You lived your life on your own terms and went out young.
But don't you have a little regret about crashing so soon?
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Infrickencredible
Found over at absolutedesmoines:
"To me, the east side is just beginning to take off along the bypass.
I assume then you mean the inner east-side areas? Well, as far as that area goes, I dunno. It's just gonna have to come with time and the older 'blue-collar' generation dying out, as it is right now.
The more new blood that gets hold of the land, the better the situation will become. New development around the fairgrounds and the future SE connector. Although I will add that many would also welcome change and growth in that area.
Filling in the empty areas with infill growth, extending proper infastructure, and completing the SE connector would lay the groundwork for good progress and growth."
Back to top
dsmLA
Club Gray's Lake
Joined: 22 Jun 2006
Posts: 285
Location: Merle Hay Neighborhood
Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:
HFS! This know it all is advocating the demise of a previous generation in order to foster...what exactly? I guess that would be "infill growth" and "proper infastructure".
Who defines what is proper?
Oh, the motive of these punks become evident with the next post
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I see the East side of Des Moines as the diversity/cultural area of the metro and I think it should be promoted that way. Many recent immigrants from all over the world live on the East side since it is the most affordable housing option in the metro. There is a strong Latino and Oriental areas along with Bosnian and many other unique backgrounds and customs. You can really see some of the cultural influences on Grand avenue east of E 15th Street.
BTW, let’s not go there on the illegal immigration issue with this post please."
Oh absolutely. Lets not address the issue of illegal aliens.
But please feel free to salivate at the prospect of those blue collar workers dying out.
Welcome to the jungle of reverse discrimination.
"To me, the east side is just beginning to take off along the bypass.
I assume then you mean the inner east-side areas? Well, as far as that area goes, I dunno. It's just gonna have to come with time and the older 'blue-collar' generation dying out, as it is right now.
The more new blood that gets hold of the land, the better the situation will become. New development around the fairgrounds and the future SE connector. Although I will add that many would also welcome change and growth in that area.
Filling in the empty areas with infill growth, extending proper infastructure, and completing the SE connector would lay the groundwork for good progress and growth."
Back to top
dsmLA
Club Gray's Lake
Joined: 22 Jun 2006
Posts: 285
Location: Merle Hay Neighborhood
Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 10:36 am Post subject:
HFS! This know it all is advocating the demise of a previous generation in order to foster...what exactly? I guess that would be "infill growth" and "proper infastructure".
Who defines what is proper?
Oh, the motive of these punks become evident with the next post
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I see the East side of Des Moines as the diversity/cultural area of the metro and I think it should be promoted that way. Many recent immigrants from all over the world live on the East side since it is the most affordable housing option in the metro. There is a strong Latino and Oriental areas along with Bosnian and many other unique backgrounds and customs. You can really see some of the cultural influences on Grand avenue east of E 15th Street.
BTW, let’s not go there on the illegal immigration issue with this post please."
Oh absolutely. Lets not address the issue of illegal aliens.
But please feel free to salivate at the prospect of those blue collar workers dying out.
Welcome to the jungle of reverse discrimination.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Wolf Is Lucky To Still Have His Head
Even though his brains are obviously in his ass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaiwtbsyGuw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaiwtbsyGuw
Rag Head Tolerance II
Article:
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,druck-462149,00.html
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,druck-462149,00.html
Rag Head Tolerance
"Today everything has changed, except the resolve not to hurt the feelings of Muslims. The issue today no longer revolves around a group of Berlin pupils with an "immigration background," but around 1.3 billion Muslims worldwide -- many of whom are thin-skinned and unpredictable. At issue is freedom of opinion, one of the central tenets of the Enlightenment and democracy. And whether respect, consideration and tolerance are the right approach to dealing with cultures that, for their part, behave without respect, consideration or tolerance when it comes to anything they view as decadent, provocative and unworthy -- from women in short skirts to cartoons they deem provocative without even having seen them."
Hurt their damn feelings. Heh. So does that make them less suited for target practice?
Freedom of opinion; Oh so thats what the Paris riots were all about!
Allah Akbar= another .44 mag to the head.
Hurt their damn feelings. Heh. So does that make them less suited for target practice?
Freedom of opinion; Oh so thats what the Paris riots were all about!
Allah Akbar= another .44 mag to the head.
Minimum Wage
It' too late for us here in Iowa, but there may be hope for the rest of the nation:
"On a vote of 54-43, Democrats fell six short of the 60 needed to end debate and go to passage of the House-passed measure, which would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour from $5.15 per hour over two years."
But of course, some still can't see the big picture:
"But Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts led the charge against attaching tax breaks to the bill, saying in the past decade the U.S. Congress has provided billions of dollars in tax relief to corporations and the wealthiest Americans."
CORPORATIONS DO NOT PAY TAXES.
Dammit, how can this slime ball continue to be elected by the Massachusetts voters?
Just proves that the closer you get to an ocean, the dumber you become.
Why is that?
Article:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2007-01-24T172554Z_01_WBT006480_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-CONGRESS-WAGES-VOTE.xml&WTmodLoc=%22Home-R2-newsOne-3
"On a vote of 54-43, Democrats fell six short of the 60 needed to end debate and go to passage of the House-passed measure, which would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour from $5.15 per hour over two years."
But of course, some still can't see the big picture:
"But Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts led the charge against attaching tax breaks to the bill, saying in the past decade the U.S. Congress has provided billions of dollars in tax relief to corporations and the wealthiest Americans."
CORPORATIONS DO NOT PAY TAXES.
Dammit, how can this slime ball continue to be elected by the Massachusetts voters?
Just proves that the closer you get to an ocean, the dumber you become.
Why is that?
Article:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=newsOne&storyID=2007-01-24T172554Z_01_WBT006480_RTRUKOC_0_US-USA-CONGRESS-WAGES-VOTE.xml&WTmodLoc=%22Home-R2-newsOne-3
Send 'em All Back
Ooohhh? Those poor wetbacks!
The father of a friend used to work on the line at a packing plant back in the early '80's. Made damn good money too. right around $12 an hour with full health benefits and 2 weeks of paid vacation per year. Or if he chose to, he could skip the paid vacation and earn double time wages for his work.
$12 per hour back then is more like $30 per hour today.
All of this for doing work "that Americans won't do".
Round 'em all up confiscate all of their asets in the US, then send them all back.
And don't forget to heavily fine any employer found to be using illegal aliens.
Article at:
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/536225.html
The father of a friend used to work on the line at a packing plant back in the early '80's. Made damn good money too. right around $12 an hour with full health benefits and 2 weeks of paid vacation per year. Or if he chose to, he could skip the paid vacation and earn double time wages for his work.
$12 per hour back then is more like $30 per hour today.
All of this for doing work "that Americans won't do".
Round 'em all up confiscate all of their asets in the US, then send them all back.
And don't forget to heavily fine any employer found to be using illegal aliens.
Article at:
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/536225.html
No More Paddy Cakes
It's about damned time:
"The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program, according to government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the effort."
We should be at full out war with the iranian government. WTF have we been doing for the past 4 years? They pose a threat to us and our allies.
Thermobaric diplomacy is warrented. Those fucks should have been taken out 28 years ago.
The whole article here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/25/AR2007012502199.html
"The Bush administration has authorized the U.S. military to kill or capture Iranian operatives inside Iraq as part of an aggressive new strategy to weaken Tehran's influence across the Middle East and compel it to give up its nuclear program, according to government and counterterrorism officials with direct knowledge of the effort."
We should be at full out war with the iranian government. WTF have we been doing for the past 4 years? They pose a threat to us and our allies.
Thermobaric diplomacy is warrented. Those fucks should have been taken out 28 years ago.
