San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing

"Hey JJ, since I have already shot down your bogus claim that cop/FF are "dangerous" jobs." Again johnnyvegasshoele displays his lack of reading comprehension skills. First can you please show where I even discussed firefighters in any of my posts. I didn't. The ONLY mention of firefighters I made was that I have a another cousin who is one. Second, can you list my "bogus claim" that cop/FF are "dangerous" jobs". Can you even find the word dangerous in my postings? No you can't.I made no reference at all to their danger. I simply used FBI stats to show a cop is actually slightly more likely to suffer a violent death at the hand of another than be killed in a t/a, refuting your claim that "for cop fatalities" "the vast majority are from traffic deaths. Very few are from homicide." Indeed you are the one that compared cops to construction workers and timber cutters. I made no comparisons at all. If you read further, you would have also read that I agreed with Don that Of course I realize the NLEOMF data is more heavily weighted the further back you compare statistics. Did you ever consider that quote was tossed in just to get a reaction from you?? I guess it worked. And why don't you explain exactly how is the NLEOMF is biased. Are they making up names of dead cops or what. I wouldn't think that they are any more biased about their members than any other organization, like say the ABA perhaps. And now I supposed you'll also claim that the FBI's statistical analysis is flawed and they are biased also. As for pd/ff age at death, except for my cousins living long and healthy lives, I really don't care. I'm not a public safety advocate and it's not something I get riled up aboutat all; not like you apparently seem to. So there you go . You didn't like NLEOMF stats, so I gave you the FBI's. Refute the FBI's statistics on LEO deaths, show us all that they are bogus. And don't just start throwing unsubstantiated numbers around give us your source so that we can all see for ourselves. In other words put up or shut up. I think if you could have you already would have. Prove me wrong!!!
— February 8, 2009 3:08 p.m.

Here Are the Banks Using Your Tax Money for Pro Sports Naming Rights Scam

"Most San Diegans didn't know what was happening." You're using that as an excuse?? So who's fault is that? How hard is it to ask the questions? Since you are so knowledgable of the goings on in SD, as part of the media why didn't you raise the red flag? Did you question the issue? Weren't you still a senior columnist at the UT? Weren't you still in SD in january 2003 when the deal was announced? You could have spoken up. As you said it was a matter of record . How about Qualcomm, I don't hear much squawk about that. And the question begs to be asked, what abot COX Arena(or could it be Viejas arena). Since SDSU is part of the Cal State University system, should the money go to the taxpayers. As a columnist, you are giving your opinion is that naming rights are a scam. In my opinion, if I know where the money is going it's not. I knew where the for naming the POND was going and I had no problem with it. I was glad the arena was built. If you are willing to pay the price, then it doen't cost too much.
— February 8, 2009 9:29 a.m.

San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing

"Let's stop with the slavish adoration already. It's one of the root causes of the ridiculous situation we face today, where cops and firefighters consider themselves above everyone else." So I guess that lawyers, businessmen, politicians and bankers who "consider themselves above everyone else" have played no part in creating this situation. I agree that JF is a little over the top with his opinions at times, but no more so than johnnyvegass. And I would hardly consider either one of them to be representative of their respective groups as a whole, but apparently you do?? In my own personal dealings with PD,FF and lawyers, I have found that not to be the case. How about in your case, what has your personal experience been like??
— February 8, 2009 8:58 a.m.

San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing

You are correct, JF. Dead is dead. As I said, I have a cousin who is a cop(another is a FF btw). My point was simply to dispel johnnyvegasshoeles notion that few cops are victims of intentional violence( would consider the FBI's term Felonius Deaths as intentional). As it turns out, according to the FBI's most recent data, a cop is actually slightly more likely to suffer a violent death at the hand of another than be killed in a t/a.
— February 8, 2009 8:34 a.m.

Here Are the Banks Using Your Tax Money for Pro Sports Naming Rights Scam

By definition, a scam is a fraudulent scheme or a swindle. If the parties are aware who gets the naming rights fees, how is it a scam? The bias in your interpretation of the news is beginning to show.
— February 8, 2009 12:47 a.m.

