SPECIAL DEMOCRATIC MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT CONCERNING PRESTON BATES

So much for loyalty from the party machines eh? There is a special meeting called for tomorrow night at the American Legion Hall on Bardstown Road by the Democratic Party. The subject? They want to expel LD Chair and Democratic operative Preston Bates for the brew ha ha that began last week.

You can read my initial story here Louisville News and Politics: THURSDAY EVENTS but it seems Preston is being hung out to dry over something trivial as usual by the party machine.

In a letter written by Bates last week he was intending to show a plan that would neutralize Todd Lally and assure Yarmuth a victory in November. At least that is how I interpret it. The following is one excerpt from it:

“The macro political landscape is changing in America, and I want to join the conversation”, local Democratic political consultant and Democratic 48th Legislative District Chair Preston Bates said. “While I’m proud to fulfill my duty to endorse John Yarmuth for Congress as a party official, I am encouraged by the growing support of Libertarian candidate, Ed Martin.”


Notice where he clearly states how proud he is to endorse John Yarmuth? He went on further to explain just why he he was encouraged by Martin's candidacy with this statement:

Traditional Republicans have favored a smaller federal government. “Libertarians will split votes from Traditional Republicans”, said Bates. “And that helps Yarmuth, especially when he’s polling twenty-three points ahead of Lally. In fact, Democrats should bankroll, volunteer for, and help Ed Martin as tactical ends”, Bates said.

Looks like the usual business with party officials to me. Have a plan and implement it. This certainly is one plan that has been used more than once by the Dems and the Repubs equally. This was Bates way of showing how Yarmuth could win easily by splitting the conservative vote. Ecerey election has "ringers" put up to do just that. Insure victory of their favorite candidate.

I don't agree with the tactics as I have stated but this is the normal game for party leaders.

I don't know exactly why Bates is in such trouble other than the fact that this got publicized. Believe me when I say if every document got publicized by either party no one would be left to run them. I don't necessarily like Bates politics. I am familiar with his role helping Jim King in elections, and I always question anyone who would align themselves with someone unethical and criminal like King. Regardless of party.

I can't speak as to why he wrote this other than what I have stated above. I can say this though.

If this is how the Democratic party machine works with their leaders, especially ones like Bates that have worked so hard for the party, why in the world would anyone want to be a party leader or in a party to begin with? By the way Republicans eat their young too trust me.

This should have been handled in house with a phone call and a warning perhaps. Tim

Longmeyer could have used his fingers and dialed the phone and made one call. To Bates. Tis would have ended the situation and laid it to rest. Instead he made multiple calls and demanded a special meeting? The Dems need publicity like this? I would have never guessed Preston Bates was on par with the FBI most wanted list or Obama being impeached or something.

No wonder I am not a sheep.

I love politics sometimes........

3RD DISTRICT CANDIDATE ED MARTIN RESPONDS TO TODD LALLY'S POLITICAL PLOY

3rd District Libertarian candidate Ed Martin was served with papers today and has to appear in Court on Monday concerning his petition filing for his candidacy. The charges were brought about by Todd Lally insider, and supporter, David Caldwell. if the rumored info I am getting from multiple sources withn the GOP can be confirmed it appears this was set in motion by certain leaders within the local GOP with full approval from Todd Lally.

As I mentioned here, Louisville News and Politics: 3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT HEATS UP: REPUBLICAN PARTY ONCE AGAIN GOES AFTER THE LIBERTARIAN CAN...,Lally privately has expressed great concern about Ed Martin being in the race even asking what it would take to get him out of the race so the vote doesn't split. I told Todd personally that I would have no idea what it would take, or if it was possible, but I knew one thing.

He would gain respect by calling Ed Martin like a man and discuss it.

Apparently today he has decided to try and get him out of the race by using David Caldwell, Lally loyalist, to file a suit challenging Martin's candidacy. So much for manning up apparently.

Lally has hinted for months that he wanted Martin out of the race to protect any votes he felt he may get. In June Lally's campaign manager was singing a different tune by stating “At this critical junction in our country’s history, we need people with great ideas and we want to welcome Mr. Martin to the race,” Lally’s campaign manager Jay Hill told cn2 Politics after Martin filed back in June. “Because in the long run this race is about Americas future and we need all the ideas we can get.”