The whole article here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/25/AR2007012502199.html
Thursday, January 25, 2007
A Blast From the Past
November 9, 2001
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Paul Sperry
© 2001 WorldNetDaily.com
WASHINGTON – A leading airport-security firm under fire for hiring foreigners was pressured by the federal government two-and-a-half years ago to rehire Arab non-citizens.
Argenbright Security Inc., which provides security at both Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports, agreed in early 1999 to rehire seven Muslim women after they filed a religion-bias complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The Justice Department, in the wake of the Sept. 11 hijackings, is investigating the same company for failing to properly screen its guards.
Argenbright operates the screening posts under contract with United Airlines at Dulles and Newark International Airport in New Jersey, where Islamic terrorists hijacked two of the four jumbo jets.
Airport security experts say the EEOC settlement – which also mandates Muslim-sensitivity training for all Argenbright employees – goes a long way toward explaining why 87 percent of the checkpoint screeners at Dulles are not U.S. citizens. All seven Muslim complainants worked as Dulles screeners at the time.
"If I were Argenbright and being investigated, I'd tell them, 'You want to sue us? Go talk to the damn EEOC. They're the ones who forced these people on us,'" said Steve Elson, a former Federal Aviation Administration airport-security inspector.
Atlanta-based Argenbright, owned by London-based Securicor PLC, declined comment. Argenbright runs passenger and luggage checkpoints at most of the nation's major airports.
Four of the seven Muslim workers are from Sudan, a country on the State Department's terrorist blacklist. One is from Egypt, and another is from Afghanistan.
The Muslims contended they were fired by Argenbright for refusing to take off their head scarves while screening passengers. They said covering their heads is required by the Koran.
Apparently, United had received complaints from passengers nervous about Middle Easterners still running security after the year-earlier U.S. embassy bombings in Africa.
The EEOC complaint was drafted by a lawyer for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based interest group that has spoken out in support of terrorist groups and has called for a halt to U.S. bombing in Afghanistan.
In 1998, after Osama bin Laden was fingered for blowing up the U.S. embassies, CAIR demanded that a Los Angeles billboard with bin Laden's picture and the caption, "Enemy No. 1," be removed.
On Sept. 17, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad stood next to President Bush at the Islamic Center of Washington, where Bush pleaded for Americans to "respect" Muslims and Islam's teachings of "peace." Awad also was seated near the first lady at Bush's Sept. 20 speech to Congress.
Rep. David E. Bonior, D-Mich., joined CAIR, which publishes booklets called "An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," in denouncing the firing of the seven Arab non-citizen screeners.
"This incident raises a larger issue: that of widespread and systematic discrimination against Muslims and Arab-Americans in airports all across the country," said Bonior in a March 1999 House floor speech.
Bonior, whose Detroit-area district has a large Muslim population, has lobbied FAA administrator Jane Garvey, a Clinton appointee, to end profiling of Muslims and Arabs at U.S. airports.
"I'm angry. This is my religion," said Iklas Musa, one of the EEOC complainants at the time of the March 1999 filing.
In April, Argenbright agreed to give the women back pay and $2,500 in compensation, as well as a written apology. In addition, the company implemented a Muslim-sensitivity program at all its U.S. locations.
Some of the Muslim women, like Rueaia F. Mohammed, didn't think the settlement went far enough and wanted to make Argenbright apologize on TV.
Ex-FAA inspector Elson says airport-security contractors can't win. On one hand, the government slams them for hiring foreigners. But if they don't hire them, or fire them, the government nails them for discrimination.
"The only standard government enforces is making every minority happy and comfortable and not offending anybody," Elson told WorldNetDaily.
"But the Constitution doesn't say you can't offend anybody, and it doesn't say we can't discriminate against people if they're a threat to our security," he added. "When it comes to our survival, I really don't give a damn about Muslim sensitivities."
Ya think we're still at war over five years later?
Anytime you hear "allah akbar" just turn around and pull the trigger. Be sure to aim low so as to hit their "brains".
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Paul Sperry
© 2001 WorldNetDaily.com
WASHINGTON – A leading airport-security firm under fire for hiring foreigners was pressured by the federal government two-and-a-half years ago to rehire Arab non-citizens.
Argenbright Security Inc., which provides security at both Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports, agreed in early 1999 to rehire seven Muslim women after they filed a religion-bias complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The Justice Department, in the wake of the Sept. 11 hijackings, is investigating the same company for failing to properly screen its guards.
Argenbright operates the screening posts under contract with United Airlines at Dulles and Newark International Airport in New Jersey, where Islamic terrorists hijacked two of the four jumbo jets.
Airport security experts say the EEOC settlement – which also mandates Muslim-sensitivity training for all Argenbright employees – goes a long way toward explaining why 87 percent of the checkpoint screeners at Dulles are not U.S. citizens. All seven Muslim complainants worked as Dulles screeners at the time.
"If I were Argenbright and being investigated, I'd tell them, 'You want to sue us? Go talk to the damn EEOC. They're the ones who forced these people on us,'" said Steve Elson, a former Federal Aviation Administration airport-security inspector.
Atlanta-based Argenbright, owned by London-based Securicor PLC, declined comment. Argenbright runs passenger and luggage checkpoints at most of the nation's major airports.
Four of the seven Muslim workers are from Sudan, a country on the State Department's terrorist blacklist. One is from Egypt, and another is from Afghanistan.
The Muslims contended they were fired by Argenbright for refusing to take off their head scarves while screening passengers. They said covering their heads is required by the Koran.
Apparently, United had received complaints from passengers nervous about Middle Easterners still running security after the year-earlier U.S. embassy bombings in Africa.
The EEOC complaint was drafted by a lawyer for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based interest group that has spoken out in support of terrorist groups and has called for a halt to U.S. bombing in Afghanistan.
In 1998, after Osama bin Laden was fingered for blowing up the U.S. embassies, CAIR demanded that a Los Angeles billboard with bin Laden's picture and the caption, "Enemy No. 1," be removed.
On Sept. 17, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad stood next to President Bush at the Islamic Center of Washington, where Bush pleaded for Americans to "respect" Muslims and Islam's teachings of "peace." Awad also was seated near the first lady at Bush's Sept. 20 speech to Congress.
Rep. David E. Bonior, D-Mich., joined CAIR, which publishes booklets called "An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," in denouncing the firing of the seven Arab non-citizen screeners.
"This incident raises a larger issue: that of widespread and systematic discrimination against Muslims and Arab-Americans in airports all across the country," said Bonior in a March 1999 House floor speech.
Bonior, whose Detroit-area district has a large Muslim population, has lobbied FAA administrator Jane Garvey, a Clinton appointee, to end profiling of Muslims and Arabs at U.S. airports.
"I'm angry. This is my religion," said Iklas Musa, one of the EEOC complainants at the time of the March 1999 filing.
In April, Argenbright agreed to give the women back pay and $2,500 in compensation, as well as a written apology. In addition, the company implemented a Muslim-sensitivity program at all its U.S. locations.
Some of the Muslim women, like Rueaia F. Mohammed, didn't think the settlement went far enough and wanted to make Argenbright apologize on TV.
Ex-FAA inspector Elson says airport-security contractors can't win. On one hand, the government slams them for hiring foreigners. But if they don't hire them, or fire them, the government nails them for discrimination.
"The only standard government enforces is making every minority happy and comfortable and not offending anybody," Elson told WorldNetDaily.
"But the Constitution doesn't say you can't offend anybody, and it doesn't say we can't discriminate against people if they're a threat to our security," he added. "When it comes to our survival, I really don't give a damn about Muslim sensitivities."
