Locals speak out on Gary bailout funds
Several residents through e-mail, have expressed their take on the financial crisis that has taken hold of the city. Most of the insight seem to stem from a lack of trust of government or what they perceive as no clarity in government--a theme repeated throughout the President-elect's campaign.
Here are some of the more colorful comments:
"If you guys downstate want to give them some of the State's money, go ahead! But don't give them any of our money! The only people that should be allowed to vote on the City being able to increase our tax rates, are those whose money it is--the taxpayers. In fact the vote on such a "bailout" should be restricted to taxpayers. If you don't get a tax bill, no vote!
They are just not ready to stop stealing quite yet. They really have no idea how to start cutting their budget. They just have no idea how to operate in that mode. It is as far opposite from the way they've been taught to think as possible. They are obviously unwilling to begin cutting their budgets. Gary's budget has been loaded with excess for decades. As long as nearly every person employed by the City has been there. These cuts need to be forced upon them or they will just never happen, at least not in any meaningful way, and not in the proper order.
So BEFORE the State decides to give these clowns any more of OUR money, it is incumbent upon the State to do a full audit. Not afterwards. Otherwise, it would seem to me that they may be putting themselves at risk of being complicit in the massive fraud that will surely be uncovered before much longer. The fraud which has been perpetrated on Gary taxpayers for years, through misappropriation, misapplication, misuse, and incompetent and neglectful management (mismanagement) of the taxpayer's money.
If the State, through the DUAB is unwilling to get fully involved to adequately protect the Gary taxpayers, that's fine. Just don't then become partially involved by allowing the City to get there dirty little hands on one cent more of our money.
The DUAB cannot take the easy road here. They are in the perfect position to solve the "Gary problem" once and for all. It would be a terrible shame if they did not take full advantage of this unique opportunity. And it would be a travesty if the Gary taxpayers were deprived of the benefits they would realize if this opportunity were properly acted upon. Salvation for our city can be at hand, as long as the State doesn't opt to take the easy route. They cannot become a party to the City of Gary skirting the law which was established to protect taxpayers from the very abuses which Gary taxpayers have been and will continue to be victims of. So before they enter into any arrangement by which they could be perceived to be complicit or culpable in the perpetuation of the massive fraud that; has existed, exists today, and will continue to exist in Gary, this "crime of the century in the City of the Century", they need to ensure that they have done their due diligence. Doing an audit after they've enabled the City to take more of our money is not good enough. They need to do the full examination first. This exam will likely determine that the patient is terminally ill, and should therefore not continue to receive any extraordinary measures of life support--financial life support in the City's case.
Any audit must be far more intensive than simply some CPAs going over paperwork in an office down in Indy. The audit needs to also be inclusive of employee performance and department performance--most likely nonperformance in Gary's case. In simple terms, we need to know exactly what we've been getting and what we're not getting for all of the billions that go through the individuals' hands that control the City's purse strings. There are many ways which our tax dollars can be taken from us without us receiving the actual benefit for which they were designated. They can be stolen through frauds. They can simply be burned up by a bloated, nonproductive system. There are any number of ways which these funds are diverted before they reach their intended use. An incredibly small portion of the overall money that makes its way through the city provides any real benefit to the taxpayers and citizens.
Simply put, we are not getting near our money's worth. It is the job--the responsibility--of the State's Distressed Unit Appeals Board to see that we do. Please do this job for us fully, properly, intensively, and extensively.
I am a little discouraged to read today that after a DLGF audit, that they only found some questionable expenses that amount to a little over $30,000.00. I am not a CPA, but I am sure that if I were left alone with the City's books, I could find evidence of misappropriations of millions with very little effort in very little time.
I think that what the State really needs to do is something our friends at the IRS call an "Economic Reality Audit"--except in reverse! First let me explain briefly what an Economic Reality Audit (ERA) is; when individuals that report low levels of income, yet live well beyond their means, are suspected under reporting their income, sometimes the IRS sees fit to conduct an ERA. For example; if someone has Ferraris, Cigarette boats, a million-dollar house, and travels constantly, yet only reports $30,000.00 per year, they would probably be a good candidate for an ERA. The IRS might ask, "How did you get all of these goodies if you aren't making any money?"
