Hemingway Wisdom

 

A Look Back At The Beaton Marionette's 'The Nativity' And 'Twas The Night Before Christmas'

I recall a conversation I had with my granddaughter some years ago about old Christmas traditions. I told her that her grandparents and millions of others used to watch the Beaton Marionettes on TV every year as they performed The Nativity and Twas the Night Before Christmas. 

Marionettes pouncing from strings must seem very low-tech and primitive to a preteen and teenager today, but when we were children in the 1950's and 1960's the marionettes were magical, and we loved them. We watched them every year as we grew up.

The two programs were narrated by the late, great actor Alexander Scourby (seen in the above photo). Scourby also portrayed C. Clement Moore, the author of Twas the Night Before Christmas.

The TV programs brings back fond memories of Christmas as a child. My parents did not have a lot of money, but they always provided a grand Christmas holiday for our family.

You can watch the two short programs via the below links: 

Twas the Night Before Christmas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzNJxLvbRrM

Part One of The Nativity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXCNTW2glEw&playnext=1&list=PLEE47A548FC0AC749&index=15

Part Two of The Nativity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD1sCa5pBLo&feature=related 

California Political Operative Arrested On Complaint Alleging He Acted As Illegal Agent Of People’s Republic Of China

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information:

A criminal complaint filed Dec. 17 and unsealed this morning charges Yaoning “Mike” Sun, 64, for allegedly acting as an illegal agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) while serving as the campaign manager for a political candidate who was elected in 2022 to the city council of a California city. Sun was arrested today is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in the Central District of California.

Sun is also charged with conspiring with another man, Chen Jun, who was sentenced to prison last month for bribery and acting as an illegal agent of the PRC government.

According to the complaint, Sun served as the campaign manager and close personal confidante for a Southern California politician (referred to in the complaint as Individual 1) who ran for local elected office in 2022. During the campaign, Sun communicated with Chen regarding his efforts to get Individual 1 elected. Chen allegedly discussed with Chinese government officials how the PRC could “influence” local politicians in the United States, particularly on the issue of Taiwan. In November 2022, shortly after Individual 1 was elected to office, Chen instructed Sun to prepare a report on the election that was sent to Chinese government officials, who responded positively and expressed thanks, according to the complaint.

About a month after Individual 1’s election, Chen arranged a lunch at a Rowland Heights restaurant with Sun and others, a gathering that Chen described to a PRC official as a “core member lunch,” the complaint alleges. Chen subsequently described the lunch as “successful” as participants agreed to establish a “US-China Friendship Promotional Association.” While Individual 1 did not attend the meeting, Chen identified Individual 1 as being part of “the basic team dedicated for us,” in a communication to a Chinese government official.

In early 2023, Chen instructed Sun to write another report for Chinese officials describing “[Sun] and [Chen] cultivating and assisting [Individual 1’s] success,” according to the complaint.

In February 2023, as the second report to PRC officials was being finalized, Sun forwarded to Chen a proposal to combat “anti-China forces” by participating in a U.S. Independence Day parade in Washington, D.C, according to the complaint. Sun proposed that the PRC government provide an $80,000 budget to support his and Chen’s efforts in the United States.

After Chen and Sun discussed a planned trip to China to meet with “leadership,” and after Chen directed Sun to schedule a meeting with the Chinese consul general in Los Angeles, Sun and Individual 1 traveled to China in August 2023.

If convicted, Sun faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government. Sun also faces a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison for conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The FBI is investigating the case.     

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Ryan and Amanda Elbogen for the Central District of California and Trial Attorney Garrett Coyle of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Davis Departing: On This Day In 1971 I Left The Aircraft Carrier USS Kitty Hawk

On this day in 1971 I saluted the ship’s American flag sharply and then walked down the brow of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk for the last time as a young sailor in San Diego. 

I served aboard the Kitty Hawk from the 1970 overhaul in Bremerton, Washington to our sea trials from our home port in San Diego, and on to Southeast Asia for the 1970-1971 WESTPAC cruise, the aircraft carrier's 5th Vietnam cruise. 

