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CORRUPTION UPDATES 14 September 29 to October 3, 2006: The CORRUPTION UPDATES reviews corruption in the news. News Stories from California, the Nation and the World are abstracted below, and followed by commentary and references. |
CORRUPTION UPDATE 14
Previous Corruption Updates: Page 13
Next Corruption Updates: Page 15
Political culture of lies and war
Rodrigue Tremblay, Pravda, 10-3-06
“As a principle, a democratic government should not rely on misinformation, half truths and outright lies in order to defend its public policies. Indeed, public affairs should be discussed in the open and policies judged on their merit. To do otherwise is to betray the necessary trust a responsible government must have with the citizens.”
“In conclusion, it can be said that the Bush-Cheney's addiction to lies and to war is a major threat to the United States itself, to its liberty and to stability and freedom around the world. This decline of democratic principles and in public morality, concomitant with the recourse to ever more sophisticated armaments in military conflicts, is a direct threat to the survival of humanity.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Ah, the Russian perspective, is, like my writing, long winded, but sincere. This article accuses Bush, and the rest of us “Americans,” of being political liars. It is not strange to hear Pravda warning us that our leaders and policies are threatening freedom around the world, in the U.S, and the survival of humanity. What's strange is they are not reciprocating.
The article implies that America has broken international law by invading Iraq under false pretenses, for kidnapping and illegal detention, and for torture. Heck, we had to break a load of our own laws, before we could get on the world stage of crime.
Our motivations and methods are clearly understood in Russia, and they are feared and despised. Would we, or our politicians have the moral courage to stand against these criminals.
Monday, 2 October 2006, 15:43 GMT 16:43 UK
Ahern faces Dail grilling on cash
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/europe/5399704.stm
“Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern faces one of the biggest tests of his career when he answers questions in parliament about cash he received in the 1990s. “
“Last week Mr Ahern admitted receiving loans worth 50,000 euros (£34,000) from businessmen friends, while he was finance minister, in 1993 and 1994.
Questions are now also being asked about an £8,000 sum he received after a speech in Manchester.”
“Mr Ahern says he did nothing wrong "in law, in ethics and in relation to tax".”
“Cash repaid
“Details of the loans, which Mr Ahern used to pay for his marital separation, were revealed in the Irish Times newspaper last month, which asked why they had not been paid back.”
“ "The
Irish people have to decide whether they want the government to
break up"
Michael McDowell
Progressive Democrat
leader”
“Mr Ahern said the 12 lenders had
refused repayment. But his spokeswoman said at the weekend that he
had now sent them cheques, adding interest of 5% per year”
“"The
people who are pushing this story have one objective in mind - they
want to drive me from office"
Bertie Ahern “
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
The first challenge every political system faces is living up to its own values. If the political values of the system are at odds with the system of funding candidates, and producing political leadership, then corruption, and corrupt leadership, will be perpetual. If the leadership of any parties anywhere in the “free world,” are dependent on anti-democratic means, and unethical methods, for their survival, their policies and legislation will be reflections of the corruption that gave them power. The parties, and the resulting government, and will be unethical from electoral beginning, to the legislative end product.
Mr. Ahern has confused his lives; as a private citizen his rich friends could give him all the money he wants. But Mr. Ahern received money while in office as a public servant. When a wealthy special interest transfers cash, in secret, to a very powerful politician, each Pound measures the distance between the politician and their honesty. It is a textbook definition of influence peddling
Democracies are different from tyrannies because the competing forces of self-interest are balanced in open, honest public discourse and political decision. By representatives elected by the people. What's the difference between us and a tyranny? We put on a masquearade of democracy, while a tyranny does not.
The greatest challenge our democracy faces is not external, from Islam, nor terrorism, as our “leadership” would have us believe. It the hijacking of our democracy from within, by forces of wealth and power, who strive to twist our democracy into a weapon for the expansion and protection of their power.
Corruption allows democracy to become a hollow justification and cover for illegitimate wealth and power to project military power to expand their authority.