But in the case of the City of Gary, where we know for a fact that they have been receiving enormous levels of income, we need for the State to conduct this "Reverse Economic Reality Audit". They need to come and do a physical audit of the condition of the city. They need to determine why the taxpayers' funds which all have very specific earmarks, have apparently been diverted. In short, why has our city fallen apart? Why has it been let go to the point of collapse? Why should we continue to have to live like this? Why do the citizens and taxpayers suffer while the ones in charge of providing these deserved services to us continue to live high on the hog? The DUAB should ask, "Why doesn't the city have any "goodies" when they have been receiving more than enough money to purchase them?" Why don't they have anything!
We want answers! We demand answers! And until we get them, don't even consider giving them more of our money!"
"I certainly appreciate Beach464's seemingly astute insights into Gary's current plight. He/she seems to have carefully read the Post-Tribune in recent days, for example the article on January 9 about the recent state audit, which, however, found little to quibble about. But what about the bulk the piece, which begins: "A new report questions whether the city of Gary can continue to exist if a state appeals board chooses not to raise local tax caps and increase city revenues." That is, whether the loss will be $36 million or "only" $24 million, the auditors have "substantial doubt about the city's ability to continue as a going concern." This is NOT a report from the current city administration, but comes from the State Board of Accounts, no apologists for Mayor Clay. So, what is to be done? Simply, more money MUST be found, either from property taxes, a county income tax, U.S. Steel, Barden casinos, or ??? But I don't see any suggestions from Beach46403 (or any of the other critics of the current administration) to deal with this looming disaster, except to further cut the city's budget. Where should city spending further be cut? And I don't mean the small stuff that seems to generate so much criticism, but millions and millions of dollars in reduced services, $24-$36 million to be exact! Why would any businesses stay in Gary if the city is doomed to disintegration? I hope the MCC, Beach46403, etc. have some of the answers, but so far they have not been forthcoming, except the Karl Rove, Grover Norquist mantra of cut, cut, cut.
Who decides to provide bailout money to the Gary community? Would the House Financial Institution Committee make this decision? Are we depending upon Governor Daniels? I would like to forward this email to each official responsible for the decisions made pertaining to the bailout.
If you guys downstate want to give them some of the State's money, go ahead! But don't give them any of our money! The only people that should be allowed to vote on the City being able to increase our tax rates, are those whose money it is--the taxpayers. In fact the vote on such a "bailout" should be restricted to taxpayers. If you don't get a tax bill, no vote!"
And, the Post-Tribune reports that the mayor has bought a new Hummer and charged it to the city. He said it was the lowest cost SUV and would save the city money.
Talk about bad timing.
I guess I shouldn't complain about not having enough money for food. Time for the weight loss to begin! I would not want the mayor's job because he is between a rock and a hard place.
He is joining the club!
###
Pay attention: The Earth is Changing and we are the last generation positioned to do anything about it. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year 2009!
EVENT GUIDE FOR TIMES SQUARE 2009, NEW YEAR'S EVE IN TIMES SQUARE
Feel free to let your hair down--or up--git back and git down and partay like it is 2009.
For 104 years, Times Square has been the center of worldwide attention on New Year's Eve, ever since the owners of One Times Square began in 1904 to conduct rooftop celebrations to greet the New Year. The first Ball Lowering celebration occurred in 1907, and this tradition is now a universal symbol of welcoming the New Year.
THE EVENT
4:00 p.m.
The Revelers
Revelers start arriving late in the afternoon on New Year's Eve. By approximately 4:00 p.m., the Bow Tie of Times Square (42nd to 47th Sts. between Broadway & 7th Ave.) is fully closed to traffic. Revelers are directed by the NYPD to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, the revelers are directed by police to the next viewing section. As the evening progresses, revelers continue to fill the Times Square neighborhood along Broadway and Seventh Avenue moving uptown from 43rd Street to as far as Central Park.
6:00 p.m. to 6:05 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies - Lighting and Raising the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The celebration begins with Univision host Raúl de Molina assisted by the actress Angelica Vale lighting and raising the brand new New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square. Raúl and Angelica will be joined by representative of the Philips Lighting Company to flip the giant switch which lights the New Year’s Eve Ball and begins its ascent accompanied by special pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
6:05 p.m. to 6:17 p.m.
Musical Performance by Parachute
The Times Square New Year’s Celebration gets started with a musical performance by Parachute from the Nivea Countdown Stage at Duffy Island in Times Square between 46th and 47th Streets.