I served on "Yankee Station" in the Gulf of Tonkin in the South China Sea off the coast of North Vietnam during the aircraft carrier’s online periods. And I made port of calls to Honolulu, Subic Bay in the Philippines, Sasebo, Japan and Hong Kong.

It was quite an adventure for a young man.

I was 17 & 1/2 years old when I boarded the Kitty Hawk and 19 & 1/2 when I departed the carrier. 

Even after all these years, I recall vividly my two interesting years on the great aircraft carrier. 

I have mementos, photos and a framed large poster of the USS Kitty Hawk in my basement office and library, which reminds me daily of my time on the USS Kitty Hawk.

I'm proud of my service on the USS Kitty Hawk.

Arrested: My Broad & Liberty Piece On A Suspected Thief Who Is Alleged To Have Stolen More Than $160, 000 Worth Of Items From Parked Cars

Broad & Liberty published my piece on the arrest of a man whom police believe stole more than $160,000 worth of items from parked cars.

You can read the piece via the below link or the below text:

Paul Davis: Arrested — suspected thief is alleged to have stolen more than $160,000 worth of items from parked cars. 

Some years ago, I discovered that my parked car in South Philadelphia had been broken into and several items had been stolen.

My wife’s sunglasses, a couple of CDs and some change had been taken from the front seat. And three items on the back seat floor that my wife planned to return to a store were also taken. 

As I noted in an earlier piece here, a police officer showed up to take a report. I told the officer there were several cameras on the block that could identify the thief or thieves. But for such a minor crime, the officer said, shaking his head, no detective would be assigned to investigate it.

After the break-in, I spoke to a veteran Philadelphia detective I knew. He told me that car break-ins were preventable.

“Car break-ins, or smash and grabs, are crimes of opportunity,” the detective told me. “Many victims leave valuables in their parked cars, such as shopping bags, a briefcase, a cell phone or a laptop, and that creates an opportunity for a thief. If you must leave something in your car, hide it under the seat or under a blanket. Keep it out of plain sight.”

Theft from vehicles is a minor crime, but it is a quality-of-life crime that profoundly affects the victims who feel violated.    

I later spoke to a man who was devastated on Christmas Eve when he discovered that a thief had broken into his car and stole a trunk full of Christmas presents. 

The man had hidden the gifts in the trunk of his car so his two young children who still believed in Santa Claus would not find them. On Christmas Eve, he went out to his parked car to retrieve the gifts and saw that his car’s front window had been broken and the interior of the car was torn apart. Several items that he left in the car’s interior were gone. He also discovered that his trunk had been raided and a dozen wrapped gifts were gone. 

He called the police, and a police officer came and took a report. The victim called his brother and sister, and thanks to the support of his family members, his children’s Christmas celebration was somewhat salvaged. 

The anti-Santa thief was never caught.    

But one suspected major thief who stole from cars was recently caught.   

On December 12th, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner held a press conference to announce that Chaun Davis (no relation) was arrested and charged for his role as ringleader in what Krasner called “a brazen and sweeping theft scheme that victimized dozens of Philadelphia residents.” 

The thefts were in excess of $160,000 worth of items that were stolen from vehicles that were often damaged in the course of these crimes.

Joining Krasner at the press conference were Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, Captain Robert McKeever, Commanding Officer of Southwest Detectives Division, Assistant District Attorney William Fritze, the supervisor of the Gun Violence Task Force, Assistant District Attorney Patrick Doughty, the District Attorney’s Office’s Economic Crimes Division and Carjacking Enforcement Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Anna Walters from the Gun Violence Task Force. 

According to the District Attorney’s Office, Davis is charged with dozens of thefts from vehicle offenses he allegedly committed across the city between January and October of this year. These items include firearms, cash, credit cards, electronics, and even police equipment such as bulletproof vests, firearm magazines, and gas masks. The District Attorney’s Office believes that in three of these incidents, Davis worked with two co-conspirators. 

Stolen goods and ammunition seized at the suspect’s home. (Picture from Phila. DA office)

Charges currently include: seventeen counts of felony and misdemeanor Receiving Stolen Property, sixteen counts of felony and misdemeanor Theft by Unlawful Taking, fourteen counts of Theft from Motor Vehicle (M1), two counts of VUFA 6105 (F1), and related Robbery (F1) and Conspiracy (F1) charges.