Let's do the
right thing, and politically defang the special interests.
Judge lowers bail on 4 indicted Houston workers
Oct. 2, 2006, 9: By BRIAN ROGERSCopyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4229578.html
“A judge this morning sharply reduced the bail of four former workers in the city of Houston's Office of Mayor Pro Tem, who are accused of illegally taking bonuses and raises totaling more than $200,000.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
The real question for Americans is, how can we draw honest, honorable people into politics? American corruption is so pervasive, at every level of politics, that we are required to find, and end the structural, root causes of our corruption. The condition of our democracy is such that it drives ethical people away, screaming.
Our political system is dominated by thieves. Thieves hire and appoint thieves to serve them. Thus we have endless “underling” scandals.
The Committee believes that the political tools are avaiable to remove the greedy and unethical forces that have bought their way into our the political sphere, if we care to use it: democracy. Our initiative will Remove All Outside Money from Political Elections.
The greedy and
unethical will have to find another line of work to fulfill their
nasty desires.
Campaign
Cash Mirrors a High Court’s Rulings
By ADAM LIPTAK and JANET ROBERTS
Published: October 1, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/01/us/01judges.html?_
r=1&oref=slogin&ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=all
“COLUMBUS, Ohio — In the fall of 2004, Terrence O’Donnell, an affable judge with the placid good looks of a small-market news anchor, was running hard to keep his seat on the Ohio Supreme Court. He was also considering two important class-action lawsuits that had been argued many months before.”
“In the weeks before the election, Justice O’Donnell’s campaign accepted thousands of dollars from the political action committees of three companies that were defendants in the suits. Two of the cases dealt with defective cars, and one involved a toxic substance. Weeks after winning his race, Justice O’Donnell joined majorities that handed the three companies significant victories.”
“Justice
O’Donnell’s conduct was unexceptional. In one of the
cases, every justice in the 4-to-3 majority had taken money from
affiliates of the companies. None of the dissenters had done so, but
they had accepted contributions from lawyers for the plaintiffs.“
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
This article gives us a picture of how “justice” is purchased in Ohio. “Justice” is the fruit of Victory in the electoral battle of BRIBES. The battle of the bribes, the purchase of justice, is the result of allowing Judges to accept campaign “contributions” from entities and people that are appearing before their courts, and from any interests whatsoever that cannot vote in their election. There is no difference between judicial and legislative bribery, except the product purchased is different. The act of bribery is the same.
There is a relationship between legislative and judicial corruption. Corrupt Special Interests fund corrupt politicians, who pass corrupted laws and legislation. These corrupt laws are then enforced by corrupted D.A.s and Judges who's interest is not justice, but serving and protecting the interests of the bribers who funded them into office. As all the players receive funding from the same system of corruption, there is no will to bite that hand that feeds them all.
Ohio needs voter-only contributions as much as we do.
Read more Articles on Judicial Corrution
Earmarks Find Way Into Spending Bill
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK
Published: September 30, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/30/washington/30defense.html
“WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 — Less than a year after two bribery scandals produced bipartisan calls for Congress to overhaul the way it finances lawmakers’ pet projects, the $436.6 billion military spending bill passed Friday is packed with them.”
“Lawmakers nonetheless found room in the bill to pay for thousands of requests never sought by the Defense Department. These projects, or earmarks, included $2.1 billion for 10 additional C-17 Globemaster III cargo jets, which the Pentagon is trying to discontinue. They are made by Boeing in the home state of Senator Jim Talent, Republican of Missouri, who is locked in a tight race for re-election.”
“Lawmakers say earmarks can result in contributions to national security as well as to their districts’ economies.”
“Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan group, has identified well over 2,000 earmarks in this year’s bill, roughly on par with last year’s.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
This article is pathetic. “Our” politicians are continuing to pay for their bribes with earmarks, but this article cannot criticize the practice. This article cannot identify earmarks as anti-democratic payoffs for political Bribes. Earmarks are, according to the article, “contributions to national security as well as to their districts' economies”? You've got to be kidding.
