A second New Jersey mayor and a state assemblyman who were both arrested in a federal corruption probe resigned Friday under pressure from voters and the state's governor.
Peter Cammarano, 32, was arrested last week and accused of taking $25,000 in bribes. While professing his innocence, the Democrat resigned less than a month after he was sworn in as mayor of Hoboken, an industrial city across the Hudson River from New York.
New Jersey state Assemblyman Daniel Van Pelt, a Republican, followed Cammarano out the door, according to Republican Assembly Leader Alex DeCroce, who in a statement said Van Pelt's resignation was "the correct move."
Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell quit Tuesday, while a third accused mayor, Anthony Suarez, remains in office in Ridgefield. Both Democrats are accused of accepting $10,000 in bribes.
They were among more than 40 people arrested in a federal probe that uncovered alleged political corruption, human organ sales and money laundering from New York to Israel.
"Regrettably, it has turned out that the controversy surrounding the charges against me has become a distraction to me and an impediment to the functioning of Hoboken government," Cammarano said in his resignation letter.
"I am innocent of any criminal charges and I intend to fight the allegations against me."
Spokesmen for Van Pelt and Democratic Governor Jon Corzine, whose bid for a second term in November has been complicated by the probe that netted a number of his allies, were not immediately available to comment.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2009 00:00 ||
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I wonder if they have any openings for corrupt NJ politicans? I'll move.
Posted by: Richard of Oregon ||
08/01/2009 4:47 Comments ||
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#2
No probs, Richard, and if you miss the current opening don't worry, there will be more.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/01/2009 10:16 Comments ||
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#3
Yeah the next guy, Chris Christie (like anyone could be sane with parents that would name him like that) is the same guy but this time in a RINO hat.
#4
Ten thousand dollar bribes? It's amazing how cheap these whores are. If I was gonna risk my career, my reputation and my freedom I'd want a whole lot more than ten grand.
Posted by: Abu Uluque ||
08/01/2009 11:54 Comments ||
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#5
I'd want a whole lot more than ten grand.
I'd bet they make it up in volume. These numbers are what is known - probably just the tip of the iceberg.
He loves the nightlife
He loves to boogie
What's Gov. Paterson got to celebrate? He's got a job. In New York.
Just hours before delivering news of soaring budget deficits and lagging revenues from the recent millionaire's tax, the party-hearty Paterson was spotted hobnobbing at a Chelsea hot spot with "new BFF" Russell Simmons and others from the hip-hop set. And no gunplay? Color me impressed.
The night-owl chief executive reportedly lingered for hours at the West 21st Street nightclub Taj, which was the site of several overlapping cocktail parties, including an invitation-only birthday bash for BET executive Rhonda Cowan, a longtime Paterson friend.
Stagnant poll numbers, lackluster campaign fund-raising and the threat of a challenge within his own party didn't keep the Democratic governor from enjoying himself at the midweek fiesta. Why not? What's he got to lose?
"God's Favorite MC," Frank Jugga, contributed "mike flava," and music promoter Dontay Thompson leaped on a table. Hot 97 deejay Funkmaster Flex was there, too. Am I supposed to be impressed? Cuz...I'm not.
Just hours later, Paterson called on the Legislature to address a yawning budget gap that has swelled to $2.1 billion in just three months. Wanna hold the applause? My head's killing me.
The governor blamed his latest bleak forecast, which pushes the state's budget gap to $38.2 billion over the next four years, on plunging tax collections and job losses. Don't blame me. I'm only here because the other guy was addicted to hookers.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2009 00:00 ||
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"he loves the nightlife, he loves to boogie..." > D *** NG IT, thats what I was thinking, or rather more accurately humming.
A rebellion is brewing in home congressional districts of incumbent Democrats evidenced by the reaction at several town hall meetings.
Members are being forced to suspend meetings with their constituents, screaming protesters are being dragged out of events by police and officials are being greeted by protest signs and chants.
Carl Levin Retreats from Pledge of Allegiance
Rep Doggett meeting on Obamacare in south Austin, TX, 1 Aug 2009 gets him an escort from a crowd shouting "Just say NO."