Davis is also under investigation in other jurisdictions beyond Philadelphia as well, including Lower Merion and Montgomery counties. According to the District Attorney’s Office, Davis has a lengthy multi-state criminal history for other offenses dating back to 1995. These crimes include illegal possession of firearms, Burglary, and Forgery. 

The District Attorney’s Office stated that this remains an active investigation. Davis is currently in custody on $1.25 million bail.

“Thanks to tireless police work, Chaun Davis’ wide-ranging crime spree is coming to an end,” said Krasner. “My office is also taking this case incredibly seriously, as the Gun Violence Task Force and the DAO’s Economic Crimes Division and Carjacking Enforcement Unit are working together on the prosecution of this defendant.”

Krasner went on to thank the Philadelphia City Council and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker for their support of enforcement initiatives such as the DA’s Carjacking Enforcement Unit in 2023. 

“This invaluable support from our city partners, simply put, enables our Carjacking Enforcement Unit, Economic Crimes Division, and the Philadelphia Police Department to collaborate and hold career criminals like Mr. Davis accountable,” Krasner added.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel stated, “It’s very important for the community to know that the Department is working collaboratively with the DA’s Office and our other partners to ensure that we address ALL crime.

“Thanks to the dedicated investigation by 9th District Police officers and detectives, we were able to bring this prolific offender in and now he will face justice. I also want to remind Philadelphians that this is the time of year when we ask you to be very diligent about where you keep items in your cars. Help us with prevention by not leaving valuables unattended.”

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes the “On Crime” column for the Washington Times. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com. 

You can read my previous Broad & Liberty pieces via the below link: 

You searched for Paul Davis - Broad + Liberty 

Note: Above and below are some photos released by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office:

One Reason Why I Love Christmas Songs: Christmas Carols Still Defy Secularism

Back in 2005 I wrote a piece for the Philadelphia Inquirer about Christmas carols. 

I love Christmas carols and I noted in the piece that the most popular Christmas songs were written and performed by the best composers, singers and musicians in the business.

"The songs are also perhaps the last public medium for a politically incorrect true Christmas celebration,' I wrote in the piece. "I'm referring to the unabashed artistic celebration of the birth and life and Jesus Christ."

You can read the piece below:  

Note: The above CD cover was of a CD my daughter bought me for Christmas a few years back.

You can click on the above piece to enlarge. 

My Threatcon Column: A Look Back At The FBI’s Most Wanted Fugitive Recently Captured in Wales

 Counterterrorism magazine online published my latest Threatcon column.

You can read the column via the below link or the below text:

IACSP - ThreatCon Articles

Last month, one of the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist fugitives, Daniel Andreas San Diego, was arrested in Wales in the U.K. with assistance from the British government.

Who is he and why was he on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List, many have asked.

The 46-year-old fugitive was placed on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorist List in 2009 as he was wanted in connection with two animal rights-related bombings in Northern California 20 years ago.

The FBI announced in 2009 that San Diego was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list - the first domestic terrorist to be included with international terrorists such as Usama Bin Laden.

 

According to the FBI, his domestic acts of terror were planned to destroy property, to cause economic hardship for the companies he targeted, and possibly to take lives. One of his bombs was laced with nails to create potentially deadly shrapnel. The FBI offered a reward of up to $250,000 for information directly leading to his arrest.

 

At a press conference in 2009 at FBI Headquarters in Washington, Michael J. Heimbach, then-Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, stated, “We have added San Diego to the Most Wanted Terrorists list to increase public awareness about this domestic terrorist fugitive and to aid in his arrest. We will not relent until San Diego is apprehended and his potential for future acts of violence and destruction is eliminated.”

 

The FBI considers animal rights and environmental extremism to pose a significant domestic terror threat. 

 

The FBI in 2009 stated that San Diego, known to be involved with a group called SHAC- Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty- was wanted for his alleged involvement in bombing two biotech facilities that did business with Huntingdon Life Sciences, a company that conducts animal experimentation for the medical and pharmaceutical industries.

 

“The first bombing occurred on August 28, 2003, outside Chiron Life Science Center in Emeryville, California. When authorities responded, a second bomb was discovered, but exploded before it could be disarmed, raising the possibility that the device was planted specifically to target first responders,” the FBI stated.