Earmarks are a symbol of how brazen special interest corruption has led to the replacement of open, democratic practices in Congress, with secret payoffs for the Massive Bribes of the Special Interests.
That the NYT reports on these corruptions with an air of indifference encourages and protects these unethical actions.
Abramoff, the king of earmarks, is busted, But the level of earmarks has not declined. Has ANYTHING changed? No! The Abramoff system is sliming along without Abramoff.
Congressional Corruption lost its poster boy of corruption, but they didn't need him anyway. The country is full of Abramoffs, and six grow where one fell.
More Articles on Earmarks
AP, networks sue over Fla. exit poll law
By JENNIFER KAY, Associated Press Writer
Last Updated 1:01 pm PDT Saturday, September 30, 2006
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3385172p-12449269c.html
“MIAMI (AP) - A Florida law that bars exit polling near voting places violates the press' rights under the First Amendment, a lawsuit filed by The Associated Press and five television networks alleges.”
“The lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Miami contends that a 2005 amendment to state law that prohibits asking a voter a "fact" or "opinion" within 100 feet of a polling place is unconstitutional.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
The press rarely reports objectively, or honestly. But they do report. This Florida law is one of a series of government attacks on our already pathetic press. It's rough to watch the government kick a man when he's already down.
Our government has developed a pattern of behavior in relation to the press: One, or very few, large corporations own the media. The media will be tolerated, and used when it acts as a mouthpiece for the government, but it will be criminally prosecuted if it reveals government misdeeds and crimes.
The recent election fraud scandals, despite the press downplaying and poorly reporting on the fraud, has caused a governmental backlash to lessen the ability of the press, or anyone else, to detect election fraud.
“Black Box” voting machines, excluded ballots, partisan election officials, and massive infusions of outside money has brought our political corruption out of the halls of the legislature, into our polling stations, and the vote counting centers.
And they don't need inconvenient exit polls to screw up the deal.
Friday, 29 September 2006, 09:48 GMT 10:48 UK
Donor police quiz top Blair aide
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/politics/5391262.stm
“A senior adviser to the prime minister has been questioned by police in the investigation into cash for honours, allegedly involving Labour donors.”
“Ruth Turner is the director of government relations at Number 10 and was interviewed in London last week.”
“About a dozen people are believed to have been questioned so far. Three arrests have been made, although all have denied suggestions of wrong-doing.
The inquiry is looking into claims that wealthy backers received peerages.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
In the US the special interests can buy almost anything from our politicians. But they can't buy Class. The politicians in England have no such limits: they can sell you “class,” a peerage and the title of “Lord.”
Our money grubbing rich must be content with the knowledge of their superiority, for we have no nobility. Or do we?
Read articles on Peerage Scandal
Sunday, 1 October 2006, 19:31 GMT 20:31 UK
Tories accused over 'secret cash'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/politics/5397312.stm
“Labour have accused the Conservatives of trying to get round party funding rules with a 'secret' £1m-a-year call centre for Tory election candidates.”
“The Tories have previously insisted the centre - run from a West Midlands manor house by a firm called Constituency Campaigning Services - was independent. “
“But David Cameron appeared to contradict this earlier, saying it was effectively part of the party. “
“On Saturday, The Guardian reported that CCS gets £1m funding a year from the Midlands Industrial Council, a body which has been used by wealthy business people to donate almost £1m to the Conservatives without their identities being revealed.”
“ "These stunning admissions by David Cameron raise serious questions about the Tories' secret funding arrangements." “
“In a separate development, the Conservative Party has told The Sunday Telegraph it does not know who sold it two Westminster properties in a deal being investigated by the Electoral Commission.”
“The Liberal Democrats claim whoever sold Platinum to the Conservatives did so at £4.35m less than its market value, which would constitute an anonymous donation.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
We have “swift boaters” and “move-On,” and a whole strata of quasi-party organizations that are designed to skirt Campaign Finance Laws.