6:17 p.m. to 6:19 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Practice Kiss
Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform located on Fence Island between 45th and 46th Streets practicing their best midnight kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!
6:58 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Carson Daly
As we approach the New Year, Carson Daly will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
7:10 p.m.
Times Square 2009 Hats, Balloons, Pom-Poms, Confetti Bags and Scarves
The Times Square Alliance sanitation crews clad in bright red uniforms begin to distribute tens of thousands of fun handouts to the Times Square revelers for cheering in the New Year. Nivea is providing festive blue New Year’s Eve hats and blue balloons tied with silver mylar ribbons along with useful Nivea Lip Care product to keep our lips looking and feeling beautiful for that unforgettable kiss at midnight. 3 Musketeers is providing pom-poms to cheer in the New Year, confetti bags, and their delicious chocolate mini- bars. Pepsi is providing New Year’s Eve scarves to keep the revelers warm and happy.
7:25 p.m. to 7:35 p.m.
NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly: Musical Performance by Ludacris
Ludacris performs “Stand Up” and “One More Drink” on the Nivea Countdown Stage.
7:45 p.m. to 7:47 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Special Anniversary Kiss
Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform for a special anniversary kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!
7:58 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Ryan Seacrest
As we approach the New Year, Ryan Seacrest will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
8:45 p.m. to 8:47 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Welcome Home Kiss
Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform for a long overdue Welcome Home kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!
8:58 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Surprise Guest
As we approach the New Year, a surprise guest will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers "Happy New Year", read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share her personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
9:40 p.m. to 9:55 p.m.
Times Square Sing-Along Featuring the Liberty Bells
The USO’s Liberty Bells lead the annual Panasonic Sing-Along from the Nivea Countdown Stage. The Times Square revelers will join the Liberty Bells singing “America the Beautiful”, “Shout”, and “We Are Family”.
9:58 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Anderson Cooper
As we approach the New Year, Anderson Cooper will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
10:12 p.m. to 10:18 p.m.
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift performs a medley of her hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.
10:47 p.m. to 10:54 p.m.
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie performs a medley of his hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.
10:58 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Raúl de Molina
As we approach the New Year, Raul de Molina will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
11:11 p.m. to 11:13 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Practice Kiss
Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform practicing their best midnight kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!
11:42 p.m. to 11:48 p.m.
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Jonas Brothers
Jonas Brothers perform a medley of their hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.
11:55 p.m.
Pepsi Balloon Release
1,000 3-foot balloons featuring the words JOY, HOPE, and 2009 will gently drift down from setback roofs throughout Times Square onto the revelers below as they prepare to countdown the final seconds to the New Year. Pepsi is energizing the revelers by bringing back the big bouncing balloons that were last seen in 1999 as part of the 24-hour millennium celebration.
11:59 p.m.
The Sixty-Second Countdown
The Times Square 2009 Special Guest and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg push the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and lead the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year at the Nivea Countdown Stage.
The New Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The lighted Ball descends 70 feet in sixty seconds. The Ball is a geodesic sphere, twelve feet in diameter, weighing 11,875 pounds. The Ball is covered with 2668 Waterford crystal triangles and lit by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs.
12:00 a.m. -- New Year's Day
2009 Sign
At the stroke of Midnight, the lights on the New Year’s Eve Ball are turned off as the numerals of the New Year “2009” burst to life shining high above Times Square.
Times Square Confetti Release and Pyrotechnic Effects
The world-famous New Year's Eve confetti is released from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square creating a celebratory blizzard of colorful confetti as revelers welcome the New Year accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects.
12:15 a.m. - End of Show
Feel free to let your hair down--or up--git back and git down and partay like it is 2009.
For 104 years, Times Square has been the center of worldwide attention on New Year's Eve, ever since the owners of One Times Square began in 1904 to conduct rooftop celebrations to greet the New Year. The first Ball Lowering celebration occurred in 1907, and this tradition is now a universal symbol of welcoming the New Year.
THE EVENT
4:00 p.m.
The Revelers
Revelers start arriving late in the afternoon on New Year's Eve. By approximately 4:00 p.m., the Bow Tie of Times Square (42nd to 47th Sts. between Broadway & 7th Ave.) is fully closed to traffic. Revelers are directed by the NYPD to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, the revelers are directed by police to the next viewing section. As the evening progresses, revelers continue to fill the Times Square neighborhood along Broadway and Seventh Avenue moving uptown from 43rd Street to as far as Central Park.