 

“Less than a month later, another bomb exploded outside a company based in Pleasanton, California. That bomb was made with metal nails to create more powerful shrapnel and destruction. After each crime, claims of responsibly were posted on the Internet demanding that businesses end their affiliation with Huntington Life Sciences. Future violence was threatened if these demands were not met. Fortunately, no one died in the explosions, but property damage was extensive.

 

“San Diego was initially identified as a suspect after being stopped by a local police officer for a minor traffic violation in Pleasanton about an hour before the Pleasonton bombing. A subsequent search of his home and vehicle revealed bomb-making materials similar to those used in both attacks and he was later indicted for those crimes.”

 
San Diego has been on the run since October 2003. The FBI in 2009 noted that San Diego is six feet tall, weighs about 160 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. He wears glasses, is known to carry a 9mm handgun, has traveled internationally, and may be living out of the country, possibly in Costa Rica.

 

“He is a vegan and avoids consuming or wearing anything made with animal products. He also has distinctive tattoos—one on his chest is round and shows burning hills and plains with the words “It only takes a spark.””

 

In the past, he has worked as a computer network specialist and with the operating system LINUX.

“Daniel San Diego’s arrest after more than 20 years as a fugitive for two bombings in the San Francisco area shows that no matter how long it takes, the FBI will find you and hold you accountable,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “There’s a right way and a wrong way to express your views in our country and turning to violence and destruction of property is not the right way.” 

Paul Davis’ Threatcon column covers crime, espionage and terrorism.

Genovese Crime Family Member Sentenced To 30 Months In Prison for Racketeering

The U.S. Justice Department released the below information:

Yesterday, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Carmelo Polito, also known as “Carmine Polito,” a former acting captain and soldier in the Genovese organized crime family, was sentenced to 30 months in prison by United States District Judge Eric N. Vitaliano for racketeering in connection with operating an illegal gambling business at the Gran Caffé in Lynbrook, Long Island, and attempting to extort an individual who owed him money stemming from a separate online sports betting business.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Anne T. Donnelly, Nassau County District Attorney, announced the sentence.

“Today’s sentence makes clear to the defendant that the outcome for participating in illegal gambling and making extortionate threats is the loss of something very valuable — your freedom,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Thanks to the outstanding work of prosecutors in my Office and law enforcement, the alliance of the Genovese and Bonanno organized crime families’ rackets was a bust.”

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the New York City Police Department and the Nassau County Police Department for their invaluable assistance in the investigation.        

“The cards did not favor Carmelo Polito's illicit gambling parlor or his extortionate methods,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy.  “His illegitimate business and death threats financed the operations of two crime families.  May today’s sentencing reaffirm the FBI’s commitment to doubling down on all organized crime activity plaguing our communities.

“This defendant, along with other associates of the Genovese family, operated illegal gambling businesses in Nassau County that funneled money straight into organized crime,” stated District Attorney Donnelly.  “Extortion, threats, and violence have no place in Nassau County. I thank our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI for their collaboration in dismantling this illicit operation and working to rid organized crime from our communities.”

Polito is a longtime, inducted member of the Genovese organized crime family. As detailed in earlier court filings, for years, numerous members and associates of the Genovese and Bonanno organized crime families operated several illegal gambling operations in the Eastern District of New York.  Beginning in at least May 2012, the Genovese and Bonanno families jointly operated a lucrative illegal gambling parlor concealed inside a coffee shop called the Gran Caffé in Lynbrook.  Polito and co-defendant Joseph Macario, also known as “Joe Fish,” on behalf of the Genovese crime family, and Anthony Pipitone, also known as “Little Anthony,” on behalf of Bonanno crime family, successfully negotiated a profit split for the gambling location, which ensured that each crime family benefited from the illegal gambling operation.  In addition to the Gran Caffé, the Genovese crime family—through Polito, Macario, Joseph Rutigliano, also known as “Joe Box,” Salvatore Rubino, also known as “Sal the Shoemaker,” and others—operated illegal gambling parlors at establishments called Sal’s Shoe Repair and the Centro Calcio Italiano Club.  Rutigliano and Rubino collected the proceeds for the Genovese crime family and distributed them up to higher ranking members, including Polito and Macario. Polito was surveilled distributing proceeds to higher ranking members on numerous occasions.