This clearly shows they knew as much as 2 months ago that Martin was in the race so why now? Because as of yesterday NO ONE can be added to the ballot period. By trying to get rid of Martin they can keep others off the ballot and protect from any vote split. No doubt it was purely intentional and was timed that way.

And Lally is not a typical politician? Looks like that high priced consultant he was forced to hire from Washington is trying to earn his money but I digress.

Meanwhile Martin just sent this release:

Ed Martin, Libertarian candidate for Congress, Responds to Lawsuit

On Tuesday, Aug 24, Libertarian candidate for the 3rd District Congressional seat currently held by John Yarmuth, received notice of a motion for an expedited hearing relating to the petition filing for his congressional race. The complaint was vague, but apparently challenges Martin’s place on the upcoming general election ballot.

Martin says he’s not even sure of the basis of the challenge.

“At this point, no cause of action or claim is stated in the complaint,” he said. “I’m at a loss right now as to what their claim is.”

Martin is registered as a Libertarian and filed for the 3rd District race as the Libertarian candidate. The Libertarian Party of Kentucky is not recognized as a “party” but as a political group.

Martin collected more than the required 400 petition signatures to get his name on the November ballot.

A supporter of Republican candidate Todd Lally filed the suit. Recent talk of Martin pulling votes away from Lally in the media apparently spooked the GOP candidate. Martin Campaign Chair Ron Seiter said the move shows the desperation of the Lally campaign, noting that the new Republican strategy apparently consists of suing the competition off the ballot.

“The GOP of this city has sunk to a new low,” Seiter said. “For them to be wasting their time suing my candidate off the ballot is laughable. Shouldn't they be focusing on getting more of their own people to come out to their events and actually campaigning, instead of using underhanded tactics to attack a volunteer grassroots campaign with virtually no budget?”

This from a Lally campaign that initially welcomed Martin to the race.

“At this critical junction in our country’s history, we need people with great ideas and we want to welcome Mr. Martin to the race,” Lally’s campaign manager Jay Hill told cn2 Politics after Martin filed back in June. “Because in the long run this race is about Americas future and we need all the ideas we can get.”

Martin is scheduled to appear in court Monday morning.

“Hopefully, that will put this thing to rest,” Martin said. “I don’t believe it has any merit.”

Related link: http://apps.sos.ky.gov/elections/candidatefilings/statewide/default.aspx?cand=3315

Stay tuned folks. The Repubs did this in 2008 and Martin won his court case but it was too late for the ballot. It appears the plan is the same this time.

GM AND GMAC: USING OUR MONEY AGAINST US

One of the biggest benefactors from the TARP federal bailout funds to date is GM as most of you know. Most of you also know that there are alarming rates of home foreclosures throughout not only Louisville, but KY, and the Unites States itself.

While many try to blame the crisis on faulty loans forced by Government policies started by Clinton, (yep there are those who actually still blame him for this problem after all of these years), the fact remains that most are due to an overaggressive mortgage company and a willingness by our own elected leaders to make sure the business that created this problem stays on as fat cats.

I will be doing a couple of articles detailing the GM buyout and how it relates to the home mortgage foreclosure problem we face today. Why this particular company?

Simply because GM itself received over $50 billion in bailout money with our tax dollars and their financing arm GMAC has continued to come back to the well at least 3 times. Fully one third of GMAC financing is related to the home mortgage business though most believe they do nothing but finance cars.

GMAC itself has received over $17 billion in bailout dollars and yet are one of the most aggressive foreclosure kings out there. There have been several lawsuits to date against them that are not reported and there have been several settled out of court due to the faulty mortgage dealings with GMAC.

They have victimized thousands of borrowers and it is time to set the record straight on them. This may lead to a class action lawsuit against them. Here is hoping they come to accountability.

Understand GMAC is not the only faulty lender. They are profiled here because of the enormous amount of money they took from the very same taxpayers they are persecuting today. They also are now using deceptive advertising under a different name of Ally Bank and failing to follow through with the intent of the bailout in helping homeowners. All with the approval of the Obama administration.

I will be outlining the atrocities by GMAC with our tax money in the hopes that it will help someone along the way who has been unfairly and unjustifiably put in a position of losing their home.

Stay tuned.....