And if you don't already know about it, the Tea Party Movement goes to Capitol Hill
The money shot: "As the Speaker's opposition to the health insurance companies being in charge of American's health care shows, there is no link between political contributions and positions on policy," said her spokesman Brendan Daly. ht: Drudge
Five years after he put his money behind the Swift Boat ads that helped tank John Kerrys presidential campaign, Senate Democrats gave T. Boone Pickens a warm welcome at their weekly policy lunch Thursday.
Or at least most of them did.
Kerry skipped the regularly scheduled lunch; his staff said the Massachusetts Democrat was unable to attend because he had a long scheduled lunch with his interns and pages.
Sen. Al Franken managed to make time for the lunch but then let Pickens have it afterward.
According to a source, the wealthy oil and gas magnate and author of The First Billion Is the Hardest stepped up to introduce himself to Franken in a room just off the Senate Floor after the lunch ended
Franken, who was seated talking to someone else, did not stand when Pickens said hello. Instead, Franken began to berate him about the billionaires financing of the Swift Boat ads in 2004.
According to a source, the confrontation grew heated.
Said Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh: It was a lively conversation.
Pickens was on the Hill to address the Senate Democratic Policy Committee lunch about his plans to use wind energy to lower the nations dependence on oil and gas. But the thought of Pickens being invited to a Democratic event angered some on the Hill and in the liberal blogs.
Pickens camp appears unmoved by the drama. If they have a problem, thats their problem, said Pickens spokesman Jay Rosser.
Boone has clearly moved on and is focused on a mission to solve the foreign oil dependency problem that he believes is a national security and economic crisis that America has to confront. Boones grateful for the impressive turnout of Democrats at the Democrat Policy Committee yesterday and for the interest they have shown in helping address this problem.
#8
Al, you ignorant slut, it's 2009. Wake the fuck up, you dunce.
And Pickens probably forgot wht you were talking about five minutes after the conversation.
#9
I heard a Dem spokeshole yeaterday on the radio saying they were gonna all go home over recess and talk truth about this crap sammich health care overhaul.
"We won't let the Republican 'swiftboat' this fine program". F*cking losers....
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/01/2009 15:12 Comments ||
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Laura Bush and Jackie Kennedy had one assistant. Hillary had three. Michelle has twenty two. Check out the list of positions, and salaries at the link.
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/01/2009 09:18 ||
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#1
What? ....no Deputy Director of Culinary Affairs Beluga Cavair and Lobster tasting, or is that someone's untitled additonal duty? Also not listed was the sedan chair crew and platoon of royal Mino impis. Updates to follow I'm certain.
#3
It never ceases to amaze me how once many politicians get elected to public office how delusions of grandeur, royalty, and elitism become commonplace.
#7
It's the Chicago way. It's also the model why the stimulus money will never really help the people or the economy unless you're part of the patronage system.
The House rushed Friday to pump $2 billion into a popular cash-for-clunkers program running near empty, with a leading Democrat saying "consumers have spoken with their wallets."
Debate began at midday on the bill to refuel the car-purchase program and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer predicted a vote within hours. He said the additional money would come from funds Congress approved earlier in the year as part of a $787 billion economic stimulus bill, he said.
Hoyer, D-Md., said that at the request of House Republicans--whose approval was required for swift passage--the bill would include provisions for government auditors to make sure the money was being spent as intended.
Republicans argued that Democrats were trying to jam the legislation through. House Minority Leader John Boehner said it was unclear how many Republicans would support on the plan. "There are a lot of questions about how the administration administered this program. If they can't handle something as simple as this, how would we handle health care?"
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2009 00:00 ||
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I'll keep my clunkers and they can shove the $4000. up thier bloody 4th point of contact.
#5
I have an old saab (1991 classic) (3rd car) I would love to use with this but... it get's too good gas mileage to qualify. One would think needing a tetanus shot to work on it would be qualification enough.
