Chris Thieneman is holding a press conference on Thursday morning at 10:30 am at 4th Street live. Chris you may recall sent an open records request using Kentucky Open Records Law to obtain information concerning the Cordish $950,000 sweetheart deal that had no accountability whatsoever.
Metro Council President David Tandy, Bruce Traughber, Mike Norman, and others even went to Baltimore for answers. They came back empty handed behind and used the "gee it looked okay to me" mentality.
Chris has fought the City before and won. You may recall the River Fields deal being reopened thanks to a lawsuit by Chris Thieneman that netted the City a few hundred thousand more dollars. The lawsuit led to a more fair open bidding process on River Fields thanks to Chris efforts.
Chris has threatened to sue if there were no answers on his open records request in regards to Cordish expenditures on the $950,000 Abramson gave them. This should be a doozy of a press conference.
Make plans to attend.....
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
MYVIEWMATTERS RADIO W/ DAWN TWEED-WHARTON
Tonight's show featured local activist on healthcare reform Dawn Tweed-Wharton where we discussed issues surrounding healthcare and even media bias. shhhhhh.
Check it out very interesting.
Check it out very interesting.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
JUSTICE FOR JIM KING? NOT LIKELY LOOKING AT THIS
Today I dropped off my complaint with Commonwealth Attorney Dave Stengel's office asking for a criminal investigation on Jim King for felony campaign finance fraud. Of course where was Dave Stengel? You guessed it at Jim King's "I wannabe Mayor announcement." I couldn't script this any better if I tried. Check out the pic above courtesy of LEOWeekly.
Of course I do wonder if Dave Stengel was on personal time because I am sure lunch does not last longer than an hour.
The question is did it get tossed before it got read? Who knows. Obviously I expect Commonwealth Attorney Stengel to stay away from this issue as it is to political apparently for the entrenched to actually do their job.
Some will say that it isn't his job, but according to the Kentucky Supreme Court ruling in the case of Democratic Party of Kentucky v. William L. Graham, Commonwealth Attorney Stengel AND Attorney General Jack Conway, do have the authority. Conway's office, through assistant Tad Thomas another insider, has already declined to get involved. Stengel's office will do so as well.
Next in line when this happens is County Attorney Mike O'Connell who I am sure will have problems getting involved as well. Folks are you seeing a pattern yet?
Our elected so called leaders will not do anything that would be controversial against the machine that keeps them in power and in fact try everything they can to stop any registered voting citizen from seeking justice.
The KREF is not going to do much, if anything, because of the power of the elite though clearly the LAW has been broken and knowingly so. That is why I am preparing to file a lawsuit, assuming the KREF does not recuse itself, so that I can have a fair and unbiased review of the case.
Considering the ties between ex KREF Chair Joe Terry, who was quoted in the Courier on Dec 12, 2008 as saying these gifts would stink to him if they were given AFTER a candidate announced their run for office, as they clearly were in Katie King's case. He then went on Jim King's payroll after the original complaint was filed with the KREF in February and changed his mind. As ex Chairman he was a qualified "expert" to make that statement about the illegality of the Kings actions in December, but now is defending the very thing he himself railed against. Sarah Jackson current executive director of the KREF said that the timing and intent of such gifts would be relevent in subjecting the Kings to inquiry. I wonder where she stands now?
It does not get anymore suspect than this.
Money talks and justice walks. So far anyway.
Strike One.
Jack Conway has his own problems now that he is running for Senate and certainly does not want to take the risk of making a financial powerhouse like King upset.
Strike Two.
Now Dave Stengel, along with more of the same hacks, will do nothing of any relevance I am sure. Check out his comments quoted in the LEO:
Running as man with money on his mind, the campaign has already gained the support of Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Dave Stengel, a longtime friend of King, who said the city’s economic crisis calls for a mayor with a business background.
We’ve got a lot of talent running for this, but Jim has a real solid base in finance and banking. He knows how to raise capital,” Stengel said. “This is our biggest problem right now. We’re out of money. All government is out of money. If we can’t turn something around we’re all going to be hurting.”
For starters saying any of these clowns has a lot of talent certainly belies what most of us know. They have entrenched numbers but if any of them had talent we would not be iin this mess in the first place. King has approved everything in lockstep with Abramson as well as committed intentional, knowing campaign finance violations to buy a Judgeship.
Strike three.
We want this in office?
Stay tuned this will get even worse.
I will file a lawsuit on behalf of us all, if and when it becomes necessary. And yes according to the law I have that right. Want to get involved and help? Contact me at myviewmatters@aol.com, call (502)742-8519, or use the handy dandy paypal link on the right of this site.
Make a call to Commonwealth Attorney Dave Stengel and demand an investigation at (502) 595-2340.
Or call the County Attorney Mike O'Connell at (502) 574-6336.
The KREF can be reached here: (502) 573-2226
Attorney General Jack Conway's office: (502) 696-5300
This fight goes to the integrity of elections period. We deserve fairness and equality. We do not deserve the lies and manipulation by our elected leaders to keep power for themselves. We The People are the power and we must stand up and demand it.
For a copy of the complaint email me.
It is time to demand fairness and a voice for us all. We deserve it!
Monday, August 24, 2009
CHARITABLE GAMING FIGHT GOES ON
Yet another fiasco is being attempted against Charitable Gaming in Kentucky. It seems like the State morons just cannot get enough power and control in everything so they have to continue going after the ones who doe the most for our community.
According to this story: Proposal revamps how bingo is run courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal, the state Department of Charitable Gaming wants to centralize purchasing for bingo and pull-tab supplies and computerize the charities' record keeping. The agency believes the steps will reduce prices, improve accountability and leave charities with more money to support their causes.
Sounds like they really care doesn't it? I call bull. The real problem is they just want more money as usual and are concerned when they cannot get enough. They also just lost the slots issue and need to set up another fight for the necessity of saving Churchill Downs by eliminating the charitable gamers. Take this for example from the article:
Based on audits of some of its charities, the department estimates that $100 million a year –— about a fifth of the total amount accounted for in charity games — goes unreported because of theft and clerical errors.
The state also estimates charities lose $600,000 a year from accepting bad checks and have to pay $300,000 for bookkeeping to deal with the current paperwork.
Therein lies the real truth. They are concerned because they THINK that $100 million goes unreported and therefore can get more money by squeezing the gamers with yet another example of government being involved in private affairs.
No one is naive enough to think that some money would go unaccounted for. That is a problem EVERY business entity that deals in cash as their main staple, whether charity, non profit or for profit, has. Investigate each and every one of them. Hell start with the grocery stores who deal primarily with cash. Why not control the food supply then we can really be dependent on big brother right?
By the way while you are at it investigate the Charitable Gaming Commission itself. Why would I say that?
Because the Commission itself fines any Bingo or Charity that does not have the quarterly reports turned in on time and yet cannot produce an annual report from 2007-2008 of their own yet. Pot meet Kettle.
The article goes further to quote Kaven Rumpel, “I think this is a train wreck for the department to get involved in free trade,” said Kaven Rumpel, president of the Kentucky Charitable Gaming Association and owner of the Highview bingo hall, who said that the changes could result in less competition and higher prices for supplies
I agree totally. For the Government to continue involving themselves in free trade should be a serious concern to us all. As a matter of fact we do have FEDERAL laws to prevent this and this could cause a serious lawsuit against the State. What do the feds say about this. It is time we asked them.
Why do we continue to allow these idiots to continue this obvious attack against charities here at home? I do not know.
You can read my previous stories on charitable gaming throughout this website. The State has continued to try and persuade the public opinion into thinking that there are rampant thieves throughout the industry by implying that there is $100 million unreported and taken by thieves.
They have the right to their opinion right?
My opinion is that I believe the money spent by our legislators through graft, greed, corruption, and pork barrel spending throughout the State, is more than the $100 million they IMPLY is being stolen. Of course ours is stolen taxpayer money by our legislators.
I would almost bet I can prove my amounts faster than they can prove theirs.
It is a pathetic attempt once again to decide where money does or does not go. Who the hell is the State to decide what profit a business can make from anything?
If they want to use the failed logic that the industry has to cover bad checks for example then what gives them the right to decide that?
If any business decides to accept checks in the course of conducting their business it is their responsibility to accept any repercussions that go along with that choice. For the State to act like they care is yet another attempt to gain public sympathy that would allow them access to that which they are not entitled.
Is the State now going to force the business that does not allow personal checks to start accepting them and pay the State a fee to monitor the program for them?
They want to imply $100 million is stolen each year? Great then why are you not out attacking ALL other business that gets ripped off each year. Go check out the construction industry and the cash jobs that go unreported each year. Investigate how much money Cordish has received or paid to elected officials. What percent of profit has 4th Street live made? It is relevant since there is essentially a profit sharing agreement for Cordish with the City. Cordish has never paid a dime towards that agreement so where is their 40% threshold?
I guarantee if you ever got hold of all this information $100 million would be a drop in the bucket.
Go check out the cash that gets dispersed among the elected politicians or funneled into campaign accounts against the intent of campaign finance reform for reelection. Wanna bet that money adds up quick as well?
Of course they will not do that. It would cost the political appointed cronies their jobs and perhaps put some in jail. Instead follow the orders of "leadership" and go after those who can least afford it. But hey once they are gone we can get Churchill Downs the money they want and line the pockets of our legislators as well right?
Charitable Gamers make money to support their cause by the use of Bingo's etc. They fund their OWN issues. They are not asking for handouts. Thanks to the previous attempts by the State to act like they cared about the Charities many have disappeared altogether from the Bingo halls.
When faced with undue "profit" margins by the State, I use this phrase because most charities are considered non profit, many have had no choice but to quit trying to provide for themselves. The profit threshold by the State is essentially 40% with no allowances in many cases, of write offs afforded every other business.
When you cannot provide for yourself where do you go? Oh yeah the government. Let's ask the taxpayer's to fund our charity or let big brother take care of us making us dependent once again instead of free.