San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing

response to posts730/731. It's not about which "side has a big lead.". It's about refuting johnnyvegass's claim that the vast majority are from traffic deaths and very few are from homicide. It's simply not true, as the FBI statistics show. As a matter of fact I neglected to post on other FBI statistic. Of those 575 deaths reported, 532 involved the use of fire arms by the assailants. Not only are there more homicides than traffic deaths, there are also more shooting deaths. There were also more than 19000 officers shot who survived during the measured period. But again, I only use the FBI statistical analysis, which is probably not a reliable or unbiased enough source for some of you. It's also not about stacking the deck. Of course I realize the data is more heavily weighted the further back you compare statistics. Had you taken the opportunity to review the link I provided, you would find that issue addressed.
— February 8, 2009 12:41 a.m.

San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing

BTW, I don't make stuff up either, as you seem to like to do, johnnyvegass. From the NLEOMF website: http://www.nleomf.com/TheMemorial/Facts/CenturySa… A summary of the top ten leading causes of law enforcement fatalities during the past century follows (does not include 1999 figures): 1. Firearms (6,846 or 49%) 2. Automobile Accidents (2,090 or 15%) 3. Motorcycle Accidents (1,022 or 7%) 4. Struck by Vehicle (955 or 7%) 5. Job-related Illness (588 or 4%) 6. Aircraft Accidents (311 or 2%) 7. Stabbings (197 or 1%) 8. Fall (147 or 1%) 9. Drowning (142 or 1%) 10.Beaten (134 or 1%)
— February 7, 2009 4:42 p.m.

San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing

By JohnnyVegas: "Very few are from homicide.","As for cop fatalities, the vast majority are from traffic deaths. Very few are from homicide", "accidents still are the largest cause of fatalities in PD work, not shoot outs.". In typical jv fashion, you change your terms. First it's homicides, then it's shootings; first it's traffic accidents now it's just accidents. Make up your mind From the FBI(is that a non biased enough authority?): The number of LEO's accidentally killed between 1996-2005:725 (471 traffic accidents:410 auto-61 motorcycle). The number of LEO's feloniously killed Between 1996-2005:575 That's 575 felony deaths vs 471 traffic deaths. More than "a few" homicides and traffic accidents are not the majority. And by the way, accidental shootings are classified by the FBI as just that, ACCIDENTS. Apparent or confirmed suicides are not included in either classification. Also the data you quote in #722 is not correct. The FBI lists 43 t/a deaths in 2005, not 62. So that's 60 vs 43; again less t/a deaths. Overall, more total deaths are accidental than homicides, which one would hope and no one is disputing. But your original post didn't say accidental deaths. It said traffic deaths. BTW, according to NIOSH, construction deaths are around 1100-1200 per year, with a high of 1239 in 2006. Deaths in 2007 fell to 1178 Not the 2000-4000 as you claim. But as we all know, facts are irrelevant to you. Good qualities for the legal profession. I bet your mommy is proud.
— February 7, 2009 4:34 p.m.

San Diego City Employees pension fund ailing

#697 My cousin, who is a cop in Phoenix, directed me to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund site. They show that 1671 LEOs were Killed in the line of duty between 1998-2007. That's an average of 167 per year or one death every53 hours. 933 of those were accidental deaths and 738 were felonious deaths.585 of those felonious deaths were shootings; 492 of the accidental deaths were from auto accidents. According to the website, during the past century, fire arms have been the leading cause of fatalities at 49%. The second greatest cause of deaths has been from automobiles, at 15%. Apparently, the vast majority of the deaths are not auto accidents.
— February 7, 2009 12:31 a.m.

Guess Who's San Diego's Newest Author: Michael Ellis of Metabolife, Writing from Prison

try this one: http://pt.wkhealth.com/pt/re/ajep/abstract.000004…
— February 4, 2009 6:20 p.m.