I am sorry not to add any posts recently. My computer is back and the info I had is in my external back-up unit. My real problem is that Micro-Center didn't give me adequate instructions to get my Outlook Express back up and operating.
I have been trying and trying, but believe me I have no computer nerd (an endearing term for those deserving of it) qualifications. I have called, traveled, and sweated so far without the success I expect. :(
I hope to be back soon, but any reader should know that I am a Christian conservative and a rabid Kentucky fan.
I have been posting sparsely about the Kentucky Wildcats basketball season. They lost to WV Saturday and are out of the NCAA at the Elite 8 level; however 35-3 is an excellent season and John Calipari is the right man for the Kentucky job! He gets IT! IT is the mystique of the Kentucky basketball program.
Sam aka SamKat
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
10 most wanted corrupt politicians list
Thanks Ramey!
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HomeBlogAbout UsLitigationNews RoomSpecial ProjectsContactDonatePromoting Integrity, Transparency and Accountability in Government, Politics and the LawJudicial Watch Announces List of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" for 2009
ViewDiscussion.Contact Information:
Press Office 202-646-5172, ext 305
Washington, DC
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2009 list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians." The list, in alphabetical order, includes:
1.Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT): This marks two years in a row for Senator Dodd, who made the 2008 "Ten Most Corrupt" list for his corrupt relationship with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and for accepting preferential treatment and loan terms from Countrywide Financial, a scandal which still dogs him. In 2009, the scandals kept coming for the Connecticut Democrat. In 2009, Judicial Watch filed a Senate ethics complaint against Dodd for undervaluing a property he owns in Ireland on his Senate Financial Disclosure forms. Judicial Watch's complaint forced Dodd to amend the forms. However, press reports suggest the property to this day remains undervalued. Judicial Watch also alleges in the complaint that Dodd obtained a sweetheart deal for the property in exchange for his assistance in obtaining a presidential pardon (during the Clinton administration) and other favors for a long-time friend and business associate. The false financial disclosure forms were part of the cover-up. Dodd remains the head the Senate Banking Committee.
2.Senator John Ensign (R-NV): A number of scandals popped up in 2009 involving public officials who conducted illicit affairs, and then attempted to cover them up with hush payments and favors, an obvious abuse of power. The year's worst offender might just be Nevada Republican Senator John Ensign. Ensign admitted in June to an extramarital affair with the wife of one of his staff members, who then allegedly obtained special favors from the Nevada Republican in exchange for his silence. According to The New York Times: "The Justice Department and the Senate Ethics Committee are expected to conduct preliminary inquiries into whether Senator John Ensign violated federal law or ethics rules as part of an effort to conceal an affair with the wife of an aide…" The former staffer, Douglas Hampton, began to lobby Mr. Ensign's office immediately upon leaving his congressional job, despite the fact that he was subject to a one-year lobbying ban. Ensign seems to have ignored the law and allowed Hampton lobbying access to his office as a payment for his silence about the affair. (These are potentially criminal offenses.) It looks as if Ensign misused his public office (and taxpayer resources) to cover up his sexual shenanigans.
3.Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA): Judicial Watch is investigating a $12 million TARP cash injection provided to the Boston-based OneUnited Bank at the urging of Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank. As reported in the January 22, 2009, edition of the Wall Street Journal, the Treasury Department indicated it would only provide funds to healthy banks to jump-start lending. Not only was OneUnited Bank in massive financial turmoil, but it was also "under attack from its regulators for allegations of poor lending practices and executive-pay abuses, including owning a Porsche for its executives' use." Rep. Frank admitted he spoke to a "federal regulator," and Treasury granted the funds. (The bank continues to flounder despite Frank's intervention for federal dollars.) Moreover, Judicial Watch uncovered documents in 2009 that showed that members of Congress for years were aware that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were playing fast and loose with accounting issues, risk assessment issues and executive compensation issues, even as liberals led by Rep. Frank continued to block attempts to rein in the two Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). For example, during a hearing on September 10, 2003, before the House Committee on Financial Services considering a Bush administration proposal to further regulate Fannie and Freddie, Rep. Frank stated: "I want to begin by saying that I am glad to consider the legislation, but I do not think we are facing any kind of a crisis. That is, in my view, the two Government Sponsored Enterprises we are talking about here, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are not in a crisis. We have recently had an accounting problem with Freddie Mac that has led to people being dismissed, as appears to be appropriate. I do not think at this point there is a problem with a threat to the Treasury." Frank received $42,350 in campaign contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac between 1989 and 2008. Frank also engaged in a relationship with a Fannie Mae Executive while serving on the House Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
4.Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner: In 2009, Obama Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner admitted that he failed to pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes from 2001-2004 on his lucrative salary at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an organization with 185 member countries that oversees the global financial system. (Did we mention Geithner now runs the IRS?) It wasn't until President Obama tapped Geithner to head the Treasury Department that he paid back most of the money, although the IRS kindly waived the hefty penalties. In March 2009, Geithner also came under fire for his handling of the AIG bonus scandal, where the company used $165 million of its bailout funds to pay out executive bonuses, resulting in a massive public backlash. Of course as head of the New York Federal Reserve, Geithner helped craft the AIG deal in September 2008. However, when the AIG scandal broke, Geithner claimed he knew nothing of the bonuses until March 10, 2009. The timing is important. According to CNN: "Although Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told congressional leaders on Tuesday that he learned of AIG's impending $160 million bonus payments to members of its troubled financial-products unit on March 10, sources tell TIME that the New York Federal Reserve informed Treasury staff that the payments were imminent on Feb. 28. That is ten days before Treasury staffers say they first learned 'full details' of the bonus plan, and three days before the [Obama] Administration launched a new $30 billion infusion of cash for AIG." Throw in another embarrassing disclosure in 2009 that Geithner employed "household help" ineligible to work in the United States, and it becomes clear why the Treasury Secretary has earned a spot on the "Ten Most Corrupt Politicians in Washington" list.
5.Attorney General Eric Holder: Tim Geithner can be sure he won't be hounded about his tax-dodging by his colleague Eric Holder, US Attorney General. Judicial Watch strongly opposed Holder because of his terrible ethics record, which includes: obstructing an FBI investigation of the theft of nuclear secrets from Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory; rejecting multiple requests for an independent counsel to investigate alleged fundraising abuses by then-Vice President Al Gore in the Clinton White House; undermining the criminal investigation of President Clinton by Kenneth Starr in the midst of the Lewinsky investigation; and planning the violent raid to seize then-six-year-old Elian Gonzalez at gunpoint in order to return him to Castro's Cuba. Moreover, there is his soft record on terrorism. Holder bypassed Justice Department procedures to push through Bill Clinton's scandalous presidential pardons and commutations, including for 16 members of FALN, a violent Puerto Rican terrorist group that orchestrated approximately 120 bombings in the United States, killing at least six people and permanently maiming dozens of others, including law enforcement officers. His record in the current administration is no better. As he did during the Clinton administration, Holder continues to ignore serious incidents of corruption that could impact his political bosses at the White House. For example, Holder has refused to investigate charges that the Obama political machine traded VIP access to the White House in exchange for campaign contributions – a scheme eerily similar to one hatched by Holder's former boss, Bill Clinton in the 1990s. The Holder Justice Department also came under fire for dropping a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party. On Election Day 2008, Black Panthers dressed in paramilitary garb threatened voters as they approached polling stations. Holder has also failed to initiate a comprehensive Justice investigation of the notorious organization ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), which is closely tied to President Obama. There were allegedly more than 400,000 fraudulent ACORN voter registrations in the 2008 campaign. And then there were the journalist videos catching ACORN Housing workers advising undercover reporters on how to evade tax, immigration, and child prostitution laws. Holder's controversial decisions on new rights for terrorists and his attacks on previous efforts to combat terrorism remind many of the fact that his former law firm has provided and continues to provide pro bono representation to terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. Holder's politicization of the Justice Department makes one long for the days of Alberto Gonzales.
6.Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)/ Senator Roland Burris (D-IL): One of the most serious scandals of 2009 involved a scheme by former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to sell President Obama's then-vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder. Two men caught smack dab in the middle of the scandal: Senator Roland Burris, who ultimately got the job, and Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, emissaries for Jesse Jackson Jr., named "Senate Candidate A" in the Blagojevich indictment, reportedly offered $1.5 million to Blagojevich during a fundraiser if he named Jackson Jr. to Obama's seat. Three days later federal authorities arrested Blagojevich. Burris, for his part, apparently lied about his contacts with Blagojevich, who was arrested in December 2008 for trying to sell Obama's Senate seat. According to Reuters: "Roland Burris came under fresh scrutiny…after disclosing he tried to raise money for the disgraced former Illinois governor who named him to the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama…In the latest of those admissions, Burris said he looked into mounting a fundraiser for Rod Blagojevich -- later charged with trying to sell Obama's Senate seat -- at the same time he was expressing interest to the then-governor's aides about his desire to be appointed." Burris changed his story five times regarding his contacts with Blagojevich prior to the Illinois governor appointing him to the U.S. Senate. Three of those changing explanations came under oath.
7.President Barack Obama: During his presidential campaign, President Obama promised to run an ethical and transparent administration. However, in his first year in office, the President has delivered corruption and secrecy, bringing Chicago-style political corruption to the White House. Consider just a few Obama administration "lowlights" from year one: Even before President Obama was sworn into office, he was interviewed by the FBI for a criminal investigation of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's scheme to sell the President's former Senate seat to the highest bidder. (Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and slumlord Valerie Jarrett, both from Chicago, are also tangled up in the Blagojevich scandal.) Moreover, the Obama administration made the startling claim that the Privacy Act does not apply to the White House. The Obama White House believes it can violate the privacy rights of American citizens without any legal consequences or accountability. President Obama boldly proclaimed that "transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency," but his administration is addicted to secrecy, stonewalling far too many of Judicial Watch's Freedom of Information Act requests and is refusing to make public White House visitor logs as federal law requires. The Obama administration turned the National Endowment of the Arts (as well as the agency that runs the AmeriCorps program) into propaganda machines, using tax dollars to persuade "artists" to promote the Obama agenda. According to documents uncovered by Judicial Watch, the idea emerged as a direct result of the Obama campaign and enjoyed White House approval and participation. President Obama has installed a record number of "czars" in positions of power. Too many of these individuals are leftist radicals who answer to no one but the president. And too many of the czars are not subject to Senate confirmation (which raises serious constitutional questions). Under the President's bailout schemes, the federal government continues to appropriate or control — through fiat and threats — large sectors of the private economy, prompting conservative columnist George Will to write: "The administration's central activity — the political allocation of wealth and opportunity — is not merely susceptible to corruption, it is corruption." Government-run healthcare and car companies, White House coercion, uninvestigated ACORN corruption, debasing his office to help Chicago cronies, attacks on conservative media and the private sector, unprecedented and dangerous new rights for terrorists, perks for campaign donors — this is Obama's "ethics" record — and we haven't even gotten through the first year of his presidency.
8.Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): At the heart of the corruption problem in Washington is a sense of entitlement. Politicians believe laws and rules (even the U.S. Constitution) apply to the rest of us but not to them. Case in point: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her excessive and boorish demands for military travel. Judicial Watch obtained documents from the Pentagon in 2009 that suggest Pelosi has been treating the Air Force like her own personal airline. These documents, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, include internal Pentagon email correspondence detailing attempts by Pentagon staff to accommodate Pelosi's numerous requests for military escorts and military aircraft as well as the speaker's 11th hour cancellations and changes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also came under fire in April 2009, when she claimed she was never briefed about the CIA's use of the waterboarding technique during terrorism investigations. The CIA produced a report documenting a briefing with Pelosi on September 4, 2002, that suggests otherwise. Judicial Watch also obtained documents, including a CIA Inspector General report, which further confirmed that Congress was fully briefed on the enhanced interrogation techniques. Aside from her own personal transgressions, Nancy Pelosi has ignored serious incidents of corruption within her own party, including many of the individuals on this list. (See Rangel, Murtha, Jesse Jackson, Jr., etc.)
9.Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and the rest of the PMA Seven: Rep. John Murtha made headlines in 2009 for all the wrong reasons. The Pennsylvania congressman is under federal investigation for his corrupt relationship with the now-defunct defense lobbyist PMA Group. PMA, founded by a former Murtha associate, has been the congressman's largest campaign contributor. Since 2002, Murtha has raised $1.7 million from PMA and its clients. And what did PMA and its clients receive from Murtha in return for their generosity? Earmarks -- tens of millions of dollars in earmarks. In fact, even with all of the attention surrounding his alleged influence peddling, Murtha kept at it. Following an FBI raid of PMA's offices earlier in 2009, Murtha continued to seek congressional earmarks for PMA clients, while also hitting them up for campaign contributions. According to The Hill, in April, "Murtha reported receiving contributions from three former PMA clients for whom he requested earmarks in the pending appropriations bills." When it comes to the PMA scandal, Murtha is not alone. As many as six other Members of Congress are currently under scrutiny according to The Washington Post. They include: Peter J. Visclosky (D-IN.), James P. Moran Jr. (D-VA), Norm Dicks (D-WA.), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), C.W. Bill Young (R-FL.) and Todd Tiahrt (R-KS.). Of course rather than investigate this serious scandal, according to Roll Call House Democrats circled the wagons, "cobbling together a defense to offer political cover to their rank and file." The Washington Post also reported in 2009 that Murtha's nephew received $4 million in Defense Department no-bid contracts: "Newly obtained documents…show Robert Murtha mentioning his influential family connection as leverage in his business dealings and holding unusual power with the military."
10.Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY): Rangel, the man in charge of writing tax policy for the entire country, has yet to adequately explain how he could possibly "forget" to pay taxes on $75,000 in rental income he earned from his off-shore rental property. He also faces allegations that he improperly used his influence to maintain ownership of highly coveted rent-controlled apartments in Harlem, and misused his congressional office to fundraise for his private Rangel Center by preserving a tax loophole for an oil drilling company in exchange for funding. On top of all that, Rangel recently amended his financial disclosure reports, which doubled his reported wealth. (He somehow "forgot" about $1 million in assets.) And what did he do when the House Ethics Committee started looking into all of this? He apparently resorted to making "campaign contributions" to dig his way out of trouble. According to WCBS TV, a New York CBS affiliate: "The reigning member of Congress' top tax committee is apparently 'wrangling' other politicos to get him out of his own financial and tax troubles...Since ethics probes began last year the 79-year-old congressman has given campaign donations to 119 members of Congress, including three of the five Democrats on the House Ethics Committee who are charged with investigating him." Charlie Rangel should not be allowed to remain in Congress, let alone serve as Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, and he knows it. That's why he felt the need to disburse campaign contributions to Ethics Committee members and other congressional colleagues.
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Discussion page (169 comments).
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HomeBlogAbout UsLitigationNews RoomSpecial ProjectsContactDonatePromoting Integrity, Transparency and Accountability in Government, Politics and the LawJudicial Watch Announces List of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" for 2009
ViewDiscussion.Contact Information:
Press Office 202-646-5172, ext 305
Washington, DC
Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2009 list of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians." The list, in alphabetical order, includes:
1.Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT): This marks two years in a row for Senator Dodd, who made the 2008 "Ten Most Corrupt" list for his corrupt relationship with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and for accepting preferential treatment and loan terms from Countrywide Financial, a scandal which still dogs him. In 2009, the scandals kept coming for the Connecticut Democrat. In 2009, Judicial Watch filed a Senate ethics complaint against Dodd for undervaluing a property he owns in Ireland on his Senate Financial Disclosure forms. Judicial Watch's complaint forced Dodd to amend the forms. However, press reports suggest the property to this day remains undervalued. Judicial Watch also alleges in the complaint that Dodd obtained a sweetheart deal for the property in exchange for his assistance in obtaining a presidential pardon (during the Clinton administration) and other favors for a long-time friend and business associate. The false financial disclosure forms were part of the cover-up. Dodd remains the head the Senate Banking Committee.
2.Senator John Ensign (R-NV): A number of scandals popped up in 2009 involving public officials who conducted illicit affairs, and then attempted to cover them up with hush payments and favors, an obvious abuse of power. The year's worst offender might just be Nevada Republican Senator John Ensign. Ensign admitted in June to an extramarital affair with the wife of one of his staff members, who then allegedly obtained special favors from the Nevada Republican in exchange for his silence. According to The New York Times: "The Justice Department and the Senate Ethics Committee are expected to conduct preliminary inquiries into whether Senator John Ensign violated federal law or ethics rules as part of an effort to conceal an affair with the wife of an aide…" The former staffer, Douglas Hampton, began to lobby Mr. Ensign's office immediately upon leaving his congressional job, despite the fact that he was subject to a one-year lobbying ban. Ensign seems to have ignored the law and allowed Hampton lobbying access to his office as a payment for his silence about the affair. (These are potentially criminal offenses.) It looks as if Ensign misused his public office (and taxpayer resources) to cover up his sexual shenanigans.