Polito and co-defendant Mark Feuer also operated an illegal online gambling scheme in which bets were placed on sporting events through a website called “PGWLines.”  In connection with his operation of PGWLines, Polito attempted to extort an individual who lost several thousand dollars in bets using death threats and other threats of violence.  For example, during a September 2019 call concerning the debtor, Polito instructed another individual to tell the debtor that Polito would “break” the debtor’s “face.” When the debtor still did not pay Polito, Polito instructed the same individual to relay a new message to the debtor: “Tell him I’m going to put him under the f------g bridge.”

Polito is the first defendant sentenced in this case and a related case against four members and associates of the Bonanno organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra.  Macario, Rutigliano, Rubino and Feuer are awaiting sentencing.   

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Tanya Hajjar, Drew Rolle, Anna Karamigios and Sean M. Sherman are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Eleanor Jaffe-Pachuilo.

The Defendants:

CARMELO POLITO (also known as “Carmine Polito”)
Age:  64
Whitestone, Queens

Defendants Awaiting Sentencing:

JOSEPH MACARIO (also known as “Joe Fish”) 

My Crime Fiction: 'The Cop Who Busted Santa'

As the Christmas season is here once again, I’d like to again offer my short story, The Cop Who Busted Santa.

Some years back I wrote a short story called A Christmas Crime Story, which was about a mean, anti-Christmas cop who was later redeemed. 

(You can read A Christmas Crime Story via the link at the bottom of the page). 

The below short story, which appeared originally in American Crime Magazine, is a prequel to A Christmas Crime Story.   

The Cop Who Busted Santa

By Paul Davis

I truly love the Christmas season. I love holiday lights, Christmas music, colorful church services, and gatherings of family and friends. I also love walking through shopping districts and watching people buying presents and celebrating the joyous holiday, despite the cold weather.

While walking along East Passyunk Avenue in South Philadelphia this Christmas season, I came across John Snyder, a retired Philadelphia police officer. His large, pan-shaped head was now nearly bald, and his stocky frame held a few more pounds since I last saw him some years ago. He still displayed his gruff demeanor, but there was also a shy smile on his face. 

John Snyder was not known for his smile.

Back in the 1990s I had written several stories about Sergeant Snyder in my crime column in the local newspaper. Most of them were unflattering, but he never complained, and he still greeted me, albeit reluctantly, when I saw him at the 3^rd police district in South Philly or at cop bars.

About that time Sergeant John Snyder became famous as “The Cop Who Busted Santa.” 

On Christmas Eve of that year, while patrolling the 3^rd district in South Philadelphia, Snyder pulled over a driver who had performed what is known locally as “the South Philly Roll,” which is a deliberate failure to fully stop at a stop sign or traffic light. 

Walking up to the driver’s car window, Snyder was not amused by the driver, who was dressed as Santa Claus with a huge false white beard. He greeted Snyder with a hearty, but somewhat slurred, “Ho, Ho, Ho. Merry Christmas.”

“You ran that stop sign back there,” Snyder said in his low, gruff voice that more than one cop called his “bark.” 

George Jankowski, the man dressed as Santa, laughed loudly and his huge belly, which was his own and not costume stuffing, shook in the front car seat. 

“Oh, really,” Jankowski replied. “Sorry about that officer, but I’m on my way to an orphanage, here in my modern-day sleigh, to deliver toys for the poor, little orphans.”

“It’s sergeant, not officer, and there’s no excuse for running a stop sign,” Snyder declared. “Have you been drinking? Get out of the car.”

Jankowski cursed and struggled to get out of the car. 

“I’ve had a few, yeah, you know, it’s Christmas Eve.”

Snyder grabbed Jankowski and twirled him around and placed the man’s white gloves on the patrol car. He kicked his legs apart.

As a good number of people were out on the street that night, coming in and out of stores, bars and restaurants, a crowd gathered quickly and watched Snyder manhandle and search the man dressed as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

The crowd was aghast. One bystander full of holiday spirit – both faith-based and liquid – called out to Snyder, “Hey Officer Grinch! Leave Santa alone.”