Ya think we're still at war over five years later?
Anytime you hear "allah akbar" just turn around and pull the trigger. Be sure to aim low so as to hit their "brains".
Project Destiny Sponsers
Can be found here:
http://www.desmoinesmetro.com/directory/searchName.asp
The cancer has silently spread. Let these businesses know your stance.
http://www.desmoinesmetro.com/directory/searchName.asp
The cancer has silently spread. Let these businesses know your stance.
Iran Looks For Peace
Nuclear research for peaceful purposes my ass.
"North Korea is helping Iran to prepare an underground nuclear test similar to the one Pyongyang carried out last year."
Goody. That's exactly how you test your latest nuclear power plant design.
"The Iranians are working closely with the North Koreans to study the results of last year's North Korean nuclear bomb test," said the European defence official.
So some ball less Euro-peon "defense official" even admits to the tie. Good memories indeed. Like the time in the spring of 2003 when the media was screeching about no connection between al qudo and the necktie champ Hussein.
"Intelligence estimates vary about how long it could take Teheran to produce a nuclear warhead. But defence officials monitoring the growing co-operation between North Korea and Iran believe the Iranians could be in a position to test fire a low-grade device — less than half a kiloton — within 12 months."
So look for an attack on Iranian facilities within 12 months. I reckon Israel will handle the iranions while we take care of the korks.
The whole thing is here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/24/wiran24.xml
China beware. Don't fuck with us and we'll let you continue to export to your largest market.
That would be the United States for those of you who yet to learn English.
We import cheap shit from China while importing cheap labor (and probably some islamic terrorists) from mexico.
What a winning combination.
"North Korea is helping Iran to prepare an underground nuclear test similar to the one Pyongyang carried out last year."
Goody. That's exactly how you test your latest nuclear power plant design.
"The Iranians are working closely with the North Koreans to study the results of last year's North Korean nuclear bomb test," said the European defence official.
So some ball less Euro-peon "defense official" even admits to the tie. Good memories indeed. Like the time in the spring of 2003 when the media was screeching about no connection between al qudo and the necktie champ Hussein.
"Intelligence estimates vary about how long it could take Teheran to produce a nuclear warhead. But defence officials monitoring the growing co-operation between North Korea and Iran believe the Iranians could be in a position to test fire a low-grade device — less than half a kiloton — within 12 months."
So look for an attack on Iranian facilities within 12 months. I reckon Israel will handle the iranions while we take care of the korks.
The whole thing is here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/01/24/wiran24.xml
China beware. Don't fuck with us and we'll let you continue to export to your largest market.
That would be the United States for those of you who yet to learn English.
We import cheap shit from China while importing cheap labor (and probably some islamic terrorists) from mexico.
What a winning combination.
Project Destiny
Dead.
Just read the comments of this article:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/NEWS/70125011/1001/RSS01
Archie Brooks; A criminal? Remember the 1993 flood and the operation of civil communication towers located at the top of the Ruan building?
This fucker has been a crook for many years and should have been put down years ago.
Can you say South Side Mafia?
Of course, many of these links seem to disappear over time, so here is the article and comments in their entirety:
Trials for three key players in the ongoing CIETC salary scandal might not happen for a year or more, the lawyer for one of the defendants said this morning.
Former accountant Karen Tesdell, former Iowa Workforce Development deputy director Jane Barto and former Des Moines City Councilman Archie Brooks were in federal court in Des Moines this morning to be arraigned on fraud and conspiracy charges. All three pleaded not guilty.
They were formally charged and then released on their promises to show up for future court dates. Former CIETC chief executive Ramona Cunningham, who now lives in Louisiana, will be in court for formal charges on Feb. 1.
Trial dates for Tesdell, Jane Barto and Brooks were set for April 2. But Tom Whitney, Brooks’ attorney, said the date is unlikely because those charged have yet to see any of the evidence against them.
Today’s arraignment was brief. None of the defendants spoke publicly either before or after the charges were read. All were required to surrender their passports.
Barto’s attorney, Leon Spies, asked the media to “respect her privacy” and “appreciate the anxiety she is experiencing.”
Government authorities unsealed a 26-page indictment earlier this month that charged four with counts that include conspiracy, fraud, embezzlement and obstruction. Each faces at least 10 years in prison for their roles in what proscuters contend was a plan to divert nearly $2 million in job training money into salaries and bonuses over about 2 1/2 years.
A fifth executive, former chief operating officer John Bargman, is cooperating with authorities under a plea deal that will net him less than four years behind bars.
Add Comment | View All Comments
satisfying Posted by: Susan
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:14 pm
I must admit to some satisfaction over seeing Archie Brooks in court over his crimes. It's long over do from his illegal behavior during the floods of 1993. I've long resented the charges against him being dropped back then. It will be even more satisfying when he's wearing an orange jail jumpsuit.
The other thing I resent is that he will probably continue to use his stroke as his defense. "I didn't know what I was signing, my brain wasn't tracking information" and other such excuses. All baloney for a man who continued to work full time and serve on the DM City Council. I hope he doesn't get away with it. It's an insult to people who actually have life changing strokes.
How refreshing it would be to have Mr. Brooks simply admit he is guilty and take his slap on the wrist punishment. It would certainly be less stressful for someone who is at risk for another stroke.
must have been a real circus... Posted by: frmr PROMISE JOBS emplye
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:43 pm
And in ring number three is the Greed Brigade! See how their trainers ask the audience to respect their anxiety at being made to perform! But oh... one is missing! Where is the Queen? Of course Ramona wouldn't want to share the spotlight. Remember audience, same time and place next week.... the Queen of the Greed Brigrade will grace us with her presence... unless she and Albritton are out buying a boat, OR she is at Praire Meadows gambling with the last of the taxpayer's money, OR she is at the doctor's office trying to decide which plastic surgery procedure to do next, OR she is at some resort for "work-related" training... or she's on her second date with Archie, OR.... well I could go on.... Don't forget next week's entertainment... let's see what Ramona's trainer emplores the audience to do for her!
Reader Comment Posted by: Ferd
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:29 pm
Don't kid yourself. These folks long ago rationalized their behaviour. In their minds they are innocent. On the one hand, our society sends the message that greed is a virtue. On the other, we're peeved when it isn't the right people getting the goods. Only when we all back off our insatiable hunger for mammon will real virtue be restored. It may take a good depression to break the gravy train.
GIVE IT UP!! Posted by: Iowanwhocounts
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:49 pm
You all have lied and cheated your way through much more than you are being indicted for-step up to the plate and come clean for a change. Own up to the wrong doing and move on with your lives-behind bars. I know it must be hard to do the right thing since you have gotten away with doing the wrong thing for so long but make a difference for the rest of us instead of yourselves for a change-YOU GOT CAUGHT-PAY THE PRICE!!
You may think you are above approach, but you should have thought of that before you made the decision to to take instead of give to those of us who look to you for help.
Stop playing the pathetic victim-you are way past that role.
Reader Comment Posted by: JMom
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:34 am
Absolute BS - I hope they hurry and get the trials set and get them locked up - we've paid long enough and taxpayers don't deserve to pay any more - PUBLIC SERVANT! - Barto must be on good pain meds
reimbursement Posted by: Bob in WDM
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:12 am
$360,000 for a CEO of CIETC seems to pale in comparison to the $5 to $10 million the CEO of Principal in making. Although both seem totally out of line.
Reader Comment Posted by: Bloghead
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:02 am
UNBELIEVEABLE!!! How on earth can Ms. Barto request that people "respect her privacy???" What part of PUBLIC SERVANT don't you understand, lady?