3.Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA): Judicial Watch is investigating a $12 million TARP cash injection provided to the Boston-based OneUnited Bank at the urging of Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank. As reported in the January 22, 2009, edition of the Wall Street Journal, the Treasury Department indicated it would only provide funds to healthy banks to jump-start lending. Not only was OneUnited Bank in massive financial turmoil, but it was also "under attack from its regulators for allegations of poor lending practices and executive-pay abuses, including owning a Porsche for its executives' use." Rep. Frank admitted he spoke to a "federal regulator," and Treasury granted the funds. (The bank continues to flounder despite Frank's intervention for federal dollars.) Moreover, Judicial Watch uncovered documents in 2009 that showed that members of Congress for years were aware that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were playing fast and loose with accounting issues, risk assessment issues and executive compensation issues, even as liberals led by Rep. Frank continued to block attempts to rein in the two Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). For example, during a hearing on September 10, 2003, before the House Committee on Financial Services considering a Bush administration proposal to further regulate Fannie and Freddie, Rep. Frank stated: "I want to begin by saying that I am glad to consider the legislation, but I do not think we are facing any kind of a crisis. That is, in my view, the two Government Sponsored Enterprises we are talking about here, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, are not in a crisis. We have recently had an accounting problem with Freddie Mac that has led to people being dismissed, as appears to be appropriate. I do not think at this point there is a problem with a threat to the Treasury." Frank received $42,350 in campaign contributions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac between 1989 and 2008. Frank also engaged in a relationship with a Fannie Mae Executive while serving on the House Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
4.Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner: In 2009, Obama Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner admitted that he failed to pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes from 2001-2004 on his lucrative salary at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an organization with 185 member countries that oversees the global financial system. (Did we mention Geithner now runs the IRS?) It wasn't until President Obama tapped Geithner to head the Treasury Department that he paid back most of the money, although the IRS kindly waived the hefty penalties. In March 2009, Geithner also came under fire for his handling of the AIG bonus scandal, where the company used $165 million of its bailout funds to pay out executive bonuses, resulting in a massive public backlash. Of course as head of the New York Federal Reserve, Geithner helped craft the AIG deal in September 2008. However, when the AIG scandal broke, Geithner claimed he knew nothing of the bonuses until March 10, 2009. The timing is important. According to CNN: "Although Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told congressional leaders on Tuesday that he learned of AIG's impending $160 million bonus payments to members of its troubled financial-products unit on March 10, sources tell TIME that the New York Federal Reserve informed Treasury staff that the payments were imminent on Feb. 28. That is ten days before Treasury staffers say they first learned 'full details' of the bonus plan, and three days before the [Obama] Administration launched a new $30 billion infusion of cash for AIG." Throw in another embarrassing disclosure in 2009 that Geithner employed "household help" ineligible to work in the United States, and it becomes clear why the Treasury Secretary has earned a spot on the "Ten Most Corrupt Politicians in Washington" list.
5.Attorney General Eric Holder: Tim Geithner can be sure he won't be hounded about his tax-dodging by his colleague Eric Holder, US Attorney General. Judicial Watch strongly opposed Holder because of his terrible ethics record, which includes: obstructing an FBI investigation of the theft of nuclear secrets from Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory; rejecting multiple requests for an independent counsel to investigate alleged fundraising abuses by then-Vice President Al Gore in the Clinton White House; undermining the criminal investigation of President Clinton by Kenneth Starr in the midst of the Lewinsky investigation; and planning the violent raid to seize then-six-year-old Elian Gonzalez at gunpoint in order to return him to Castro's Cuba. Moreover, there is his soft record on terrorism. Holder bypassed Justice Department procedures to push through Bill Clinton's scandalous presidential pardons and commutations, including for 16 members of FALN, a violent Puerto Rican terrorist group that orchestrated approximately 120 bombings in the United States, killing at least six people and permanently maiming dozens of others, including law enforcement officers. His record in the current administration is no better. As he did during the Clinton administration, Holder continues to ignore serious incidents of corruption that could impact his political bosses at the White House. For example, Holder has refused to investigate charges that the Obama political machine traded VIP access to the White House in exchange for campaign contributions – a scheme eerily similar to one hatched by Holder's former boss, Bill Clinton in the 1990s. The Holder Justice Department also came under fire for dropping a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party. On Election Day 2008, Black Panthers dressed in paramilitary garb threatened voters as they approached polling stations. Holder has also failed to initiate a comprehensive Justice investigation of the notorious organization ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now), which is closely tied to President Obama. There were allegedly more than 400,000 fraudulent ACORN voter registrations in the 2008 campaign. And then there were the journalist videos catching ACORN Housing workers advising undercover reporters on how to evade tax, immigration, and child prostitution laws. Holder's controversial decisions on new rights for terrorists and his attacks on previous efforts to combat terrorism remind many of the fact that his former law firm has provided and continues to provide pro bono representation to terrorists at Guantanamo Bay. Holder's politicization of the Justice Department makes one long for the days of Alberto Gonzales.
6.Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)/ Senator Roland Burris (D-IL): One of the most serious scandals of 2009 involved a scheme by former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to sell President Obama's then-vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder. Two men caught smack dab in the middle of the scandal: Senator Roland Burris, who ultimately got the job, and Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, emissaries for Jesse Jackson Jr., named "Senate Candidate A" in the Blagojevich indictment, reportedly offered $1.5 million to Blagojevich during a fundraiser if he named Jackson Jr. to Obama's seat. Three days later federal authorities arrested Blagojevich. Burris, for his part, apparently lied about his contacts with Blagojevich, who was arrested in December 2008 for trying to sell Obama's Senate seat. According to Reuters: "Roland Burris came under fresh scrutiny…after disclosing he tried to raise money for the disgraced former Illinois governor who named him to the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama…In the latest of those admissions, Burris said he looked into mounting a fundraiser for Rod Blagojevich -- later charged with trying to sell Obama's Senate seat -- at the same time he was expressing interest to the then-governor's aides about his desire to be appointed." Burris changed his story five times regarding his contacts with Blagojevich prior to the Illinois governor appointing him to the U.S. Senate. Three of those changing explanations came under oath.
7.President Barack Obama: During his presidential campaign, President Obama promised to run an ethical and transparent administration. However, in his first year in office, the President has delivered corruption and secrecy, bringing Chicago-style political corruption to the White House. Consider just a few Obama administration "lowlights" from year one: Even before President Obama was sworn into office, he was interviewed by the FBI for a criminal investigation of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's scheme to sell the President's former Senate seat to the highest bidder. (Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and slumlord Valerie Jarrett, both from Chicago, are also tangled up in the Blagojevich scandal.) Moreover, the Obama administration made the startling claim that the Privacy Act does not apply to the White House. The Obama White House believes it can violate the privacy rights of American citizens without any legal consequences or accountability. President Obama boldly proclaimed that "transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency," but his administration is addicted to secrecy, stonewalling far too many of Judicial Watch's Freedom of Information Act requests and is refusing to make public White House visitor logs as federal law requires. The Obama administration turned the National Endowment of the Arts (as well as the agency that runs the AmeriCorps program) into propaganda machines, using tax dollars to persuade "artists" to promote the Obama agenda. According to documents uncovered by Judicial Watch, the idea emerged as a direct result of the Obama campaign and enjoyed White House approval and participation. President Obama has installed a record number of "czars" in positions of power. Too many of these individuals are leftist radicals who answer to no one but the president. And too many of the czars are not subject to Senate confirmation (which raises serious constitutional questions). Under the President's bailout schemes, the federal government continues to appropriate or control — through fiat and threats — large sectors of the private economy, prompting conservative columnist George Will to write: "The administration's central activity — the political allocation of wealth and opportunity — is not merely susceptible to corruption, it is corruption." Government-run healthcare and car companies, White House coercion, uninvestigated ACORN corruption, debasing his office to help Chicago cronies, attacks on conservative media and the private sector, unprecedented and dangerous new rights for terrorists, perks for campaign donors — this is Obama's "ethics" record — and we haven't even gotten through the first year of his presidency.
8.Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): At the heart of the corruption problem in Washington is a sense of entitlement. Politicians believe laws and rules (even the U.S. Constitution) apply to the rest of us but not to them. Case in point: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her excessive and boorish demands for military travel. Judicial Watch obtained documents from the Pentagon in 2009 that suggest Pelosi has been treating the Air Force like her own personal airline. These documents, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, include internal Pentagon email correspondence detailing attempts by Pentagon staff to accommodate Pelosi's numerous requests for military escorts and military aircraft as well as the speaker's 11th hour cancellations and changes. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also came under fire in April 2009, when she claimed she was never briefed about the CIA's use of the waterboarding technique during terrorism investigations. The CIA produced a report documenting a briefing with Pelosi on September 4, 2002, that suggests otherwise. Judicial Watch also obtained documents, including a CIA Inspector General report, which further confirmed that Congress was fully briefed on the enhanced interrogation techniques. Aside from her own personal transgressions, Nancy Pelosi has ignored serious incidents of corruption within her own party, including many of the individuals on this list. (See Rangel, Murtha, Jesse Jackson, Jr., etc.)
9.Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) and the rest of the PMA Seven: Rep. John Murtha made headlines in 2009 for all the wrong reasons. The Pennsylvania congressman is under federal investigation for his corrupt relationship with the now-defunct defense lobbyist PMA Group. PMA, founded by a former Murtha associate, has been the congressman's largest campaign contributor. Since 2002, Murtha has raised $1.7 million from PMA and its clients. And what did PMA and its clients receive from Murtha in return for their generosity? Earmarks -- tens of millions of dollars in earmarks. In fact, even with all of the attention surrounding his alleged influence peddling, Murtha kept at it. Following an FBI raid of PMA's offices earlier in 2009, Murtha continued to seek congressional earmarks for PMA clients, while also hitting them up for campaign contributions. According to The Hill, in April, "Murtha reported receiving contributions from three former PMA clients for whom he requested earmarks in the pending appropriations bills." When it comes to the PMA scandal, Murtha is not alone. As many as six other Members of Congress are currently under scrutiny according to The Washington Post. They include: Peter J. Visclosky (D-IN.), James P. Moran Jr. (D-VA), Norm Dicks (D-WA.), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), C.W. Bill Young (R-FL.) and Todd Tiahrt (R-KS.). Of course rather than investigate this serious scandal, according to Roll Call House Democrats circled the wagons, "cobbling together a defense to offer political cover to their rank and file." The Washington Post also reported in 2009 that Murtha's nephew received $4 million in Defense Department no-bid contracts: "Newly obtained documents…show Robert Murtha mentioning his influential family connection as leverage in his business dealings and holding unusual power with the military."
10.Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY): Rangel, the man in charge of writing tax policy for the entire country, has yet to adequately explain how he could possibly "forget" to pay taxes on $75,000 in rental income he earned from his off-shore rental property. He also faces allegations that he improperly used his influence to maintain ownership of highly coveted rent-controlled apartments in Harlem, and misused his congressional office to fundraise for his private Rangel Center by preserving a tax loophole for an oil drilling company in exchange for funding. On top of all that, Rangel recently amended his financial disclosure reports, which doubled his reported wealth. (He somehow "forgot" about $1 million in assets.) And what did he do when the House Ethics Committee started looking into all of this? He apparently resorted to making "campaign contributions" to dig his way out of trouble. According to WCBS TV, a New York CBS affiliate: "The reigning member of Congress' top tax committee is apparently 'wrangling' other politicos to get him out of his own financial and tax troubles...Since ethics probes began last year the 79-year-old congressman has given campaign donations to 119 members of Congress, including three of the five Democrats on the House Ethics Committee who are charged with investigating him." Charlie Rangel should not be allowed to remain in Congress, let alone serve as Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, and he knows it. That's why he felt the need to disburse campaign contributions to Ethics Committee members and other congressional colleagues.
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Discussion page (169 comments).
Areas Of Interest
•"Top Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Washington Politicians" Lists
•Investigation of ACORN
•Pelosi Air Force Scandal
•Financial Crisis Investigation
•Illegal Immigration
•Political Corruption
•Emoluments/Hillary Clinton
•Joe the Plumber Lawsuit
•Gardasil
•Security & Prosperity Partnership
Investigations & Research Blog
•Attorney General Eric Holder Celebrates a Year of Transparency
•The Public Private Investment Fund and Oversight
•Part III: Obama's NASA Budget Cut and China
•Part II: Obama's NASA Budget Cut and the International Space Station
•Manned Space Flight and Obama's NASA Budget Cut
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•FBI ACORN Documents
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•CNCS NEA Conference Call
more
Traitorous Congressional leaders and PUSA- ObamaCare-Vote 'em out!
Mar. 21: In this image made from video, the vote tally for House Resolution 3590, the Senate health care bill, is shown.
The 219-212 roll call Sunday by which the House passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
A "yes" vote is a vote to pass the bill.
Voting yes were 219 Democrats and 0 Republicans.
Voting no were 34 Democrats and 178 Republicans.
There are 4 vacancies in the 435-member House.
ALABAMA
Democrats -- Bright, N; Davis, N.
Republicans -- Aderholt, N; Bachus, N; Bonner, N; Griffith, N; Rogers, N.
ALASKA
Republicans -- Young, N.
ARIZONA
Democrats -- Giffords, Y; Grijalva, Y; Kirkpatrick, Y; Mitchell, Y; Pastor, Y.
Republicans -- Flake, N; Franks, N; Shadegg, N.
ARKANSAS
Democrats -- Berry, N; Ross, N; Snyder, Y.
Republicans -- Boozman, N.
CALIFORNIA
Democrats -- Baca, Y; Becerra, Y; Berman, Y; Capps, Y; Cardoza, Y; Chu, Y; Costa, Y; Davis, Y; Eshoo, Y; Farr, Y; Filner, Y; Garamendi, Y; Harman, Y; Honda, Y; Lee, Y; Lofgren, Zoe, Y; Matsui, Y; McNerney, Y; Miller, George, Y; Napolitano, Y; Pelosi, Y; Richardson, Y; Roybal-Allard, Y; Sanchez, Linda T., Y; Sanchez, Loretta, Y; Schiff, Y; Sherman, Y; Speier, Y; Stark, Y; Thompson, Y; Waters, Y; Watson, Y; Waxman, Y; Woolsey, Y.
Republicans -- Bilbray, N; Bono Mack, N; Calvert, N; Campbell, N; Dreier, N; Gallegly, N; Herger, N; Hunter, N; Issa, N; Lewis, N; Lungren, Daniel E., N; McCarthy, N; McClintock, N; McKeon, N; Miller, Gary, N; Nunes, N; Radanovich, N; Rohrabacher, N; Royce, N.
COLORADO
Democrats -- DeGette, Y; Markey, Y; Perlmutter, Y; Polis, Y; Salazar, Y.
Republicans -- Coffman, N; Lamborn, N.
CONNECTICUT
Democrats -- Courtney, Y; DeLauro, Y; Himes, Y; Larson, Y; Murphy, Y.
DELAWARE
Republicans -- Castle, N.
FLORIDA
Democrats -- Boyd, Y; Brown, Corrine, Y; Castor, Y; Grayson, Y; Hastings, Y; Klein, Y; Kosmas, Y; Meek, Y; Wasserman Schultz, Y.
Republicans -- Bilirakis, N; Brown-Waite, Ginny, N; Buchanan, N; Crenshaw, N; Diaz-Balart, L., N; Diaz-Balart, M., N; Mack, N; Mica, N; Miller, N; Posey, N; Putnam, N; Rooney, N; Ros-Lehtinen, N; Stearns, N; Young, N.
GEORGIA
Democrats -- Barrow, N; Bishop, Y; Johnson, Y; Lewis, Y; Marshall, N; Scott, Y.
Republicans -- Broun, N; Deal, N; Gingrey, N; Kingston, N; Linder, N; Price, N; Westmoreland, N.
HAWAII
Democrats -- Hirono, Y.
IDAHO
Democrats -- Minnick, N.
Republicans -- Simpson, N.
ILLINOIS
Democrats -- Bean, Y; Costello, Y; Davis, Y; Foster, Y; Gutierrez, Y; Halvorson, Y; Hare, Y; Jackson, Y; Lipinski, N; Quigley, Y; Rush, Y; Schakowsky, Y.
Republicans -- Biggert, N; Johnson, N; Kirk, N; Manzullo, N; Roskam, N; Schock, N; Shimkus, N.
INDIANA
Democrats -- Carson, Y; Donnelly, Y; Ellsworth, Y; Hill, Y; Visclosky, Y.
Republicans -- Burton, N; Buyer, N; Pence, N; Souder, N.
