Cambridge Police Officer Justified in Fatal Shooting of Sayed Faisal, Inquest Finds

by Patrick Wilson

Friday, October 6th, 2023

On October 5, 2023, the Middlesex County District Attorney’s office released the report from the independent investigation into the fatal police shooting of Sayed Faisal. The report concluded that the officer who shot Faisal was justified in using deadly force.

The report states that Faisal was armed with a kukri, a foot-long sword, when he was shot. He approached responding officers with the sword and failed to comply with their commands to drop the weapon. After a less-lethal sponge round failed to stop Faisal, an officer shot him.

The report also found that the officer who shot Faisal was not aware of Faisal’s mental health history at the time of the shooting. Faisal’s family has said that he had bipolar disorder and that he was experiencing a manic episode at the time of his death.

The release of the inquest report has been met with mixed reactions. Some people believe that the report does not take into account Faisal’s mental health and that the officer could have done more to de-escalate the situation.

The family of Sayed Faisal has said that they are disappointed with the findings of the inquest report and that they plan to file a lawsuit against the Cambridge Police Department.

** This piece was created with the help of ai.

Trump Endorses Jim Jordan for House Speaker

by Patrick Wilson

Friday, October 6, 2023

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) for Speaker of the House on Friday, October 6, 2023. Jordan, a staunch Trump ally, is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and has been one of the most outspoken defenders of the former president. He is also one of the most polarizing figures in Washington, and his endorsement by Trump is likely to further divide the Republican Party.

Trump’s endorsement of Jordan comes as the Republican Party is in turmoil following the ouster of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. McCarthy was forced to resign after facing a growing rebellion from within his own party. Jordan is one of several Republicans who have expressed interest in the Speaker’s job, along with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.).

It is unclear whether Jordan has the support of a majority of House Republicans, but Trump’s endorsement could give him a boost in the race. The Speaker of the House is the leader of the House of Representatives and the third-ranking official in the United States government. The Speaker is responsible for setting the agenda for the House and presiding over its debates.

Jordan is a controversial figure, and his endorsement by Trump is likely to be met with mixed reactions. Some Republicans may see Jordan as a strong and principled leader who will fight for their values. Others may be concerned about his close ties to Trump and his role in the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

It remains to be seen whether Jordan will be able to win the Speakership, but Trump’s endorsement is a significant development in the race.

** This piece was created with the help of ai.

USPS IG asked to probe Postmaster General DeJoy’s 10-year plan

by Patrick Wilson

October 6th, 2023

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) has asked the United States Postal Service’s Inspector General to investigate the impacts of Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s 10-year plan, which has been criticized by Democrats and labor unions for its potential to lead to privatization, job cuts, and decreased service quality.

In a letter to Inspector General Tammy Hull, Tlaib cited concerns raised by postal employees in her district. She said the plan “appears to put the USPS on a fast track towards privatization, job cuts, negatively impacted service operations, and a culture of general dysfunction at one of our country’s bedrock institutions.”

Tlaib asked Hull to investigate the process that led to the changes outlined in DeJoy’s plan, as well as the impact of those changes on postal employees and customers. She also asked for a report on the USPS’s financial condition and its ability to meet its service obligations under the plan.

DeJoy’s 10-year plan, which he unveiled in March 2021, calls for a number of changes to the USPS, including:

Slowing down first-class mail delivery by one to two days
Eliminating overtime for mail carriers
Closing or consolidating thousands of post offices
Investing in new technologies to improve efficiency

DeJoy has said that the plan is necessary to save the USPS, which has been facing financial losses for years. However, critics have argued that the plan will lead to longer wait times for mail delivery, job losses for postal workers, and less convenient access to postal services for rural communities and underserved communities.

The USPS Inspector General is responsible for overseeing the USPS and investigating allegations of wrongdoing. It is unclear whether the Inspector General will open an investigation into DeJoy’s plan. However, Tlaib’s letter is likely to put additional pressure on the USPS to address concerns about the plan and its potential impacts.

** This piece was created with the help of ai.