Why would a charity be forced to have a minimum profit margin? If a charity makes a dime that goes into their own charity itself, is that not a dime they did not have to ask for from the taxpayers?
Should they be punished for only making a 10% profit for example versus a 40%?
So many questions and no answers because the people at State want to CONTROL everything as usual. Using the State logic why do they not just go ahead and force EVERY business in Kentucky to post a 40% profit for doing business here.
If it is good enough for one business it should be good enough for all.
They do not because they know they cannot. Because that would probably be the final tipping point to us getting rid of these idiots.
Is this what it will take to wake us up to stand and be counted?
You know our government is needed for so many things and I always acknowledge, and recognize that, but to continue involving themselves at will in selective private business is a major concern for myself and indeed should be for us all.
Free trade and competition is what drives the American economy, for the State boys to think they can continue driving a wedge into the rights of private business is a steppingstone to destroying the very fabric of America itself.
It is insulting to each of us that they choose to destroy our way of life in favor of protecting their own.
In their own words from the Courier:
“We're not taking away the competitive process,” she said. Manufacturers are “still going to want to compete with each other because one manufacturer is still going to want to outsell another manufacturer. The only way they can do that is by putting the games in the market and taking out the games that they don't sell anymore just like they do now. That is not going to change.”
And yet the very next statement he makes is this:
Boggs said competition would be removed from the distribution system.
Lackey said “ideally” there would be two distributors in the state, compared with 23 now.
Um doesn't the statement itself say ultimately there would be 2 distributors instead of the 23 we have now?
Of course they are taking away from the competitive process and it is high time we stopped them from doing so.
Kevin Mills, leader of the St. Gabriel Catholic Church bingo, stated “What they're basically doing is ruining all the competition, and … there's nothing anybody can do about it.”
Well said Kevin Mills and Kaven Rumpel but there is much we can do about it. Stand and get the message out and help get outsiders elected to office.
The time to change is now before we all get left even further behind.
According to this story: Proposal revamps how bingo is run courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal, the state Department of Charitable Gaming wants to centralize purchasing for bingo and pull-tab supplies and computerize the charities' record keeping. The agency believes the steps will reduce prices, improve accountability and leave charities with more money to support their causes.
Sounds like they really care doesn't it? I call bull. The real problem is they just want more money as usual and are concerned when they cannot get enough. They also just lost the slots issue and need to set up another fight for the necessity of saving Churchill Downs by eliminating the charitable gamers. Take this for example from the article:
Based on audits of some of its charities, the department estimates that $100 million a year –— about a fifth of the total amount accounted for in charity games — goes unreported because of theft and clerical errors.
The state also estimates charities lose $600,000 a year from accepting bad checks and have to pay $300,000 for bookkeeping to deal with the current paperwork.
Therein lies the real truth. They are concerned because they THINK that $100 million goes unreported and therefore can get more money by squeezing the gamers with yet another example of government being involved in private affairs.
No one is naive enough to think that some money would go unaccounted for. That is a problem EVERY business entity that deals in cash as their main staple, whether charity, non profit or for profit, has. Investigate each and every one of them. Hell start with the grocery stores who deal primarily with cash. Why not control the food supply then we can really be dependent on big brother right?
By the way while you are at it investigate the Charitable Gaming Commission itself. Why would I say that?
Because the Commission itself fines any Bingo or Charity that does not have the quarterly reports turned in on time and yet cannot produce an annual report from 2007-2008 of their own yet. Pot meet Kettle.
The article goes further to quote Kaven Rumpel, “I think this is a train wreck for the department to get involved in free trade,” said Kaven Rumpel, president of the Kentucky Charitable Gaming Association and owner of the Highview bingo hall, who said that the changes could result in less competition and higher prices for supplies
I agree totally. For the Government to continue involving themselves in free trade should be a serious concern to us all. As a matter of fact we do have FEDERAL laws to prevent this and this could cause a serious lawsuit against the State. What do the feds say about this. It is time we asked them.
Why do we continue to allow these idiots to continue this obvious attack against charities here at home? I do not know.
You can read my previous stories on charitable gaming throughout this website. The State has continued to try and persuade the public opinion into thinking that there are rampant thieves throughout the industry by implying that there is $100 million unreported and taken by thieves.
They have the right to their opinion right?
My opinion is that I believe the money spent by our legislators through graft, greed, corruption, and pork barrel spending throughout the State, is more than the $100 million they IMPLY is being stolen. Of course ours is stolen taxpayer money by our legislators.
I would almost bet I can prove my amounts faster than they can prove theirs.
It is a pathetic attempt once again to decide where money does or does not go. Who the hell is the State to decide what profit a business can make from anything?
If they want to use the failed logic that the industry has to cover bad checks for example then what gives them the right to decide that?
If any business decides to accept checks in the course of conducting their business it is their responsibility to accept any repercussions that go along with that choice. For the State to act like they care is yet another attempt to gain public sympathy that would allow them access to that which they are not entitled.
Is the State now going to force the business that does not allow personal checks to start accepting them and pay the State a fee to monitor the program for them?
They want to imply $100 million is stolen each year? Great then why are you not out attacking ALL other business that gets ripped off each year. Go check out the construction industry and the cash jobs that go unreported each year. Investigate how much money Cordish has received or paid to elected officials. What percent of profit has 4th Street live made? It is relevant since there is essentially a profit sharing agreement for Cordish with the City. Cordish has never paid a dime towards that agreement so where is their 40% threshold?
I guarantee if you ever got hold of all this information $100 million would be a drop in the bucket.
Go check out the cash that gets dispersed among the elected politicians or funneled into campaign accounts against the intent of campaign finance reform for reelection. Wanna bet that money adds up quick as well?
Of course they will not do that. It would cost the political appointed cronies their jobs and perhaps put some in jail. Instead follow the orders of "leadership" and go after those who can least afford it. But hey once they are gone we can get Churchill Downs the money they want and line the pockets of our legislators as well right?
Charitable Gamers make money to support their cause by the use of Bingo's etc. They fund their OWN issues. They are not asking for handouts. Thanks to the previous attempts by the State to act like they cared about the Charities many have disappeared altogether from the Bingo halls.
When faced with undue "profit" margins by the State, I use this phrase because most charities are considered non profit, many have had no choice but to quit trying to provide for themselves. The profit threshold by the State is essentially 40% with no allowances in many cases, of write offs afforded every other business.
When you cannot provide for yourself where do you go? Oh yeah the government. Let's ask the taxpayer's to fund our charity or let big brother take care of us making us dependent once again instead of free.
Why would a charity be forced to have a minimum profit margin? If a charity makes a dime that goes into their own charity itself, is that not a dime they did not have to ask for from the taxpayers?
Should they be punished for only making a 10% profit for example versus a 40%?
So many questions and no answers because the people at State want to CONTROL everything as usual. Using the State logic why do they not just go ahead and force EVERY business in Kentucky to post a 40% profit for doing business here.
If it is good enough for one business it should be good enough for all.
They do not because they know they cannot. Because that would probably be the final tipping point to us getting rid of these idiots.
Is this what it will take to wake us up to stand and be counted?
You know our government is needed for so many things and I always acknowledge, and recognize that, but to continue involving themselves at will in selective private business is a major concern for myself and indeed should be for us all.
Free trade and competition is what drives the American economy, for the State boys to think they can continue driving a wedge into the rights of private business is a steppingstone to destroying the very fabric of America itself.
It is insulting to each of us that they choose to destroy our way of life in favor of protecting their own.
In their own words from the Courier:
“We're not taking away the competitive process,” she said. Manufacturers are “still going to want to compete with each other because one manufacturer is still going to want to outsell another manufacturer. The only way they can do that is by putting the games in the market and taking out the games that they don't sell anymore just like they do now. That is not going to change.”
And yet the very next statement he makes is this:
Boggs said competition would be removed from the distribution system.
Lackey said “ideally” there would be two distributors in the state, compared with 23 now.
Um doesn't the statement itself say ultimately there would be 2 distributors instead of the 23 we have now?
Of course they are taking away from the competitive process and it is high time we stopped them from doing so.
Kevin Mills, leader of the St. Gabriel Catholic Church bingo, stated “What they're basically doing is ruining all the competition, and … there's nothing anybody can do about it.”
Well said Kevin Mills and Kaven Rumpel but there is much we can do about it. Stand and get the message out and help get outsiders elected to office.
The time to change is now before we all get left even further behind.
CORDISH AND OUR LEADERSHIP ONCE AGAIN: SAY WHAT?
Once again our leadership has failed us. Once again we are now seeing just how pathetic these so called leaders are. Once again we are starting to see just how the Abramson machine and the rubberstamps on the Council have been able to screw us all through lies and deception. Once again we see how no one will stand up and take back our Louisville by holding morons accountable.
Every now and then the Courier Journal actually does report something that we should look at and take serious. Today is one of those days. Check out the Cordish confidentiality agreement that was signed by Bruce "I do what Jerry tells me to" Traughber, auditor Mike "thanks for my job Jerry" Norman, and David "I wanna be Mayor so help me Jerry" Tandy.
Cordish confidentiality agreement courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal
Would anyone with any common sense sign something like this?
I mean really we paid for the trip, we pay their salaries, and we have demanded some transparency. What did we get?
Absolutely nothing. To say that these people, ALL of these people need to go would be an understatement.
Heck Cordish was even kind enough to draft a response for these guys just in case they did not know how to write one. PATHETIC.
Abramson now wants to be Lt. Governor. David Tandy now wants to be Mayor. Hell Jim King is now asking for transparency because he wants to be Mayor and he is one of the worst when it comes to transparency.
See the similarities here?
All the so called leaders and wannabe's have left us high and dry as usual. The pattern here is a simple one. They have no intent to gain us what we need and demand in transparency and accountability. None of the above have done anything to aid us in our search.
The only way to finally gain what we all seek is to throw them all out. I am not kidding. Get these people out of government they are not interested in our best interests at all. They benefit from a personal standpoint and with their private business dealings at our expense.
How else can we justify why the team that went to Baltimore came back with this garbage.