IOWA
Democrats -- Boswell, Y; Braley, Y; Loebsack, Y.
Republicans -- King, N; Latham, N.
KANSAS
Democrats -- Moore, Y.
Republicans -- Jenkins, N; Moran, N; Tiahrt, N.
KENTUCKY
Democrats -- Chandler, N; Yarmuth, Y.
Republicans -- Davis, N; Guthrie, N; Rogers, N; Whitfield, N.
LOUISIANA
Democrats -- Melancon, N.
Republicans -- Alexander, N; Boustany, N; Cao, N; Cassidy, N; Fleming, N; Scalise, N.
MAINE
Democrats -- Michaud, Y; Pingree, Y.
MARYLAND
Democrats -- Cummings, Y; Edwards, Y; Hoyer, Y; Kratovil, N; Ruppersberger, Y; Sarbanes, Y; Van Hollen, Y.
Republicans -- Bartlett, N.
MASSACHUSETTS
Democrats -- Capuano, Y; Delahunt, Y; Frank, Y; Lynch, N; Markey, Y; McGovern, Y; Neal, Y; Olver, Y; Tierney, Y; Tsongas, Y.
MICHIGAN
Democrats -- Conyers, Y; Dingell, Y; Kildee, Y; Kilpatrick, Y; Levin, Y; Peters, Y; Schauer, Y; Stupak, Y.
Republicans -- Camp, N; Ehlers, N; Hoekstra, N; McCotter, N; Miller, N; Rogers, N; Upton, N.
MINNESOTA
Democrats -- Ellison, Y; McCollum, Y; Oberstar, Y; Peterson, N; Walz, Y.
Republicans -- Bachmann, N; Kline, N; Paulsen, N.
MISSISSIPPI
Democrats -- Childers, N; Taylor, N; Thompson, Y.
Republicans -- Harper, N.
MISSOURI
Democrats -- Carnahan, Y; Clay, Y; Cleaver, Y; Skelton, N.
Republicans -- Akin, N; Blunt, N; Emerson, N; Graves, N; Luetkemeyer, N.
MONTANA
Republicans -- Rehberg, N.
NEBRASKA
Republicans -- Fortenberry, N; Smith, N; Terry, N.
NEVADA
Democrats -- Berkley, Y; Titus, Y.
Republicans -- Heller, N.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Democrats -- Hodes, Y; Shea-Porter, Y.
NEW JERSEY
Democrats -- Adler, N; Andrews, Y; Holt, Y; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, Y; Payne, Y; Rothman, Y; Sires, Y.
Republicans -- Frelinghuysen, N; Garrett, N; Lance, N; LoBiondo, N; Smith, N.
NEW MEXICO
Democrats -- Heinrich, Y; Lujan, Y; Teague, N.
NEW YORK
Democrats -- Ackerman, Y; Arcuri, N; Bishop, Y; Clarke, Y; Crowley, Y; Engel, Y; Hall, Y; Higgins, Y; Hinchey, Y; Israel, Y; Lowey, Y; Maffei, Y; Maloney, Y; McCarthy, Y; McMahon, N; Meeks, Y; Murphy, Y; Nadler, Y; Owens, Y; Rangel, Y; Serrano, Y; Slaughter, Y; Tonko, Y; Towns, Y; Velazquez, Y; Weiner, Y.
Republicans -- King, N; Lee, N.
NORTH CAROLINA
Democrats -- Butterfield, Y; Etheridge, Y; Kissell, N; McIntyre, N; Miller, Y; Price, Y; Shuler, N; Watt, Y.
Republicans -- Coble, N; Foxx, N; Jones, N; McHenry, N; Myrick, N.
NORTH DAKOTA
Democrats -- Pomeroy, Y.
OHIO
Democrats -- Boccieri, Y; Driehaus, Y; Fudge, Y; Kaptur, Y; Kilroy, Y; Kucinich, Y; Ryan, Y; Space, N; Sutton, Y; Wilson, Y.
Republicans -- Austria, N; Boehner, N; Jordan, N; LaTourette, N; Latta, N; Schmidt, N; Tiberi, N; Turner, N.
OKLAHOMA
Democrats -- Boren, N.
Republicans -- Cole, N; Fallin, N; Lucas, N; Sullivan, N.
OREGON
Democrats -- Blumenauer, Y; DeFazio, Y; Schrader, Y; Wu, Y.
Republicans -- Walden, N.
PENNSYLVANIA
Democrats -- Altmire, N; Brady, Y; Carney, Y; Dahlkemper, Y; Doyle, Y; Fattah, Y; Holden, N; Kanjorski, Y; Murphy, Patrick, Y; Schwartz, Y; Sestak, Y.
Republicans -- Dent, N; Gerlach, N; Murphy, Tim, N; Pitts, N; Platts, N; Shuster, N; Thompson, N.
RHODE ISLAND
Democrats -- Kennedy, Y; Langevin, Y.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Democrats -- Clyburn, Y; Spratt, Y.
Republicans -- Barrett, N; Brown, N; Inglis, N; Wilson, N.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Democrats -- Herseth Sandlin, N.
TENNESSEE
Democrats -- Cohen, Y; Cooper, Y; Davis, N; Gordon, Y; Tanner, N.
Republicans -- Blackburn, N; Duncan, N; Roe, N; Wamp, N.
TEXAS
Democrats -- Cuellar, Y; Doggett, Y; Edwards, N; Gonzalez, Y; Green, Al, Y; Green, Gene, Y; Hinojosa, Y; Jackson Lee, Y; Johnson, E. B., Y; Ortiz, Y; Reyes, Y; Rodriguez, Y.
Republicans -- Barton, N; Brady, N; Burgess, N; Carter, N; Conaway, N; Culberson, N; Gohmert, N; Granger, N; Hall, N; Hensarling, N; Johnson, Sam, N; Marchant, N; McCaul, N; Neugebauer, N; Olson, N; Paul, N; Poe, N; Sessions, N; Smith, N; Thornberry, N.
UTAH
Democrats -- Matheson, N.
Republicans -- Bishop, N; Chaffetz, N.
VERMONT
Democrats -- Welch, Y.
VIRGINIA
Democrats -- Boucher, N; Connolly, Y; Moran, Y; Nye, N; Perriello, Y; Scott, Y.
Republicans -- Cantor, N; Forbes, N; Goodlatte, N; Wittman, N; Wolf, N.
WASHINGTON
Democrats -- Baird, Y; Dicks, Y; Inslee, Y; Larsen, Y; McDermott, Y; Smith, Y.
Republicans -- Hastings, N; McMorris Rodgers, N; Reichert, N.
WEST VIRGINIA
Democrats -- Mollohan, Y; Rahall, Y.
Republicans -- Capito, N.
WISCONSIN
Democrats -- Baldwin, Y; Kagen, Y; Kind, Y; Moore, Y; Obey, Y.
Republicans -- Petri, N; Ryan, N; Sensenbrenner, N.
WYOMING
Republicans -- Lummis, N.
The 219-212 roll call Sunday by which the House passed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
A "yes" vote is a vote to pass the bill.
Voting yes were 219 Democrats and 0 Republicans.
Voting no were 34 Democrats and 178 Republicans.
There are 4 vacancies in the 435-member House.
ALABAMA
Democrats -- Bright, N; Davis, N.
Republicans -- Aderholt, N; Bachus, N; Bonner, N; Griffith, N; Rogers, N.
ALASKA
Republicans -- Young, N.
ARIZONA
Democrats -- Giffords, Y; Grijalva, Y; Kirkpatrick, Y; Mitchell, Y; Pastor, Y.
Republicans -- Flake, N; Franks, N; Shadegg, N.
ARKANSAS
Democrats -- Berry, N; Ross, N; Snyder, Y.
Republicans -- Boozman, N.
CALIFORNIA
Democrats -- Baca, Y; Becerra, Y; Berman, Y; Capps, Y; Cardoza, Y; Chu, Y; Costa, Y; Davis, Y; Eshoo, Y; Farr, Y; Filner, Y; Garamendi, Y; Harman, Y; Honda, Y; Lee, Y; Lofgren, Zoe, Y; Matsui, Y; McNerney, Y; Miller, George, Y; Napolitano, Y; Pelosi, Y; Richardson, Y; Roybal-Allard, Y; Sanchez, Linda T., Y; Sanchez, Loretta, Y; Schiff, Y; Sherman, Y; Speier, Y; Stark, Y; Thompson, Y; Waters, Y; Watson, Y; Waxman, Y; Woolsey, Y.
Republicans -- Bilbray, N; Bono Mack, N; Calvert, N; Campbell, N; Dreier, N; Gallegly, N; Herger, N; Hunter, N; Issa, N; Lewis, N; Lungren, Daniel E., N; McCarthy, N; McClintock, N; McKeon, N; Miller, Gary, N; Nunes, N; Radanovich, N; Rohrabacher, N; Royce, N.
COLORADO
Democrats -- DeGette, Y; Markey, Y; Perlmutter, Y; Polis, Y; Salazar, Y.
Republicans -- Coffman, N; Lamborn, N.
CONNECTICUT
Democrats -- Courtney, Y; DeLauro, Y; Himes, Y; Larson, Y; Murphy, Y.
DELAWARE
Republicans -- Castle, N.
FLORIDA
Democrats -- Boyd, Y; Brown, Corrine, Y; Castor, Y; Grayson, Y; Hastings, Y; Klein, Y; Kosmas, Y; Meek, Y; Wasserman Schultz, Y.
Republicans -- Bilirakis, N; Brown-Waite, Ginny, N; Buchanan, N; Crenshaw, N; Diaz-Balart, L., N; Diaz-Balart, M., N; Mack, N; Mica, N; Miller, N; Posey, N; Putnam, N; Rooney, N; Ros-Lehtinen, N; Stearns, N; Young, N.
GEORGIA
Democrats -- Barrow, N; Bishop, Y; Johnson, Y; Lewis, Y; Marshall, N; Scott, Y.
Republicans -- Broun, N; Deal, N; Gingrey, N; Kingston, N; Linder, N; Price, N; Westmoreland, N.
HAWAII
Democrats -- Hirono, Y.
IDAHO
Democrats -- Minnick, N.
Republicans -- Simpson, N.
ILLINOIS
Democrats -- Bean, Y; Costello, Y; Davis, Y; Foster, Y; Gutierrez, Y; Halvorson, Y; Hare, Y; Jackson, Y; Lipinski, N; Quigley, Y; Rush, Y; Schakowsky, Y.
Republicans -- Biggert, N; Johnson, N; Kirk, N; Manzullo, N; Roskam, N; Schock, N; Shimkus, N.
INDIANA
Democrats -- Carson, Y; Donnelly, Y; Ellsworth, Y; Hill, Y; Visclosky, Y.
Republicans -- Burton, N; Buyer, N; Pence, N; Souder, N.
IOWA
Democrats -- Boswell, Y; Braley, Y; Loebsack, Y.
Republicans -- King, N; Latham, N.
KANSAS
Democrats -- Moore, Y.
Republicans -- Jenkins, N; Moran, N; Tiahrt, N.
KENTUCKY
Democrats -- Chandler, N; Yarmuth, Y.
Republicans -- Davis, N; Guthrie, N; Rogers, N; Whitfield, N.
LOUISIANA
Democrats -- Melancon, N.
Republicans -- Alexander, N; Boustany, N; Cao, N; Cassidy, N; Fleming, N; Scalise, N.
MAINE
Democrats -- Michaud, Y; Pingree, Y.
MARYLAND
Democrats -- Cummings, Y; Edwards, Y; Hoyer, Y; Kratovil, N; Ruppersberger, Y; Sarbanes, Y; Van Hollen, Y.
Republicans -- Bartlett, N.
MASSACHUSETTS
Democrats -- Capuano, Y; Delahunt, Y; Frank, Y; Lynch, N; Markey, Y; McGovern, Y; Neal, Y; Olver, Y; Tierney, Y; Tsongas, Y.
MICHIGAN
Democrats -- Conyers, Y; Dingell, Y; Kildee, Y; Kilpatrick, Y; Levin, Y; Peters, Y; Schauer, Y; Stupak, Y.
Republicans -- Camp, N; Ehlers, N; Hoekstra, N; McCotter, N; Miller, N; Rogers, N; Upton, N.
MINNESOTA
Democrats -- Ellison, Y; McCollum, Y; Oberstar, Y; Peterson, N; Walz, Y.
Republicans -- Bachmann, N; Kline, N; Paulsen, N.
MISSISSIPPI
Democrats -- Childers, N; Taylor, N; Thompson, Y.
Republicans -- Harper, N.
MISSOURI
Democrats -- Carnahan, Y; Clay, Y; Cleaver, Y; Skelton, N.
Republicans -- Akin, N; Blunt, N; Emerson, N; Graves, N; Luetkemeyer, N.
MONTANA
Republicans -- Rehberg, N.
NEBRASKA
Republicans -- Fortenberry, N; Smith, N; Terry, N.
NEVADA
Democrats -- Berkley, Y; Titus, Y.
Republicans -- Heller, N.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Democrats -- Hodes, Y; Shea-Porter, Y.
NEW JERSEY
Democrats -- Adler, N; Andrews, Y; Holt, Y; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, Y; Payne, Y; Rothman, Y; Sires, Y.
Republicans -- Frelinghuysen, N; Garrett, N; Lance, N; LoBiondo, N; Smith, N.
NEW MEXICO
Democrats -- Heinrich, Y; Lujan, Y; Teague, N.
NEW YORK
Democrats -- Ackerman, Y; Arcuri, N; Bishop, Y; Clarke, Y; Crowley, Y; Engel, Y; Hall, Y; Higgins, Y; Hinchey, Y; Israel, Y; Lowey, Y; Maffei, Y; Maloney, Y; McCarthy, Y; McMahon, N; Meeks, Y; Murphy, Y; Nadler, Y; Owens, Y; Rangel, Y; Serrano, Y; Slaughter, Y; Tonko, Y; Towns, Y; Velazquez, Y; Weiner, Y.
Republicans -- King, N; Lee, N.
NORTH CAROLINA
Democrats -- Butterfield, Y; Etheridge, Y; Kissell, N; McIntyre, N; Miller, Y; Price, Y; Shuler, N; Watt, Y.
Republicans -- Coble, N; Foxx, N; Jones, N; McHenry, N; Myrick, N.
NORTH DAKOTA
Democrats -- Pomeroy, Y.
OHIO
Democrats -- Boccieri, Y; Driehaus, Y; Fudge, Y; Kaptur, Y; Kilroy, Y; Kucinich, Y; Ryan, Y; Space, N; Sutton, Y; Wilson, Y.
Republicans -- Austria, N; Boehner, N; Jordan, N; LaTourette, N; Latta, N; Schmidt, N; Tiberi, N; Turner, N.
OKLAHOMA
Democrats -- Boren, N.
Republicans -- Cole, N; Fallin, N; Lucas, N; Sullivan, N.
OREGON
Democrats -- Blumenauer, Y; DeFazio, Y; Schrader, Y; Wu, Y.
Republicans -- Walden, N.
PENNSYLVANIA
Democrats -- Altmire, N; Brady, Y; Carney, Y; Dahlkemper, Y; Doyle, Y; Fattah, Y; Holden, N; Kanjorski, Y; Murphy, Patrick, Y; Schwartz, Y; Sestak, Y.
Republicans -- Dent, N; Gerlach, N; Murphy, Tim, N; Pitts, N; Platts, N; Shuster, N; Thompson, N.
RHODE ISLAND
Democrats -- Kennedy, Y; Langevin, Y.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Democrats -- Clyburn, Y; Spratt, Y.
Republicans -- Barrett, N; Brown, N; Inglis, N; Wilson, N.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Democrats -- Herseth Sandlin, N.
TENNESSEE
Democrats -- Cohen, Y; Cooper, Y; Davis, N; Gordon, Y; Tanner, N.
Republicans -- Blackburn, N; Duncan, N; Roe, N; Wamp, N.
TEXAS
Democrats -- Cuellar, Y; Doggett, Y; Edwards, N; Gonzalez, Y; Green, Al, Y; Green, Gene, Y; Hinojosa, Y; Jackson Lee, Y; Johnson, E. B., Y; Ortiz, Y; Reyes, Y; Rodriguez, Y.
Republicans -- Barton, N; Brady, N; Burgess, N; Carter, N; Conaway, N; Culberson, N; Gohmert, N; Granger, N; Hall, N; Hensarling, N; Johnson, Sam, N; Marchant, N; McCaul, N; Neugebauer, N; Olson, N; Paul, N; Poe, N; Sessions, N; Smith, N; Thornberry, N.
UTAH
Democrats -- Matheson, N.
Republicans -- Bishop, N; Chaffetz, N.
