Rhodes died in a plane crash after his first album with Ozzie.
:rolleyes:

Not True aarrrgggg!
 

I was starting to have some fun with this one, too bad.