Open (Any) Discussion

Caterpillars, moths, butterflies, and all creatures great and small,

I have to take a break and hope to be back blogging by the beginning of next week. Although I’ll be checking in at least once a day, I don’t plan on writing a post. Along with medical lab tests, I have to find a dentist because a filling just came out and I want to have it taken care of before the nerve reminds me of its existence.

Here’s a shout-out and hugs to new subscribed followers and participants. Thanks so much for your support.

 

New Blog launched in July 2015.

If you’re interested in our experience with cyber-extortionists, or have experiences of your own with cyber-harassers, you might want to visit the blog flightattendantfailures.  The reason for the blog title is on the “About” page. I began documenting the history and have also reblogged at least one very good article on the study of internet trolls. I would appreciate your reading and input.

This is an open discussion thread. Feel free to discuss whatever is on your mind, share videos and links to articles for discussion.

What has been on my mind is how I came to know about Jose Campos Torres by a poem written by Gil Scott Heron and set to music on his album “The Mind of Gil Scott-Heron” released in 1978. You might have read Santiago’s post on El Cinco De Mayo. It reminded me of Jose (Joe) Campos Torres.

A Viet Nam Veteran, Jose was arrested for disorderly conduct on May 5, 1977, at a bar in Houston’s predominantly Latino East End neighborhood. Jose was 23-years old. Six police officers responded and took Jose to a spot called “The Hole” next to the Buffalo Bayou. They beat him. The officers then took Jose to the city jail, who refused to process him due to his injuries. They were ordered to take him to Ben Taub General Hospital. Instead, the officers took him back to the banks of Buffalo Bayou. It is reported that officer Denson said, “Let’s see if the wetback can swim.“ Jose was then shoved 20 feet into the water.  His body was found two days later.

Jose’s death was ruled a “drowning homicide.” Officers Terry Denson and Steven Orlando were tried on state murder charges. They were convicted of negligent homicide and received one year of probation and a $1 fine.

Denson, Orlando and Officer Joseph Janish were later charged with federal civil rights violations and assault. In 1978, a federal judge sentenced them to a 10 year suspended sentence on the civil rights charge, and they served 9 months in federal prison for the assault charge.

Those sentences sparked riots in Moody Park in Houston. Blacks and Mexican-Americans banded together to protest and it escalated into one of Houston’s worst riots. Forty people were arrested, but most of the charges were dropped. Prosecutors however, went aggressively after what became to be known as the “Moody Park 3.”

Here’s Gil Scott Heron in his poem for Jose Campos Torres.