VERMONT
Democrats -- Welch, Y.
VIRGINIA
Democrats -- Boucher, N; Connolly, Y; Moran, Y; Nye, N; Perriello, Y; Scott, Y.
Republicans -- Cantor, N; Forbes, N; Goodlatte, N; Wittman, N; Wolf, N.
WASHINGTON
Democrats -- Baird, Y; Dicks, Y; Inslee, Y; Larsen, Y; McDermott, Y; Smith, Y.
Republicans -- Hastings, N; McMorris Rodgers, N; Reichert, N.
WEST VIRGINIA
Democrats -- Mollohan, Y; Rahall, Y.
Republicans -- Capito, N.
WISCONSIN
Democrats -- Baldwin, Y; Kagen, Y; Kind, Y; Moore, Y; Obey, Y.
Republicans -- Petri, N; Ryan, N; Sensenbrenner, N.
WYOMING
Republicans -- Lummis, N.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Clay- You are too self effacing! ;)
Subject: Clothing Donation
I just had a call from a charity asking me to donate some of my clothes to the starving people throughout the world.
I told them to kiss off!! Anybody who fits into my clothes isn't starving!!
I just had a call from a charity asking me to donate some of my clothes to the starving people throughout the world.
I told them to kiss off!! Anybody who fits into my clothes isn't starving!!
From Jeanie's best friend in New Boston- Deloris salyers
Aye, Aye, Aye, DELORIS!
Thanks Good friend!
Sam & Jeanette
----- Original Message -----
From: Deloris Salyers
Subject: Fw: A special card for Y O U!!
"People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But, people will NEVER forget how you made them feel." Ain't that the truth!!!!
It's "Friends Day" - Send this to all your good friends.. Even me, if I am one of them. See how many you get back. If you get more than 3, you are really a lovable person.
.................... I am waiting!
Thanks Good friend!
Sam & Jeanette
----- Original Message -----
From: Deloris Salyers
Subject: Fw: A special card for Y O U!!
"People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But, people will NEVER forget how you made them feel." Ain't that the truth!!!!
It's "Friends Day" - Send this to all your good friends.. Even me, if I am one of them. See how many you get back. If you get more than 3, you are really a lovable person.
.................... I am waiting!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Ann Coulter's Healthcare Plan
*Makes sense to me!*
*My health-care plan**
*Posted: March 17, 2010
5:53 pm Eastern
Liberals keep complaining that Republicans don't have a plan for reforming
health care in America. I have a plan!
It's a one-page bill creating a free market in health insurance. Let's all
pause here for a moment so liberals can Google the term "free market."
Nearly every problem with health care in this country – apart from trial
lawyers and out-of-date magazines in doctors' waiting rooms – would be
solved by my plan.
In the first sentence, Congress will amend the McCarran-Ferguson Act to
allow interstate competition in health insurance.
We can't have a free market in health insurance until Congress eliminates
the antitrust exemption protecting health insurance companies from
competition. If Democrats really wanted to punish insurance companies, which
they manifestly do not, they'd make insurers compete.
The very next sentence of my bill provides that the exclusive regulator of
insurance companies will be the state where the company's home office is.
Every insurance company in the country would incorporate in the state with
the fewest government mandates, just as most corporations are based in
Delaware today.
That's the only way to bypass idiotic state mandates, requiring all
insurance plans offered in the state to cover, for example, the Zone Diet,
sex-change operations and whatever it is that poor Heidi Montag has done to
herself this week.
President Obama says we need national health care because Natoma Canfield of
Ohio had to drop her insurance when she couldn't afford the $6,700 premiums,
and now she's got cancer.
Much as I admire Obama's use of terminally ill human beings as political
props, let me point out here that perhaps Natoma could have afforded
insurance had she not been required by Ohio's state insurance mandates to
purchase a plan that covers infertility treatments and unlimited ob/gyn
visits, among other things.
It sounds like Natoma could have used a plan that covered only the basics –
you know, things like cancer.
The third sentence of my bill would prohibit the federal government from
regulating insurance companies, except for normal laws and regulations that
apply to all companies.
Freed from onerous state and federal mandates turning insurance companies
into public utilities, insurers would be allowed to offer a whole
smorgasbord of insurance plans, finally giving consumers a choice.
Instead of Harry Reid deciding whether your insurance plan covers Viagra,
this decision would be made by you, the consumer. (I apologize for using the
terms "Harry Reid" and "Viagra" in the same sentence. I promise that won't
happen again.)
Instead of insurance companies jumping to the tune of politicians bought by
health-care lobbyists, they would jump to tune of hundreds of millions of
Americans buying health insurance on the free market.
Hypochondriac liberals could still buy the aromatherapy plan, and normal
people would be able to buy plans that only cover things such as major
illness, accidents and disease. (Again – things like Natoma Canfield's
cancer.)
This would, in effect, transform medical insurance into ... a form of
insurance!
My bill will solve nearly every problem allegedly addressed by Obamacare –
and mine entails zero cost to the taxpayer. Indeed, a free market in health
insurance would produce major tax savings as layers of government
bureaucrats, unnecessary to medical service in America, get fired.
For example, in a free market, the government wouldn't need to prohibit
insurance companies from excluding "pre-existing conditions."
Of course, an insurance company has to be able to refuse new customers with
"pre-existing conditions." Otherwise, everyone would just wait to get sick
to buy insurance. It's the same reason you can't buy fire insurance on a
house that's already on fire.
That isn't an "insurance company"; it's what's known as a "Christian
charity."
What Democrats are insinuating when they denounce exclusions of
"pre-existing conditions" is an insurance company using the "pre-existing
condition" ruse to deny coverage to a current policy holder – someone who's
been paying into the plan, year after year.
Any insurance company operating in the free market that pulled that trick
wouldn't stay in business long.
If hotels were as heavily regulated as health insurance is, right now I'd be
explaining to you why the government doesn't need to mandate that hotels
offer rooms with beds. If they didn't, they'd go out of business.
I'm sure people who lived in the old Soviet Union thought it was crazy to
leave groceries to the free market. ("But what if they don't stock the food
we want?")
The market is a more powerful enforcement mechanism than indolent government
bureaucrats. If you don't believe me, ask Toyota about six months from now.
Right now, insurance companies are protected by government regulations from
having to honor their contracts. Violating contracts isn't so easy when
competitors are lurking, ready to steal your customers.
In addition to saving taxpayer money and providing better health insurance,
my plan also saves trees by being 2,199 pages shorter than the Democrats'
plan.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Health Care. Thanks John M.!
Subject: Health Care
The good news is in the last line.....
Our Constitution is on life support, and House Democrats are about to pull the plug.
Leaders of the Democrat Party ("Progressives" as they call themselves, Leftists as we call them) have been unable to garner popular or even Democrat Party support for their plan to socialize our health care system. Fortunately, Republicans are united in their opposition to this one issue.
Barack Hussein Obama, titular head of the Demos, proclaimed, "I want some courage. I want us to do the right thing."
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi concludes, "Nobody wants to vote for the Senate bill."
She is proposing to overtly circumvent our Constitution by way of the "Slaughter Solution." Rep. Louise Slaughter, chairman of the House Rules Committee, proposes to pass legislation using the "self-executing rule," which will allow the House to accept the already-passed Senate health care bill by presumption alone, thus negating a formal up-or-down vote by House members.
Pelosi confessed, "I like it because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill."
Unfortunately, there is precedent in invoking the "self-executing rule" -- by Republicans, no less -- concerning "mundane" legislation agreed to by House leaders of both parties. Unconstitutional as these precedents are, there is nothing "mundane" about ObamaCare.
"Slaughter" and "self-executing" may describe both the process and the electoral future of many Democrats in the House.
The good news is in the last line.....
Our Constitution is on life support, and House Democrats are about to pull the plug.
Leaders of the Democrat Party ("Progressives" as they call themselves, Leftists as we call them) have been unable to garner popular or even Democrat Party support for their plan to socialize our health care system. Fortunately, Republicans are united in their opposition to this one issue.
Barack Hussein Obama, titular head of the Demos, proclaimed, "I want some courage. I want us to do the right thing."
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi concludes, "Nobody wants to vote for the Senate bill."
She is proposing to overtly circumvent our Constitution by way of the "Slaughter Solution." Rep. Louise Slaughter, chairman of the House Rules Committee, proposes to pass legislation using the "self-executing rule," which will allow the House to accept the already-passed Senate health care bill by presumption alone, thus negating a formal up-or-down vote by House members.
Pelosi confessed, "I like it because people don't have to vote on the Senate bill."
Unfortunately, there is precedent in invoking the "self-executing rule" -- by Republicans, no less -- concerning "mundane" legislation agreed to by House leaders of both parties. Unconstitutional as these precedents are, there is nothing "mundane" about ObamaCare.
"Slaughter" and "self-executing" may describe both the process and the electoral future of many Democrats in the House.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thanks Eleia and good luck in Spain! Vaya Con Dios!
Thanks Eleia!
Jeanie and I are so lucky to have Eleia as a friend. She is a former UK basketball player (2009) and a Columbus girl who is now a professional player in Spain.
This is a re-cycle, but it is so eloquently put as a way to express your positive feelings of life. Eleia has great integrity and may soon have a somewhat autobiographical book published. God has blessed Eleia with height and beauty and a Christrian spirit!
I hope this season was successful, Eleia. I will appreciate if you can email a summary.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: eleia roddy
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 9:55 AM
Subject: Fwd: Fw: Choices!
Everyone I know thinks this way, but its great to see it illustrated so well !!!!!!!!!!!!
---
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."
Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?
Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative.. Think differently and positively.
When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear..
Just think God is Near! God Bless you and your family. From a friend to a friend.
The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling¦
And even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!
If you like this, share it.
Jeanie and I are so lucky to have Eleia as a friend. She is a former UK basketball player (2009) and a Columbus girl who is now a professional player in Spain.
This is a re-cycle, but it is so eloquently put as a way to express your positive feelings of life. Eleia has great integrity and may soon have a somewhat autobiographical book published. God has blessed Eleia with height and beauty and a Christrian spirit!
I hope this season was successful, Eleia. I will appreciate if you can email a summary.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: eleia roddy
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 9:55 AM
Subject: Fwd: Fw: Choices!
Everyone I know thinks this way, but its great to see it illustrated so well !!!!!!!!!!!!
---
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."
Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?
Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative.. Think differently and positively.
When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear..
Just think God is Near! God Bless you and your family. From a friend to a friend.
The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling¦
And even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!
If you like this, share it.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
American arrogance
Thanks Herma! Is this empire building? Hardly so!
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: hermadmills@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 2:02 PM
Subject: Define Arrogance
Define Arrogance
------------------------------------------------------------
At little historical perspective.
Our European arrogance in alphabetical order:
1. The American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne , France . A total of2289 of our military dead.
2. The American Cemetery at Ardennes , Belgium . A total of5329 of our dead.
3. The American Cemetery at Brittany, France . A total of4410 of our military dead. Excuse us.
4. Brookwood , England American Cemetery. A total of 468 of our dead.
5. Cambridge , England .. 3812 of our military dead.
6. Epinal , France American Cemetery. A total of 5525 of our Military dead..
7. Flanders Field , Belgium . A total of 368 of our military.
8. Florence , Italy . A total of 4402 of our military dead.
9. Henri-Chapelle , Belgium . A total of 7992 of our military dead.
10. Lorraine , France . A total of 10,489 of our military dead...
11. Luxembourg , Luxembourg . A total of 5076 of our military dead.
12. Meuse-Argonne. A total of 14246 of our military dead.
13. Netherlands , Netherlands . A total of 8301 of our military dead.
14. Normandy , France . A total of 9387 of our military dead.
15. Oise-Aisne , France . A total of 6012 of our military dead..
16. Rhone , France . A total of 861 of our military dead.
17. Sicily , Italy . A total of 7861 of our military dead.
18. Somme , France . A total of 1844 of our military dead.
19. St. Mihiel , France . A total of 4153 of our military dead..
20. Suresnes , France . a total of 1541 of our military dead.
Apologize to no one!
Remind those of our sacrifice and don't confuse
arrogance with leadership.
If I added correctly the count is 104,366 dead.
And we have to watch an American elected leader
who apologizes to Europe and the Middle East
that our country is "arrogant"!
HOW MANY FRENCH, DUTCH, ITALIANS, BELGIANS AND BRITS ARE BURIED ON OUR SOIL, DEFENDING US AGAINST OUR ENEMIES? WE DON'T ASK FOR PRAISE...BUT WE HAVE ABSOULUTELY NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE!!!!! PLEASE----DO NOT DELETE!!!!! DO THINK ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.
I hope you remember this when election
time comes around again.
"We are NOT a Christian Nation"
"I will stand with the Muslims"
Barack Hussein Obama
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: hermadmills@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, March 13, 2010 2:02 PM
Subject: Define Arrogance
Define Arrogance
------------------------------------------------------------
At little historical perspective.
Our European arrogance in alphabetical order:
1. The American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne , France . A total of2289 of our military dead.
2. The American Cemetery at Ardennes , Belgium . A total of5329 of our dead.
3. The American Cemetery at Brittany, France . A total of4410 of our military dead. Excuse us.
4. Brookwood , England American Cemetery. A total of 468 of our dead.
5. Cambridge , England .. 3812 of our military dead.
6. Epinal , France American Cemetery. A total of 5525 of our Military dead..
7. Flanders Field , Belgium . A total of 368 of our military.
8. Florence , Italy . A total of 4402 of our military dead.
9. Henri-Chapelle , Belgium . A total of 7992 of our military dead.
10. Lorraine , France . A total of 10,489 of our military dead...
11. Luxembourg , Luxembourg . A total of 5076 of our military dead.
12. Meuse-Argonne. A total of 14246 of our military dead.
13. Netherlands , Netherlands . A total of 8301 of our military dead.
14. Normandy , France . A total of 9387 of our military dead.
15. Oise-Aisne , France . A total of 6012 of our military dead..
16. Rhone , France . A total of 861 of our military dead.
17. Sicily , Italy . A total of 7861 of our military dead.
18. Somme , France . A total of 1844 of our military dead.
19. St. Mihiel , France . A total of 4153 of our military dead..
20. Suresnes , France . a total of 1541 of our military dead.
Apologize to no one!
Remind those of our sacrifice and don't confuse
arrogance with leadership.
If I added correctly the count is 104,366 dead.
And we have to watch an American elected leader
who apologizes to Europe and the Middle East
that our country is "arrogant"!
HOW MANY FRENCH, DUTCH, ITALIANS, BELGIANS AND BRITS ARE BURIED ON OUR SOIL, DEFENDING US AGAINST OUR ENEMIES? WE DON'T ASK FOR PRAISE...BUT WE HAVE ABSOULUTELY NO NEED TO APOLOGIZE!!!!! PLEASE----DO NOT DELETE!!!!! DO THINK ABOUT THIS. THANK YOU.
I hope you remember this when election
time comes around again.
"We are NOT a Christian Nation"
"I will stand with the Muslims"
Barack Hussein Obama
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
physician's ltr to Senator Bayh
Shock to NBC This morning.
An Indianapolis doctor's letter to Sen. Bayh about the Bill (Note: Dr. Stephen E. Fraser, MD practices as an anesthesiologist in Indianapolis, IN ) Here is a letter I sent to Senator Bayh.. Feel free to copy it and send it around to all other representatives. -- Stephen Fraser
Senator Bayh,
As a practicing physician I have major concerns with the health care bill before Congress. I actually have read the bill and am shocked by the brazenness of the government's proposed involvement in the patient-physician relationship. The very idea that the government will dictate and ration patient care is dangerous and certainly not helpful in designing a health care system that works for all. Every physician I work with agrees that we need to fix our health care system, but the proposed bills currently making their way through congress will be a disaster if passed.
I ask you respectfully and as a patriotic American to look at the following troubling lines that I have read in the bill. You cannot possibly believe that these proposals are in the best interests of the country and our fellow citizens.
Page 22 of the HC Bill: Mandates that the Govt will audit books of all employers that self-insure!!
Page 30 Sec 123 of HC bill: THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.
Page 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill: YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!
Page 42 of HC Bill: The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC benefits for you. You have no choice!
Page 50 Section 152 in HC bill: HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.
Page 58 HC Bill: Govt will have real-time access to individuals' finances & a 'National ID Health card' will be issued! (Papers please!)
Page 59 HC Bill lines 21-24: Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for elective funds transfer. (Time for more cash and carry)
Page 65 Sec 164: Is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions & community organizations: (ACORN).
Page 84 Sec 203 HC bill: Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the 'Exchange.'
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans -- The Govt will ration your health care!
Page 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill: Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services. (Translation: illegal aliens.)