6:00 p.m. to 6:05 p.m.
Opening Ceremonies - Lighting and Raising the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The celebration begins with Univision host Raúl de Molina assisted by the actress Angelica Vale lighting and raising the brand new New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square. Raúl and Angelica will be joined by representative of the Philips Lighting Company to flip the giant switch which lights the New Year’s Eve Ball and begins its ascent accompanied by special pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.
6:05 p.m. to 6:17 p.m.
Musical Performance by Parachute
The Times Square New Year’s Celebration gets started with a musical performance by Parachute from the Nivea Countdown Stage at Duffy Island in Times Square between 46th and 47th Streets.
6:17 p.m. to 6:19 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Practice Kiss
Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform located on Fence Island between 45th and 46th Streets practicing their best midnight kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!
6:58 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Carson Daly
As we approach the New Year, Carson Daly will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
7:10 p.m.
Times Square 2009 Hats, Balloons, Pom-Poms, Confetti Bags and Scarves
The Times Square Alliance sanitation crews clad in bright red uniforms begin to distribute tens of thousands of fun handouts to the Times Square revelers for cheering in the New Year. Nivea is providing festive blue New Year’s Eve hats and blue balloons tied with silver mylar ribbons along with useful Nivea Lip Care product to keep our lips looking and feeling beautiful for that unforgettable kiss at midnight. 3 Musketeers is providing pom-poms to cheer in the New Year, confetti bags, and their delicious chocolate mini- bars. Pepsi is providing New Year’s Eve scarves to keep the revelers warm and happy.
7:25 p.m. to 7:35 p.m.
NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly: Musical Performance by Ludacris
Ludacris performs “Stand Up” and “One More Drink” on the Nivea Countdown Stage.
7:45 p.m. to 7:47 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Special Anniversary Kiss
Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform for a special anniversary kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!
7:58 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Ryan Seacrest
As we approach the New Year, Ryan Seacrest will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
8:45 p.m. to 8:47 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Welcome Home Kiss
Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform for a long overdue Welcome Home kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!
8:58 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Surprise Guest
As we approach the New Year, a surprise guest will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers "Happy New Year", read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share her personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
9:40 p.m. to 9:55 p.m.
Times Square Sing-Along Featuring the Liberty Bells
The USO’s Liberty Bells lead the annual Panasonic Sing-Along from the Nivea Countdown Stage. The Times Square revelers will join the Liberty Bells singing “America the Beautiful”, “Shout”, and “We Are Family”.
9:58 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Anderson Cooper
As we approach the New Year, Anderson Cooper will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
10:12 p.m. to 10:18 p.m.
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift performs a medley of her hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.
10:47 p.m. to 10:54 p.m.
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie performs a medley of his hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.
10:58 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Hourly Countdown with Raúl de Molina
As we approach the New Year, Raul de Molina will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.
11:11 p.m. to 11:13 p.m.
New Year’s Eve Practice Kiss
Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform practicing their best midnight kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!
11:42 p.m. to 11:48 p.m.
ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Jonas Brothers
Jonas Brothers perform a medley of their hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.
11:55 p.m.
Pepsi Balloon Release
1,000 3-foot balloons featuring the words JOY, HOPE, and 2009 will gently drift down from setback roofs throughout Times Square onto the revelers below as they prepare to countdown the final seconds to the New Year. Pepsi is energizing the revelers by bringing back the big bouncing balloons that were last seen in 1999 as part of the 24-hour millennium celebration.
11:59 p.m.
The Sixty-Second Countdown
The Times Square 2009 Special Guest and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg push the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and lead the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year at the Nivea Countdown Stage.
The New Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball
The lighted Ball descends 70 feet in sixty seconds. The Ball is a geodesic sphere, twelve feet in diameter, weighing 11,875 pounds. The Ball is covered with 2668 Waterford crystal triangles and lit by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs.
12:00 a.m. -- New Year's Day
2009 Sign
At the stroke of Midnight, the lights on the New Year’s Eve Ball are turned off as the numerals of the New Year “2009” burst to life shining high above Times Square.
Times Square Confetti Release and Pyrotechnic Effects
The world-famous New Year's Eve confetti is released from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square creating a celebratory blizzard of colorful confetti as revelers welcome the New Year accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects.
12:15 a.m. - End of Show
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Fred Armisen epitomizes SNL sketch comedy!
