By Ron Howell
Guest Contributor
I remember being in front of the television once, mindlessly
watching a stupid movie, and this guy on the screen pulls out a gun, identifies
himself as an I.R.S. agent and begins firing at some poor fellow, a shocked tax
delinquent.
I thought the scene was hilarious. I always had this notion
of I.R.S. agents as trigger-happy, overly zealous, poor excuses for law
enforcement officers.
And now, having read the recent New York Times exposé
revealing that it was a wild I.R.S. agent who targeted Barry Bonds, things began
to fall into place for me.
All along I had been wondering what the big deal was. Why
were “they” going after this guy who in his 40s did an amazing thing – hit more
home runs than anyone before him in professional baseball?
All of a sudden there's a mission to go after athletes for
using drugs?In this case Barry Bonds for allegedly using body-building
steroids?
And now the answer. An agent named Jeff Novitzky – who seems
almost high on speed in his zealotry and who tried to get the Times not to
publish his name or use his picture – is the one who went after Barry Bonds.
Herewith is the story and above is the photo, showing I.R.S. Special Agent Jeff Novitzky, left, walking ahead of Barry Bonds in 2003 when Mr. Bonds gave his grand jury testimony.
The picture was originally taken by Paul Chinn and published
by the San Francisco Chronicle.
(Most of you know that Bonds was recently indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice related to the steroid using case.)
Ron Howell is a veteran journalist and neophyte blogger. Over the years, Ron has been a reporter – domestic and overseas – for Newsday, The Associated Press, Ebony Magazine, The New York Daily News and The Baltimore Evening Sun.
Stevie Wonder



A Slice of Life and Wisdom over 100 years
David Whettstone
Guest Contributor
A New York Times feature notes that he has played with the likes of Louie Bellson, Coleman Hawkins, Fletcher Henderson, Billie Holiday, Jelly Roll Morton, and Big Joe Turner. It also states:
"He is the last living person to have performed with Duke Ellington at New York’s legendary Cotton Club. He played with Benny Carter at the Apollo Theater in 1934, the year it opened its doors to black customers. He played with Louis Armstrong for several years and was the best man at his wedding."
Mr. Lucie, you have been on so many records and you have set several yourself. We salute and celebrate your latest record. Happy 100th! Happy birthday and congratulations.
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For more information on Lawrence Lucie and his music, you may want to check out this link to a commercial web site.
David Whettstone is a Washington, DC based public policy advocate and writer who works at national and local levels, particularly in the areas of civil rights and criminal justice. A native New Yorker, he’s proud that his hometown has folks like Mr. Lucie and plenty of jazz – a genre that he hopes is infectious.
David Whettstone on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 at 10:56 AM in Arts & Entertainment, Commentary/Opinion | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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