The team included Metro Council President David Tandy and our City Auditor in Mike Norman. Neither could do better than this? BOTH signed a confidentiality agreement? David Tandy is a lawyer, as well as, Metro Council President he certainly should have known better than this.
The entire Metro Council shares blame in this as well for allowing the Mayor to do this.
After spending the last several years pushing for transparency myself, and the many others who are doing so now, it seems there has been plenty of opportunity for the Council to begin the process of achieving this goal for the betterment of we the people who elect them.
Instead we now have this fiasco, and we now have the wannabe Mayor candidates acting like they want transparency now. Just one more example on a long list of their failures and why we need outsiders in government now not later.
Where were they during the years since merger? Reaping the benefits of an inflated ego and/or financial gain. Period.
For Jim King to act like he wants transparency now is an insult to all of our intelligence.
For David Tandy to sign such a confidential agreement when it concerns our taxpayer money he wants to control is just another example of someone wanting the job of Mayor for their gain not ours.
For the rest of the delegation including Mike Norman to sign such is just one more example of Abramson friends doing what they are told.
Time to break the cycle. Period.
Get rid of them all and do not be fooled.
We need real leadership by someone willing to stand up and do the right thing for us all.
We do not need more of the same by this pathetic display of insiders.
Every now and then the Courier Journal actually does report something that we should look at and take serious. Today is one of those days. Check out the Cordish confidentiality agreement that was signed by Bruce "I do what Jerry tells me to" Traughber, auditor Mike "thanks for my job Jerry" Norman, and David "I wanna be Mayor so help me Jerry" Tandy.
Cordish confidentiality agreement courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal
Would anyone with any common sense sign something like this?
I mean really we paid for the trip, we pay their salaries, and we have demanded some transparency. What did we get?
Absolutely nothing. To say that these people, ALL of these people need to go would be an understatement.
Heck Cordish was even kind enough to draft a response for these guys just in case they did not know how to write one. PATHETIC.
Abramson now wants to be Lt. Governor. David Tandy now wants to be Mayor. Hell Jim King is now asking for transparency because he wants to be Mayor and he is one of the worst when it comes to transparency.
See the similarities here?
All the so called leaders and wannabe's have left us high and dry as usual. The pattern here is a simple one. They have no intent to gain us what we need and demand in transparency and accountability. None of the above have done anything to aid us in our search.
The only way to finally gain what we all seek is to throw them all out. I am not kidding. Get these people out of government they are not interested in our best interests at all. They benefit from a personal standpoint and with their private business dealings at our expense.
How else can we justify why the team that went to Baltimore came back with this garbage.
The team included Metro Council President David Tandy and our City Auditor in Mike Norman. Neither could do better than this? BOTH signed a confidentiality agreement? David Tandy is a lawyer, as well as, Metro Council President he certainly should have known better than this.
The entire Metro Council shares blame in this as well for allowing the Mayor to do this.
After spending the last several years pushing for transparency myself, and the many others who are doing so now, it seems there has been plenty of opportunity for the Council to begin the process of achieving this goal for the betterment of we the people who elect them.
Instead we now have this fiasco, and we now have the wannabe Mayor candidates acting like they want transparency now. Just one more example on a long list of their failures and why we need outsiders in government now not later.
Where were they during the years since merger? Reaping the benefits of an inflated ego and/or financial gain. Period.
For Jim King to act like he wants transparency now is an insult to all of our intelligence.
For David Tandy to sign such a confidential agreement when it concerns our taxpayer money he wants to control is just another example of someone wanting the job of Mayor for their gain not ours.
For the rest of the delegation including Mike Norman to sign such is just one more example of Abramson friends doing what they are told.
Time to break the cycle. Period.
Get rid of them all and do not be fooled.
We need real leadership by someone willing to stand up and do the right thing for us all.
We do not need more of the same by this pathetic display of insiders.
Friday, August 21, 2009
IS THIS WHERE WE ARE HEADED?
I just recently watched the movie Demolition Man with Sylvester Stallone, don't hold that against me, and this stood out as a great speech. Why? It seems that each and everyday we are still fighting for the rights to live our lives free. This could be our alternative if we do not wake up soon. Or not but it is interesting when you think about the greed and corruption of our politicians, and the problems we suffer from because of it.
JIM KING WANTS TRANSPARENCY AND THE MAYORSHIP? LAUGHABLE AT BEST
According to thevillevoice Jim King is now preparing an ordinance to be introduced next week that will require any project financed with taxpayer dollars to be subject to open records laws and that there be no confidentiality agreements concerning the way money is spent. You can read more here: King, Council Move to Prevent Another Cordish
Funnily enough rumor also has it that King is preparing to announce his candidacy for Louisville Metro Mayor next week as well. Allen Leaning To Yes in Mayor’s Race. Amazing coincidence huh?
For starters Jim King is obviously trying to use the "transparency" issue thinking he can get votes from this stance in preparation for his announcement. It is really pathetic as King has continued to be part of the problem in lieu of transparency and certainly is shady when it comes to politics. You can read my stories throughout this site for the reasons why I believe so.
Many believe that Jim King's involvement in financing Katie King's run for Judge was illegal or borderline anyway. Myself included.
To say he is behind anything to do with legislation for accountability is also an incredible thing for him to take ownership of.
If King was so concerned with taxpayer money why has it taken until now to start working towards accountability and/or transparency?
Many of us have been asking for transparency and accountability for years. Hell it was one thing I campaigned on in 2006 when I ran for Mayor. Where has Jim King been on this issue since then? Did he take the lead on the issue?
No he has not. So why now?
Manipulation and deception.
He believes this is a situation he can capitalize on and people will forget the behind the scenes ongoing investigations and his lack of transparency himself. I even did an article, Louisville News and Politics: ONLINE DATABASE: DOES IT REALLY MATTER?, exposing one way he himself avoids the transparency we seek even showing one email as an example.
This email clearly shows a conversation about City business that Jim King himself said should be responded to his personal email. Of course this is becoming known as standard practice by some Council members. Why is this a big deal now?
Because personal email is not subject to open records inquiry that is why. What does this mean?
Simply that you can talk about anything and everything when it comes to City business and shield the deals or intent from public view if you opt to use private email. This is a clear way to circumvent transparency and accountability.
This underscores the intent of open records laws and the trust once again in public officials.
King has proven time and again by his lack of getting involved in any meaningful way to helping us gain this transparency and accountability we have been seeking for years. He has also showed a willingness to bend the law, or at least attempt to, as evidenced in his ongoing investigation into the Katie King campaign last year.
Yes I take the hits for keeping this alive and yes I will in some circles continue to be beat up over it.
It does not matter.
We the people deserve transparency and accountability from our elected leaders. I will gladly take the hits if it helps us gain it. I put it on the line in 2006 by making this an issue and will continue to until we gain what we all seek.
I am thankful for all today that are finally getting involved and seeking the same thing.
I will continue calling out the hypocrisy of those like King who continue to mislead us in the hopes of getting what they want for their own gain. Not necessarily what we deserve in leadership.
Do I disagree with a Metro Council ordinance working to gain us the accountability King says is he now working on?
Not in the least.
I do believe Jim King is the wrong person to ask for something he himself spends a considerable amount of time and money trying to avoid.
Just saying.
Funnily enough rumor also has it that King is preparing to announce his candidacy for Louisville Metro Mayor next week as well. Allen Leaning To Yes in Mayor’s Race. Amazing coincidence huh?
For starters Jim King is obviously trying to use the "transparency" issue thinking he can get votes from this stance in preparation for his announcement. It is really pathetic as King has continued to be part of the problem in lieu of transparency and certainly is shady when it comes to politics. You can read my stories throughout this site for the reasons why I believe so.
Many believe that Jim King's involvement in financing Katie King's run for Judge was illegal or borderline anyway. Myself included.
To say he is behind anything to do with legislation for accountability is also an incredible thing for him to take ownership of.
If King was so concerned with taxpayer money why has it taken until now to start working towards accountability and/or transparency?
Many of us have been asking for transparency and accountability for years. Hell it was one thing I campaigned on in 2006 when I ran for Mayor. Where has Jim King been on this issue since then? Did he take the lead on the issue?
No he has not. So why now?
Manipulation and deception.
He believes this is a situation he can capitalize on and people will forget the behind the scenes ongoing investigations and his lack of transparency himself. I even did an article, Louisville News and Politics: ONLINE DATABASE: DOES IT REALLY MATTER?, exposing one way he himself avoids the transparency we seek even showing one email as an example.
This email clearly shows a conversation about City business that Jim King himself said should be responded to his personal email. Of course this is becoming known as standard practice by some Council members. Why is this a big deal now?
Because personal email is not subject to open records inquiry that is why. What does this mean?
Simply that you can talk about anything and everything when it comes to City business and shield the deals or intent from public view if you opt to use private email. This is a clear way to circumvent transparency and accountability.
This underscores the intent of open records laws and the trust once again in public officials.
King has proven time and again by his lack of getting involved in any meaningful way to helping us gain this transparency and accountability we have been seeking for years. He has also showed a willingness to bend the law, or at least attempt to, as evidenced in his ongoing investigation into the Katie King campaign last year.
Yes I take the hits for keeping this alive and yes I will in some circles continue to be beat up over it.
It does not matter.
We the people deserve transparency and accountability from our elected leaders. I will gladly take the hits if it helps us gain it. I put it on the line in 2006 by making this an issue and will continue to until we gain what we all seek.
I am thankful for all today that are finally getting involved and seeking the same thing.
I will continue calling out the hypocrisy of those like King who continue to mislead us in the hopes of getting what they want for their own gain. Not necessarily what we deserve in leadership.
Do I disagree with a Metro Council ordinance working to gain us the accountability King says is he now working on?
Not in the least.
I do believe Jim King is the wrong person to ask for something he himself spends a considerable amount of time and money trying to avoid.