The writers with Saturday Night Live deserve a standing ovation. The opening skit satirizing the Board Games investigation was off the chain.
I can tell they read the transcripts and so I guess real life is more interesting than fiction.
I was surprised they had the balls to do the skit. I thought they'd back away because it is ongoing but thank goodness they didn't. It was the best sketch of the season, thus far.
Usually, at this point in the post, I would put up a clip of the discussed video but it is not on the NBC site. However, I will put this in it's place. Too bad if you missed the Blago cold open.
View the comedic genius of Fred Armisen.
I can tell they read the transcripts and so I guess real life is more interesting than fiction.
I was surprised they had the balls to do the skit. I thought they'd back away because it is ongoing but thank goodness they didn't. It was the best sketch of the season, thus far.
Usually, at this point in the post, I would put up a clip of the discussed video but it is not on the NBC site. However, I will put this in it's place. Too bad if you missed the Blago cold open.
View the comedic genius of Fred Armisen.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Fred Armisen on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
I can't wait to see this concept on late night. Fred should be on often. He is a comedic genius and he's cute.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Political Soap Opera focuses on wrong players
Obama, Jackson are not the problem as Blagojevich pouts, acts out as if he weren't invited to the party.
Appreciating the Political Soap Opera means reading the indictment for yourself.
Go here: Federal Indictment
If you want just a taste of it, read this:
My mouth fell open when I read this! Blagojevich only wanted to smear Congressman Jackson's good name as he eyed a run for the White House himself!
Rod wanted to run for president in 2016--so he wanted the Senate seat for himself if he couldn't make money from it.
He said being Illinois governor was holding him back and he would rather be indicted as a seated Senator because he could get more out of it than if he was governor.
..."Throughout the intercepted conversations, Blagojevich also allegedly spent significant time weighing the option of appointing himself to the open Senate seat and expressed a variety of reasons for doing so, including: frustration at being “stuck” as governor; a belief that he will be able to obtain greater resources if he is indicted as a sitting Senator as opposed to a sitting governor; a desire to remake his image in consideration of a possible run for President in 2016;avoiding impeachment by the Illinois legislature; making corporate contacts that would be of value to him after leaving public
6
office; facilitating his wife’s employment as a lobbyist; and generating speaking fees should he
decide to leave public office...."
READ THE INDICTMENT FOR YOURSELF!
As close as November 3, the day before Barack was elected, Rod Blagojevich said he wanted to "keep it for himself" if nothing of value was offered to him.
In the earliest intercepted conversation about the Senate seat described in the affidavit, Blagojevich told Deputy Governor A on November 3 that if he is not going to get anything of value for the open seat, then he will take it for himself: “if . . . they’re not going to offer anything of any value, then I might just take it.” Later that day, speaking to Advisor A, Blagojevich said: “I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain.” He added later that the seat “is a [expletive] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.”
Apparently, Blagojevich was dangling the Senate seat out like a carrot, as he imagined he could be named the head of a private foundation or somewhere in and around The Presidency. He considered himself to be a "Free Agent"
Over the next couple of days – Election Day and the day after – Blagojevich was captured discussing with Deputy Governor A whether he could obtain a cabinet position, such as Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Department of Energy or various ambassadorships. In a conversation with Harris on November 4, Blagojevich analogized his situation to that of a sports agent shopping a potential free agent to the highest bidder. The day after the election, Harris allegedly suggested to Blagojevich that the President-elect could make him the head of a private foundation.
Later on November 5, Blagojevich said to Advisor A, “I’ve got this thing and it’s [expletive] golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there,” the affidavit states.
Two days later, in a three-way call with Harris and Advisor B, a consultant in Washington, Blagojevich and the others allegedly discussed the prospect of a three-way deal for the Senate
7
appointment involving an organization called “Change to Win,” which is affiliated with various
unions including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
On November 10, Blagojevich, his wife, Harris, Governor General Counsel, Advisor B and other Washington-based advisers participated at different times in a two-hour phone call in which they allegedly discussed, among other things, a deal involving the SEIU. Harris said they could work out a deal with the union and the President-elect where SEIU could help the President-elect with Blagojevich’s appointment of Senate Candidate 1, while Blagojevich would obtain a position as the National Director of the Change to Win campaign and SEIU would get something favorable from the President-elect in the future. Also during that call, Blagojevich agreed it was unlikely that the President-elect would name him Secretary of Health and Human Services or give him an ambassadorship because of all of the negative publicity surrounding him.