#6
This is yet another case of rewarding bad behavior. If I bought a fuel efficient machine 10 years ago, I get nada. If I bought a gas guzzler, $9,000 gift from the government and its wholly owned automobile subsidiary.
#8
If I bought a fuel efficient machine 10 years ago, I get nada.
If you bought a fuel-effient machine ten years ago, Cromoter the Imposter3239, you probably saved enough over the past two years in the cost of refueling to buy a new vehicle for cash... and have the smug feeling to show for it. Which puts you ahead of those now eagerly taking on a new car payment.
#9
But, the fair thing would be to give you the discount first TW - even if you bought it with cash. Otherwise, bad behavior is just rewarded?
Sort of like bailing out the folks with Million dollar interest only home loans... instead of the folks a few dollars shy on that fixed rate cheap home...
Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd, a leading force for U.S. healthcare reform, said on Friday he has prostate cancer but still plans to run for re-election next year.
"I'll be a little leaner and a little meaner but I'm running," Dodd, 65, told a televised news conference in his home state of Connecticut.
Dodd said he planned to undergo surgery during the August Senate recess, but that he was confident the cancer had been caught at an early stage and that he would recover fully.
Early stage prostate cancer typically is easily treated and cured, according to medical experts. Dodd had the choice of surgery, radiation or a type of radiation therapy that uses radioactive seeds planted near the prostate.
He should have the last option, and done at the Philly VA hospital ...
His choice of surgery will require what he called a brief period of recuperation.
"He is expected to return to full activity within a few weeks of the surgery," Howard Scher, head of the genitourinary service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, said in a statement.
Dodd, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for president in 2008, chairs the powerful Senate Banking Committee. Recently he has taken charge of the healthcare debate in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, filling in for Senator Edward Kennedy, who has was diagnosed with brain cancer last year.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2009 00:00 ||
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#1
These curses are working faster than made. Must be the end.
#3
Prostrate cancer takes too long.
He should take the 3rd option but radiation is kind of icky.. how about implanting some a pair of hedge apples seeds pod and all?
#4
He is going for the "gold standard" and not screwing around. Under his plan you would get #2 or #3 or told to wait and die slowly. Worthless bastard he is.
#7
as a demonstration, he should receive only ObamaCare levels of service and care. He'll be dead before his next appointment. He'll get the very best of healthcare unlike us proles
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/01/2009 9:29 Comments ||
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#8
Make him go to a general practitioner to get permission to thee the oncologist - in a month or 2. Then let him schedule the surgery a few months after that, if they flip the coin and allow it. Then let him wait things out with the cheapest meds and least skilled surgeons the government can find.
#10
Good thing he's not in Britain: "Former British diplomat Christopher Denne had prostate cancer symptoms and went to his NHS entry-level doctor. It then took six weeks to see an urologist who did not obtain a biopsy for 10 more months. The biopsy was positive for prostate cancer, but Denne had to wait another three months for another test to determine if the cancer had spread. Unfortunately it had, but after more than 14 months, the time for early treatment options had passed".
#13
Maybe, just maybe, Bambi can make this a "teaching moment" ... but only if Dodd receives the same level of care he is pushing for the average citizen.
#16
It is rather convenient, isn't it: he now has an excuse to back away from an election next year that all the polls say he's going to lose. Gives the Dhimmicrats time to line up another lobbyist-smooching crook to step in.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/01/2009 17:27 Comments ||
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#17
That was exactly my thought yesterday on Twitter, Steve. A convenient out from what will likely be his most unpleasant campaign ever.
After seven weeks of trying, investigators looking into President Barack Obama's abrupt firing of AmeriCorps Inspector General Gerald Walpin are still unable to answer the most basic question of the whole affair: Why did the president do it?
They know the reasons the White House has given: That the 77-year-old Walpin was addled and not up to the job, that he had too many conflicts with the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, that his office had once distributed a parody newsletter that contained an allegedly sexist remark.