Just saying.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
MYVIEWMATTERS RADIO SHOW W/ JEFFERSON COUNTY LIBERTARIAN PARTY HEAD RON SEITER
The MyViewMatters radio show was invaded by the Jefferson County Libertarian Chairman Ron Seiter tonight! Just kidding on the invasion. And yes the rumor is true. I have changed my party affiliation to Independent.
Great lively thought provoking discussion tonight and a great way to see just what the Libertarian Party is really about.
Listen for yourselves. Thanks.
Great lively thought provoking discussion tonight and a great way to see just what the Libertarian Party is really about.
Listen for yourselves. Thanks.
Monday, August 17, 2009
TANDY USES CHURCH OF COURSE TO ANNOUNCE HIS RUN FOR MAYOR
As we now know David Tandy has announced his intent to run for Louisville Metro Mayor. Anyone surprised? Certainly not me. Apparently he had to wait for a message from God. Why else would he have to annonce in Church. I find that funny really.
Are we so gullible to fall for the usual assumption that "God has led me to this decision and through His Grace and good will I humbly step up to serve the people of our fine City blah blah blah."
No those are not his exact words but it is the same old BS ballgame so many use today thinking we are so gullible that we will elect someone based on what a "good" Christian they are. Trying to convince us that it is God's will they do this not their own. It is insulting.
I mean the common element for many political hacks today is to stand on the pulpit, or in front of Church, and announce to the world what a great Christian they are and God will protect us all because of His Divine intervention and faith in the candidate.
I do not think any of us are so gullible to portray Tandy or anyone else as some great leader because they go to church. I certainly hope not.
The list of false prophets and hypocrites who use Church for their own gain is limitless. We cannot count how many people are in jail for crimes against us who are so called "good" Christians. The arrogance to think that we are that gullible is pathetic at best.
While I am a great believer in God, as I am not an atheist, I do wonder one thing.
Why, if we are to believe in the separation of Church and State, one of the most basic things that led to the creation of our great Nation, would you choose to announce a run for office in Church?
To try to portray yourself as some do good Christian who would never do anything wrong to hurt your fellow man is pathetic since the truth is often times so much different.
Considering how much Tandy has abused his office and the public trust we gave him is an insult to all of us from a so called "good" Christian man.
Abusing the public trust and our money for his personal gain, like using publicly paid employees for personal babysitters, or making a false impression of doing something by going to Cordish only to return with no information whatsoever, and yep we wasted more tax money paying for the whole thing, is a great example of looking out for your fellow man who has entrusted you to do so right?
Truly he should be indicted for using taxpayer dollars for his personal expenses alone. But I digress.
I mean if you believe in God, as I do, abusing that trust and using God as a crutch to do so is wrong. To hide behind God and use the church to further yourself in some political job is an insult to the intelligence of us all and could be considered by the Church blasphemous as well. Or maybe not these days who knows.
Great start to showing leadership and convincing us to trust you anyway right?
I am reminded of this.
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
Pretty basic Christian stuff isn't it Mr. Tandy? We are to perceive you as a devout religious man who would only do what is right and can trust you right? Using God's name or His church for self serving interests is the new Christian thing to do but sadly is not very Christian like.
I will be chastised for stating the obvious I know. I will never earn the trust of the Church or votes from the members for being so blatantly honest.
But isn't it the Christian thing to do to put God ahead of ourselves? I am a sinner I never professed to be perfect. I was born and raised Catholic and have spent a considerable amount of my life learning about different religions and finding my own way in this world as do us all. I pray everyday. It is a way of life. I do not advertise it for my gain. Most folks who know me would find it odd for me to spend so much time ranting on this issue.
I do it because I believe our religious beliefs are a personal choice. The relationshp between myself and God is not the same relationship I have on a personal level with anyone else. For Christians there is no higher calling than that of doing God's will. To insult the intelligence of those of us who believe in God by a shallow attempt to use Him for personal gain is wrong.
It is a pathetic display of trying to get an emotional response for votes.
I often wonder just how much separation of Church and State we have anymore? While we are guaranteed the right to worship as we please in this great Nation just what exactly constitutes the meaning of separation of Church and State?
If this basic tenant is to hold true, are we allowing this line to be crossed by continually allowing candidates to use the Church for political gain? If the Church is to be used for political purpose they must then ask themselves the simplest question. Is this God's will? If the Church wants to continue blurring that line instead of focusing on the message of God should they not be accountable to the same individual standards we all are?
Maybe we should revisit the tax exempt status of some churches and eliminate the free ride so many get because they purport to be one but opt to cross that line continually by allowing candidates to use "God's" house for political gain.
While my belief in God has shaped and molded me into the man I am today both morally and ethically I have also always understood one basic fact of separation of Church and State.
Give unto God what is God's. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's. Is that really that hard to understand?
From now on Mr. Tandy when you waste our money for your gain, when you use the Church and God to preach for your personal gain not His glory, and when you continually violate the public trust you should ask yourself one question.
What would Jesus do?
I think you already know the answer.
Perhaps you should pray for forgiveness.
Just saying.........
Are we so gullible to fall for the usual assumption that "God has led me to this decision and through His Grace and good will I humbly step up to serve the people of our fine City blah blah blah."
No those are not his exact words but it is the same old BS ballgame so many use today thinking we are so gullible that we will elect someone based on what a "good" Christian they are. Trying to convince us that it is God's will they do this not their own. It is insulting.
I mean the common element for many political hacks today is to stand on the pulpit, or in front of Church, and announce to the world what a great Christian they are and God will protect us all because of His Divine intervention and faith in the candidate.
I do not think any of us are so gullible to portray Tandy or anyone else as some great leader because they go to church. I certainly hope not.
The list of false prophets and hypocrites who use Church for their own gain is limitless. We cannot count how many people are in jail for crimes against us who are so called "good" Christians. The arrogance to think that we are that gullible is pathetic at best.
While I am a great believer in God, as I am not an atheist, I do wonder one thing.
Why, if we are to believe in the separation of Church and State, one of the most basic things that led to the creation of our great Nation, would you choose to announce a run for office in Church?
To try to portray yourself as some do good Christian who would never do anything wrong to hurt your fellow man is pathetic since the truth is often times so much different.
Considering how much Tandy has abused his office and the public trust we gave him is an insult to all of us from a so called "good" Christian man.
Abusing the public trust and our money for his personal gain, like using publicly paid employees for personal babysitters, or making a false impression of doing something by going to Cordish only to return with no information whatsoever, and yep we wasted more tax money paying for the whole thing, is a great example of looking out for your fellow man who has entrusted you to do so right?
Truly he should be indicted for using taxpayer dollars for his personal expenses alone. But I digress.
I mean if you believe in God, as I do, abusing that trust and using God as a crutch to do so is wrong. To hide behind God and use the church to further yourself in some political job is an insult to the intelligence of us all and could be considered by the Church blasphemous as well. Or maybe not these days who knows.
Great start to showing leadership and convincing us to trust you anyway right?
I am reminded of this.
Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.
Pretty basic Christian stuff isn't it Mr. Tandy? We are to perceive you as a devout religious man who would only do what is right and can trust you right? Using God's name or His church for self serving interests is the new Christian thing to do but sadly is not very Christian like.
I will be chastised for stating the obvious I know. I will never earn the trust of the Church or votes from the members for being so blatantly honest.
But isn't it the Christian thing to do to put God ahead of ourselves? I am a sinner I never professed to be perfect. I was born and raised Catholic and have spent a considerable amount of my life learning about different religions and finding my own way in this world as do us all. I pray everyday. It is a way of life. I do not advertise it for my gain. Most folks who know me would find it odd for me to spend so much time ranting on this issue.
I do it because I believe our religious beliefs are a personal choice. The relationshp between myself and God is not the same relationship I have on a personal level with anyone else. For Christians there is no higher calling than that of doing God's will. To insult the intelligence of those of us who believe in God by a shallow attempt to use Him for personal gain is wrong.
It is a pathetic display of trying to get an emotional response for votes.
I often wonder just how much separation of Church and State we have anymore? While we are guaranteed the right to worship as we please in this great Nation just what exactly constitutes the meaning of separation of Church and State?
If this basic tenant is to hold true, are we allowing this line to be crossed by continually allowing candidates to use the Church for political gain? If the Church is to be used for political purpose they must then ask themselves the simplest question. Is this God's will? If the Church wants to continue blurring that line instead of focusing on the message of God should they not be accountable to the same individual standards we all are?
Maybe we should revisit the tax exempt status of some churches and eliminate the free ride so many get because they purport to be one but opt to cross that line continually by allowing candidates to use "God's" house for political gain.
While my belief in God has shaped and molded me into the man I am today both morally and ethically I have also always understood one basic fact of separation of Church and State.
Give unto God what is God's. Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's. Is that really that hard to understand?
From now on Mr. Tandy when you waste our money for your gain, when you use the Church and God to preach for your personal gain not His glory, and when you continually violate the public trust you should ask yourself one question.
What would Jesus do?
I think you already know the answer.
Perhaps you should pray for forgiveness.
Just saying.........
Sunday, August 16, 2009
A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE REVISITED
I have had many people ask me to repost this from last July. I am honored that they read this site and were moved by it.
The loss of confidence Jimmy Carter spoke about over 30 years ago is, in my opinion, as relevant today as it was back then and in many ways even more so. We see the news everyday and public officials are caught lying, cheating, being bribed, illegally funding campaigns, and the list goes on.
Do we have a crisis of confidence today?
I believe very much so.
Check it out and let me know your thoughts. DO you agree or disagree and why? Are we better or worse off as Americans, Kentuckians, or Louisvillians today since this speech was made. Think of the lies, corruption, and special interests lobbies. Do you feel fairly represented? You know where I stand. What say ye?
A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE (repost from July 2008)
As I have stated previously occasionally I will venture outside Louisville politics and look at the bigger picture. This post is my attempt at that. Bear with me please.
While reading about some other interests of mine I came across this reminder of the past. Once in a while a bit of the past rushes out to greet me like an old friend. Today I ran across an interesting speech that reminded me once again of an old friend.