Next up: GMAC and the bailouts where did it begin.

ORBP PLAN TO BE REVISITED THANKS TO 8664

I have to say it is about time. Seriously this whole bridges boondoggle being perpetuated by the elite River Fields folks to basically stop anything meaningful in the push for a bridge is finally slowing in its tracks. Anyone who doesn't think that yes we the public can make a difference I say hogwash.

This site is laced with stories of victories and this one is no different. The following release was sent out by JC Stites, co founder of 8664. Read below and let me know your thoughts:

Bridges Authority to look at 8664 Alternative at October 7th meeting

Louisville, KY – At last Thursday’s Bridges Authority meeting, Authority Secretary Sandra Frazier of Tandem Public Relations announced that the Bridges Authority would be discussing the 8664 alternative and a bridge project in St. Louis that was scaled down to avoid tolls at their next meeting. Clearly there are new reasons for reconsidering the $4.1 Billion Ohio River Bridges Project.

"With last week's poll showing only 15% of Louisvillians support building two bridges, coupled with the overwhelmingly negative reaction to tolling Spaghetti Junction, it's clearly time to look for better options" said JC Stites, 8664 Co-Founder. According to Insight Communications' recent poll, while only 14.5% supports building both bridges, a combined total of 64.6% support building the East End Bridge.

Building the East End Bridge has been the primary focus of 8664 for the past five years because it is the first vital phase of a three phase project that would reconnect downtown Louisville to the Ohio River.

8664 is making arrangements for Mr. Walter Kulash P. E., the engineer that conducted the 8664 Feasibility Study in 2007 to attend the next Bridges Authority meeting. Mr. Kulash described the 8664 alternative as "a simple, common-sense plan that meets the purpose of the Bridges project, at a fraction of the Bridges cost, while delivering vastly more civic quality of life benefits."

Correcting False Statements

"In addition to reviewing the engineering side of our alternative, we want to correct the misinformation being promoted by the Build the Bridges Coalition," said Mr. Stites. The Build the Bridges Coalition is a political and business coalition promoting the Ohio River Bridges Project regardless of its cost or impact. Mr. Stites continued "Their messaging is a clear attempt to mislead the public and they need to stop."

8664 will correct the following false statements:

"Spaghetti Junction is the 11th worst bottlenecks in the country"

- Spaghetti Junction isn't even in the Top 100 Worst Bottlenecks.

- The 11th worst bottleneck in the country is in Los Angeles and averages 15 MPH while congested, compared to congested Spaghetti Junction which averages 37 MPH.

"The ORBP will create 54,000 jobs"

- The project would actually create less than one tenth of that amount.

“45 acres will be added to Waterfront Park when Spaghetti Junction is moved south”

- Only 15 acres will be accessible to the public, the other parcel will be restricted due to the CSX railroad.

"Spaghetti Junction is a very dangerous and deadly interchange"

- Statistics show that Spaghetti Junction has a very low fatality rate.


"Adding more lanes to the I-65 Bridge will address downtown's traffic problem."

- Adding 50,000 more cars and trucks between Hospital Curve and the Cochran Tunnel will create more traffic congestion, not less.

"8664 is using outdated and inaccurate renderings of the ORBP"

- There are no accurate renderings. An ORBP project manager has acknowledged that their current rendering does not accurately reflect the scale of the project.

About 8664.org

8664 is a grassroots organization with over 11,500 supporters advocating for the revitalization of Louisville through the adoption of a transportation plan that will provide long-term benefits to the region's citizens, neighborhoods, environment and economy. Specifically, the organization supports altering the Ohio River Bridges Project by only building the East End Bridge and then rejoining the city to the Ohio River by replacing the elevated waterfront expressway with an at grade parkway. A three-minute overview presentation is available at www.8664.org.

THE PROBLEM WITH JCPS: EVERYTHING

At what point do we say enough is enough within the JCPS? Lack of any accountability, oversight, vision for the future, and the ability to tax at will apparently are major issues we must address NOW. Sheldon Berman is a dismal failure as Superintendent, and quite honestly most of the board is as well.

I will link this story from the CJ for your review Angry parents address JCPS school board about student assignment problems courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal.