Further, what part of "you owe the general public appearances and answers for your transgressions against us taxpayers" don't you understand?
You are a fool if you think you should be able to hide.
NOT GUILTY ?? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME !! Posted by: DR.COOLBEANS
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:52 am
They are going to string this out for a long long time. The taxpayers are paying for this crap !! I still would like to know where the money went. These people have been milking the system for years.
Reader Comment Posted by: Bloghead
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:22 am
It doesn't appear that Archie benefitted monetarily so I am looking forward to the investigation revealing what he did get out of it...besides the one or two dates with Ramona. I can't even imagine that any woman (especially an overdone, unattractive one) would be worth going down this way after 30+ years of public service.
Charged for being DEMOCRAT. Posted by: whocares
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:18 am
But the idiots of Iowa seem to be screaming for more of the same.
Just read the comments of this article:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070125/NEWS/70125011/1001/RSS01
Archie Brooks; A criminal? Remember the 1993 flood and the operation of civil communication towers located at the top of the Ruan building?
This fucker has been a crook for many years and should have been put down years ago.
Can you say South Side Mafia?
Of course, many of these links seem to disappear over time, so here is the article and comments in their entirety:
Trials for three key players in the ongoing CIETC salary scandal might not happen for a year or more, the lawyer for one of the defendants said this morning.
Former accountant Karen Tesdell, former Iowa Workforce Development deputy director Jane Barto and former Des Moines City Councilman Archie Brooks were in federal court in Des Moines this morning to be arraigned on fraud and conspiracy charges. All three pleaded not guilty.
They were formally charged and then released on their promises to show up for future court dates. Former CIETC chief executive Ramona Cunningham, who now lives in Louisiana, will be in court for formal charges on Feb. 1.
Trial dates for Tesdell, Jane Barto and Brooks were set for April 2. But Tom Whitney, Brooks’ attorney, said the date is unlikely because those charged have yet to see any of the evidence against them.
Today’s arraignment was brief. None of the defendants spoke publicly either before or after the charges were read. All were required to surrender their passports.
Barto’s attorney, Leon Spies, asked the media to “respect her privacy” and “appreciate the anxiety she is experiencing.”
Government authorities unsealed a 26-page indictment earlier this month that charged four with counts that include conspiracy, fraud, embezzlement and obstruction. Each faces at least 10 years in prison for their roles in what proscuters contend was a plan to divert nearly $2 million in job training money into salaries and bonuses over about 2 1/2 years.
A fifth executive, former chief operating officer John Bargman, is cooperating with authorities under a plea deal that will net him less than four years behind bars.
Add Comment | View All Comments
satisfying Posted by: Susan
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:14 pm
I must admit to some satisfaction over seeing Archie Brooks in court over his crimes. It's long over do from his illegal behavior during the floods of 1993. I've long resented the charges against him being dropped back then. It will be even more satisfying when he's wearing an orange jail jumpsuit.
The other thing I resent is that he will probably continue to use his stroke as his defense. "I didn't know what I was signing, my brain wasn't tracking information" and other such excuses. All baloney for a man who continued to work full time and serve on the DM City Council. I hope he doesn't get away with it. It's an insult to people who actually have life changing strokes.
How refreshing it would be to have Mr. Brooks simply admit he is guilty and take his slap on the wrist punishment. It would certainly be less stressful for someone who is at risk for another stroke.
must have been a real circus... Posted by: frmr PROMISE JOBS emplye
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:43 pm
And in ring number three is the Greed Brigade! See how their trainers ask the audience to respect their anxiety at being made to perform! But oh... one is missing! Where is the Queen? Of course Ramona wouldn't want to share the spotlight. Remember audience, same time and place next week.... the Queen of the Greed Brigrade will grace us with her presence... unless she and Albritton are out buying a boat, OR she is at Praire Meadows gambling with the last of the taxpayer's money, OR she is at the doctor's office trying to decide which plastic surgery procedure to do next, OR she is at some resort for "work-related" training... or she's on her second date with Archie, OR.... well I could go on.... Don't forget next week's entertainment... let's see what Ramona's trainer emplores the audience to do for her!
Reader Comment Posted by: Ferd
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 4:29 pm
Don't kid yourself. These folks long ago rationalized their behaviour. In their minds they are innocent. On the one hand, our society sends the message that greed is a virtue. On the other, we're peeved when it isn't the right people getting the goods. Only when we all back off our insatiable hunger for mammon will real virtue be restored. It may take a good depression to break the gravy train.
GIVE IT UP!! Posted by: Iowanwhocounts
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:49 pm
You all have lied and cheated your way through much more than you are being indicted for-step up to the plate and come clean for a change. Own up to the wrong doing and move on with your lives-behind bars. I know it must be hard to do the right thing since you have gotten away with doing the wrong thing for so long but make a difference for the rest of us instead of yourselves for a change-YOU GOT CAUGHT-PAY THE PRICE!!
You may think you are above approach, but you should have thought of that before you made the decision to to take instead of give to those of us who look to you for help.
Stop playing the pathetic victim-you are way past that role.
Reader Comment Posted by: JMom
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:34 am
Absolute BS - I hope they hurry and get the trials set and get them locked up - we've paid long enough and taxpayers don't deserve to pay any more - PUBLIC SERVANT! - Barto must be on good pain meds
reimbursement Posted by: Bob in WDM
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:12 am
$360,000 for a CEO of CIETC seems to pale in comparison to the $5 to $10 million the CEO of Principal in making. Although both seem totally out of line.
Reader Comment Posted by: Bloghead
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:02 am
UNBELIEVEABLE!!! How on earth can Ms. Barto request that people "respect her privacy???" What part of PUBLIC SERVANT don't you understand, lady?
Further, what part of "you owe the general public appearances and answers for your transgressions against us taxpayers" don't you understand?
You are a fool if you think you should be able to hide.
NOT GUILTY ?? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME !! Posted by: DR.COOLBEANS
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:52 am
They are going to string this out for a long long time. The taxpayers are paying for this crap !! I still would like to know where the money went. These people have been milking the system for years.
Reader Comment Posted by: Bloghead
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:22 am
It doesn't appear that Archie benefitted monetarily so I am looking forward to the investigation revealing what he did get out of it...besides the one or two dates with Ramona. I can't even imagine that any woman (especially an overdone, unattractive one) would be worth going down this way after 30+ years of public service.
Charged for being DEMOCRAT. Posted by: whocares
on Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:18 am
But the idiots of Iowa seem to be screaming for more of the same.
Health Insurance
Finally. A plan to make us more responsible for our own healthcare costs.
Since starting my own business I have become more aware of what health insurance costs me.
My former employer offered a plan under COBRA that would have cost me $500 per month.
I shopped around and found a plan that costs "only" $340 per month.
This for a single adult without "pre-existing conditions".
Under the Bush plan I will now be able to deduct that cost come tax time. DEDUCT that cost. Which means that if this proposal is passed into law, I can take a tax deduction of $4080 off of my annual earnings. A tax deduction. For those of you who have suffered public education, this means that I can deduct that $4080 in health expenses each year.
And for those of you working for somebody else; You will now be taxed on the health benefits you recieve through your employer. As it should be.
And as it has been for those of you with access to a company vehicle.
Finally a way to engage each of us in our personal health care decisions.
Since starting my own business I have become more aware of what health insurance costs me.
My former employer offered a plan under COBRA that would have cost me $500 per month.
I shopped around and found a plan that costs "only" $340 per month.
This for a single adult without "pre-existing conditions".
Under the Bush plan I will now be able to deduct that cost come tax time. DEDUCT that cost. Which means that if this proposal is passed into law, I can take a tax deduction of $4080 off of my annual earnings. A tax deduction. For those of you who have suffered public education, this means that I can deduct that $4080 in health expenses each year.