Page 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18: The Govt will use groups (i.e. ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan.
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans. (AARP members - your health care WILL be rationed!)
Page 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill: Medicaid eligible individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. (No choice.)
Page 12 4 lines 24-25 HC: No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt monopoly.
Page 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill: Doctors/ American Medical Association - The Govt will tell YOU what salary you can make.
Page 145 Line 15-17: An Employer MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. (NO choice!)
Page 126 Lines 22-25: Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees ANDtheir families. (Employees shouldn't get excited about this as employers will be forced to reduce its work force, benefits, and wages/salaries to cover such a huge expense.)
Page 149 Lines 16-24: ANY Employer with payroll 401k & above who does not provide public option will pay 8% tax on all payroll! (See the last comment in parenthesis.)
Page 150 Lines 9-13: A business with payroll between $251K & $401K who doesn't provide public option will pay 2-6% tax on all payroll.
Page 167 Lines 18-23: ANY individual who doesn't have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.
Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay.) (Like always)
Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the GOVT HC Admin.. will have access to ALL Americans' finances and personal records. (I guess so they can 'deduct' their fees)
Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." (Yes, it really says that!) ( a 'fee' instead)
Page 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid Seniors. (Low-income and the poor are affected.)
Page 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn't matter what specialty you have trained yourself in -- you will all be paid the same! (Just TRY to tell me that's not Socialism!)
Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a doctor's time, profession, judgment, etc. (Literally-- the value of humans.)
Page 265 Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for "private" HC industries.
Page 268 Sec 1141: The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs.
Page 272 SEC. 1145: TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!
Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable (i.e...re-admissions).
Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors: If you treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission -- the Govt will penalize you.
Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt tells doctors what and how much they can own!)
Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals cannot expand.)
Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)
Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC the way they want -- rationing.)
Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into the Govt plan)
Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of 'special needs people!' Unbelievable!
Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a "Tele-Health Advisory Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)
Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates "Advance-Care Planning Consult." (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)
Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. (And it's mandatory!)
Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an "approved" list of end-of-life resources; guiding you in death. (Also called 'assisted suicide.')(Sounds like Soylent Green to me.)
Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for orders on "end-of-life." (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)
Page 429 Lines 1-9: An "advanced-care planning consultant" will be used frequently as a patient's health deteriorates.
Page 429 Lines 10-12: An "advanced care consultation" may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans.. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?!?)
Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order.. (I wouldn't want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)
Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end-of-life! (Again -- no choice!)
Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)
Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)
Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.
Senator, I guarantee that I personally will do everything possible to inform patients and my fellow physicians about the dangers of the proposed bills you and your colleagues are debating.
Furthermore, if you vote for a bill that enforces socialized medicine on the country and destroys the doctor-patient relationship, I will do everything in my power to make sure you lose your job in the next election.
Respectfully,
Stephen E. Fraser, MD
Dear Reader,
I urge you to use the power that you were born with (and the power that may soon be taken away) and circulate this email to as many people as you can reach. The Power of the People can stop this from happening to us, our parents, our grandparents, our children, and to following generations
An Indianapolis doctor's letter to Sen. Bayh about the Bill (Note: Dr. Stephen E. Fraser, MD practices as an anesthesiologist in Indianapolis, IN ) Here is a letter I sent to Senator Bayh.. Feel free to copy it and send it around to all other representatives. -- Stephen Fraser
Senator Bayh,
As a practicing physician I have major concerns with the health care bill before Congress. I actually have read the bill and am shocked by the brazenness of the government's proposed involvement in the patient-physician relationship. The very idea that the government will dictate and ration patient care is dangerous and certainly not helpful in designing a health care system that works for all. Every physician I work with agrees that we need to fix our health care system, but the proposed bills currently making their way through congress will be a disaster if passed.
I ask you respectfully and as a patriotic American to look at the following troubling lines that I have read in the bill. You cannot possibly believe that these proposals are in the best interests of the country and our fellow citizens.
Page 22 of the HC Bill: Mandates that the Govt will audit books of all employers that self-insure!!
Page 30 Sec 123 of HC bill: THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.
Page 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill: YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!
Page 42 of HC Bill: The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC benefits for you. You have no choice!
Page 50 Section 152 in HC bill: HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.
Page 58 HC Bill: Govt will have real-time access to individuals' finances & a 'National ID Health card' will be issued! (Papers please!)
Page 59 HC Bill lines 21-24: Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for elective funds transfer. (Time for more cash and carry)
Page 65 Sec 164: Is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions & community organizations: (ACORN).
Page 84 Sec 203 HC bill: Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the 'Exchange.'
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans -- The Govt will ration your health care!
Page 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill: Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services. (Translation: illegal aliens.)
Page 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18: The Govt will use groups (i.e. ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan.
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans. (AARP members - your health care WILL be rationed!)
Page 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill: Medicaid eligible individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. (No choice.)
Page 12 4 lines 24-25 HC: No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt monopoly.
Page 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill: Doctors/ American Medical Association - The Govt will tell YOU what salary you can make.
Page 145 Line 15-17: An Employer MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. (NO choice!)
Page 126 Lines 22-25: Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees ANDtheir families. (Employees shouldn't get excited about this as employers will be forced to reduce its work force, benefits, and wages/salaries to cover such a huge expense.)
Page 149 Lines 16-24: ANY Employer with payroll 401k & above who does not provide public option will pay 8% tax on all payroll! (See the last comment in parenthesis.)
Page 150 Lines 9-13: A business with payroll between $251K & $401K who doesn't provide public option will pay 2-6% tax on all payroll.
Page 167 Lines 18-23: ANY individual who doesn't have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.
Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay.) (Like always)
Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the GOVT HC Admin.. will have access to ALL Americans' finances and personal records. (I guess so they can 'deduct' their fees)
Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax." (Yes, it really says that!) ( a 'fee' instead)
Page 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid Seniors. (Low-income and the poor are affected.)
Page 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn't matter what specialty you have trained yourself in -- you will all be paid the same! (Just TRY to tell me that's not Socialism!)
Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a doctor's time, profession, judgment, etc. (Literally-- the value of humans.)
Page 265 Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for "private" HC industries.
Page 268 Sec 1141: The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs.
Page 272 SEC. 1145: TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing!
Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable (i.e...re-admissions).
Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors: If you treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission -- the Govt will penalize you.
Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt tells doctors what and how much they can own!)
Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals cannot expand.)
Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)
Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC the way they want -- rationing.)
Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into the Govt plan)
Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of 'special needs people!' Unbelievable!
Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a "Tele-Health Advisory Committee." (Can you say HC by phone?)
Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates "Advance-Care Planning Consult." (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)
Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. (And it's mandatory!)
Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an "approved" list of end-of-life resources; guiding you in death. (Also called 'assisted suicide.')(Sounds like Soylent Green to me.)
Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for orders on "end-of-life." (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)
Page 429 Lines 1-9: An "advanced-care planning consultant" will be used frequently as a patient's health deteriorates.
Page 429 Lines 10-12: An "advanced care consultation" may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans.. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?!?)
Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order.. (I wouldn't want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)
Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end-of-life! (Again -- no choice!)
Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)
Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)
Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.
Senator, I guarantee that I personally will do everything possible to inform patients and my fellow physicians about the dangers of the proposed bills you and your colleagues are debating.
Furthermore, if you vote for a bill that enforces socialized medicine on the country and destroys the doctor-patient relationship, I will do everything in my power to make sure you lose your job in the next election.
Respectfully,
Stephen E. Fraser, MD
Dear Reader,
I urge you to use the power that you were born with (and the power that may soon be taken away) and circulate this email to as many people as you can reach. The Power of the People can stop this from happening to us, our parents, our grandparents, our children, and to following generations
Thanks Ray ! Illegal immigrants and their benefits
What is the problem?
I suspect that lobbyists have our elitist representatives' ears in Washington and are enjoying the situation with illegal immigrants. All we Tea Party members want is to seal off the borders and invite the illegals to come in legally. We also do not want to give them the excessive benefits they receive above and beyond those of us who have paid into the system here in the USA. That is not unreasonable, but lawyers and our reps are talking incessantly on behalf of the illegals and winning.
GRRRR!
Sam
----- Original Message -----
Subj: Fwd: From a Florida Emergency Room Doctor
Beyond belief....but true!!
Having spent three weeks in a hospital in Naples, Florida with my wife I couldn't help noticing what was going on in the hospital and I had a lot of time to talk to the doctors and nurses about what I had observed. Below is a commentary from the ER Doctor.
Do you think this might be a big reason our health care system and our social security system are so screwed up? Do you think this might be a big reason our taxes keep going up? Who do you think these people are going to vote for?
From a Florida ER doctor:
"I live and work in a state overrun with illegal aliens. They make more money having kids than we earn working full-time. Today I had a 25-year old with 8 kids - that's right, 8 kids; all illegal anchor babies and she had the nicest nails, cell phone, hand bag, clothing, etc. She makes about $1,500 monthly for each; you do the math. I used to say, We are the dumbest nation on earth. Now I must say and sadly admit: WE are the dumbest people on earth (that includes ME) for we elected the idiot idealogues who have passed the bills that allow this. Sorry, but we need a revolution. Vote them all out in 2010. "
This is an insult and a kick in the butt to all of us...
If the immigrant is over 65, they can apply for SSI and Medicaid and get more than a woman on Social Security, who worked from 1944 until 2004. She is only getting $791 per month because she was born in 1924 and there's a 'catch 22.'
It is interesting that the federal government provides a single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890. Each can also obtain an additional $580 in social assistance, for a total of $2,470 a month.
This compares to a single pensioner, who after contributing to the growth and development of America for 40 to 50 years, can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012 in old age pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees!
Consider sending this to all your American friends, so we can all be ticked off and maybe get the refugees cut back to $1,012 and the pensioners up to $2,470. Then we can enjoy some of the money we were forced to submit to the Government over the last 40 or 50 or 60 years.
Please forward this to every American you know to expose what our elected politicians have been doing for the past 11 years to over-taxed Americans.
--- REMEMBER ---
IN NOVEMBER 2010, WE HAVE A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAN OUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE AND ONE-THIRD OF THE SENATE!
I suspect that lobbyists have our elitist representatives' ears in Washington and are enjoying the situation with illegal immigrants. All we Tea Party members want is to seal off the borders and invite the illegals to come in legally. We also do not want to give them the excessive benefits they receive above and beyond those of us who have paid into the system here in the USA. That is not unreasonable, but lawyers and our reps are talking incessantly on behalf of the illegals and winning.
GRRRR!
Sam
----- Original Message -----
Subj: Fwd: From a Florida Emergency Room Doctor
Beyond belief....but true!!
Having spent three weeks in a hospital in Naples, Florida with my wife I couldn't help noticing what was going on in the hospital and I had a lot of time to talk to the doctors and nurses about what I had observed. Below is a commentary from the ER Doctor.
Do you think this might be a big reason our health care system and our social security system are so screwed up? Do you think this might be a big reason our taxes keep going up? Who do you think these people are going to vote for?
From a Florida ER doctor:
"I live and work in a state overrun with illegal aliens. They make more money having kids than we earn working full-time. Today I had a 25-year old with 8 kids - that's right, 8 kids; all illegal anchor babies and she had the nicest nails, cell phone, hand bag, clothing, etc. She makes about $1,500 monthly for each; you do the math. I used to say, We are the dumbest nation on earth. Now I must say and sadly admit: WE are the dumbest people on earth (that includes ME) for we elected the idiot idealogues who have passed the bills that allow this. Sorry, but we need a revolution. Vote them all out in 2010. "
This is an insult and a kick in the butt to all of us...
If the immigrant is over 65, they can apply for SSI and Medicaid and get more than a woman on Social Security, who worked from 1944 until 2004. She is only getting $791 per month because she was born in 1924 and there's a 'catch 22.'
It is interesting that the federal government provides a single refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890. Each can also obtain an additional $580 in social assistance, for a total of $2,470 a month.
This compares to a single pensioner, who after contributing to the growth and development of America for 40 to 50 years, can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012 in old age pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement.
Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees!
Consider sending this to all your American friends, so we can all be ticked off and maybe get the refugees cut back to $1,012 and the pensioners up to $2,470. Then we can enjoy some of the money we were forced to submit to the Government over the last 40 or 50 or 60 years.
Please forward this to every American you know to expose what our elected politicians have been doing for the past 11 years to over-taxed Americans.
--- REMEMBER ---
IN NOVEMBER 2010, WE HAVE A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAN OUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE AND ONE-THIRD OF THE SENATE!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Why I like Retirement Thanks Terry!
And They Ask---Why I Like Retirement????
Question: How many days in a week?
Answer: 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday
Question: When is a retiree's bedtime?
Answer: Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch .
Question: How many retirees to change a light bulb?
Answer: Only one, but it might take all day.
Question: What's the biggest gripe of retirees?
Answer: There is not enough time to get everything done ..
Question: Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors?
Answer: The term comes with a 10% percent discount.
Question: Among retirees what is considered formal attire?
Answer: Tied shoes.
Question: Why do retirees count their pennies?
Answer: They are the only ones who have the time.
Question: What is the common term for someone who enjoys work and refuses
to retire?
Answer: NUTS!
Question: Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or
garage?
Answer: They know that as soon as they do, one of their adult kids
will want to store their stuff there.
Question: What do retirees call a long lunch?
Answer: Normal
Question: What is the best way to describe retirement?
Answer: The never ending Coffee Break.
Question: What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a
retiree?
Answer: If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.
Question: Why does a retiree often say he doesn't miss work, but misses the
people he used to work with?
Answer: He is too polite to tell the whole truth .
Question: What do you do all week?
Answer: Monday to Friday; Nothing
Saturday & Sunday I rest.
Share this one with all the retirees that you know.
I'm sure they can relate to some of them!
AND, If you have not yet retired, look what you have to look forward to.
Happiness is a voyage, not a destination,
There is no better time to be happy than...
RIGHT NOW!!!!
Question: How many days in a week?
Answer: 6 Saturdays, 1 Sunday
Question: When is a retiree's bedtime?
Answer: Three hours after he falls asleep on the couch .
Question: How many retirees to change a light bulb?
Answer: Only one, but it might take all day.
Question: What's the biggest gripe of retirees?
Answer: There is not enough time to get everything done ..
Question: Why don't retirees mind being called Seniors?
Answer: The term comes with a 10% percent discount.
Question: Among retirees what is considered formal attire?
Answer: Tied shoes.
Question: Why do retirees count their pennies?
Answer: They are the only ones who have the time.
Question: What is the common term for someone who enjoys work and refuses
to retire?
Answer: NUTS!
Question: Why are retirees so slow to clean out the basement, attic or
garage?
Answer: They know that as soon as they do, one of their adult kids
will want to store their stuff there.
Question: What do retirees call a long lunch?
Answer: Normal
Question: What is the best way to describe retirement?
Answer: The never ending Coffee Break.
Question: What's the biggest advantage of going back to school as a
retiree?
Answer: If you cut classes, no one calls your parents.
Question: Why does a retiree often say he doesn't miss work, but misses the
people he used to work with?
Answer: He is too polite to tell the whole truth .
Question: What do you do all week?
Answer: Monday to Friday; Nothing
Saturday & Sunday I rest.
Share this one with all the retirees that you know.
I'm sure they can relate to some of them!
AND, If you have not yet retired, look what you have to look forward to.
Happiness is a voyage, not a destination,
There is no better time to be happy than...
RIGHT NOW!!!!
Thanks Linda Oiler! Go on with the Tea Party!
Thanks Linda!
----- Original Message -----
From: leegraham@aol.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Kremer - Tea Party Express
To: leegraham@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Mar 8, 2010 8:20 pm
Subject: Critical Action Alert to stop the March Madness!
Friends:
We have stopped this government takeover of health care so far. We are now in overtime and our opponent has the ball on the goal line ready to score! Are you going to walk away now or are you going to stand strong and defend your position so we can win this game? It is our game to win, but it is going to take all of us standing shoulder to shoulder. The time is now or never! We will never have this opportunity again.
Next Tuesday, on March 16th, the people of this country will once again flood Washington, D.C. to have their voices heard. There is more information about that visit below. You can also visit American Grassroots Coalition for additional information on making travel arrangements to Washington, D.C.
If you are mad as hell and want to win this game, then this is what you can do to help the rest of the team. This is a two week plan and we will be adding more information as we progress through the next week. Remember, we must take action every single day! There is no time for rest right now.
Monday, March 8th: Make calls. Send Faxes. Send Emails. You can do all of these things after hours. You can check American Grassroots Coalition for up to the minute target lists and contact information.
Tuesday, March 9th: Moms & Seniors go to local district offices. Take a senior citizen with you. Let them have their voices heard. Moms, tell these staffers at the offices how you feel, and how concerned you are for your family!