American Rhetoric: Jimmy Carter -- "A Crisis of Confidence"
President Carter gave this speech on July 15, 1979. What began as a speech concerning the energy crisis turned into something greater. While energy was the accepted theme it was more interesting realizing just what a grasp President Carter had on the feel of Americans in general.
Interesting that this speech was almost 30 years ago. I feel like it could have been written yesterday. I have quoted bits and pieces some of it below for a quick read and I ask one question of my own.
Have things gotten better or worse in these examples in the almost 30 years since this speech was made.
This could apply not only at the federal level but local levels as well in my opinion. President Carter's grasp seems forgotten today by leadership at every level.
It amazes me how little overall we seem to be valued by our leaders today.
For example, President Carter asked himself one question: "Why have we not been able to get together as a nation to resolve our serious energy problem? "
To further quote: "It's clear that the true problems of our Nation are much deeper—deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation or recession. And I realize more than ever that as President I need your help."
"... after listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America. So, I want to speak to you first tonight about a subject even more serious than energy or inflation. I want to talk to you right now about a fundamental threat to American democracy."
"The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our Nation. The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America. The confidence that we have always had as a people is not simply some romantic dream or a proverb in a dusty book that we read just on the Fourth of July. It is the idea which founded our Nation and has guided our development as a people. Confidence in the future has supported everything else—public institutions and private enterprise, our own families, and the very Constitution of the United States."
"We've always had a faith that the days of our children would be better than our own. Our people are losing that faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy."
"In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns."
"The symptoms of this crisis of the American spirit are all around us. For the first time in the history of our country a majority of our people believe that the next 5 years will be worse than the past 5 years. Two-thirds of our people do not even vote. The productivity of American workers is actually dropping, and the willingness of Americans to save for the future has fallen below that of all other people in the Western world."
"As you know, there is a growing disrespect for government and for churches and for schools, the news media, and other institutions. This is not a message of happiness or reassurance, but it is the truth and it is a warning. These changes did not happen overnight."
"Looking for a way out of this crisis, our people have turned to the Federal Government and found it isolated from the mainstream of our Nation's life. Washington, D.C., has become an island. The gap between our citizens and our Government has never been so wide."
"The people are looking for honest answers, not easy answers; clear leadership, not false claims and evasiveness and politics as usual. What you see too often in Washington and elsewhere around the country is a system of government that seems incapable of action. You see a Congress twisted and pulled in every direction by hundreds of well-financed and powerful special interests. You see every extreme position defended to the last vote, almost to the last breath by one unyielding group or another."
"Often you see paralysis and stagnation and drift. You don't like it, and neither do I. What can we do? First of all, we must face the truth, and then we can change our course."
"We simply must have faith in each other, faith in our ability to govern ourselves, and faith in the future of this Nation. Restoring that faith and that confidence to America is now the most important task we face. It is a true challenge of this generation of Americans."
Are we up to the challenge?
The loss of confidence Jimmy Carter spoke about over 30 years ago is, in my opinion, as relevant today as it was back then and in many ways even more so. We see the news everyday and public officials are caught lying, cheating, being bribed, illegally funding campaigns, and the list goes on.
Do we have a crisis of confidence today?
I believe very much so.
Check it out and let me know your thoughts. DO you agree or disagree and why? Are we better or worse off as Americans, Kentuckians, or Louisvillians today since this speech was made. Think of the lies, corruption, and special interests lobbies. Do you feel fairly represented? You know where I stand. What say ye?
A CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE (repost from July 2008)
As I have stated previously occasionally I will venture outside Louisville politics and look at the bigger picture. This post is my attempt at that. Bear with me please.
While reading about some other interests of mine I came across this reminder of the past. Once in a while a bit of the past rushes out to greet me like an old friend. Today I ran across an interesting speech that reminded me once again of an old friend.
American Rhetoric: Jimmy Carter -- "A Crisis of Confidence"
President Carter gave this speech on July 15, 1979. What began as a speech concerning the energy crisis turned into something greater. While energy was the accepted theme it was more interesting realizing just what a grasp President Carter had on the feel of Americans in general.
Interesting that this speech was almost 30 years ago. I feel like it could have been written yesterday. I have quoted bits and pieces some of it below for a quick read and I ask one question of my own.
Have things gotten better or worse in these examples in the almost 30 years since this speech was made.
This could apply not only at the federal level but local levels as well in my opinion. President Carter's grasp seems forgotten today by leadership at every level.
It amazes me how little overall we seem to be valued by our leaders today.
For example, President Carter asked himself one question: "Why have we not been able to get together as a nation to resolve our serious energy problem? "
To further quote: "It's clear that the true problems of our Nation are much deeper—deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation or recession. And I realize more than ever that as President I need your help."
"... after listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America. So, I want to speak to you first tonight about a subject even more serious than energy or inflation. I want to talk to you right now about a fundamental threat to American democracy."
"The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart and soul and spirit of our national will. We can see this crisis in the growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our Nation. The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America. The confidence that we have always had as a people is not simply some romantic dream or a proverb in a dusty book that we read just on the Fourth of July. It is the idea which founded our Nation and has guided our development as a people. Confidence in the future has supported everything else—public institutions and private enterprise, our own families, and the very Constitution of the United States."
"We've always had a faith that the days of our children would be better than our own. Our people are losing that faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy."
"In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns."
"The symptoms of this crisis of the American spirit are all around us. For the first time in the history of our country a majority of our people believe that the next 5 years will be worse than the past 5 years. Two-thirds of our people do not even vote. The productivity of American workers is actually dropping, and the willingness of Americans to save for the future has fallen below that of all other people in the Western world."
"As you know, there is a growing disrespect for government and for churches and for schools, the news media, and other institutions. This is not a message of happiness or reassurance, but it is the truth and it is a warning. These changes did not happen overnight."
"Looking for a way out of this crisis, our people have turned to the Federal Government and found it isolated from the mainstream of our Nation's life. Washington, D.C., has become an island. The gap between our citizens and our Government has never been so wide."
"The people are looking for honest answers, not easy answers; clear leadership, not false claims and evasiveness and politics as usual. What you see too often in Washington and elsewhere around the country is a system of government that seems incapable of action. You see a Congress twisted and pulled in every direction by hundreds of well-financed and powerful special interests. You see every extreme position defended to the last vote, almost to the last breath by one unyielding group or another."
"Often you see paralysis and stagnation and drift. You don't like it, and neither do I. What can we do? First of all, we must face the truth, and then we can change our course."
"We simply must have faith in each other, faith in our ability to govern ourselves, and faith in the future of this Nation. Restoring that faith and that confidence to America is now the most important task we face. It is a true challenge of this generation of Americans."
Are we up to the challenge?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
ABRAMSON HACKS CONTINUE THE GAME
You know honestly I do not understand how anyone at this point can possibly believe Abramson has done anything for Louisville at all. He has made a career out of fleecing the taxpayer for his own gain and held with no accountability.......until now.
It is great to see Abramson finally coming under the gun for a change. I have been bringing him under the gun for a few years now. I have proved him a liar and have continually called him out in every dumb thing he does. The Courier Journal did a piece on his prized Cordish deal essentially proving that we have been been duped again.
Check this article out by the CJ:
Cordish records “appeared to substantiate” company spent $950,000 in public money properly, report says courier-journal.com...
Of course we got no answers. Did anyone really expect anything different? I loved it when David Tandy decided to go, on the taxpayer dime of course, to Cordish so he could see firsthand and prove the $950,000 was spent on Lucky Strikes. Did he do that? Nope. Great job Mr. Tandy. I really could have been persuaded to be a Tandy supporter at one point. Seriously I could have and was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Those days are gone.
Sorry David but after being lied to myself by your office multiple times and now the kid gloves rubberstamp treatment you continue to give Jerry well the time has come to quit giving you the benefit of the doubt.
The only "Strikes" were the ones we received from the group who went to "audit" the books from Cordish. How can anyone with a straight face say everything appeared to be in order with the burden of "rules" set on them by Cordish.
Check the beginning of this article out:
"A review of records on how the Cordish Cos. spent $950,000 in public money to refurbish a storefront at 4th Street Live “appeared to substantiate” it was used properly, the city's chief auditor wrote in a report released Friday.
But Chief Audit Executive Michael Norman said he and the four other officials who visited the company's headquarters Aug. 7 relied on records Cordish provided and made no independent attempt to verify them."
So let's see if we can understand this correctly. We are being told that the audit "appeared to substantiate" the money was used properly. Can anyone digest this statement with a straight face or are you laughing as loud as I am right now.
What kind of idiots do these clowns think we are? Appeared to substantiate? Either you verified or did not. It is simple.
"Norman wrote he couldn't offer assurances about the records “completeness, accuracy or reliability.”
No kidding. So why waste time with a "report" then. Do we look that gullible?
Of course he could not offer any assurances. Cordish says hey this is all you get and you cannot check anything else and oh by the way you must agree in writing not to disclose any information you obtained.
Why did they waste taxpayer money on the trip? We already had these answers prior to it.
What was supposed to have been gained? An honest accounting of taxpayer money.
And of course Abramson's favorite lapdog spokesman had the following to say:
"Chad Carlton, a spokesman for Mayor Jerry Abramson, said the report confirmed Abramson's belief from the outset that Cordish spent the funds appropriately and should help placate those who had “less than full faith” in the propriety of the expenditures.
“We hope we can move forward,” Carlton said.
Does Carlton honestly believe anything he says on behalf of Abramson? One would think not but who knows.
Abramson has continued to lie and deceive the public for years and this Cordish situation just keeps proving it more and more. Just wait until the arena mess starts unfolding and we see how much we were lied to on that. He wants to be Lt. Governor?
Why in the hell would anyone vote for him for anything. Seriously.
Everything about him is a lie, always has been, and always will be. Think we have problems now with City money? Wait until he gets hold of State money as well to pad the pockets of his political cronies and backers. Want to know how Cordish fits into this if he gets to State? Check out the attorney's on Cordish payroll and see how they tie into Abramson and Beshear.