And for those of you working for somebody else; You will now be taxed on the health benefits you recieve through your employer. As it should be.
And as it has been for those of you with access to a company vehicle.
Finally a way to engage each of us in our personal health care decisions.
A Loser
"It's hard when you have what I call a deadbeat owner that doesn't come to the racetrack," Harvick told reporters during a stop at Richard Childress Racing.
http://www.wral.com/sports/nascar/story/1177059/
Harvick is not only a loser; he also wins the asshole of the month award.
FIA
http://www.wral.com/sports/nascar/story/1177059/
Harvick is not only a loser; he also wins the asshole of the month award.
FIA
Word
"Mayor Ken Corley of Brazoria, Texas, has proposed a city ordinance that would make using the word in an offensive fashion a crime equal to disturbing the peace and punishable by a fine of up to $500. But legal experts said it's unlikely the law will stand up to the First Amendment."
Next I am sure that Mayor Ken will ban the word "stupid". Provided that he can correctly spell the word.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246279,00.html
Next I am sure that Mayor Ken will ban the word "stupid". Provided that he can correctly spell the word.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246279,00.html
A Scam
http://www.setup-tv.com/
SETUP is an exciting new television program from the creator of the SPEED’s Build Or Bust.
We are looking for amateur race car drivers interested in coming on our show, racing and competing for a $100,000 cash prize!
If you think you have what it takes, then fill out the application below!
Before you begin, please make sure that meet all of the following qualifications:
Applicant must fall under the definition of “amateur” racer. If applicant or his/her activities in the world of racing have ever been professional in nature or applicant has ever raced as a sponsored driver, then the application will be denied.
Applicant must have a complete crew as part of their application. Crew is defined as a “crew chief” and one (1) “mechanic.”
If application is accepted, applicant and crew will be required, at their own cost, to travel to Los Angeles and participate in a 3 day interview and selection process in early February. This process will be filmed and included in the show. Drivers will be competing for 10 spots on the show and participation does not guarantee involvement beyond this selection process.
If applicant’s performance in the selection process grants applicant the right to continue as one of the show’s 10 race drivers, applicant and crew will then be required to stay in Los Angeles at their own cost for the remainder of the show’s 4 week shooting schedule.
Applicants must be US citizens.
To be considered for the show, please sign-up below
Please make sure that you complete the entire form. All fields are required.
Multiple attempts to sign up will immediately disqualify you from the show.
PLEASE NOTE: If any of your submitted text or imagery is abusive or offensive it will be immediately deleted from the system and you'll have no chance of becoming a racer on the show.
First Name
Last Name
Address
Address line 2
City
State Please select... Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas Armed Forces Africa Armed Forces Americas (except Canada) Armed Forces Canada Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Middle East Armed Forces Pacific California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Federated States of Micronesia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Marshall Islands Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Palau Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Zip
We will not call phones that don't receive blocked numbers. Our number is blocked! If we call you and your phone won't accept our blocked number we will not call back and your application will be deleted from our system.
DO NOT enter duplicate numbers in the following phone number boxes.
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Alt. Phone
This must be a valid email address or your application will not be processed.
email
Occupation
Please tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to be a builder on this show? (Max 1000 characters)
All applications must be accompanied by a recent HEADSHOT only -
A headshot is a close-up picture of your head. If we can't see zits, nasal hair or stubble it ain't a headshot!
The image should be saved as jpeg (.jpg) format and be no larger than 500k in file size (640x480 or 800x600 pixels in size is perfect!).
If you do not send a headshot you will be immediately disqualified.
Questionaire
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN AN OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED AUTO RACE?
Yes No
EXPLAIN:
HAVE YOU EVER RACED PROFESSIONALLY OR BEEN SPONSORED AS A RACE DRIVER?
Yes No
EXPLAIN:
HAVE YOU EVER RACED IN A ROAD RACING COMPETITION? IF NOT, WHAT TYPE OF RACES?
Yes No
EXPLAIN:
HOW MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A RACE CAR DRIVER DO YOU HAVE?
HOW MANY COMPETITIVE?
IN THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL RACING, WHO IS YOUR IDOL OR FAVORITE DRIVER?
WHY DO YOU RACE?
WHEN NOT RACING, WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? WHAT’S YOUR REGULAR JOB?
DO YOU HAVE A CREW CHIEF AND 1 MECHANIC WHO CAN ACCOMPANY YOU ON THE SHOW? LIST THEIR NAMES AND EXPERIENCE.
IF SELECTED FOR OUR SHOW ARE YOU AND YOUR CREW PREPARED TO TRAVEL TO AND STAY IN LOS ANGELES FOR 4 WEEKS AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE? WILL YOU EXPERIENCE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP?
SETUP is an exciting new television program from the creator of the SPEED’s Build Or Bust.
We are looking for amateur race car drivers interested in coming on our show, racing and competing for a $100,000 cash prize!
If you think you have what it takes, then fill out the application below!
Before you begin, please make sure that meet all of the following qualifications:
Applicant must fall under the definition of “amateur” racer. If applicant or his/her activities in the world of racing have ever been professional in nature or applicant has ever raced as a sponsored driver, then the application will be denied.
Applicant must have a complete crew as part of their application. Crew is defined as a “crew chief” and one (1) “mechanic.”
If application is accepted, applicant and crew will be required, at their own cost, to travel to Los Angeles and participate in a 3 day interview and selection process in early February. This process will be filmed and included in the show. Drivers will be competing for 10 spots on the show and participation does not guarantee involvement beyond this selection process.
If applicant’s performance in the selection process grants applicant the right to continue as one of the show’s 10 race drivers, applicant and crew will then be required to stay in Los Angeles at their own cost for the remainder of the show’s 4 week shooting schedule.
Applicants must be US citizens.
To be considered for the show, please sign-up below
Please make sure that you complete the entire form. All fields are required.
Multiple attempts to sign up will immediately disqualify you from the show.
PLEASE NOTE: If any of your submitted text or imagery is abusive or offensive it will be immediately deleted from the system and you'll have no chance of becoming a racer on the show.
First Name
Last Name
Address
Address line 2
City
State Please select... Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas Armed Forces Africa Armed Forces Americas (except Canada) Armed Forces Canada Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Middle East Armed Forces Pacific California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Federated States of Micronesia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Marshall Islands Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Palau Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Zip
We will not call phones that don't receive blocked numbers. Our number is blocked! If we call you and your phone won't accept our blocked number we will not call back and your application will be deleted from our system.
DO NOT enter duplicate numbers in the following phone number boxes.
Home Phone
Cell Phone
Alt. Phone
This must be a valid email address or your application will not be processed.
Occupation
Please tell us a little about yourself and why you would like to be a builder on this show? (Max 1000 characters)
All applications must be accompanied by a recent HEADSHOT only -
A headshot is a close-up picture of your head. If we can't see zits, nasal hair or stubble it ain't a headshot!
The image should be saved as jpeg (.jpg) format and be no larger than 500k in file size (640x480 or 800x600 pixels in size is perfect!).
If you do not send a headshot you will be immediately disqualified.
Questionaire
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN AN OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED AUTO RACE?
Yes No
EXPLAIN:
HAVE YOU EVER RACED PROFESSIONALLY OR BEEN SPONSORED AS A RACE DRIVER?
Yes No
EXPLAIN:
HAVE YOU EVER RACED IN A ROAD RACING COMPETITION? IF NOT, WHAT TYPE OF RACES?
Yes No
EXPLAIN:
HOW MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A RACE CAR DRIVER DO YOU HAVE?
HOW MANY COMPETITIVE?