Wednesday, March 10th: Medical Professionals (you do not have to be a physician) visit local district offices. Be sure to wear your medical attire. Let these offices know that you are not going to sit back and let the government takeover our health care system!
Thursday, March 11th: Veterans go to local district offices. Our veterans are so special. They have a voice like no one else. Veterans, let these offices know that you fought for her once and you are fighting for her again!
Friday, March 12th: Nationwide rallies at local district offices for 1 hour at 12 noon local. Let's make it a special point for all of us to go during our lunch hour if at all possible.
**Monday-Friday** Please go anytime you can to visit a local district office! Make it a point to have these offices covered all day. Be sure to sign into the register at the office and take a handwritten letter, such as the one below:
Dear Congressman or Senator,
I do not want you to vote YES on ANY government takeover of health care legislation that is being presented in the House or Senate. You must vote NO.
There should be no compromise when it comes to my life and my health care. There should be no vote for reconciliation.
I am an American citizen and your vote effects me and my family. I expect you to represent my wishes!
Monday, March 15th: Make calls. Send Faxes. Send Emails. You can do all of these things during the day and after business hours.
Tuesday, March 16th: Rally in DC and Nationwide at local district offices. Americans For Prosperity also has sent out an alert to honk at 12 noon that day while you are driving in your car.
If you can't go to DC on March 16th, please visit your local district offices to have your voices heard and show solidarity with those in DC. Our sources from the Hill tell us that the vote is likely to happen between March 16th and March 18th. If you are able to go to DC, please RSVP here.
If you are doing a rally at your local office please RSVP here, so we can let others know. This is a team effort, and we are part of your team. Whatever you need, please let us know!
Wednesday, March 17th - Friday, March 19th: If you are in D.C., please visit your Representatives and Senators. If you are not in D.C., please continue to visit local district offices! Make calls. Send Faxes. Send Emails. The calls, faxes, and emails can all be done during the day and after business hours.
Saturday & Sunday, March 20th & 21st: Town Halls for March Madness! In August we had some amazing town halls! They really made people and lawmakers stop and think about this health care legislation. Let's do it again! Host a town hall in your community and invite your Senator and Congressman. More details on this next step will be available on American Grassroots Coalition within the next day or two. Thanks for your patience.
If you are interested in hosting a town hall please contact Jennifer Hulsey at hulsey1873@gmail.com. If you have a town hall scheduled please go to www.americangrassrootscoalition.org/states and post your town hall according to your particular state. You may include specifics in the commentary section.
We need town halls all across the country. So, please share this information with your family and friends.
TOGETHER, We the PEOPLE, CAN STOP THE MARCH MADNESS!
Thank you for all that you do! Keep up the good work! We will win this game!
----- Original Message -----
From: leegraham@aol.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Kremer - Tea Party Express
To: leegraham@aol.com
Sent: Mon, Mar 8, 2010 8:20 pm
Subject: Critical Action Alert to stop the March Madness!
Friends:
We have stopped this government takeover of health care so far. We are now in overtime and our opponent has the ball on the goal line ready to score! Are you going to walk away now or are you going to stand strong and defend your position so we can win this game? It is our game to win, but it is going to take all of us standing shoulder to shoulder. The time is now or never! We will never have this opportunity again.
Next Tuesday, on March 16th, the people of this country will once again flood Washington, D.C. to have their voices heard. There is more information about that visit below. You can also visit American Grassroots Coalition for additional information on making travel arrangements to Washington, D.C.
If you are mad as hell and want to win this game, then this is what you can do to help the rest of the team. This is a two week plan and we will be adding more information as we progress through the next week. Remember, we must take action every single day! There is no time for rest right now.
Monday, March 8th: Make calls. Send Faxes. Send Emails. You can do all of these things after hours. You can check American Grassroots Coalition for up to the minute target lists and contact information.
Tuesday, March 9th: Moms & Seniors go to local district offices. Take a senior citizen with you. Let them have their voices heard. Moms, tell these staffers at the offices how you feel, and how concerned you are for your family!
Wednesday, March 10th: Medical Professionals (you do not have to be a physician) visit local district offices. Be sure to wear your medical attire. Let these offices know that you are not going to sit back and let the government takeover our health care system!
Thursday, March 11th: Veterans go to local district offices. Our veterans are so special. They have a voice like no one else. Veterans, let these offices know that you fought for her once and you are fighting for her again!
Friday, March 12th: Nationwide rallies at local district offices for 1 hour at 12 noon local. Let's make it a special point for all of us to go during our lunch hour if at all possible.
**Monday-Friday** Please go anytime you can to visit a local district office! Make it a point to have these offices covered all day. Be sure to sign into the register at the office and take a handwritten letter, such as the one below:
Dear Congressman or Senator,
I do not want you to vote YES on ANY government takeover of health care legislation that is being presented in the House or Senate. You must vote NO.
There should be no compromise when it comes to my life and my health care. There should be no vote for reconciliation.
I am an American citizen and your vote effects me and my family. I expect you to represent my wishes!
Monday, March 15th: Make calls. Send Faxes. Send Emails. You can do all of these things during the day and after business hours.
Tuesday, March 16th: Rally in DC and Nationwide at local district offices. Americans For Prosperity also has sent out an alert to honk at 12 noon that day while you are driving in your car.
If you can't go to DC on March 16th, please visit your local district offices to have your voices heard and show solidarity with those in DC. Our sources from the Hill tell us that the vote is likely to happen between March 16th and March 18th. If you are able to go to DC, please RSVP here.
If you are doing a rally at your local office please RSVP here, so we can let others know. This is a team effort, and we are part of your team. Whatever you need, please let us know!
Wednesday, March 17th - Friday, March 19th: If you are in D.C., please visit your Representatives and Senators. If you are not in D.C., please continue to visit local district offices! Make calls. Send Faxes. Send Emails. The calls, faxes, and emails can all be done during the day and after business hours.
Saturday & Sunday, March 20th & 21st: Town Halls for March Madness! In August we had some amazing town halls! They really made people and lawmakers stop and think about this health care legislation. Let's do it again! Host a town hall in your community and invite your Senator and Congressman. More details on this next step will be available on American Grassroots Coalition within the next day or two. Thanks for your patience.
If you are interested in hosting a town hall please contact Jennifer Hulsey at hulsey1873@gmail.com. If you have a town hall scheduled please go to www.americangrassrootscoalition.org/states and post your town hall according to your particular state. You may include specifics in the commentary section.
We need town halls all across the country. So, please share this information with your family and friends.
TOGETHER, We the PEOPLE, CAN STOP THE MARCH MADNESS!
Thank you for all that you do! Keep up the good work! We will win this game!
Monday, March 8, 2010
A Tear Jerker- Thanks Dean Williams !
A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory
pre- Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly
parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had
grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine,
which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had
become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the
countryside.. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood
here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their
lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the
years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty
mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the
mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the
horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's
end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple
confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old
One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had
foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for
yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but
expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the
toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair
of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he
drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her
ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else,
just love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old
man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as
darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in
sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their
cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of
the love that filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one
noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.
None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames
were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair,
the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn
to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the
blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless
before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him
in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins
were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief,
huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from
the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there
was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting
her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily
dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We
have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas.
Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have
sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and
give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most
precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill
as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered
hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow.
As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they
paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped
and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before
them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up
in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it
was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a
crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal
created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old
man held his wife tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed
and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward.
There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and
glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in
the night light.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the
entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle
and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never
looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through
the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish
yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their
tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The
mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed
uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to
safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the
faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not
disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but
the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---
Because of love. Only Because of love.
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again
the peace of love filled their hearts.
This is a true story.
Willy Eagle
This is an Inspirational message sent to a small group of people. My
hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.
A small request!
Cancer is a strange cell.
Going along for years in remission and then one day it pops it head up
again.
Pray for the day there will be a permanent cure.
A SMALL REQUEST...
93% won't forward, but I'm Sure You Will........
A small request.....Just one line
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer.
Amen
You are all asked is keep this circulating. Even if it's only to one
more person. In memory of anyone you know who has been struck down by
cancer or is still living with it.
A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle.
Please Keep This Candle Going.
pre- Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly
parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had
grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine,
which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had
become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the
countryside.. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood
here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their
lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the
years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty
mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the
mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the
horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's
end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple
confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old
One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had
foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for
yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but
expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the
toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair
of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he
drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her
ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else,
just love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old
man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as
darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in
sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their
cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of
the love that filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one
noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.
None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames
were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair,
the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn
to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the
blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless
before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him
in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins
were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief,
huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from
the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there
was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting
her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily
dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We
have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas.
Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have
sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and
give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most
precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill
as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered
hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow.
As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they
paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped
and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before
them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up
in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it
was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a
crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal
created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old
man held his wife tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed
and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward.
There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and
glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in
the night light.
Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the
entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle
and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never
looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through
the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish
yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their
tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The
mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed
uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to
safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the
faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not
disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but
the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---
Because of love. Only Because of love.
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again
the peace of love filled their hearts.
This is a true story.
Willy Eagle
This is an Inspirational message sent to a small group of people. My
hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.
A small request!
Cancer is a strange cell.
Going along for years in remission and then one day it pops it head up
again.
Pray for the day there will be a permanent cure.
A SMALL REQUEST...
93% won't forward, but I'm Sure You Will........
A small request.....Just one line
Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer.
Amen
You are all asked is keep this circulating. Even if it's only to one
more person. In memory of anyone you know who has been struck down by
cancer or is still living with it.
A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle.
Please Keep This Candle Going.
Mystery pic fun ... Revealed
OK, the long-awaited solution to the mystery pic, which you may need to go to my blog www.skegley.blogspot.com to follow, is now ... tada ! revealed-------
The answer- my four and a half year younger brother, George. (PHS 55)
It should have been a tough nut to solve, mainly because not many now living knew George at that age. My younger surviving siblings naturally would not and most of the readers, at least three who responded, couldn't possibly have recognized brother George, who turned 73 yesterday, March 7.
George and I have probably remained closer, because of closeness in age, of a very close family.
Things to make the mystery tougher:
George would not have been wearing a dress.
The black and white scan I originally sent did not reveal the red hair of the child. Most of us called George "Red". Sharon was the only other Kegley redhead.
George was born with a foot turned outwards, the left one as I remember. Several operations in Columbus eventually set him straight.
George and a few family members have stayed fairly warm in the Plant city area of Florida, whereas most of the rest of us 'enjoyed' record snow falls here in Ohio.
I guess this is just an inside story anyway, but Jeanie and I called George and Helen and I sang 'Happy Birthday" to him. He said he heard four such songs that day and he voted mine the worst.
Talk about respect?
Frank Hunter after searching for hints, guessed it was me. ( I hope it wasn't the dress).
Jim guessed Mary Lou, Sharon, and Cassandra (Sandy), but he had neither the color pic nor my hint to Frank that the dress did not reveal the sex of the mystery one.
Paul called and Jeanie told him the answer, but he had no guess.
'Ah, sweet mysteries of life' , but again one might say who cares? Except for me and my brother George. George may also disagree, as the red hair Mom, Mary, had combed across his forehead, was so like him at an age even he could not recall. George and I have a close resemblance in hair color now, the few remaining ones are grey, leaving our tops bald.
Our maternal grandfather, Abraham Clark, was bald and our dad, Forest E. Kegley, was bald. Forgive me my brothers, but aren't we all?
Please send George a belated birthday greeting at speck6085@aol.com if you are so inclined.
Sam
The answer- my four and a half year younger brother, George. (PHS 55)
It should have been a tough nut to solve, mainly because not many now living knew George at that age. My younger surviving siblings naturally would not and most of the readers, at least three who responded, couldn't possibly have recognized brother George, who turned 73 yesterday, March 7.
George and I have probably remained closer, because of closeness in age, of a very close family.
Things to make the mystery tougher:
George would not have been wearing a dress.
The black and white scan I originally sent did not reveal the red hair of the child. Most of us called George "Red". Sharon was the only other Kegley redhead.
George was born with a foot turned outwards, the left one as I remember. Several operations in Columbus eventually set him straight.
George and a few family members have stayed fairly warm in the Plant city area of Florida, whereas most of the rest of us 'enjoyed' record snow falls here in Ohio.
I guess this is just an inside story anyway, but Jeanie and I called George and Helen and I sang 'Happy Birthday" to him. He said he heard four such songs that day and he voted mine the worst.
Talk about respect?
Frank Hunter after searching for hints, guessed it was me. ( I hope it wasn't the dress).
Jim guessed Mary Lou, Sharon, and Cassandra (Sandy), but he had neither the color pic nor my hint to Frank that the dress did not reveal the sex of the mystery one.
Paul called and Jeanie told him the answer, but he had no guess.
'Ah, sweet mysteries of life' , but again one might say who cares? Except for me and my brother George. George may also disagree, as the red hair Mom, Mary, had combed across his forehead, was so like him at an age even he could not recall. George and I have a close resemblance in hair color now, the few remaining ones are grey, leaving our tops bald.
Our maternal grandfather, Abraham Clark, was bald and our dad, Forest E. Kegley, was bald. Forgive me my brothers, but aren't we all?
Please send George a belated birthday greeting at speck6085@aol.com if you are so inclined.
Sam
About the fun myetery pic-
This fun mystery addendum probably doesn't help many who might guess. Please see following email for the answer:
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Fun mystery pic addendum
Labels Family, Friends 0 comments
A few have inquired as to the source of the Mystery Kegley pic. I have re-scanned part of the ad and will now present it in color, with the source at the top of the page.
I guess the source is not easily readable, but it says: The Columbus Dispatch Friday, March 5, 2010.
Note that clicking on the pic will enlarge it for easier reading of the source.
Please also note that the inquiry from Frank Hunter, Portsmouth Ohio's "Illustrious Illuminator" indicates that it is now in very dangerous hands. It is hard telling what my be photoshopped out of the pic. Hopefully ... NOTHING, Frank, but as you may. It is only a little fun, at least on my part.
Frank guessed the mystery person to be me. Wrong, and one out of ten isn't very good Frank. To be fair though, he only knew a few of the rest of us Kegleys.
Sam
Posted by Sam, Kegley at 6:05 AM
Friday, March 5, 2010
A fun mystery from Sam
Labels Family, Friends, Human Interest 0 comments
BlankFrom this morning's Columbus Dispatch, Frank. Are you home and do I have your correct phone numbers? Blaine gave me 813-310-8772. Hint- Ignore the suggested sex in the pic.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: samgabe
To: Sam Kegley
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: Mystery for Kegleys or any others who may care to reply
who and where did you get the ad?
-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Kegley
Sent: Mar 5, 2010 8:47 AM
To:
Subject: Mystery for Kegleys or any others who may care to reply
A fun mystery ....
The attached ad caught my eye this morning as some baby I remember. I only had to think a little while studying the pic. I would appreciate any guesses. It was one of the Kegley brood of McConnell Ave. in Portsmouth, Ohio a while back.
Sam
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Fun mystery pic addendum
Labels Family, Friends 0 comments
A few have inquired as to the source of the Mystery Kegley pic. I have re-scanned part of the ad and will now present it in color, with the source at the top of the page.
I guess the source is not easily readable, but it says: The Columbus Dispatch Friday, March 5, 2010.
Note that clicking on the pic will enlarge it for easier reading of the source.
Please also note that the inquiry from Frank Hunter, Portsmouth Ohio's "Illustrious Illuminator" indicates that it is now in very dangerous hands. It is hard telling what my be photoshopped out of the pic. Hopefully ... NOTHING, Frank, but as you may. It is only a little fun, at least on my part.
Frank guessed the mystery person to be me. Wrong, and one out of ten isn't very good Frank. To be fair though, he only knew a few of the rest of us Kegleys.
Sam
Posted by Sam, Kegley at 6:05 AM
Friday, March 5, 2010
A fun mystery from Sam
Labels Family, Friends, Human Interest 0 comments
BlankFrom this morning's Columbus Dispatch, Frank. Are you home and do I have your correct phone numbers? Blaine gave me 813-310-8772. Hint- Ignore the suggested sex in the pic.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: samgabe
To: Sam Kegley
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: Mystery for Kegleys or any others who may care to reply
who and where did you get the ad?
-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Kegley
Sent: Mar 5, 2010 8:47 AM
To:
Subject: Mystery for Kegleys or any others who may care to reply
A fun mystery ....
The attached ad caught my eye this morning as some baby I remember. I only had to think a little while studying the pic. I would appreciate any guesses. It was one of the Kegley brood of McConnell Ave. in Portsmouth, Ohio a while back.