Others began to complain as well, and several children began to cry. One man walked out into the street towards Snyder to reason with him. 

“Back off!” Snyder commanded. “Or I’ll place you under arrest too. I’ll arrest all of you people,” he barked to the crowd.

Snyder handcuffed Jankowski and squeezed the big man into the backseat of his patrol car. As Snyder drove off, he heard one bystander say sarcastically, "And a Merry, Merry Christmas to you too." 

If this event had happened these days, several people would have recorded the arrest on their cell phones and uploaded the video to the Internet. And the video would have gone viral, as they say, with millions of people viewing it.

As it were, several outraged people contacted the police and complained, and more than one witness contacted the press. The 6 o’clock TV news stations all ran the story with on-air interviews with the angry witnesses to the arrest. 

The daily newspapers followed up with the story on the front page and the story of the arrest of Santa on Christmas Eve appeared in newspapers and on TV and radio across the country on Christmas Day. The national press mocked Philadelphia and they all brought up an earlier story of Philadelphia sports fans who pelted Santa Claus with snowballs at a ball field. 

“So much for Philadelphia being the “City of Brotherly Love,” one national TV newscaster commented dryly. 

The TV 6 o’clock news reports on the arrests prompted a series of phone calls from the mayor, the police commissioner, a deputy police commissioner, a chief inspector, an inspector, and finally the 3^rd district’s captain. 

The captain drove to the station from his home and released Jankowski, who was being held over for arraignment. The captain, along with the lieutenant, chewed out Snyder, but the sergeant held his ground and defended his actions. 

The captain reminded Snyder of his actions on the previous Christmas Eve. 

“You locked up a bunch of kids for just being merry, remember? And you locked up those newlywed tourists who only wanted you to take their picture,” the captain said. “What are you, a one-man Christmas joy-killer?”

Later that evening, Jankowski went on TV and told his story. He complained of police abuse and false arrest and said he was going to sue the city. He also said that while in police custody, he had to call his son and tell him to go and pick up the car, which had been towed on Snyder's orders, as the car had the presents for the orphaned children. 

Jankowski, dressed again as Santa, delivered the toys to the Catholic Orphanage on Christmas Day. He was accompanied by reporters and the story was carried widely across the nation as a positive story on Christmas.    

The day after Christmas Jack Ferrari, a 3^rd district cop that I had gone out on a ride-along with and wrote about in my column, called and invited me to meet him at the Penrose, a South Philly diner.

He was on his lunch break with his partner in a booth and I slid in and joined them. 

Ferrari slipped me a piece of paper that had Jankowski’s name and phone number on it. The note also had Snyder’s phone number on it. I placed the note in my jacket pocket. 

Ferrari’s partner, an officer named Bill Hanson, said Snyder was a son of a bitch - but don't use my name, he added.  

“He’s a cheap and miserable bastard,” Hanson continued. “No wonder his wife kicked him out and even his kids won’t speak to him. And he wears boxing gloves at the bar.”

“What?” 

“He wears boxing gloves just so he can’t reach into his pocket and take out money to buy a guy a drink,” Hanson said. “OK, not really, but I’ve never seen him buy anyone a drink.”  

Ferrari noted, to be fair, that Snyder also never took a drink when other people were buying. He simply stood alone at the bar and nursed a beer or two.  

“Snyder is a tough sergeant, but when there is a shooting or altercation involving his officers, Snyder dives right in,” Ferrari said. “He also makes sure that higher-ups never mess with his guys. He took the heat for us many times,” Ferrari said.

“Yeah, I guess so,” Hanson agreed. 

I left the diner and called Jankowski. He was still full of rage, and he bent my ear over the phone for an hour. I also called Snyder to get his side, but he refused to talk about the incident.  

“No comment,” he barked over the phone.

I felt bad for Snyder, as he was one of those sad people who only felt sorrow and bitterness on Christmas. I hoped that he would someday discover true happiness, especially at Christmas. 

I published my “The Cop Who Busted Santa” column in the local paper later that week.

This incident was unfortunate, but it led to some positive actions. The Catholic orphanage received a lot of publicity and donations poured in. Jankowski sued the City of Philadelphia and received a substantial settlement, which he used to establish a Christmas charity fund.  