They know all that. But they also know that AmeriCorps is one of Obama's favorite federal programs. They know that AmeriCorps gave an $800,000-plus grant to Kevin Johnson, the mayor of Sacramento, Calif., who just happens to be an influential friend and supporter of the president. They know that Walpin investigated Johnson's misuse of that federal money. They know that as a result of Walpin's probe, Johnson was suspended from receiving any new federal grants, a fact that caused controversy in Sacramento when leaders realized it could prevent the city from receiving millions in federal stimulus money. They know that, amid the local uproar over the Johnson affair, the acting U.S. attorney in Sacramento, Lawrence Brown, made a deal to let Johnson off the hook, and then took the unusual step of denouncing Walpin. They know that Walpin vigorously objected to Johnson's getting off easy. And they know that after Walpin protested, the president fired him.
Common sense suggests that's a suspicious series of events. During the time his case was under review, did Johnson, or anyone acting on his behalf, ever get in touch with the White House? Did the White House get in touch with him? And did Johnson's relationship with Obama, plus the Sacramento political establishment's desire to get the stimulus cash, play any role in Brown's actions?
Those are the key underlying questions in the AmeriCorps affair, but investigators have been stymied by the White House's refusal to answer any inquiries about any communications or other dealings it might have had on the subject. Brown has also refused to answer questions.
Now, investigators are trying a new route, examining the role of the Justice Department. Sen. Jeff Sessions, ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, has asked the committee chairman, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy, for a hearing on the AmeriCorps/Walpin affair, focusing specifically on the role of Brown and his bosses at Justice.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2009 00:00 ||
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but investigators have been stymied by the White House's refusal to answer any inquiries
Inquiries such as these tend to create transparency and 'teaching moments' the administration does not need. More investigation please.
#2
Gee, you think that Larry Brown, acting US Attorney, might be unwilling to piss off the President by investigating a close friend while awaiting nomination?
The Justice Department's decision to drop an already-won voter-intimidation case against members of the New Black Panther Party merits multiple, independent investigations.
On Tuesday, Rep. Frank R. Wolf, Virginia Republican, officially asked Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to refile the case. Mr. Holder should comply.
So far, the Justice Department has stonewalled legitimate inquiry. It has yet to provide records sought by this newspaper back in May. It has yet to answer a July 22 letter from Mr. Wolf that asks 35 questions on 17 different subjects relating to the Black Panther case. Justice has claimed, falsely, that the decision to drop the case was made by career attorneys only, not by political appointees. And it has declined to let congressmen interview the career attorneys who originally filed, and won, the case against the Black Panthers.
As first reported by The Washington Times, career attorneys at Justice already had won a default judgment against three Black Panthers and the party as a whole for intimidating voters at a Philadelphia polling place while wearing paramilitary-style garb, as one of them brandished a nightstick and made racial threats.
One of the Black Panthers, Jerry Jackson, was an official poll watcher for the Democratic Party and the Obama campaign. Justice Department spokesman Tracy Schmaler refused several times to say whether department lawyers consulted with any outsiders. Yet Kristen Clarke of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund confirmed that she talked about the case with Justice Department lawyers.
Ms. Schmaler said she would not talk about "internal deliberations." But if they consulted with outside groups, those deliberations by definition are not just internal.
Robert N. Driscoll, former chief of staff of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, told us it would be ethically dubious if political appointees consulted with outside interest groups without telling the career attorneys who filed the case. "I would be hammered if I were to have had such a meeting," he said. Too bad you worked for the wrong guy.
Posted by: Fred ||
08/01/2009 00:00 ||
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Holder is FUBAR.
Want me to voice complaint, Washington DC is enemy domestic.
Thats my complaint.
It was meant to be a show case for healthy living, with the first lady, Michelle Obama, personally putting hand to pitch fork in a crowd of school children to dig up the first White House vegetable garden in more than 50 years.