Sam
Stapanie spielman's cancer fighting- my granddaughter, tobey's request
Stepanie Spielman (Chris's wife) recently died as a result of breast cancer. Pepsi.com has several programs to 'help what you care for'. Please click on the $50,000 gift and scroll down to her book and vote. My granddaughter, Tobey, is in the Spielman's son's class at Jones Middle Scdhool. The Spielman's have raised a lot of money to help in the cancer fight. The link in Tobey's message below is slow right now on my computer, but you may go to www.pepsi.com and follow through.
Thank you in advance,
Sam
On Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 9:00 PM, Tobey Kegleywrote:
Dear Grandpa,
This is a really important thing that I thought you could help with. I know you can find people to send this on to. If you click on the link at the bottom, it will take you to the pepsi page. If you then scroll down click on vote for this idea. It will help so much! Thank You! I love you guys!
Dear Friends,
Strong Hearts (Stefanie and Chris Spielman's non profit organization for cancer caregivers) was approved by Pepsi to compete for a $50,0000 grant to publish Stefanie’s book, Breast Cancer Boo Boo! Stefanie wrote the book to help explain cancer to children. Her dream was to publish this book and distribute it to kids who are impacted by this terrible disease. We are quite excited about the potential we have, however, we need everyone’s help. Please go to the link below to vote for Stefanie’s book to be one of the top 10 vote getters. You can help us reach our goal by going to the link below and voting for Stefanie’s book and by promoting others to do so by sending the link to your email address book, promoting to friends and posting on your Facebook site.
Help us keep Stefanie's spirit alive and her dream for a cancer free world to come true!
http://www.refresheverything.com/stronghearts?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=good_luck
Thanks for your support, Shannon Peterson
Tobey Kegley
This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm
Thank you in advance,
Sam
On Sat, Mar 6, 2010 at 9:00 PM, Tobey Kegley
Dear Grandpa,
This is a really important thing that I thought you could help with. I know you can find people to send this on to. If you click on the link at the bottom, it will take you to the pepsi page. If you then scroll down click on vote for this idea. It will help so much! Thank You! I love you guys!
Dear Friends,
Strong Hearts (Stefanie and Chris Spielman's non profit organization for cancer caregivers) was approved by Pepsi to compete for a $50,0000 grant to publish Stefanie’s book, Breast Cancer Boo Boo! Stefanie wrote the book to help explain cancer to children. Her dream was to publish this book and distribute it to kids who are impacted by this terrible disease. We are quite excited about the potential we have, however, we need everyone’s help. Please go to the link below to vote for Stefanie’s book to be one of the top 10 vote getters. You can help us reach our goal by going to the link below and voting for Stefanie’s book and by promoting others to do so by sending the link to your email address book, promoting to friends and posting on your Facebook site.
Help us keep Stefanie's spirit alive and her dream for a cancer free world to come true!
http://www.refresheverything.com/stronghearts?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=good_luck
Thanks for your support, Shannon Peterson
Tobey Kegley
This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Bus Ride. Thanks Terry Krause!
Thanks so much, Terry.
This means a lot to me. My second book was "Acquaintances with Integreity" and I suggested a list of subjects to each interviewee. Afterwards, many asked me why I didn't include them who are my friends. That was not a purposeful thing on my or their part. My priorities of choice were just not comprehensive. Terry Krause and his family are all acquaintances with integrity of mine.
Most of us have been put in the same situations in life on occasion, and thoughts ran through our heads like this gentleman's. Just a litte test, yet an important one.
Whether we are Christians or not, integrity is such an important part of our individual lives.
But, as Christians, would we do as Judas did, and sell Christ out for thirty pieces of silver, or even a quarter. I won't claim that I have passed every integrity test in my life, some have seemed so 'little', but it is the fact, not the price that counts.
THE BUS RIDE
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas.
Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.
When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back.
It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter.
Who would worry about this little amount?
Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet.'
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.'
The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren' t you the new preacher in town?
I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'
When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for aquarter.'
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.
This is a really a scary example of how much people watch us as Christians and will put us to the test!
Always be on your guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
I'm glad a friend forwarded to me as a reminder. God bless you; I hope you are having a wonderful day!
If you don't pass this on to anybody, nothing bad will happen; If you do, you will have ministered to someone
This means a lot to me. My second book was "Acquaintances with Integreity" and I suggested a list of subjects to each interviewee. Afterwards, many asked me why I didn't include them who are my friends. That was not a purposeful thing on my or their part. My priorities of choice were just not comprehensive. Terry Krause and his family are all acquaintances with integrity of mine.
Most of us have been put in the same situations in life on occasion, and thoughts ran through our heads like this gentleman's. Just a litte test, yet an important one.
Whether we are Christians or not, integrity is such an important part of our individual lives.
But, as Christians, would we do as Judas did, and sell Christ out for thirty pieces of silver, or even a quarter. I won't claim that I have passed every integrity test in my life, some have seemed so 'little', but it is the fact, not the price that counts.
THE BUS RIDE
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas.
Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.
When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back.
It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter.
Who would worry about this little amount?
Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from God and keep quiet.'
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, 'Here, you gave me too much change.'
The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren' t you the new preacher in town?
I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'
When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for aquarter.'
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.
This is a really a scary example of how much people watch us as Christians and will put us to the test!
Always be on your guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
I'm glad a friend forwarded to me as a reminder. God bless you; I hope you are having a wonderful day!
If you don't pass this on to anybody, nothing bad will happen; If you do, you will have ministered to someone
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Fun mystery pic addendum
I guess the source is not easily readable, but it says: The Columbus Dispatch Friday, March 5, 2010.
Note that clicking on the pic will enlarge it for easier reading of the source.
Please also note that the inquiry fromn Frank Hunter, Portsmouth Ohio's "Illustrious Illuminator" indicates that it is now in very dangerous hands. It is hard telling what my be photoshopped out of the pic. Hopefully ... NOTHING, Frank, but as you may. It is only a little fun, at least on my part.
Frank guessed the mystery person to be me. Wrong, and one out of ten isn't very good Frank. To be fai thoughr, he only knew a few of the rest of us Kegleys.
Sam
Thanks Marge! A funny re-cycle ...
----- Original Message -----
From: kanzurem@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 4:55 AM
Subject: Fwd: A Job
A Man walked into the local welfare office to pick up his check.. He
marched straight up to the counter and said, 'Hi. You know, I just HATE
drawing welfare. I'd really rather have a job.
The social worker behind the counter said, 'Your timing is excellent.
We just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a
Chauffeur and bodyguard for his beautiful daughter. You'll have to
drive around in his 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL, and he will supply all of
your clothes..
Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You'll also be
expected to escort the daughter on her overseas holiday trips. This is
rather awkward to say but you will also have as part of your job
assignment to satisfy her sexual urges as the daughter is in her
mid-20's and has a rather strong sex drive.
The Man, just plain wide-eyed, said, 'You're BS ing me!'
The social worker said, ' Yeah, well... You started it!'
From: kanzurem@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, March 06, 2010 4:55 AM
Subject: Fwd: A Job
A Man walked into the local welfare office to pick up his check.. He
marched straight up to the counter and said, 'Hi. You know, I just HATE
drawing welfare. I'd really rather have a job.
The social worker behind the counter said, 'Your timing is excellent.
We just got a job opening from a very wealthy old man who wants a
Chauffeur and bodyguard for his beautiful daughter. You'll have to
drive around in his 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL, and he will supply all of
your clothes..
Because of the long hours, meals will be provided. You'll also be
expected to escort the daughter on her overseas holiday trips. This is
rather awkward to say but you will also have as part of your job
assignment to satisfy her sexual urges as the daughter is in her
mid-20's and has a rather strong sex drive.
The Man, just plain wide-eyed, said, 'You're BS ing me!'
The social worker said, ' Yeah, well... You started it!'
Friday, March 5, 2010
A fun mystery from Sam
BlankFrom this morning's Columbus Dispatch, Frank. Are you home and do I have your correct phone numbers? Blaine gave me 813-310-8772. Hint- Ignore the suggested sex in the pic.
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: samgabe
To: Sam Kegley
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: Mystery for Kegleys or any others who may care to reply
who and where did you get the ad?
-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Kegley
Sent: Mar 5, 2010 8:47 AM
To:
Subject: Mystery for Kegleys or any others who may care to reply
A fun mystery ....
The attached ad caught my eye this morning as some baby I remember. I only had to think a little while studying the pic. I would appreciate any guesses. It was one of the Kegley brood of McConnell Ave. in Portsmouth, Ohio a while back.
Sam
Sam
----- Original Message -----
From: samgabe
To: Sam Kegley
Sent: Friday, March 05, 2010 9:01 AM
Subject: Re: Mystery for Kegleys or any others who may care to reply
who and where did you get the ad?
-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Kegley
Sent: Mar 5, 2010 8:47 AM
To:
Subject: Mystery for Kegleys or any others who may care to reply
A fun mystery ....
The attached ad caught my eye this morning as some baby I remember. I only had to think a little while studying the pic. I would appreciate any guesses. It was one of the Kegley brood of McConnell Ave. in Portsmouth, Ohio a while back.
Sam
Thursday, March 4, 2010
WW II interrogation Center PO Box 1142 Thanks good friends! Long!
I have seen the Fort Hunt signs on DC Transit Bus route signs but never
knew exactly where it was nor what/when it was a Fort until now. Maybe
someday when I am in the area I will go visit it. You old-timers who served
will appreciate this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.O. Box 1142
An offhand comment from a park visitor unveiled the untold story of a
secret Virginia facility where clever interrogation techniques and good
old-fashioned eavesdropping helped secure victory in World War II. Now the
Park
Service is racing to unearth all the details before the last remaining
witnesses vanish.
By Heidi Ridgley
It's a steamy summer night in 1943 in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside
the nation's capital, and another Army bus with dark windows is rumbling
down the George Washington Memorial Parkway, headed for a nearly
forgotten
fort dating back to the Spanish-American War. The frequent arrivals at
Fort
Hunt no longer raise an eyebrow among locals, who assume the newly
constructed facilities, complete with barbed wire fences and guard
towers, simply
support a World War II officer's training school. But there's a lot more
to
the story.
More than 65 years later, the activities conducted at Fort Hunt are
emerging as one of the best-kept secrets of the last century: The men and
the few
women assigned here took oaths of secrecy to their graves. When the
government began bulldozing the 100 or so buildings in 1946, this quiet
spot
along the Potomac became a place for simple Sunday pleasures like picnics
and
softball.
Since 1933, the plot of land has been managed by the Park Service, but
during World War II, the War Department took it over to house a
top-secret
military intelligence center, referred to then as P.O. Box 1142. The site
included prisoner-of-war interrogation programs run by the Army and Navy
known
as MIS-Y (Military Intelligence Service-Y) and Op-16-Z (Operation-16-Z).
>From July 1942 to November 1946, the U.S. military shepherded more than
4,000 prisoners of war (POWs) through Fort Hunt, housing, interrogating,
and
surreptitiously listening to the highest-ranking enemy officers,
scientists, and submariners. Notable members of the Third Reich
questioned here
include rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, spymaster Reinhard Gehlen,
and Heinz
Schlicke, inventor of infrared detection.
The intelligence that American military personnel uncovered primarily
focused on the Germans' rocket and submarine technology, which was
superior to
the Allies'. It may have played a role in the decision to bomb Hiroshima
and the subsequent victory for the Allies, helped rocket the United
States to
the top of the space race, defined Cold War strategies, and was a
forerunner to the Central Intelligence Agency. Amazingly, the site's
historical
significance might have been lost forever had it not been for a
serendipitous
moment between a park ranger and a park visitor three years ago.
In late 2006, a ranger told a tour group about Fort Hunt's history as
part
of George Washington's farm, as a hospital and camp for World War I vets
marching on Washington to demand their war pensions, and as a Civilian
Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s, and one of the visitors offered,
"My
neighbor used to work here during World War II." The neighbor's name was
Fred
Michel, and he had since moved to Louisville, Kentucky. When park
personnel
phoned him, he revealed, "Yes, I worked at P.O. Box 1142 during World War
II, and I'd love to tell you everything about it," recalls Vincent
Santucci,
chief ranger at George Washington Memorial Parkway, the park unit that
oversees Fort Hunt. "We did some great stuff there," Michel told park
staff.
"But I signed a secrecy agreement."
P.O. Box 1142 documents were declassified in waves, starting in 1977 and
continuing through the 1990s. "But no one had told the vets that," says
Santucci. "They lived in isolation, not even telling the closest people in
their
lives." P.O. Box 1142 veteran Wayne Spivey, 89, a chief clerk who managed
the database of information gathered during Nazi interrogations, says, "I
didn't tell anybody because I didn't think anybody would believe me. When
people asked me what I did during the war, I told them I was stationed at
P.O. Box 1142," he says. "One fellow thought I worked for the post
office, and
I just let it go."
To assure veterans like Spivey and Michel that they could talk freely,
Santucci and other Park Service personnel had to go to great lengths. As
far as
these veterans knew, their work at P.O. Box 1142 remained classified,
their sworn oath to secrecy still a matter of national security. Then,
about
two years ago, Santucci appealed to the military intelligence community
for
help. The result: The chief of Army counterintelligence wrote letters to
each veteran, encouraging them to share their stories with the Park
Service,
telling them, "We need to preserve the important information and the
lessons
learned from the work that you did," says Santucci.
It wasn't a moment too soon. In fact, with so few World War II vets still
around, it's actually about 10 years too late, says Santucci. "This
information is going extinct like an endangered species," he says. (Fred
Michel
died as this article was being written.) "The things these veterans told
us
need to be in the history books," he adds. "We've now interviewed more
than
50 veterans, and we've found out about multiple top-secret programs." But
those who worked in one program didn't know about the other programs or
even
what others in their same program were working on. "It was very
compartmentalized," says Santucci. "That's the way intelligence works."
Further
confounding matters is how hard it is to track down living vets: Separated
by
their secrets, few stayed in touch.
But this much we know: P.O. Box 1142 housed two military intelligence
programs in addition to MIS-Y and Op-16-Z. The MIS-X (Military
Intelligence
Service-X) program helped American personnel overseas to evade capture
and
communicated with those held captive. This was the stuff of James Bond-or
Hogan's Heroes. The duty of an American POW was to escape or cause enough
chaos
in the prisoner camp to keep the German soldiers preoccupied and off the
frontlines. With the help of several manufacturing companies, personnel
at
1142 sent care packages to American POWs containing items like cribbage
boards and baseballs with radio receivers that could tune in to the BBC
for
coded messages. Decks of cards, pipes, and cigarette packs might contain
hidden escape maps, saws, compasses, or money to help POWs escape.
Another key program was MIRS-the Military Intelligence Research
Section-which studied documents to support tactical decisions but also
aided efforts
to extract information from POWs. This group armed American interrogators
with details that made them appear to know far more than they actually
did.
For example, after Army researchers spotted a newspaper photo of German
General Erwin Rommel surrounded by other generals at his daughter's
wedding,
they used it to corner a general who was eventually captured and
delivered
to 1142. "An interrogator would say, 'We already know most of the
information we need,'" says Santucci. "'And by the way, how was the
wedding? We know
you were standing next to general so and so, who was also captured and
gave
us plenty of information, so you might as well talk.'"
Personnel also interrogated prisoners and monitored them covertly. "They
even bugged the trees," says Santucci. "Although it's hard to believe
they
called them bugs-they were two-feet long." Often the agents eavesdropping
had little or no understanding of the details they were recording or the
significance of the information, which was then passed on to other
agents. Take
the V1 and V2 rockets, the weapons of mass destruction at the time. Set
on
a course toward England, the world's first long-range missiles flew until
their engines gave out and then simply fell wherever they were. At 1142,
monitor Werner Moritz recalled overhearing two German naval officers
talking
in their room: "Don't worry, once the work at Peenemunde prevails,
Germany
will be victorious." It took the Allies about a month to determine
Peenemunde's location, where the rockets were being made; soon after the
British
bombed the site.
In another instance, George Mandel, now 85, was assigned to a POW working
on purifying uranium, though at the time Mandel had no idea why. "In my
mind, I was just writing reports," he says. "Of course months later, when
Hiroshima happened, it all made sense."
At first, the prisoners were primarily U-boat captains and crew members
who had surrendered in the Atlantic. But as the war's end neared,
prominent
scientists surrendered or were recruited with the promise that if they
talked, they could pursue their studies in the United States. "The
Russians
captured more German scientists than the Americans," says Santucci. "But
we
captured the hall-of-famers to help in the Cold War." One such person,
believed
to have passed through 1142, was Wernher von Braun, the rocket scientist
who would eventually become a key part of NASA's efforts to put a man on
the
moon.