IN THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL RACING, WHO IS YOUR IDOL OR FAVORITE DRIVER?
WHY DO YOU RACE?
WHEN NOT RACING, WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING? WHAT’S YOUR REGULAR JOB?
DO YOU HAVE A CREW CHIEF AND 1 MECHANIC WHO CAN ACCOMPANY YOU ON THE SHOW? LIST THEIR NAMES AND EXPERIENCE.
IF SELECTED FOR OUR SHOW ARE YOU AND YOUR CREW PREPARED TO TRAVEL TO AND STAY IN LOS ANGELES FOR 4 WEEKS AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE? WILL YOU EXPERIENCE A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP?
The Nanny State
http://www.reason.com/blog/show/118126.html
“Assuming the Harvard researchers are right that nicotine yields are slightly higher now than they were a decade ago, so what? "All cigarettes are highly addictive and deadly, and relatively minor changes in nicotine yield may not significantly alter the product’s addictive properties," they write. "The increase in smoke nicotine yield does not necessarily signify any change in exposure within the population of smokers, particularly as human smoking behavior is compensatory and will adjust for differences in smoke yield." (Italics added.)
That last point, which Siegel and Shafer rightly emphasize, is crucial: As with pot smokers and THC, cigarette smokers tend to smoke as much as necessary to get the nicotine dose to which they're accustomed. If you cut the nicotine yield, they will smoke more cigarettes and/or smoke more intensely, taking more puffs per cigarette, inhaling the smoke more deeply, holding it longer, etc. The upshot is that cutting nicotine content, other things being equal, makes cigarettes more dangerous, because it increases the dose of toxins and carcinogens for a given dose of nicotine. Conversely, increasing the nicotine yield while leaving other aspects of the cigarette unchanged should make smoking less hazardous.”
First they came for our cigarettes, then OWI was federally mandated to be at .08, then New York banned transfats. What’s next?
More Nannyism Related Reading:
“Do you know what's best for me? Really? Given the number of times you've been wrong about what's best for you, exactly how did you come to that conclusion? Should you succeed in forcing me into your preferred channel, and should I be grievously harmed as a consequence, who will pay the costs? Is it likely that I'll even get an apology from you, or will you make haste to distance yourself from the scene of the crime? “
http://www.eternityroad.info/index.php/weblog/single/frans_sunday_ruminations_acceptance/
I can’t help but think about how this post relates to income confiscation for the purpose of redistribution to the friends of those in power.
“Assuming the Harvard researchers are right that nicotine yields are slightly higher now than they were a decade ago, so what? "All cigarettes are highly addictive and deadly, and relatively minor changes in nicotine yield may not significantly alter the product’s addictive properties," they write. "The increase in smoke nicotine yield does not necessarily signify any change in exposure within the population of smokers, particularly as human smoking behavior is compensatory and will adjust for differences in smoke yield." (Italics added.)
That last point, which Siegel and Shafer rightly emphasize, is crucial: As with pot smokers and THC, cigarette smokers tend to smoke as much as necessary to get the nicotine dose to which they're accustomed. If you cut the nicotine yield, they will smoke more cigarettes and/or smoke more intensely, taking more puffs per cigarette, inhaling the smoke more deeply, holding it longer, etc. The upshot is that cutting nicotine content, other things being equal, makes cigarettes more dangerous, because it increases the dose of toxins and carcinogens for a given dose of nicotine. Conversely, increasing the nicotine yield while leaving other aspects of the cigarette unchanged should make smoking less hazardous.”
First they came for our cigarettes, then OWI was federally mandated to be at .08, then New York banned transfats. What’s next?
More Nannyism Related Reading:
“Do you know what's best for me? Really? Given the number of times you've been wrong about what's best for you, exactly how did you come to that conclusion? Should you succeed in forcing me into your preferred channel, and should I be grievously harmed as a consequence, who will pay the costs? Is it likely that I'll even get an apology from you, or will you make haste to distance yourself from the scene of the crime? “
http://www.eternityroad.info/index.php/weblog/single/frans_sunday_ruminations_acceptance/
I can’t help but think about how this post relates to income confiscation for the purpose of redistribution to the friends of those in power.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
You Tax All to Support Downtown Des Moines
http://www.absolutedsm.com/forum/
Quote:
“I do live in Urbandale and I am for Yes to Destiny. I have stated my cause in previous posts during my discussion with Speeder so I don't feel that I need to do so again. That said, I am with Hawk on this...downtown DSM proper needs to have a regional focus to collect the necessary funds to continue to grow and prosper. If you look at any major metropolitan area tax forms like this are in place because everyone in the region uses the items where the taxes are directed. Look at Blank Park Zoo...you can't say that the average Joe in Grimes doesn't benefit from having the zoo in DSM, not to mention the option to go see a game at WF arena…”
Ok. That elephant in the corner has finally been uncovered. This PD tax is for the good of the city. All other Polk County, and Warren County, and Dallas County projects are secondary to downtown projects. Gee, maybe with the passage of PD the loft lovers of downtown Des Moines can be granted an extension of their property tax abatement to 15 years for their little apartments in the sky.
Or maybe they wish to have a lifetime extension of the property tax abatement. After all, downtown Des Moines is so very important to the rest of us hicks too stupid to appreciate the culture made possible by income confiscation.
Gee, maybe with enough tax money a training program for the un-employed could be created…so long as that program benefited a city council member or two, or three.
There remains a lot of onion to be peeled.
Kudos to the DSM Register for making the first few cuts to expose this idiocy of yet another tax.
Whodda thunk?
Quote:
“I do live in Urbandale and I am for Yes to Destiny. I have stated my cause in previous posts during my discussion with Speeder so I don't feel that I need to do so again. That said, I am with Hawk on this...downtown DSM proper needs to have a regional focus to collect the necessary funds to continue to grow and prosper. If you look at any major metropolitan area tax forms like this are in place because everyone in the region uses the items where the taxes are directed. Look at Blank Park Zoo...you can't say that the average Joe in Grimes doesn't benefit from having the zoo in DSM, not to mention the option to go see a game at WF arena…”
Ok. That elephant in the corner has finally been uncovered. This PD tax is for the good of the city. All other Polk County, and Warren County, and Dallas County projects are secondary to downtown projects. Gee, maybe with the passage of PD the loft lovers of downtown Des Moines can be granted an extension of their property tax abatement to 15 years for their little apartments in the sky.
Or maybe they wish to have a lifetime extension of the property tax abatement. After all, downtown Des Moines is so very important to the rest of us hicks too stupid to appreciate the culture made possible by income confiscation.
Gee, maybe with enough tax money a training program for the un-employed could be created…so long as that program benefited a city council member or two, or three.
There remains a lot of onion to be peeled.
Kudos to the DSM Register for making the first few cuts to expose this idiocy of yet another tax.
Whodda thunk?
Some Are More Equal than Others
The laws continue to be ignored by those who make them.
State Rep. and City Councilor Laura Pantelakos quoted in an article regarding her efforts to make cell phone use while driving illegal:
"I've been counting them," she said. "The other day, I came up behind a woman in the passing lane, who was going 85 mph with two little kids in the back seat and talking on her cell phone. She should never have put those children in that danger."
Anyone see something uh, strange about the above quote?
The rest can be found at:
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/01192007/nhnews-ph-p-cell.bill.html
State Rep. and City Councilor Laura Pantelakos quoted in an article regarding her efforts to make cell phone use while driving illegal:
"I've been counting them," she said. "The other day, I came up behind a woman in the passing lane, who was going 85 mph with two little kids in the back seat and talking on her cell phone. She should never have put those children in that danger."