The article below, and the article coming up in Updates 15, (Ohio court protects secret contributions), show that our democracy does not lag behind the British when it comes to shadow parties, and secret financing.
Outside groups spending millions on ads
By JIM KUHNHENN, Associate Press Writer
Last Updated 1:01 pm PDT Saturday, September 30, 2006
http://dwb.sacbee.com/24hour/politics/story/3385187p-12449318c.html
“Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 26, Republican-leaning groups spent $13.8 million on advertising while advertising on behalf of Democrats totaled $6.3 million, according to the Campaign Media Analysis Group. Throw in the advertising the political parties are paying for, and the Republicans have spent $5 on ads for every $3 spent by Democrats.”
“That is a significant reversal from 2004, when Democratic groups outnumbered and outspent Republican organizations. Now, some Democratic officials are wondering when their deep-pocketed liberal allies will step in to help.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
This article reveals, but does not state the fact, that American Politics has become no more than a national Battle of the Bucks. The saw “all politics are local” finds its true balance through the lens of this article.
All contested local political battles are focus points where the national special interests join the political parties to pump in millions of dollars to maintain their top-down monopoly of “local” politics. Politics will be local only when we eliminate the corrupting influences of outside money.
Read more Abstracts about how BIG MONEY RUNS POLITICS
Trading Votes for Pork Across the House Aisle
Published: October 2, 2006
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/washington/02murtha.html?ref=todayspaper&pagewanted=all
“WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 — For more than a decade, Representative John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania has operated a political trading post in a back corner of the House of Representatives.”
“A gang of about two dozen Democrats mill around his seat. A procession of others walk back to request pet spending projects, known as earmarks. And Republicans come by, asking him to enlist some of those Democrats to join them on close votes.”
“Outside Washington, Mr. Murtha, a Vietnam veteran and longtime hawk, may be best known for his break with the president over the Iraq war last fall. But inside the Capitol, he is best known for turning earmarks into power. As the top Democrat on the House military spending subcommittee, he often delivers Democratic votes to Republican leaders in a tacit exchange for earmarks for himself and his allies.”
“In the last year,
Democratic and Republican floor watchers say, Mr. Murtha has helped
Republicans round up enough Democratic votes to narrowly block a
host of Democratic proposals: to investigate federal contracting
fraud in Iraq, to reform lobbying laws, to increase financing for
flood control, to add $150 million for veterans’ health care
and job training, and to exempt middle-class families from the
alternative minimum tax.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
Mr. Murtha runs his mini “trading post” within the maxi “trading post” that we call Congress. The real question this article raises, but does not ask, is, “How long can our country withstand this all-encompassing political corruption without becoming a democracy in name only?”
Mr. Murtha cleared the air about trading Democratic votes for money, and answered our question: “Deal making is what Congress is all about.”
We are a democracy in name only. What Congress really is, is a “trading post.”
I recommend Mr. Murtha take up selling used cars. His skills would be better served there, where his lack of ethics will only damage his customers, rather than the whole nation. In fact, I suggest we take the whole of Congress, and start a HUGE used car Auto Plaza. With salesmen like that, we'd be rich.
It's time to change back into a democracy.
Also See:
Corruption Updates 3, “Media Reports: Both Parties Corrupt”
Corruption Updates 5, 1st article on page, “Corruption fails as Campaign issue...”