Rod Blagojevich has been under investigation almost the entire time he has been governor of Illinois.
Why would he think that the The 44th President of the U.S. would want him anywhere near him? What would give him this impression?
Keep in mind that all of the players knew about this long before we did. They are not surprised, we are.
Appreciating the Political Soap Opera means reading the indictment for yourself.
Go here: Federal Indictment
If you want just a taste of it, read this:
My mouth fell open when I read this! Blagojevich only wanted to smear Congressman Jackson's good name as he eyed a run for the White House himself!
Rod wanted to run for president in 2016--so he wanted the Senate seat for himself if he couldn't make money from it.
He said being Illinois governor was holding him back and he would rather be indicted as a seated Senator because he could get more out of it than if he was governor.
..."Throughout the intercepted conversations, Blagojevich also allegedly spent significant time weighing the option of appointing himself to the open Senate seat and expressed a variety of reasons for doing so, including: frustration at being “stuck” as governor; a belief that he will be able to obtain greater resources if he is indicted as a sitting Senator as opposed to a sitting governor; a desire to remake his image in consideration of a possible run for President in 2016;avoiding impeachment by the Illinois legislature; making corporate contacts that would be of value to him after leaving public
6
office; facilitating his wife’s employment as a lobbyist; and generating speaking fees should he
decide to leave public office...."
READ THE INDICTMENT FOR YOURSELF!
As close as November 3, the day before Barack was elected, Rod Blagojevich said he wanted to "keep it for himself" if nothing of value was offered to him.
In the earliest intercepted conversation about the Senate seat described in the affidavit, Blagojevich told Deputy Governor A on November 3 that if he is not going to get anything of value for the open seat, then he will take it for himself: “if . . . they’re not going to offer anything of any value, then I might just take it.” Later that day, speaking to Advisor A, Blagojevich said: “I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain.” He added later that the seat “is a [expletive] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.”
Apparently, Blagojevich was dangling the Senate seat out like a carrot, as he imagined he could be named the head of a private foundation or somewhere in and around The Presidency. He considered himself to be a "Free Agent"
Over the next couple of days – Election Day and the day after – Blagojevich was captured discussing with Deputy Governor A whether he could obtain a cabinet position, such as Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Department of Energy or various ambassadorships. In a conversation with Harris on November 4, Blagojevich analogized his situation to that of a sports agent shopping a potential free agent to the highest bidder. The day after the election, Harris allegedly suggested to Blagojevich that the President-elect could make him the head of a private foundation.
Later on November 5, Blagojevich said to Advisor A, “I’ve got this thing and it’s [expletive] golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And, and I can always use it. I can parachute me there,” the affidavit states.
Two days later, in a three-way call with Harris and Advisor B, a consultant in Washington, Blagojevich and the others allegedly discussed the prospect of a three-way deal for the Senate
7
appointment involving an organization called “Change to Win,” which is affiliated with various
unions including the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
On November 10, Blagojevich, his wife, Harris, Governor General Counsel, Advisor B and other Washington-based advisers participated at different times in a two-hour phone call in which they allegedly discussed, among other things, a deal involving the SEIU. Harris said they could work out a deal with the union and the President-elect where SEIU could help the President-elect with Blagojevich’s appointment of Senate Candidate 1, while Blagojevich would obtain a position as the National Director of the Change to Win campaign and SEIU would get something favorable from the President-elect in the future. Also during that call, Blagojevich agreed it was unlikely that the President-elect would name him Secretary of Health and Human Services or give him an ambassadorship because of all of the negative publicity surrounding him.
Rod Blagojevich has been under investigation almost the entire time he has been governor of Illinois.
Why would he think that the The 44th President of the U.S. would want him anywhere near him? What would give him this impression?
Keep in mind that all of the players knew about this long before we did. They are not surprised, we are.
Oh, so all of a sudden, we're surprized.
Please. Read the newspaper sometimes. Illinois isn't the only corrupt state in our Union. Everyone feigns so much surprise.
Why is it we all know what "pay to play politics" means?
Patrick Fitzgerald could gray your hair with the stories he could tell--if he could tell it.
Where do you think writers get info to make the mob movies?
Kids nowadays seem to think being a gangster or hustler is good business. This is just grown people doing what they think they have to do. Everyone wants wealth and excessive wealth and they think that is a better way to it.