Abramson needs out of here now because the price of his arrogance and lies are due to be paid during the next term. It is that simple.
He will owe $60-100 million by the time all the money is added up from lost lawsuits etc. And yes it all falls on his shoulders. He is depending on getting elected Lt. Gov so he can try to use State funds to either pay the piper or change things so he does not have to. Either way we the taxpayer at either level will be stuck with the bill one way or another thanks to his cronyism and abuse of power.
Why do you think so many have not stepped up to the plate and announced a candidacy for Metro Mayor yet? Because they know it will be a one term deal and will probably ruin their political future by having to make the tough decisions necessary to correct the fiasco he is leaving behind.
We do not need the same old inside political games breaking us all. We need to break them for a change.
And there may just be a candidate willing to take that risk soon ;-)
This is one example of exactly why Senate Bill 80 was pushed at State level and so necessary. To eliminate the total power that Abramson has over our money and our futures. The Metro Council has stood by this idiot more times than anyone can count and they cannot cry foul now. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and in his case it has definitely done that. That is why it is important to have transparency and no single person should have unlimited power like this Mayor has.
When you are part of the problem you are NOT part of the solution.
I urge each of you to start calling your reps, local and State, and demanding something be done. Call Crit LuAllen who has proven she is not scared to get involved. Call the Attorney General and demand he get involved in the problems. Heck call the feds they need to know and get involved. I already have.
We elect them all and WE PAY them all. It is about time they started earning it.
Abramson must go but so should all the rubberstamps who sit idly by and keep allowing this idiot to do this to us.
In this case Kelly Downard said it best by stating it's “really a non-report.”
“We have nothing more than before,” said Downard, who is an accountant. Councilman Downard is exactly right did we expect any less?
For Tandy, Norman, and the crew who went to Baltimore? Hope you enjoyed the trip because by the next election these freebies are over.
I for one am certainly going to work to make sure of it.
It is great to see Abramson finally coming under the gun for a change. I have been bringing him under the gun for a few years now. I have proved him a liar and have continually called him out in every dumb thing he does. The Courier Journal did a piece on his prized Cordish deal essentially proving that we have been been duped again.
Check this article out by the CJ:
Cordish records “appeared to substantiate” company spent $950,000 in public money properly, report says courier-journal.com...
Of course we got no answers. Did anyone really expect anything different? I loved it when David Tandy decided to go, on the taxpayer dime of course, to Cordish so he could see firsthand and prove the $950,000 was spent on Lucky Strikes. Did he do that? Nope. Great job Mr. Tandy. I really could have been persuaded to be a Tandy supporter at one point. Seriously I could have and was giving him the benefit of the doubt. Those days are gone.
Sorry David but after being lied to myself by your office multiple times and now the kid gloves rubberstamp treatment you continue to give Jerry well the time has come to quit giving you the benefit of the doubt.
The only "Strikes" were the ones we received from the group who went to "audit" the books from Cordish. How can anyone with a straight face say everything appeared to be in order with the burden of "rules" set on them by Cordish.
Check the beginning of this article out:
"A review of records on how the Cordish Cos. spent $950,000 in public money to refurbish a storefront at 4th Street Live “appeared to substantiate” it was used properly, the city's chief auditor wrote in a report released Friday.
But Chief Audit Executive Michael Norman said he and the four other officials who visited the company's headquarters Aug. 7 relied on records Cordish provided and made no independent attempt to verify them."
So let's see if we can understand this correctly. We are being told that the audit "appeared to substantiate" the money was used properly. Can anyone digest this statement with a straight face or are you laughing as loud as I am right now.
What kind of idiots do these clowns think we are? Appeared to substantiate? Either you verified or did not. It is simple.
"Norman wrote he couldn't offer assurances about the records “completeness, accuracy or reliability.”
No kidding. So why waste time with a "report" then. Do we look that gullible?
Of course he could not offer any assurances. Cordish says hey this is all you get and you cannot check anything else and oh by the way you must agree in writing not to disclose any information you obtained.
Why did they waste taxpayer money on the trip? We already had these answers prior to it.
What was supposed to have been gained? An honest accounting of taxpayer money.
And of course Abramson's favorite lapdog spokesman had the following to say:
"Chad Carlton, a spokesman for Mayor Jerry Abramson, said the report confirmed Abramson's belief from the outset that Cordish spent the funds appropriately and should help placate those who had “less than full faith” in the propriety of the expenditures.
“We hope we can move forward,” Carlton said.
Does Carlton honestly believe anything he says on behalf of Abramson? One would think not but who knows.
Abramson has continued to lie and deceive the public for years and this Cordish situation just keeps proving it more and more. Just wait until the arena mess starts unfolding and we see how much we were lied to on that. He wants to be Lt. Governor?
Why in the hell would anyone vote for him for anything. Seriously.
Everything about him is a lie, always has been, and always will be. Think we have problems now with City money? Wait until he gets hold of State money as well to pad the pockets of his political cronies and backers. Want to know how Cordish fits into this if he gets to State? Check out the attorney's on Cordish payroll and see how they tie into Abramson and Beshear.
Abramson needs out of here now because the price of his arrogance and lies are due to be paid during the next term. It is that simple.
He will owe $60-100 million by the time all the money is added up from lost lawsuits etc. And yes it all falls on his shoulders. He is depending on getting elected Lt. Gov so he can try to use State funds to either pay the piper or change things so he does not have to. Either way we the taxpayer at either level will be stuck with the bill one way or another thanks to his cronyism and abuse of power.
Why do you think so many have not stepped up to the plate and announced a candidacy for Metro Mayor yet? Because they know it will be a one term deal and will probably ruin their political future by having to make the tough decisions necessary to correct the fiasco he is leaving behind.
We do not need the same old inside political games breaking us all. We need to break them for a change.
And there may just be a candidate willing to take that risk soon ;-)
This is one example of exactly why Senate Bill 80 was pushed at State level and so necessary. To eliminate the total power that Abramson has over our money and our futures. The Metro Council has stood by this idiot more times than anyone can count and they cannot cry foul now. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and in his case it has definitely done that. That is why it is important to have transparency and no single person should have unlimited power like this Mayor has.
When you are part of the problem you are NOT part of the solution.
I urge each of you to start calling your reps, local and State, and demanding something be done. Call Crit LuAllen who has proven she is not scared to get involved. Call the Attorney General and demand he get involved in the problems. Heck call the feds they need to know and get involved. I already have.
We elect them all and WE PAY them all. It is about time they started earning it.
Abramson must go but so should all the rubberstamps who sit idly by and keep allowing this idiot to do this to us.
In this case Kelly Downard said it best by stating it's “really a non-report.”
“We have nothing more than before,” said Downard, who is an accountant. Councilman Downard is exactly right did we expect any less?
For Tandy, Norman, and the crew who went to Baltimore? Hope you enjoyed the trip because by the next election these freebies are over.
I for one am certainly going to work to make sure of it.
Friday, August 14, 2009
MYVIEWMATTERSRADIO PART 2 W/ BRIAN SIMPSON
As promised here is part 2 of the show featuring Republican Candidate Brian Simpson who has his eyes on the 46th House of Representatives seat currently held by Democrat Larry Clark. Sit back and enjoy you may be surprised.
Part 2 w/ Brian Simpson
AND THE BEAT OF THE KING GOES ON.......
You know lately I have been under attack yet again for the charges I made against Jim King with the KREF. Laughable at best and really no biggie. The problem seems to be that King has not announced his planned run for Metro Mayor in hopes that this whole fiasco will go away. Seems Katie is catching some flack as well just check out facebook for details. It is also interesting to note that Jim King has been the face of this whole fiasco and not Katie who is the candidate who benefitted from it but that is another story at this point I guess.
Of course the attacks against me include personal stuff sent by the King's, or their attorney's since the supposed "hidden" info is on Courtnet and they have access that us non lawyers have to work to get, disguised as an ill advised threat aganst me and my reputation are the best they can do. Yawn.
I have always admitted I was off work for a year with no income or paycheck from February 2007 until March of 2008 thanks to a knee surgery that didn't heal quite right and I still suffer from today.
I also went back to work at less than 1/3 of what my income was prior to this medical problem. You guessed it I was one who fell into tough times because of medical and loss of income and have had to fight to keep my home just like so many have over the last few years. Thanks to a faltering economy, and of course no employer usually takes a chance on an employee who just came off of ANY surgery because they are scared of liability, I got behind on some bills just like so many of us.
Of course the fact that I am still here, haven't lost anything I worked my butt off to get other than some pride, and continue to work hard to get things right doesn't mean much to those who are running scared or have money to burn to try and use power against those they purport to represent.
Oh yeah I also have been able to hold on without a government bailout like the banks and corporate CEO's have gotten with our money. Sure would have been easier if I had some of my tax money back but hey we must help our fellow rich CEO's maintain their lifestyles right? God forbid a corporate CEO do without an extra million or so for the person who funds them. But I digress.
So that's the story they think I am scared people will know. You would think by now they know I have no fear of them. I am the exact opposite of those who try to gain power for their own egos. My ego simply does not require adoration and power over others. If it did I would certainly kiss the butt of those I rail against wouldn't I? I mean life could be so much simpler right?
Hell I could have taken some deals that would fix everything I almost lost a whole lot easier. I could have contacted King through some people he was using to try and get me to. Instead I continue to work at a place called Kroger regardless of my management background and resume.
Why? One word. Loyalty. They hired me when everyone else was scared and I appreciate that.
Unfortunately for the King's and their attorney's there is a right and wrong in everything and I always strive to do what is right regardless of the hits I take.
My effort has always been to expose the lies and hypocrisy and get the truth to people so they can make their own intelligent decisions. Heck I am even on the "bad boy" list of some close family members who support David Tandy because he and his staff lied to me 3 times so I took the gloves off in his regard. I love them all and they know I would do anything for them but hey even we can disagree on political things. We just avoid some political conversations lol.
The bottom line in this case has always been one simple question I feel needed answers for the betterment of ALL current and/or future candidates. Including myself.