Anyone see something uh, strange about the above quote?
The rest can be found at:
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/01192007/nhnews-ph-p-cell.bill.html
CIETC Is an Onion
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070122/NEWS05/701220330/1001/RSS01
“Drake University law professor Robert Rigg describes the CIETC scandal the way he does all federal conspiracy investigations: It's like an onion.
"You peel back a layer," Rigg said. "You start on the periphery of people who might have minimal contact and keep working toward the people at the top."
Federal prosecutors began to chop up that onion last week, but it could be months before eyes stop watering among those connected with the former Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium.
Government authorities unsealed a 26-page indictment last week charging four people associated with CIETC with counts that include conspiracy, fraud, embezzlement and obstruction. A fifth person, former CIETC chief operating officer John Bargman, is cooperating with authorities under a plea deal that will net him less than four years behind bars.
The news that CIETC players had expected for some time brought mostly silence from others whose names came up in the scandal. Four prominent former CIETC board members, all of whom were probed and publicly criticized during the investigation, last week kept their heads down and their mouths closed.
Federal authorities seemed to encourage such behavior.
U.S. Attorney Matthew Whitaker stressed without further explanation on Tuesday that the CIETC investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed.
Lawyers say it would not be unusual for federal prosecutors to convene a new grand jury to review additional allegations - either against the same defendants or against new people whose names would be uncovered if fresh information emerges. But any such move likely would come weeks or months down the road.
"It's not uncommon for someone who's facing federal time to suddenly become very cooperative with the government and go, 'Oh, by the way, you don't know that this also happened...' " Rigg said. "And that will trigger another round of grand juries and another round of indictments."
Three of the four people who have been indicted - former CIETC accountant Karen Tesdell, former Iowa Workforce Development deputy director Jane Barto and former Des Moines City Councilman Archie Brooks - are scheduled to appear Thursday in federal court, where they will be formally charged and then likely released. Former CIETC chief executive Ramona Cunningham, who now lives in Louisiana, will make a similar appearance on Feb. 1.
Lawyers connected to the case either declined to discuss it publicly last week or did not return telephone calls. Among the others who took steps away from the post-indictment limelight:
- The agency's recently renamed board postponed a meeting last Thursday in which the only major topic on the agenda had been tips for responding to public questions about the indictments. The meeting is now scheduled for today.
- Dan Albritton, former CIETC board member and co-owner of a boat with Cunningham, failed to show up at a board meeting of the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino the day after the indictments came down.
Albritton, who was paid by CIETC as a consultant even while he served on the board, was the only major CIETC figure who refused to answer questions during last year's hearings before the Iowa Legislature's Government Oversight Committee.
- Tom Vlassis, an admitted "rubber stamp" during his term as a CIETC board member, was the only Des Moines City Council member who missed an event last week at the Central Iowa Homeless Shelter. The shelter has proposed to build a bigger facility east of Keosauqua Way.
"My personal attorney and city attorney have both told me I shouldn't make any comment at all, and I'm going to follow their advice," the councilman said Tuesday.
Vlassis, who has worked on the council for more than 17 years, has acknowledged that he allowed Cunningham to place his name on a CIETC credit card in 2002. The card was intended for reserving hotel rooms and airline tickets for business-related trips, but agency financial records show Cunningham charged thousands of dollars in unexplained purchases.
Vlassis has said he did not check the card's statements for roughly three years.
- Ako Abdul-Samad, a state legislator who served on the CIETC board while the agency allegedly misspent nearly $180,000 intended to go to his own nonprofit group, also declined to comment Tuesday, except to say: "I said from the beginning that I should have done more. ... Now I am just going to cooperate fully and let the investigation take its course. We have a judicial process. I believe in that process and I want it to work."
- Similar thoughts came from Polk County Supervisor John Mauro, another former CIETC board member, who stayed out of public view even as FBI agents questioned his colleagues.
The Des Moines Register learned Tuesday of federal authorities' plans to interview four of the five supervisors - all except Mauro - apparently so investigators could confirm the county's intentions behind a series of grants to CIETC. Roughly $34,000 of the money was misspent on bonuses for CIETC employees - at the county's urging, according to a memo allegedly authored by Brooks.
Mauro and Brooks both have questioned the authenticity of the document, which reportedly goes against written resolutions approved by the county board.
Mauro on Wednesday said he welcomes further scrutiny in the hope that all CIETC concerns eventually will be put to rest. "Keep digging and get it over with," he said. "Quite honestly, the people want it to be over. They want it done."
Sources familiar with the CIETC investigation say the public may have to wait months for new legal developments or for more details about the allegation in the indictment that CIETC employees did yard work for Cunningham, scheduled private card games and made Friday afternoon casino trips on agency time.
Grand jury members apparently heard a host of such stories in testimony from a number of current and former CIETC employees. But defense lawyers for the people charged haven't yet seen that transcribed testimony and therefore don't know any details about how the government plans to back up its indictment.
A long process is only just beginning, Rigg said.
"You never know what's going to happen over there," he said. "It just depends on where everybody feels the need to drive the case."“
Register reporters Jason Clayworth and Lee Rood contributed to this article.
“Drake University law professor Robert Rigg describes the CIETC scandal the way he does all federal conspiracy investigations: It's like an onion.
"You peel back a layer," Rigg said. "You start on the periphery of people who might have minimal contact and keep working toward the people at the top."
Federal prosecutors began to chop up that onion last week, but it could be months before eyes stop watering among those connected with the former Central Iowa Employment and Training Consortium.
Government authorities unsealed a 26-page indictment last week charging four people associated with CIETC with counts that include conspiracy, fraud, embezzlement and obstruction. A fifth person, former CIETC chief operating officer John Bargman, is cooperating with authorities under a plea deal that will net him less than four years behind bars.
The news that CIETC players had expected for some time brought mostly silence from others whose names came up in the scandal. Four prominent former CIETC board members, all of whom were probed and publicly criticized during the investigation, last week kept their heads down and their mouths closed.
Federal authorities seemed to encourage such behavior.
U.S. Attorney Matthew Whitaker stressed without further explanation on Tuesday that the CIETC investigation is ongoing and more charges could be filed.
Lawyers say it would not be unusual for federal prosecutors to convene a new grand jury to review additional allegations - either against the same defendants or against new people whose names would be uncovered if fresh information emerges. But any such move likely would come weeks or months down the road.
"It's not uncommon for someone who's facing federal time to suddenly become very cooperative with the government and go, 'Oh, by the way, you don't know that this also happened...' " Rigg said. "And that will trigger another round of grand juries and another round of indictments."
Three of the four people who have been indicted - former CIETC accountant Karen Tesdell, former Iowa Workforce Development deputy director Jane Barto and former Des Moines City Councilman Archie Brooks - are scheduled to appear Thursday in federal court, where they will be formally charged and then likely released. Former CIETC chief executive Ramona Cunningham, who now lives in Louisiana, will make a similar appearance on Feb. 1.
Lawyers connected to the case either declined to discuss it publicly last week or did not return telephone calls. Among the others who took steps away from the post-indictment limelight:
- The agency's recently renamed board postponed a meeting last Thursday in which the only major topic on the agenda had been tips for responding to public questions about the indictments. The meeting is now scheduled for today.
- Dan Albritton, former CIETC board member and co-owner of a boat with Cunningham, failed to show up at a board meeting of the Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino the day after the indictments came down.
Albritton, who was paid by CIETC as a consultant even while he served on the board, was the only major CIETC figure who refused to answer questions during last year's hearings before the Iowa Legislature's Government Oversight Committee.