General Reinhard Gehlen, Hitler's top spy against the Russians, also
surrendered to the Americans and ended up at Fort Hunt. "He probably
should've
gone to Nuremberg and been prosecuted for war crimes," says Santucci.
"Instead he became chief of Russian counterintelligence during the Cold
War. That
could be another reason why the military wanted to erase the things that
happened at Fort Hunt years ago." Mandel says Nazi party membership was
overlooked in some cases because the U.S. military was already gathering
intelligence on its next immediate worry: containing the Russians. "We
didn't like
the idea that we were treating Nazis well," says Mandel. "Many of us were
Jewish-not necessarily religious-but we knew how the Germans had made
life
difficult for Jews in Germany. Still the feeling was that we should
extract
as much information as we could."
In fact, many men stationed at P.O. Box 1142 were refugees from
Germany-Jews who were young boys when their family fled from Hitler in the
late
1930s. Some of them, like Henry Kolm, 84, lost relatives to the Nazis.
These men
were selected for their loyalty and their basic science skills but also for
their proficiency in German and their cultural background, which could
prove useful during interrogations. For example, Kolm recalls a
conversation
he had with one of his "customers" while playing chess. In an age when
discussions of "enhanced interrogation techniques" have arisen regarding
the
Middle East conflict, POWs housed here were wooed with kindness and
camaraderie. If they coughed up information voluntarily, they might get
treated to a
dinner in town or a shopping trip into Washington, D.C. In this case,
Kolm's colonel reminisced about his favorite remote mountain lake in
Austria.
Coincidentally, it was the same vacation spot Kolm's father had taken the
young Kolm, so he knew exactly what it looked like-down to the two small
sleeping huts. The stunned colonel was convinced "ever afterwards that
American
intelligence had a dossier on every detail of his entire life," says
Kolm.
"Very useful for my interrogation."
Even as the war came to an end, the work continued. When Germany accepted
defeat and the U-234 submarine surrendered at sea, the entire crew was
transferred to 1142. Among the sub's cargo: an unassembled jet fighter and
a
load of uranium oxide. "Not the stuff you could make a bomb out of," says
Kolm. But it indicated the Germans were on the right track. Interrogators
found
out the submarine's destination had been Japan. "If that had gotten to
Japan, we would've been facing kamikaze pilots flying rocket planes,"
says
Kolm.
Mandel recalls interrogating a prisoner about faster planes and proximity
fuses that could blow things up simply by getting close to a target. "We
didn't have any of that," he says. "German fighter planes suddenly became
so
much faster we couldn't catch them. So I asked a German prisoner what was
happening and he told me their planes didn't use propellers anymore-they
had
jet engines." It was this sort of technological ingenuity that almost
allowed the Germans to win the war. But as we know, that didn't happen.
The
Allies defeated Hitler thanks to innovative interrogation techniques at
Fort
Hunt. But the site's crucial role in the war would have been lost forever
had
it not been for the persistence of park staff who, once they discovered
the secret, doggedly pushed for more, realizing their race against time.
"We're losing the last generation of World War II vets," says Santucci.
"We
need to find as many as we can and hang on to their stories. Thousands
and
thousands of books have been written on WWII, but what we've uncovered at
Fort
Hunt is changing what we knew about military intelligence history. It's a
shame it didn't occur 10 years ago when more veterans were around. But
we've got it now and we're never going to let it go."
SIDEBAR: TELLING THE REST OF THE STORY
Now that the secret's out, there's a big story to tell at Fort Hunt. The
Park Service's plan is to create a visitors center at Fort Hunt, perhaps
in
a 1903 building used during the World War II era-the noncommissioned
officers' quarters. If funding is found, park personnel plan to install
interpretive signs, old photographs, and maybe even some war
paraphernalia. Although
the men who served at P.O. Box 1142 were instructed not to take photos or
mementos, many veterans have a small stash that they have since shared
with
the Park Service.
The Park Service is also hoping to mirror the experience of those agents
eavesdropping on the German POWs, by allowing visitors to don headphones
and
listen in as if they were monitoring a conversation. Using actual
transcripts from 1142 recovered at the National Archives, they hope to
hire native
German speakers to record the original dialogue in the mother tongue, so
visitors can listen in and read the English translation in front of them.
For
now, visitors will find little more than a public park with a flag, a
plaque, and a few interpretive panels. But with any luck, the full story
will
be told here within a few years' time.
Heidi Ridgley lives a few miles from the site of P.O. Box 1142, and she
hopes to be one of the first people to walk through its visitors center.
Thoughts about this article? Comments you'd like to share with the
editors? Send an e-mail to npmag@npca.org, and we'll consider printing
your letter
in the next issue of National Parks magazine. Include your name, city,
and
state. Published letters may be edited for length and clarity.
knew exactly where it was nor what/when it was a Fort until now. Maybe
someday when I am in the area I will go visit it. You old-timers who served
will appreciate this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.O. Box 1142
An offhand comment from a park visitor unveiled the untold story of a
secret Virginia facility where clever interrogation techniques and good
old-fashioned eavesdropping helped secure victory in World War II. Now the
Park
Service is racing to unearth all the details before the last remaining
witnesses vanish.
By Heidi Ridgley
It's a steamy summer night in 1943 in Alexandria, Virginia, just outside
the nation's capital, and another Army bus with dark windows is rumbling
down the George Washington Memorial Parkway, headed for a nearly
forgotten
fort dating back to the Spanish-American War. The frequent arrivals at
Fort
Hunt no longer raise an eyebrow among locals, who assume the newly
constructed facilities, complete with barbed wire fences and guard
towers, simply
support a World War II officer's training school. But there's a lot more
to
the story.
More than 65 years later, the activities conducted at Fort Hunt are
emerging as one of the best-kept secrets of the last century: The men and
the few
women assigned here took oaths of secrecy to their graves. When the
government began bulldozing the 100 or so buildings in 1946, this quiet
spot
along the Potomac became a place for simple Sunday pleasures like picnics
and
softball.
Since 1933, the plot of land has been managed by the Park Service, but
during World War II, the War Department took it over to house a
top-secret
military intelligence center, referred to then as P.O. Box 1142. The site
included prisoner-of-war interrogation programs run by the Army and Navy
known
as MIS-Y (Military Intelligence Service-Y) and Op-16-Z (Operation-16-Z).
>From July 1942 to November 1946, the U.S. military shepherded more than
4,000 prisoners of war (POWs) through Fort Hunt, housing, interrogating,
and
surreptitiously listening to the highest-ranking enemy officers,
scientists, and submariners. Notable members of the Third Reich
questioned here
include rocket scientist Wernher von Braun, spymaster Reinhard Gehlen,
and Heinz
Schlicke, inventor of infrared detection.
The intelligence that American military personnel uncovered primarily
focused on the Germans' rocket and submarine technology, which was
superior to
the Allies'. It may have played a role in the decision to bomb Hiroshima
and the subsequent victory for the Allies, helped rocket the United
States to
the top of the space race, defined Cold War strategies, and was a
forerunner to the Central Intelligence Agency. Amazingly, the site's
historical
significance might have been lost forever had it not been for a
serendipitous
moment between a park ranger and a park visitor three years ago.
In late 2006, a ranger told a tour group about Fort Hunt's history as
part
of George Washington's farm, as a hospital and camp for World War I vets
marching on Washington to demand their war pensions, and as a Civilian
Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s, and one of the visitors offered,
"My
neighbor used to work here during World War II." The neighbor's name was
Fred
Michel, and he had since moved to Louisville, Kentucky. When park
personnel
phoned him, he revealed, "Yes, I worked at P.O. Box 1142 during World War
II, and I'd love to tell you everything about it," recalls Vincent
Santucci,
chief ranger at George Washington Memorial Parkway, the park unit that
oversees Fort Hunt. "We did some great stuff there," Michel told park
staff.
"But I signed a secrecy agreement."
P.O. Box 1142 documents were declassified in waves, starting in 1977 and
continuing through the 1990s. "But no one had told the vets that," says
Santucci. "They lived in isolation, not even telling the closest people in
their
lives." P.O. Box 1142 veteran Wayne Spivey, 89, a chief clerk who managed
the database of information gathered during Nazi interrogations, says, "I
didn't tell anybody because I didn't think anybody would believe me. When
people asked me what I did during the war, I told them I was stationed at
P.O. Box 1142," he says. "One fellow thought I worked for the post
office, and
I just let it go."
To assure veterans like Spivey and Michel that they could talk freely,
Santucci and other Park Service personnel had to go to great lengths. As
far as
these veterans knew, their work at P.O. Box 1142 remained classified,
their sworn oath to secrecy still a matter of national security. Then,
about
two years ago, Santucci appealed to the military intelligence community
for
help. The result: The chief of Army counterintelligence wrote letters to
each veteran, encouraging them to share their stories with the Park
Service,
telling them, "We need to preserve the important information and the
lessons
learned from the work that you did," says Santucci.
It wasn't a moment too soon. In fact, with so few World War II vets still
around, it's actually about 10 years too late, says Santucci. "This
information is going extinct like an endangered species," he says. (Fred
Michel
died as this article was being written.) "The things these veterans told
us
need to be in the history books," he adds. "We've now interviewed more
than
50 veterans, and we've found out about multiple top-secret programs." But
those who worked in one program didn't know about the other programs or
even
what others in their same program were working on. "It was very
compartmentalized," says Santucci. "That's the way intelligence works."
Further
confounding matters is how hard it is to track down living vets: Separated
by
their secrets, few stayed in touch.
But this much we know: P.O. Box 1142 housed two military intelligence
programs in addition to MIS-Y and Op-16-Z. The MIS-X (Military
Intelligence
Service-X) program helped American personnel overseas to evade capture
and
communicated with those held captive. This was the stuff of James Bond-or
Hogan's Heroes. The duty of an American POW was to escape or cause enough
chaos
in the prisoner camp to keep the German soldiers preoccupied and off the
frontlines. With the help of several manufacturing companies, personnel
at
1142 sent care packages to American POWs containing items like cribbage
boards and baseballs with radio receivers that could tune in to the BBC
for
coded messages. Decks of cards, pipes, and cigarette packs might contain
hidden escape maps, saws, compasses, or money to help POWs escape.
Another key program was MIRS-the Military Intelligence Research
Section-which studied documents to support tactical decisions but also
aided efforts
to extract information from POWs. This group armed American interrogators
with details that made them appear to know far more than they actually
did.
For example, after Army researchers spotted a newspaper photo of German
General Erwin Rommel surrounded by other generals at his daughter's
wedding,
they used it to corner a general who was eventually captured and
delivered
to 1142. "An interrogator would say, 'We already know most of the
information we need,'" says Santucci. "'And by the way, how was the
wedding? We know
you were standing next to general so and so, who was also captured and
gave
us plenty of information, so you might as well talk.'"
Personnel also interrogated prisoners and monitored them covertly. "They
even bugged the trees," says Santucci. "Although it's hard to believe
they
called them bugs-they were two-feet long." Often the agents eavesdropping
had little or no understanding of the details they were recording or the
significance of the information, which was then passed on to other
agents. Take
the V1 and V2 rockets, the weapons of mass destruction at the time. Set
on
a course toward England, the world's first long-range missiles flew until
their engines gave out and then simply fell wherever they were. At 1142,
monitor Werner Moritz recalled overhearing two German naval officers
talking
in their room: "Don't worry, once the work at Peenemunde prevails,
Germany
will be victorious." It took the Allies about a month to determine
Peenemunde's location, where the rockets were being made; soon after the
British
bombed the site.
In another instance, George Mandel, now 85, was assigned to a POW working
on purifying uranium, though at the time Mandel had no idea why. "In my
mind, I was just writing reports," he says. "Of course months later, when
Hiroshima happened, it all made sense."
At first, the prisoners were primarily U-boat captains and crew members
who had surrendered in the Atlantic. But as the war's end neared,
prominent
scientists surrendered or were recruited with the promise that if they
talked, they could pursue their studies in the United States. "The
Russians
captured more German scientists than the Americans," says Santucci. "But
we
captured the hall-of-famers to help in the Cold War." One such person,
believed
to have passed through 1142, was Wernher von Braun, the rocket scientist
who would eventually become a key part of NASA's efforts to put a man on
the
moon.
General Reinhard Gehlen, Hitler's top spy against the Russians, also
surrendered to the Americans and ended up at Fort Hunt. "He probably
should've
gone to Nuremberg and been prosecuted for war crimes," says Santucci.
"Instead he became chief of Russian counterintelligence during the Cold
War. That
could be another reason why the military wanted to erase the things that
happened at Fort Hunt years ago." Mandel says Nazi party membership was
overlooked in some cases because the U.S. military was already gathering
intelligence on its next immediate worry: containing the Russians. "We
didn't like
the idea that we were treating Nazis well," says Mandel. "Many of us were
Jewish-not necessarily religious-but we knew how the Germans had made
life
difficult for Jews in Germany. Still the feeling was that we should
extract
as much information as we could."
In fact, many men stationed at P.O. Box 1142 were refugees from
Germany-Jews who were young boys when their family fled from Hitler in the
late
1930s. Some of them, like Henry Kolm, 84, lost relatives to the Nazis.
These men
were selected for their loyalty and their basic science skills but also for
their proficiency in German and their cultural background, which could
prove useful during interrogations. For example, Kolm recalls a
conversation
he had with one of his "customers" while playing chess. In an age when
discussions of "enhanced interrogation techniques" have arisen regarding
the
Middle East conflict, POWs housed here were wooed with kindness and
camaraderie. If they coughed up information voluntarily, they might get
treated to a
dinner in town or a shopping trip into Washington, D.C. In this case,
Kolm's colonel reminisced about his favorite remote mountain lake in
Austria.
Coincidentally, it was the same vacation spot Kolm's father had taken the
young Kolm, so he knew exactly what it looked like-down to the two small
sleeping huts. The stunned colonel was convinced "ever afterwards that
American
intelligence had a dossier on every detail of his entire life," says
Kolm.
"Very useful for my interrogation."
Even as the war came to an end, the work continued. When Germany accepted
defeat and the U-234 submarine surrendered at sea, the entire crew was
transferred to 1142. Among the sub's cargo: an unassembled jet fighter and
a
load of uranium oxide. "Not the stuff you could make a bomb out of," says
Kolm. But it indicated the Germans were on the right track. Interrogators
found
out the submarine's destination had been Japan. "If that had gotten to
Japan, we would've been facing kamikaze pilots flying rocket planes,"
says
Kolm.
Mandel recalls interrogating a prisoner about faster planes and proximity
fuses that could blow things up simply by getting close to a target. "We
didn't have any of that," he says. "German fighter planes suddenly became
so
much faster we couldn't catch them. So I asked a German prisoner what was
happening and he told me their planes didn't use propellers anymore-they
had
jet engines." It was this sort of technological ingenuity that almost
allowed the Germans to win the war. But as we know, that didn't happen.
The
Allies defeated Hitler thanks to innovative interrogation techniques at
Fort
Hunt. But the site's crucial role in the war would have been lost forever
had
it not been for the persistence of park staff who, once they discovered
the secret, doggedly pushed for more, realizing their race against time.
"We're losing the last generation of World War II vets," says Santucci.
"We
need to find as many as we can and hang on to their stories. Thousands
and
thousands of books have been written on WWII, but what we've uncovered at
Fort
Hunt is changing what we knew about military intelligence history. It's a
shame it didn't occur 10 years ago when more veterans were around. But
we've got it now and we're never going to let it go."
SIDEBAR: TELLING THE REST OF THE STORY
Now that the secret's out, there's a big story to tell at Fort Hunt. The
Park Service's plan is to create a visitors center at Fort Hunt, perhaps
in
a 1903 building used during the World War II era-the noncommissioned
officers' quarters. If funding is found, park personnel plan to install
interpretive signs, old photographs, and maybe even some war
paraphernalia. Although
the men who served at P.O. Box 1142 were instructed not to take photos or
mementos, many veterans have a small stash that they have since shared
with
the Park Service.
The Park Service is also hoping to mirror the experience of those agents
eavesdropping on the German POWs, by allowing visitors to don headphones
and
listen in as if they were monitoring a conversation. Using actual
transcripts from 1142 recovered at the National Archives, they hope to
hire native
German speakers to record the original dialogue in the mother tongue, so
visitors can listen in and read the English translation in front of them.
For
now, visitors will find little more than a public park with a flag, a
plaque, and a few interpretive panels. But with any luck, the full story
will
be told here within a few years' time.
Heidi Ridgley lives a few miles from the site of P.O. Box 1142, and she
hopes to be one of the first people to walk through its visitors center.
Thoughts about this article? Comments you'd like to share with the
editors? Send an e-mail to npmag@npca.org, and we'll consider printing
your letter
in the next issue of National Parks magazine. Include your name, city,
and
state. Published letters may be edited for length and clarity.
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