Instead, an embarrassed White House admitted today that the plot - whose lettuce, herbs and other produce have been consumed by the first family, visiting dignitaries, local school children and a women's homeless shelter - had tested positive for elevated levels of lead. "we replaced the croutons on the arugula salad with paint chips. It gives it color"
A spokeswoman for the White House said the soil in the garden had lead concentrations of 93 parts per million of lead. Health experts say it is safe to raise leafy vegetables in soil with concentrations of 10-50 parts per million, and urban gardens typically have raised lead levels. However, it is advised for young children to be tested for exposure to lead if they play in areas where lead concentrations exceed 100 parts per million. The Environmental Protection Agency puts the threshold for dangerous lead levels at 300 parts per million. just think if W was still there. "Bush poisons children!" The best part is the Clinton's are to blame for using sludge to fertilize the lawn and grounds. True story
But even though lead levels in the first garden are far below that danger zone, the disclosure is awkward for a White House which has made prominent use of the vegetable garden to define Michelle Obama's role as First Lady,and to encourage sensible eating habits in children. "awkward" heh
Children are especially vulnerable to exposure to lead, which can cause neurological and kidney damage, and stunt their growth.
The vegetable garden was an important symbolic break with the George Bush presidency, and it became a cause for environmentalists and the organic food movement in America who had urged the Obamas to use the White House to set an example of healthy eating.
Michelle Obama invited dozens of 10- and 11-year olds from a state elementary school in a transitional neighbourhood of Washington to the White House last March to help her dig up a 1,100 square foot plot of land near her daughters' swing set. Photographers were let in to take pictures of her kneeling in the dirt and wielding garden tools.
As the weeks went on, and the White House garden grew, it became central to Michelle Obama's efforts to rebrand herself, and banish any residual damage from the rightwing attacks of the election campaign when she was cast as the stereotypical angry black woman. The White House featured blog posts on the garden's progress. rightwing attacks - Al Guardian strikes again!
The school children were invited back to tend the plot and just two weeks ago to bring in the first harvest: 73 lbs of lettuce, 12 lbs of snap peas and one cucumber. Obama and the children then trooped into the White House kitchen to wash lettuce and shell and cook the peas for lunch, which they ate outside on red and white checked tablecloths.
Sam Kass, who followed the Obamas from Chicago as their personal chef, gave a short speech praising the gardeners for getting their yeild without resort to fertiliser or herbicides, and for using green compost.
The White House said the garden would go on. "The garden recently underwent extensive soil testing that proved it is completely safe," Katie McCormick Lelyveld, the first lady's spokeswoman, said. A lead level of 92 parts per million is significantly better than the government standard for a garden like this. The White House kitchen garden team is committed to producing fresh, safe and healthy food as a learning opportunities (sic) about health eating, and they'll continue to do so," Lelyveld said.
The White House would not say whether the Obamas or the children who had helped tend the garden would be tested for lead exposure. awkward, huh?
Posted by: Frank G ||
08/01/2009 10:33 ||
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Maybe that explains some of the brilliant decisions coming from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue lately.
#2
The vegetable garden was an important symbolic break with the George Bush presidency, and it became a cause for environmentalists and the organic food movement in America who had urged the Obamas to use the White House to set an example of healthy eating.
And it looks like it turned out just the way anybody else with half a brain thought it would...
#1
Yet another hat tip to Sergeant Crowley. Thank God for the men and women like him who protect us from evil. Hopefully Barry learned something from this most forgiving and Christian act of simple kindness. I remain doubtful however.
#5
I have to say, if it were me I would not have had a beer with Obama and Gates. I would have politely declined, and I suppose the press would have hammered me for that.
But Sgt. Crowley did go, and (by instinct) reached out to help an older, unsteady man negotiate the steps. He's a better man than I am.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/01/2009 10:21 Comments ||
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#6
I wouldn't have went and I wouldn't have been polite either. Then I would have used the media attention to make a couple of points.
#9
You guys are looking at it all wrong. It proves Crowley is a racist. I mean, he thinks a crippled guy can't make it down the steps without assistance 'cause he's black!
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
A second New Jersey mayor and a state assemblyman who were both arrested in a federal corruption probe resigned Friday under pressure from voters and the state's governor.
Five years after he put his money behind the Swift Boat ads that helped tank John Kerrys presidential campaign, Senate Democrats gave T. Boone Pickens a warm welcome at their weekly policy lunch Thursday. 