Corruption Updates 14, 10th article down on page. “Murtha trades his vote, and ethics, for pork”
Pelosi does earmarks well and often, LA Times, 11-13-06, “Speaker-to-be is no stranger to earmarking,” (abstract at LA Times archive, #52 under Richard Simon search)
Corruption Updates 19, 1st article on page, “TOP RECIPEINTS OF LOBBYISTS BRIBES ARE LEADERSHIP OF BOTH PARTIES”
Corruption Updates 19, 3rd article on page, “PARTIES AND THEIR BRIBERS WORK TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE CAMPAIGN FINANCE RESTRICTION”
Corruption Updates 20, 1st article on page, 10-25-06, “PELOSI FUNRAISING FRENZY ASSURES SPECIAL INTEREST DOMINATION OF GOVERNMENT INDEPENDENT OF WHICH SIDE WINS IN NOV”
Corruption Updates 20, 6th article on page, 10-27-06, “DEMS RECEIVE SPECIAL INTEREST BRIBES ANTICIPATING VICTORY IN NOV VOTERS ASSURED ONLY CHANGE AFTER NOVEMBER WILL BE WHICH PARTY GETS 60% OF THE SPECIAL INTEREST BRIBES, AND WHICH PARTY GETS 40% OF THE BRIBES”
Corruption Updates 21, 2nd article on page, 10-30-06: “SHADOW PARTIES (527S) INFUSE MILLIONS IN BRIBE MONEY INTO ELECTION SPECIAL INTERESTS SKIRT CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS TO MAINTAIN THEIR ILLIGIMATE AUTHORITY THROUGH POLITICAL BRIBERY”
Corruption Updates 21, 8fh article on page, 11-1-06: “DEMS BIG CHANCE TO REAP THE REWARDS OF CORRUPTION POLITICAL VICTORY OPENS DOORS OF LOBBYING FIRMS TO DEMO INSIDERS: IT'S THE DEMS TURN TO ROB THE PUBLIC BLIND, AND BETRAY OUR DEMOCRACY”
Corruption Updates 22, 6th article on page, “MONEY WINS IN ALMOST EVERY POLITICAL RACE”
Corruption Updates 24, 6th article on page, 12-4-06, “POLITICIANS WHO BRIBE POLITICIANS ARE LEADERS UNCONTESTED CANDIDATES REDISTRIBUTE BRIBE MONEY TO BUY PLUM COMMITTEES AND CHAIRMANSHIPS”
Corruption Updates 26, 1st article on page, 12-8-06, “LOBBYISTS SEE NO CHANGE UNDER DEMS CORRUPTION PRESENTED AS FORCE OF NATURE, DEM CORRUPTION NATURAL”
Corruption Updates 27, 2nd article on page, “DEM LEADERS TO REFORM CONGRESS?”
Corruption Updates 28, 1st article on page, 1-2-07: “LOBBYISTS HIRING-BRIBING DEMS SHIFTING FUNDS AND PERSONELL TO DEMS ASSURES NO REAL CHANGES
Corruption Updates 28, 4th article on page, “Bush and Dems Fight Over Earmarks”
Corruption Updates 30, 2nd article on page, “Democrats set back on earmarks” (REID TRIES TO KILL REAL EARMARK REFORMS)
Corruption Updates 31, 4th article on page, “Senate considers tougher ethics rules”
Ex-Treasurer Guilty of Attempted Extortion
From Times Wire Reports
October 1, 2006
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-briefs1.1oct01,1,6197289.story?coll=la-headlines-politics
“A former state treasurer was convicted in Albuquerque of one count of attempted extortion and acquitted of 23 remaining counts of extortion and racketeering in his public corruption trial. “
“Robert Vigil's conviction for attempted extortion carries a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years, but the judge could sentence him to as little as 12 months. Vigil resigned last October after the Legislature started impeachment proceedings.”
THE COMMITTEE SAYS:
I am having a hard time telling the difference between extortion and bribery, compared to political “contributions.”
I'm guessing that it's all in the style and presentation. A firm, but friendly invitation to “join the team,” and “march towards a new, better day,” by funding our “mission to make America Better” is the proper, legal way to trade money for favors.
But if you translate this “political talk” into real words, it says: “Give us Money, Give us More Money, and we will do your bidding. Give us lots of money and we will be your political slave.” But politicians can't tell the truth, and just say, “give me money and I will give you a 6 million dollar earmark.” That would be illegal, and crude.
I suggest sentencing Mr. Vigil to classes on political deportment and manners, so he can learn how to channel his greed into acceptable, legal, forms.
GO TO:
Previous Corruption Updates: Page 13.
Next Corruption Updates: Page 15
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