Was the intent of campaign finance election law circumvented to funnel money above and beyond the $1000 contribution limit the law states? Based on the email and other things I believe so.
A straight answer would have been preferable and would have set this to bed a long time ago. King could have taken the short term hit and said hey I am sorry but it appears I may have made an honest mistake as an overzealous father and done things that could be perceived as wrong. With his money he could have bought the recognition to get elected Mayor. Money talks right? That is why we vote for some people because they pay megabucks to get their name out regardless of what they stand for right? At least it would have been explainable then and who knows handled correctly could have actually given him an early sympathy lead as most can relate to trying to do the best for their kids right? Do it for the kids. In this case it may have worked.
According to them we really are that shallow. I do not buy it.
Unfortunately as with many people who get caught doing things wrong, (hell look at Rick Pitino and his deny fest and what it is costing him now when he could have came clean and put it to bed), Jim King lawyered up immediately with the best attorneys, on paper anyway, money can buy. And that has been the whole problem here. When you make a mistake and get caught take responsibility. Man up, fess up, and ask for forgiveness. We The People are a very forgiving thing aren't we? How else do some of the slimeballs in politics keep getting reelected.
He has the right hire anyone he wants so of course I have no argument here on that regardless of how it appears to most of us.
So how do you shut the messenger up? You play the David and Goliath role and try to bully the little guy. Figuratively speaking of course as any who know me know I am not a little guy lol. Only problem is sometimes David stands up and won't be bullied. And sometimes Goliath just does not win. We are still waiting for the end of this to see either way.
Sheryl Snyder, who some consider a "preeminent" attorney on election law, was hired apparently because he used to argue for the KREF as an attorney. This raised questions of possible conflict of interest and why I took the unheard of step of asking the KREF essentially to dismiss themselves from the case thereby opening the door for AG Jack Conway to appoint a special prosecutor to try to get at the truth in this election financing debacle.
The other attorney on King's staff is Joe Terry as you may recall him being quoted in the Courier Journal, prior to being hired by Jim King of course, that the situation would stink to him if my charges were right. Joe Terry is ex Chairman of the KREF so the political relationships garnered by working with folks in that office could make things tough overall to decide. Why else would Terry contradict himself from his statement in December then go on the payroll of Jim King? Hey that is my speculation and I am entitled to it.
The charges are right. As I have shown the email in prior posts on this website here: http://springston.blogspot.com/2009/05/king-and-kref-explanation.html
If the statement King is clinging to by Jan Hines holds up legally then it is one way to launder money to make it "clean" for election purposes. If this scenario plays out and King wins then this would greatly undermine campaign finance laws and make it even harder for everyday folks without money to run for office essentially forcing us all to accept that the only people who can hold office are those who can buy it.
This is how you buy elections and not what campaign finance was intended to do.
Unfortunately regardless of the critics I can not accept that. Nor should any other candidate or citizen who want a fair and equal chance of either voting or running for office on a level playing field.
I mean it really is quite easy to follow.
If you can "gift" an unlimited amount of money to a candidate say $50,000, who can then deposit the "gift" into their personal checking or savings account, and then they again transfer it to a campaign account, our election can be bought even easier than some believe they are now. Then why have campaign finance laws at all? Give the job to the person with the richest family member.
To do this while an active candidate would be a slap in the face to all of us. It is essentially an ego saying I can do it because I want and you cannot stop me. Is that fair and equal, or right?
I do not believe so.
The latest response from King's attorney's Snyder and Co? Instead of trying to argue the merits of the case and answer questions from the very beginning, so King could go ahead and announce his Mayoral candidacy that is still on hold because of this, they decided instead to say essentially I had no right to ask or be involved in any of this as I am receiving no harm from it. In short because I have no perceived "damages" that I essentially have no legal standing.
Get rid of the messenger and the message gets forgotten right?
Again avoiding the facts and hoping it will go away. Sounds like Pitino strategy doesn't it? What is it costing him today?
From my standpoint I asked the AG for an opinion regarding their claims as this is a unique case, and theirs was yet another response to try to get me out of this in my opinion, and I was wondering if perhaps they had any merit to the claim. Since I learn as I go here folks I used this as my basis for requesting an opinion:
15.025 Conditions to furnishing opinions.
The Attorney General, when requested in writing, under KRS 15.020, shall furnish such opinions subject to the following conditions:
(1) When questions of law of interest to the Commonwealth are submitted by a state department, agency, board or commission;
(2) When public questions of law are submitted by either house of the Legislature or by any member of the Legislature;
(3) When public questions of law pertaining to local government are submitted in writing by the proper public official of the county or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth;
(4) When, in the discretion of the Attorney General, the question presented is of such public interest that an Attorney General's opinion on the subject is deemed desirable and when provided for by regulation pursuant to the provisions of this section.
History: Created 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 68, Art. II, sec. 3.
As I interpret subsection 4 above I read it as saying that the AG has the discretion and CAN issue an opinion ruling on the charges made by Snyder and crew on behalf of King because it does go to the serious public interest concern of public trust in elected officials.
Jim King is an elected official. Katie King gained a campaign financial advantage because of this. Jim King obviously was trying to get the KREF on record as saying it was ok to essentially finance her campaign. Folks it does not get any more cut and dry than this and in my opinion should have AG involvement right now since the public interest is that of public trust in our elected officials.
I would say that the public trust in elections and our elected officials is indeed a serious public interest problem. In fact I believe that trust is an inherent basic right of We The People to expect from our elected officials. Does this provision not allow for us at all if we are not an elected official?
Of course Conway's office took the easy way out and made a decision in less than 10 minutes or so, (weird considering it takes months to decide whether Abramson for example can give the rent from Slugger Field to the Downtown Development Corp since he sits on the board of the DDC), essentially saying they are not getting involved.
His office Assistant General Tad Thomas ruled that according to the above KRS 15 statute that it does not appear I, or assumedly any citizen by proxy who wants to insure the public trust is not jeopardized, am entitled to an opinion ruling by the AG. So they are refusing to rule on it. And of course since this is an open investigation by the KREF they are refusing to get involved or say anything else.
Totally expected and no biggie. Just politics as usual.
Especially during a Senate race and this could cause backlash. Why would you get involved in a situation with a fellow party elected member who can funnel money to your campaign? I understand the game but this should have been cut and dry and ended long ago. I will not let it die now until it is exhausted including lawsuits if necessary. That is one reason why there is a paypal link on the site now for donations. If it gets that far then I will proceed one way or the other.
I may be missing something but the public trust is the most inherent thing a politician is empowered to uphold therefore it most certainly is of public interest when that trust is suspect.
This ruling wherever it leads sets precedent for future elections and could seriously undermine the election campaign process. It most certainly would apply to any past or future candidates for office.
While I will take the heat, criticism, and personal attacks, including the ill disguised threats of someone in the public actually knowing something personal about me, I will stand tall for any and all of us who deserve fairness in election campaign finances. Let them keep coming and let some keep carrying the water. Not my problem I do not care. My goal is and has always been to insure fairness for all. If the elected entrenched do not want to help us along that path then they must fall subject to the same things everyone of us do everyday.
Accountability.
We The People deserve it.
So get ready to start reading the attacks against me again, as I am sure they are forthcoming as usual, but remember one thing.
David did not back down from Goliath and neither will I.
Hell I have always been considered the longest shot on the board and I am still here.
Just saying. :-)
Of course the attacks against me include personal stuff sent by the King's, or their attorney's since the supposed "hidden" info is on Courtnet and they have access that us non lawyers have to work to get, disguised as an ill advised threat aganst me and my reputation are the best they can do. Yawn.
I have always admitted I was off work for a year with no income or paycheck from February 2007 until March of 2008 thanks to a knee surgery that didn't heal quite right and I still suffer from today.
I also went back to work at less than 1/3 of what my income was prior to this medical problem. You guessed it I was one who fell into tough times because of medical and loss of income and have had to fight to keep my home just like so many have over the last few years. Thanks to a faltering economy, and of course no employer usually takes a chance on an employee who just came off of ANY surgery because they are scared of liability, I got behind on some bills just like so many of us.
Of course the fact that I am still here, haven't lost anything I worked my butt off to get other than some pride, and continue to work hard to get things right doesn't mean much to those who are running scared or have money to burn to try and use power against those they purport to represent.
Oh yeah I also have been able to hold on without a government bailout like the banks and corporate CEO's have gotten with our money. Sure would have been easier if I had some of my tax money back but hey we must help our fellow rich CEO's maintain their lifestyles right? God forbid a corporate CEO do without an extra million or so for the person who funds them. But I digress.
So that's the story they think I am scared people will know. You would think by now they know I have no fear of them. I am the exact opposite of those who try to gain power for their own egos. My ego simply does not require adoration and power over others. If it did I would certainly kiss the butt of those I rail against wouldn't I? I mean life could be so much simpler right?
Hell I could have taken some deals that would fix everything I almost lost a whole lot easier. I could have contacted King through some people he was using to try and get me to. Instead I continue to work at a place called Kroger regardless of my management background and resume.
Why? One word. Loyalty. They hired me when everyone else was scared and I appreciate that.
Unfortunately for the King's and their attorney's there is a right and wrong in everything and I always strive to do what is right regardless of the hits I take.
My effort has always been to expose the lies and hypocrisy and get the truth to people so they can make their own intelligent decisions. Heck I am even on the "bad boy" list of some close family members who support David Tandy because he and his staff lied to me 3 times so I took the gloves off in his regard. I love them all and they know I would do anything for them but hey even we can disagree on political things. We just avoid some political conversations lol.
The bottom line in this case has always been one simple question I feel needed answers for the betterment of ALL current and/or future candidates. Including myself.
Was the intent of campaign finance election law circumvented to funnel money above and beyond the $1000 contribution limit the law states? Based on the email and other things I believe so.