This school board has been non responsive to the needs or voice of the parents involved. Who knows what the needs of the children are better than the parents themselves? I am often critical of some parenting these days, and will continue to be I am sure, but the mess created by this School board and Superintendent Sheldon Berman is just beyond excusable.

Berman has no business being involved in an active school district anywhere in my opinion. One wonders how he got hired. Berman is interested in one thing and one thing only.

Virtual schools.

How better to work towards that end long term, an end that he will profit from, then to screw JCPS up so bad that virtual schools look like a better compromise. Additionally everyone is complaining about busing. I agree with the complaints but has anyone noticed when these asinine bus rides started happening?

The busing of our students is a direct result of eliminating the private bus drivers who used to take our kids to school just a few short years ago. They were eliminated because the JCPS said it would be cheaper, and they could provide better service to our kids, if all drivers went on the payroll of JCPS. Of course that was a lie as well.

The long term plan, and mark this down I am putting my name on it, is to work towards a charter bus service that was forced on North Carolina schools. Mark it, it will happen thus denying us even more accountability.

So how do you force this situation to happen? Simply screw up the most basic idea of how to move our kids to schools in a timely manner and increase the costs while doing so.

Speaking of cost?

Who controls the cost to each of us for school funding? Why none other than the JCPS school board who took it upon themselves to raise our taxes JCPS board OKs tax rate increase over objections courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal.

This at a time when parents can barely afford to eat, must pay the outrageous classroom extortion "fees", and adhere to a dress code that costs more money as well. Throwing money at a problem does not fix the problem.

Want to hold JCPS accountable? Boycott the schools for a week. They depend on government funding and that is based on attendance.

Want to have an enjoyable Thanksgiving week? Each parent with kids in JCPS should keep those children home the whole week. They are off on Thursday and Friday anyway so take the extra 3 days to spend time with family and loved ones for the Thanksgiving holiday.

How fast do you think JCPS will react when they lose that amount of money because the schools are empty for a week and not because of some snow storm that allows them to expand the school year.

Trust me your kids will love you.

Throwing the bums out that cause the problem is the best and first approach we must look at.

I have to say this much though. I am often critical of Carol Haddad, quite frankly I believe she has nothing substantial to offer anymore and has overstayed her time on the board, but in this instance I commend her.

Board member Carol Haddad, who voted against the increase, said she “couldn't add more taxes to people.”

“I've gotten a lot of calls from the elderly and people on a fixed income and I just can't vote for an increase,” she said.

No one can afford any tax increase right now. It is that simple and Ms. Haddad has it right. But the real question for me is why in the world would we willingly give more money to JCPS for them to spend when they can't do things the right way with the money they have?

Many people got a raise last year within the JCPS, albeit a small one, but how many people in the private sector got a raise? How many of them, including me, lost their jobs? And they want more money from us?

Nope they don't deserve it. More importantly no one right now can afford it.

Larry Hujo had this to say:

Board member Larry Hujo said he didn't want to raise taxes. “I have to pay them, too,” he said. “But I also have a responsibility as board member to make sure our children get what they deserve.”

Here is my question Mr. Hujo, do our children deserve the treatment they have received so far from Superintendent Berman, the JCPS board, of which you are a member, and the blatant disregard the parents have received thus far?

I personally believe our children deserve better. To get there it is time to clean house within the JCPS school board.

I would start with Berman and those board members who voted to increase taxes.

Pay attention to the Thanksgiving suggestion above. It may be time to do it to them.

After all, apparently they prefer doing it to the kids and not for the kids..........

MONDAY EDITION:ERIC GARRETT CASE, MSD, AND MORE!

Welcome to the Monday upates. I have to tell you it has been a crazy day and also let you know some stories I am working on. One of them will be a story outing just how the inner workings of the parties use lies, deception, and manipulation to "push" candidates by making it seem they are closer than they are. All with the candidates approval of course. How pathetic is that?

In the meantime here you go.

METRO EMPLOYEE ERIC GARRET: I have been bombarded with calls concerning the Public Works Department and the whistleblower case brought about by Eric Garrett. You can read all about that here Louisville News and Politics: Search results for eric Garrett. In the meantime sources have revealed a couple of additional things. Apparently there are multiple lawsuits against Public Works because of the way it is being run by Betty Younis and Ted Pullen.