Not so. Ask Rod.
However, crime happens everyday. What I don't understand is the ease in which we want to write off the 44th President and the city from which he hails.
I had a friend call me last night screaming about the way Fixed News characterizes Barack. They have always done this.
"But why are they trying to implicate him in all of this," Toni said.
"I don't know. Maybe because it is their news station and they can do as they please or maybe because they are racists or both or neither--I don't know. I turn the news off after Wolfe Blitzer," I said.
Then she said something about they're going to gray his hair and I said running for president did that over time.
Then we changed the subject because we could not come up with a satisfactory answer.
We were stumped and saddened but used to corruption of some type being reported on the news.
The most shocking thing was the reading of the transcript by the feds yesterday. They said Rod was so overtly allegedly criminally involved that he threatened to pull a whole lotta other folk down with him in a very short period of time, so they had to stop him.
Now, that's the shameful part. The delusion of doing right. It's more shameful for Rod because he is a lawyer. He is expected to know the law whether he is a criminal attorney or not.
I guess that is why he was arrested at his home, like a gangster, one newsologist said. Or maybe he didn't want to cooperate with the fed's suggestions--I dunno.
People in Chicago said they feel bad about what happened, he seemed to start out helping those in need but they were ashamed their governor was arrested.
It is not mentioned if those same people were ashamed when other Illinois governors were arrested on corruption charges.
I guess because the national spotlight is on Chicago--in a good way--it just seems so sad to be knocked right down to the ground again.
Well, shit happens. The 44th still hails from Chicago and this scandal will go away soon. However, if behaviors aren't changed the outcomes will be the same and this scenario will be played out again and again.
Why is it we all know what "pay to play politics" means?
Patrick Fitzgerald could gray your hair with the stories he could tell--if he could tell it.
Where do you think writers get info to make the mob movies?
Consultants, of course and the rest they say they make up. What about the books alleged and proven mobsters have written? Where did they get that info? If we weren't so busy romanticizing crime and sociopathic behavior, much of this would not happen.
Kids nowadays seem to think being a gangster or hustler is good business. This is just grown people doing what they think they have to do. Everyone wants wealth and excessive wealth and they think that is a better way to it.
Not so. Ask Rod.
However, crime happens everyday. What I don't understand is the ease in which we want to write off the 44th President and the city from which he hails.
I had a friend call me last night screaming about the way Fixed News characterizes Barack. They have always done this.
"But why are they trying to implicate him in all of this," Toni said.
"I don't know. Maybe because it is their news station and they can do as they please or maybe because they are racists or both or neither--I don't know. I turn the news off after Wolfe Blitzer," I said.
Then she said something about they're going to gray his hair and I said running for president did that over time.
Then we changed the subject because we could not come up with a satisfactory answer.
We were stumped and saddened but used to corruption of some type being reported on the news.
The most shocking thing was the reading of the transcript by the feds yesterday. They said Rod was so overtly allegedly criminally involved that he threatened to pull a whole lotta other folk down with him in a very short period of time, so they had to stop him.
Now, that's the shameful part. The delusion of doing right. It's more shameful for Rod because he is a lawyer. He is expected to know the law whether he is a criminal attorney or not.
I guess that is why he was arrested at his home, like a gangster, one newsologist said. Or maybe he didn't want to cooperate with the fed's suggestions--I dunno.
People in Chicago said they feel bad about what happened, he seemed to start out helping those in need but they were ashamed their governor was arrested.
It is not mentioned if those same people were ashamed when other Illinois governors were arrested on corruption charges.
I guess because the national spotlight is on Chicago--in a good way--it just seems so sad to be knocked right down to the ground again.
Well, shit happens. The 44th still hails from Chicago and this scandal will go away soon. However, if behaviors aren't changed the outcomes will be the same and this scenario will be played out again and again.
Senate seat up for bid on e-Bay?
"Just bid $100,501 for Barack Obama's Senate seat on eBay, but I got outbid!"
-Tayzonday on Twitter
Why is a U.S. Senate seat up for bid on e-Bay?
Some say the bidding surpassed $10 million before it was pulled from the site!
-Tayzonday on Twitter
Why is a U.S. Senate seat up for bid on e-Bay?
Some say the bidding surpassed $10 million before it was pulled from the site!
Sunday, December 07, 2008
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