A straight answer would have been preferable and would have set this to bed a long time ago. King could have taken the short term hit and said hey I am sorry but it appears I may have made an honest mistake as an overzealous father and done things that could be perceived as wrong. With his money he could have bought the recognition to get elected Mayor. Money talks right? That is why we vote for some people because they pay megabucks to get their name out regardless of what they stand for right? At least it would have been explainable then and who knows handled correctly could have actually given him an early sympathy lead as most can relate to trying to do the best for their kids right? Do it for the kids. In this case it may have worked.
According to them we really are that shallow. I do not buy it.
Unfortunately as with many people who get caught doing things wrong, (hell look at Rick Pitino and his deny fest and what it is costing him now when he could have came clean and put it to bed), Jim King lawyered up immediately with the best attorneys, on paper anyway, money can buy. And that has been the whole problem here. When you make a mistake and get caught take responsibility. Man up, fess up, and ask for forgiveness. We The People are a very forgiving thing aren't we? How else do some of the slimeballs in politics keep getting reelected.
He has the right hire anyone he wants so of course I have no argument here on that regardless of how it appears to most of us.
So how do you shut the messenger up? You play the David and Goliath role and try to bully the little guy. Figuratively speaking of course as any who know me know I am not a little guy lol. Only problem is sometimes David stands up and won't be bullied. And sometimes Goliath just does not win. We are still waiting for the end of this to see either way.
Sheryl Snyder, who some consider a "preeminent" attorney on election law, was hired apparently because he used to argue for the KREF as an attorney. This raised questions of possible conflict of interest and why I took the unheard of step of asking the KREF essentially to dismiss themselves from the case thereby opening the door for AG Jack Conway to appoint a special prosecutor to try to get at the truth in this election financing debacle.
The other attorney on King's staff is Joe Terry as you may recall him being quoted in the Courier Journal, prior to being hired by Jim King of course, that the situation would stink to him if my charges were right. Joe Terry is ex Chairman of the KREF so the political relationships garnered by working with folks in that office could make things tough overall to decide. Why else would Terry contradict himself from his statement in December then go on the payroll of Jim King? Hey that is my speculation and I am entitled to it.
The charges are right. As I have shown the email in prior posts on this website here: http://springston.blogspot.com/2009/05/king-and-kref-explanation.html
Two Goliaths I should be impressed or scared. Problem is I am neither. It just isn't my style.
Essentially it is clear from the back and forth email that King was trying to find a way to circumvent the $1000 contribution limit ALL must adhere to when running for office. Finally after going back and forth with Jan Hines at the KREF Ms. Hines eventually said that the KREF does not regulate the private finances of candidates. She stated further essentially that he needs to think about what the appearance of his proposal would be to the voters. I agree and that appearance is what started this whole thing.
Thanks Jan Hines.
King tried to use this exchange as a basis for funneling money to Katie's campaign. The problem is a simple one.
If the statement King is clinging to by Jan Hines holds up legally then it is one way to launder money to make it "clean" for election purposes. If this scenario plays out and King wins then this would greatly undermine campaign finance laws and make it even harder for everyday folks without money to run for office essentially forcing us all to accept that the only people who can hold office are those who can buy it.
This is how you buy elections and not what campaign finance was intended to do.
Unfortunately regardless of the critics I can not accept that. Nor should any other candidate or citizen who want a fair and equal chance of either voting or running for office on a level playing field.
I mean it really is quite easy to follow.
If you can "gift" an unlimited amount of money to a candidate say $50,000, who can then deposit the "gift" into their personal checking or savings account, and then they again transfer it to a campaign account, our election can be bought even easier than some believe they are now. Then why have campaign finance laws at all? Give the job to the person with the richest family member.
To do this while an active candidate would be a slap in the face to all of us. It is essentially an ego saying I can do it because I want and you cannot stop me. Is that fair and equal, or right?
I do not believe so.
The latest response from King's attorney's Snyder and Co? Instead of trying to argue the merits of the case and answer questions from the very beginning, so King could go ahead and announce his Mayoral candidacy that is still on hold because of this, they decided instead to say essentially I had no right to ask or be involved in any of this as I am receiving no harm from it. In short because I have no perceived "damages" that I essentially have no legal standing.
Get rid of the messenger and the message gets forgotten right?
Again avoiding the facts and hoping it will go away. Sounds like Pitino strategy doesn't it? What is it costing him today?
From my standpoint I asked the AG for an opinion regarding their claims as this is a unique case, and theirs was yet another response to try to get me out of this in my opinion, and I was wondering if perhaps they had any merit to the claim. Since I learn as I go here folks I used this as my basis for requesting an opinion:
15.025 Conditions to furnishing opinions.
The Attorney General, when requested in writing, under KRS 15.020, shall furnish such opinions subject to the following conditions:
(1) When questions of law of interest to the Commonwealth are submitted by a state department, agency, board or commission;
(2) When public questions of law are submitted by either house of the Legislature or by any member of the Legislature;
(3) When public questions of law pertaining to local government are submitted in writing by the proper public official of the county or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth;
(4) When, in the discretion of the Attorney General, the question presented is of such public interest that an Attorney General's opinion on the subject is deemed desirable and when provided for by regulation pursuant to the provisions of this section.
History: Created 1960 Ky. Acts ch. 68, Art. II, sec. 3.
As I interpret subsection 4 above I read it as saying that the AG has the discretion and CAN issue an opinion ruling on the charges made by Snyder and crew on behalf of King because it does go to the serious public interest concern of public trust in elected officials.
Jim King is an elected official. Katie King gained a campaign financial advantage because of this. Jim King obviously was trying to get the KREF on record as saying it was ok to essentially finance her campaign. Folks it does not get any more cut and dry than this and in my opinion should have AG involvement right now since the public interest is that of public trust in our elected officials.
I would say that the public trust in elections and our elected officials is indeed a serious public interest problem. In fact I believe that trust is an inherent basic right of We The People to expect from our elected officials. Does this provision not allow for us at all if we are not an elected official?
Of course Conway's office took the easy way out and made a decision in less than 10 minutes or so, (weird considering it takes months to decide whether Abramson for example can give the rent from Slugger Field to the Downtown Development Corp since he sits on the board of the DDC), essentially saying they are not getting involved.
His office Assistant General Tad Thomas ruled that according to the above KRS 15 statute that it does not appear I, or assumedly any citizen by proxy who wants to insure the public trust is not jeopardized, am entitled to an opinion ruling by the AG. So they are refusing to rule on it. And of course since this is an open investigation by the KREF they are refusing to get involved or say anything else.
Totally expected and no biggie. Just politics as usual.
Especially during a Senate race and this could cause backlash. Why would you get involved in a situation with a fellow party elected member who can funnel money to your campaign? I understand the game but this should have been cut and dry and ended long ago. I will not let it die now until it is exhausted including lawsuits if necessary. That is one reason why there is a paypal link on the site now for donations. If it gets that far then I will proceed one way or the other.
I may be missing something but the public trust is the most inherent thing a politician is empowered to uphold therefore it most certainly is of public interest when that trust is suspect.
Again it is a game of David versus Goliath.
Believe me it is not a situation I would want anyone else in which is why I do it. My name, my reputation are at stake for whatever little or great that may be. Win or lose we deserve answers.
If a private citizen such as myself cannot ask questions of the elected Attorney General of the State that asks for my vote, and by proxy is accountable to me and everyone else who elects them, then how do we gain accountability to We the People?
It is blatantly clear that most politicians would not instigate anything against fellow politicians, especially if they are of the same party for fear of losing the party faithful money donors and voters, so then what options are available to We The People? Again public trust.
Of course being a former candidate, and a possible future one, this issue most certainly does concern me on a personal level and the issue of "damages" most certainly would apply. If, as a candidate, I can receive "gifted" money in any amount such as Katie King did and I circumvent the intent of campaign finance laws, then it could be argued that campaign finance laws were a paper thing with no real intent towards fairness in elections. This would fall under damages to each and every one of us.This ruling wherever it leads sets precedent for future elections and could seriously undermine the election campaign process. It most certainly would apply to any past or future candidates for office.
While I will take the heat, criticism, and personal attacks, including the ill disguised threats of someone in the public actually knowing something personal about me, I will stand tall for any and all of us who deserve fairness in election campaign finances. Let them keep coming and let some keep carrying the water. Not my problem I do not care. My goal is and has always been to insure fairness for all. If the elected entrenched do not want to help us along that path then they must fall subject to the same things everyone of us do everyday.
Accountability.
We The People deserve it.
So get ready to start reading the attacks against me again, as I am sure they are forthcoming as usual, but remember one thing.
David did not back down from Goliath and neither will I.
Hell I have always been considered the longest shot on the board and I am still here.
Just saying. :-)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
MYVIEWMATTERS RADIO SHOW W/ RAND PAUL
This week's edition of the MyViewMatters Radio Show was a split hour. We had Rand Paul on the first half hour as we promised and the second half featured local political newcomer Brian Simpson who is challenging Larry Clark.
The hour went entirely too fast but there was much information shared. This week the video is broken down into two parts for the benefit of listeners. Part 1 is Rand Paul and Part 2 is Brian Simpson. Simpson may surprise you to say the least.
The hour went entirely too fast but there was much information shared. This week the video is broken down into two parts for the benefit of listeners. Part 1 is Rand Paul and Part 2 is Brian Simpson. Simpson may surprise you to say the least.
Part 1 above Rand Paul
Thanks for listening! And do not forget you can always comment or send suggestions for guests or questions to myviewmattersradio@yahoo.com
Thursday, August 6, 2009
MYVIEWMATTERS RADIO W/ BRAD CUMMINGS
Tonight's guest for the show was Brad Cummings Jefferson County GOP Chairman. Many topics were discussed including transparency, openness in government and what are the issues.
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You read that right. Welcome to today's liberal utopia where anarchy reigns supreme. There has been an orchestrated, well funded, well o...
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I was recently asked by some sportsmen why the Jim Strader Hunting and Fishing expo was not being held this year. Though I am an avid gun ri...
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Rick Redding over at thevillevoice has been following the Southern Belles occassionally this season and posted his last (according to him) p...