Additionally, there is a recent EEOC complaint brought against Betty Younis. The one thing I find interesting though is this report.

Younis has now hired off duty police officers for her personal security detail. AND given them pictures of Eric Garrett telling thme to keep him off the property. Yep at a cost of $25-$45 per hour (normal cost for off duty officers) who is footing this bill? Why does Younis believe she has something to fear. She has been the aggressor and the one creating the fear funny she feels she needs protection now.

Perhaps this is part of the grand scheme by her and the Abramson cronies to act like Garrett is a problem. We shall see.

MSD RATE INCREASES ILLEGAL?: As you know from previous reports MSD has been sued for illegal rate increases. Mainstream may be catching up. Though the story was initially covered by WLKY's Andy Alcock, WHAS 11 chimed in tonight. MSD rate hikes may have been against the law, suit pending WHAS11.com Louisville News, Breaking News WHAS11.com News ...

After trying to slide in a "Section 4" to the recent bond request, that essentially asked Metro Council to ratify every rate increase ever adopted by the MSD board, MSD President Bud Schardein says "That language is standard in every bond issue. We want the bond market, whether in New York or Australia, to understand these are guaranteed."

Except that is not quite true as usual. This was a blatant attempt by Shardein to cover his and Abramson's butt in a defacto way against the current lawsuit by placing the blame fully on the Council.

This is not the first bond MSD has brought before the Council and there has never been a mysterious "Section 4" added in the past ones clearly a signal that MSD's Shardein and Abramson himself are worried about this. This will get very interesting to say the least.

Oh the tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive. The walls are crumbling Mr. Mayor thanks to the greed of you and cronies.

MSD will lose this case IF the law is followed. Stay tuned to see if it is considering who the Judge is...

STOP INSTANT RACING AND SAVE OUR SOUL: This one is funny to me. It seems the Family Foundation of Kentucky is at it again this time suing to stop instant racing at Churchill Downs Family Foundation of Kentucky challenging Instant Racing courier-journal.com The Courier-Journal. What makes it so laughable is why in the world would they choose this to fight?

I am totally against instant racing and slots only at Churchill Downs because I believe they would have a monopoly that would hurt charities throughout the community. I am in favor of legalized casino gambling if it can be done fairly and equitably. So I am no hypocrite.

Interestingly enough the FFK thinks this small form of gambling for revenue will destroy one's soul I guess. Hey guys don't go to Churchill and don't play the game. TADA problem solved.

Of course the worId is full of hypocrites I just find it funny when they are the ones teaching us morality. Since I know some of these guys like playing NCAA tournament pools each year I guess that term qualifies. Considering that these pools are, um well, GAMBLING.

What else can be said.

See ya next time!

3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT HEATS UP: REPUBLICAN PARTY ONCE AGAIN GOES AFTER THE LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE ED MARTIN

This is one article I have been avoiding writing because I have some problems with this race. I can't stand Yarmuth as I believe he is hurting Kentucky and all of us in the US. He has done nothing significant in my opinion but tow the party line of Pelosi, Frank, and yes Obama. The future these power players are trying to lead us to simply is one that cannot and will not work.

There are other reasons.

I think Todd Lally is an empty suit that has no substance. He has continually played the "bring Yarmuth home" call but has not done one single thing to let any of us know he would be better. As the other major party candidate many believe he would be the only one who has a shot to take Yarmuth out. The problem is what happens if he wins?

Lally has not been able to give any direct answers to any question, is struggling with his own campaign staff, and truly seems like he is in way over his head. Empty rhetoric and no substance is what we can least afford right now. Lally has given no substance whatsoever to the issues.

Tax cuts? Great we all want them but where will you cut and how will that benefit us. Great talking point but no substance.

Veterans? Fantastic but what will you do to aid the Veterans. Just because someone is in the military, or a veteran like myself, does not automatically qualify them as an expert on veteran affairs. What will you do to fund the vets and meet their needs?

Healthcare, Social security, State rights, and the list goes on. There are so many things that need to be asked and answered that Lally cannot or will not engage in that it makes you wonder, will he be better than Yarmuth? Anyone can state they are against something or for something. What will they do to make it better either way.

He seems to be running a campaign on the GGGA. My term for God, Gays, Guns, and Abortion.