The incident also united a good number of people in their critical response to the well-publicized arrest of Santa.  

And, lo and behold, they also began to speak to each other and to their children of the true meaning of Christmas; joy, love, charity, and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. 

And yes, I got a column out of it.

© Paul Davis 2018. 

You can read A Christmas Crime Story via the below link:

Paul Davis On Crime: My Crime Fiction: "A Christmas Crime Story" 

A Little Humor: It Says So In The Constitution

I have a friend named Barry who is a likeable guy but not very bright.

Barry, who resembles Mad magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman, often says the most ridiculous things.  

When I saw him at the bar on the coldest day in December wearing a short-sleeved shirt, I asked him why. Wasn’t he cold?

No, Barry replied.

“I can wear a short-sleeved shirt anytime of the year. It says so in the Constitution,”

“What?”

“The Constitution says we have the right to bare arms.”

Another friend at the bar said he hopes that Santa brings Barry a brain.     

Dickens, O. Henry And Fleming Stories: Three Great Old Christmas Movies To Watch And Enjoy This Holiday Season

This Christmas season, like past Christmas seasons, I'll watch a lot of old, familiar Christmas movies on TV, from my DVD collection, and on the Internet. 

There are perennial favorites, such It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th Street, and A Christmas Story. 

I love these movies, but my three favorite Christmas films may not be on your list, or even on your radar. 

I love O. Henry’s short stories, and I love the 1952 film, O. Henry’s Full House.    

The film offers five adaptations of O. Henry’s great short stories with Christmas themes, featuring five fine directors, fine screenwriters and a fine cast.  

The film presents some of my favorite short stories from one of my favorite writers.  

The O. Henry stories - The Clarion Call, The Gift of the Magi, The Ransom of Red Chief, The Cop and the Anthem, and The Last Leaf - offer humor, drama, pathos and irony.   

I especially like the crime story The Clarion Call, with Dale Robinson and Richard Widmark (seen in the top photo).

You can watch the film, which features the late, great actor Charles Laughton and a young Marilyn Monroe (seen in the above photo), via the below link:

 O. Henry's Full House (1952) - YouTube

Although 1951’s A Christmas Carol is another perennial favorite, and actor Alastair Sim is nearly everyone’s favorite Scrooge, I love the film with George C. Scott as Scrooge. 

The 1984 adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol offers a powerful performance by Scott, who is strong, willful and downright mean and nasty. 

If you have not seen this film, I suggest you watch it. 

You can watch the film via the below link:

 A Christmas Carol George C Scott 1984 - YouTube 

One may not think of a James Bond film as traditional Holiday fare, but every Christmas season I watch On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

The film, based on the late, great thriller writer Ian Fleming's novel, was released in December of 1969, has a Christmas setting and takes place in the snow-covered Swiss Alps.

The film, despite not having the late, great Sean Connery as Bond, is one the best in the series in my view.  

Considering that the new Bond, George Lazenby (seen in the above photo), had to follow Connery in the role, and that he had not acted before, I believe he delivered a better than fair portrayal of Bond.  

He looked like Ian Fleming's Bond, and he was very good in the fight and action scenes. 

The film was also graced with the late, great Diana Rigg (seen in the above photo with George Lazenby) as Tracy, a strong, yet troubled woman with whom Bond has a serious, if ultimately tragic, love affair.

Although I would have preferred a European actor to portray Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Telly Savalas (seen in the above photo) was a commanding, brilliant and truly mad Blofeld. The supporting actors were also very good.

The director of this fine film was Peter Hunt, who edited the earlier Bond films. Hunt was faithful to Ian Fleming's novel, even going with the thriller's dark ending. 

Peter Hunt gave us a true James Bond thriller.

The film also offers a terrific soundtrack by John Barry. 

You can watch the film's trailer via the below link:

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) - Official Trailer - George Lazenby Bond Movie HD - YouTube

You can also watch scenes and listen to John Barry's great love song sung by the late, jazz great Louie Armstrong via the below link:

On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Louis Armstrong - John Barry - Maurice Binder [HD STEREO] - YouTube

Enjoy the films. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.