The ultra right wing Christian conservative base he is courting are the ones that keep these divisive issues alive that will do nothing to create jobs, fix healthcare, or any problem we face today. But they do divide us in a way that lowers voter turnout. I am so sick of those running for office hiding behind God's message.

God knows the position we are in and he doesn't vote on economic policy in America. Sorry to bust your bubble but this empty campaigning crap is way beyond old.

Lally privately has expressed great concern about Ed Martin being in the race even asking what it would take to get him out of the race so the vote doesn't split. I told Todd personally that I would have no idea what it would take, or if it was possible, but I knew one thing.

He would gain respect by calling Ed Martin like a man and discuss it. Apparently today he has decided to try and get him out of the race by using David Caldwell, Lally loyalist, to file a suit challenging Martin's candidacy.

So much for manning up. If he can't even discuss his race in an adult way what the hell can he do in Washington where they eat you alive playing hardball politics?

In 2008 The Republican Party challenged Ed Martin's candidacy leading to a lawsuit so this is nothing new, but does show the depth of concern by them if anyone challenges for a seat outside the Party.

By the way Martin won the suit but the win was meaningless as he was off the ballot so what did the win gain? It allowed the Republicans to keep a conservative off the ballot hoping it would save their votes. People and parties that are scared resort to this garbage not ones whose message is a good one. It is one of the most glaring problems the party has. They simply do not get it anymore than the Dems do.

Couple that with Lally throwing out false push polling information from uncredible sources in his efforts to make some believe he is in a "dead heat" with Yarmuth is simply wrong. All credible polls show Lally down by at least 20 points which sends the message that Todd is basically full of it.

If you have to try and lie to get elected then many would suspect that is a behavior that will be continued once elected.

Yep I know who the players are in that scheme as well and will out them when necessary.
Lally of course then actually sponsored a protest on Saturday at the CJ because they were not giving him equal time in the press. That is an asinine thing to do when you are the major party nominee. It was simply a whiny childish attempt to get recognition.

And that is just a small sample of what is wrong with his candidacy.

The final problem I have is I just happen to be friends and business partners with the Libertarian candidate Ed Martin. I tell you this because many will accuse me of being biased because of this friendship. No one who would believe I am biased would ever believe any argument against why I am not.

It is also the single biggest reason I have done my best to stay out of this race so far.

Ed and I met for the first time in February 2009. He had some crazy idea of dong a radio show and had been watching what I do for some time. Since I was familiar with the independent movement, having run as an Independent candidate in 2006 for Louisville Metro Mayor, and an outspoken critic against corruption, he wanted to see if we would be a good fit for a show.

The plan was a simple one. Bring a voice to the voiceless. Make sure there was an outlet for all who wish to serve in public office be given an equal opportunity to be heard. The show to date has been a great success in that endeavor.

Todd Lally was given that opportunity as well and it helped him get heard.

I spoke with Ed Martin at the very beginning of his decision to run for this seat and decided in the interests of fairness to Ed, and the election process, to stay out of this race as much as possible. Sorry Ed that ends now.

I can't stay silent any longer. Ed will be disappointed in me but I have always maintained that I have only one goal with everything I do. That is to make it better for us all and get the people engaged in the process that will help us in that mission.

As I told everyone months ago I am an independent minded guy who only put an (R) behind my name to vote for my candidate of choice in the Louisville Metro Mayor primary race. Until the law is changed to allow independent voters equal access it was necessary to insure my vote counted.

In the interim I decided I would give the Republican Party a chance to earn my support and loyalty. The Democratic Party could care less about we the people and in my experience over the last few months neither does the Republican party.

The parties expect everyone to be "loyalists" meaning they expect you to go along with whatever they do simply because you are a party member. Ever wonder why so few show up at party meetings both Democrat and Republican? It is because most of us are not sheep who blindly follow a party simply because.

Most of us rise up against what we believe is wrong regardless of Party. The Republicans who are so intent on making us believe they are so different that they can effect change are proving, at least on a local level, to be the same old problem we have always known. And this makes them no better than the Democratic party as a whole.

We vote for the person we think is best, though many refuse to look outside the 2 party system when casting that vote, because we truly do want better.

Thanks to this asinine game being played once again in this election and in this District we have found out once again that we can expect much the same......<>