- Tom Vlassis, an admitted "rubber stamp" during his term as a CIETC board member, was the only Des Moines City Council member who missed an event last week at the Central Iowa Homeless Shelter. The shelter has proposed to build a bigger facility east of Keosauqua Way.
"My personal attorney and city attorney have both told me I shouldn't make any comment at all, and I'm going to follow their advice," the councilman said Tuesday.
Vlassis, who has worked on the council for more than 17 years, has acknowledged that he allowed Cunningham to place his name on a CIETC credit card in 2002. The card was intended for reserving hotel rooms and airline tickets for business-related trips, but agency financial records show Cunningham charged thousands of dollars in unexplained purchases.
Vlassis has said he did not check the card's statements for roughly three years.
- Ako Abdul-Samad, a state legislator who served on the CIETC board while the agency allegedly misspent nearly $180,000 intended to go to his own nonprofit group, also declined to comment Tuesday, except to say: "I said from the beginning that I should have done more. ... Now I am just going to cooperate fully and let the investigation take its course. We have a judicial process. I believe in that process and I want it to work."
- Similar thoughts came from Polk County Supervisor John Mauro, another former CIETC board member, who stayed out of public view even as FBI agents questioned his colleagues.
The Des Moines Register learned Tuesday of federal authorities' plans to interview four of the five supervisors - all except Mauro - apparently so investigators could confirm the county's intentions behind a series of grants to CIETC. Roughly $34,000 of the money was misspent on bonuses for CIETC employees - at the county's urging, according to a memo allegedly authored by Brooks.
Mauro and Brooks both have questioned the authenticity of the document, which reportedly goes against written resolutions approved by the county board.
Mauro on Wednesday said he welcomes further scrutiny in the hope that all CIETC concerns eventually will be put to rest. "Keep digging and get it over with," he said. "Quite honestly, the people want it to be over. They want it done."
Sources familiar with the CIETC investigation say the public may have to wait months for new legal developments or for more details about the allegation in the indictment that CIETC employees did yard work for Cunningham, scheduled private card games and made Friday afternoon casino trips on agency time.
Grand jury members apparently heard a host of such stories in testimony from a number of current and former CIETC employees. But defense lawyers for the people charged haven't yet seen that transcribed testimony and therefore don't know any details about how the government plans to back up its indictment.
A long process is only just beginning, Rigg said.
"You never know what's going to happen over there," he said. "It just depends on where everybody feels the need to drive the case."“
Register reporters Jason Clayworth and Lee Rood contributed to this article.
Gay Marriage
Gay Marriage
Why is it so difficult for people to differentiate between a marriage and a civil union?
Marriage is an institute of the Church also recognized by the state, so long as you pay the usual tax for a “marriage” certificate.
A civil union is simply a recognition by the state that the gay relationship is recognized by the state as a legal arrangement. And the tax is paid.
Never forget the tax.
Church Marriage: Recognized by the Church and state.
Civil Union: Recognized by the state.
What the hay’ell is so difficult about this concept?
Why is it so difficult for people to differentiate between a marriage and a civil union?
Marriage is an institute of the Church also recognized by the state, so long as you pay the usual tax for a “marriage” certificate.
A civil union is simply a recognition by the state that the gay relationship is recognized by the state as a legal arrangement. And the tax is paid.
Never forget the tax.
Church Marriage: Recognized by the Church and state.
Civil Union: Recognized by the state.
What the hay’ell is so difficult about this concept?
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
The War On Ragheads
The media is absolutely free of bias. Absolutely:
“Any reference to the catastrophic outcome of the war,”
Catastrophic? That’s a mighty big word for a writer with the IQ score equal to the number of lug nuts found on a LeCar:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=430138&in_page_id=1770
No Media Bias Part II:
From the “religion of peace”:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-01-19T155927Z_01_L1968420_RTRUKOC_0_US-TURKEY-AUTHOR-SHOT.xml&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage2
Via:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24073_Media_Blackout-_I_Shot_the_Non-Muslim&only
More on Islam:
What to say or write about this?:
From:
http://www.danegerus.com/weblog/Comments.asp?svComment=16566
Keith 'Hakim' Ellison(D) supported
Sara Jane Olson of SLA
Keith "Hakim" Ellison(D) wasn't just a supporter of Louis Farrakhan:
Well... Keith "Hakim" Ellison(D) doesn't admit to being a supporter of Louis Farrakhan ... but...
1987--Ellison enrolls in University of Minnesota Law School
1989--Ellison publishes the first of two articles in the University of Minnesota Daily under the alias "Keith Hakim." In the first such article, Ellison speaks up for the Nation of Islam.
1990--Ellison participates in the sponsorship of the anti-Semitic speech by Kwame Ture given at the University of Minnesota Law School ("Zionism: Imperialism, White Supremacy or Both?"). Ellison rejects the appeal of Jewish law students to withdraw sponsorship of the lecture. Ellison graduates from University of Minnesota Law School.
1992--Ellison appears as speaker at demonstration against Minneapolis police with Vice Lords leader Sharif Willis following the murder of Officer Haaf by four Vice Lords gangsters in September.
1993--Ellison leads demonstration chanting "We don't get no justice, you don't get no peace" in support of Vice Lords defendant on trial for the murder of Officer Haaf. Ellison attends Gang Summit in Kansas City with Willis.
1995--Ellison supports Million Man March, appears at organizing rally with former Nation of Islam spokesman Khalid Muhammed at University of Minnesota. Ellison acts as local Nation of Islam leader in march at office of U.S. Attorney in Minneapolis protesting indictment of Qubilah Shabazz for conspiring to murder Louis Farrakhan. Ellison charges FBI with conspiring to murder Farrakhan. Ellison writes article under alias "Keith X Ellison" attacking Star Tribune for criticizing Louis Farrakhan
1997--Ellison appears under alias "Keith Ellison-Muhammad" at Minnesota Initiative Against Racism hearing in support of Joanne Jackson. Ellison defends "the truth" of Jackson's statement that "Jews are the most racist white people."
1998--Ellison first runs for DFL endorsement for state representative. Ellison identifies himself as member of Nation of Islam in Insight News article on his candidacy. Ellison runs for endorsement under alias "Keith Ellison-Muhammad."
2000--Ellison gives speech supporting Kathleen Soliah/Sara Jane Olson at National Lawyers Guild fundraiser. Demands Soliah/Olson's release. Asks audience to recall time when "Qubilah Shabazz was prosecuted in retribution against Minister Farrakhan." Speaks favorably of cop killers Mumia Abu-Jamal and Assata Shakur.
May 2006--Ellison writes letter to JCRC asserting involvement with Nation of Islam limited to 18 months supporting Million Man March.
August 2006--Ellison appears at unpublicizied fundraiser with CAIR executive director and Hamas supporter Nihad Awad among featured guests.
Jay Baggett notes:
On Feb.12, 2000, Ellison joined Bernadine Dohrn, one of the founders of the 1960s radical group the Weather Underground, and several other speakers at a fundraiser for recently arrested Kathleen Soliah, a.k.a. Sara Jane Olson.
Soliah – who along with a small band of Bay Area radicals took in Bill and Emily Harris and Patty Hearst, the last surviving members of the Symbionese Liberation Army following the May 17, 1974, shootout in Los Angeles – had been on the run since the three SLA "soldiers" were captured in September 1975.
You remember Sara Jane Olson, the SLA bomber who confessed, then recanted, then confessed...
Keith "Hakim" Ellison(D) sure seems to like cop-killers:
Ellison, who frequently defended black gang members in his practice, linked the prosecution of Soliah-Olson to notable radicals Geronimo Pratt and Mumia Abu Jamal.
"For the people who want to incarcerate Sara Jane Olson, ain't nothing changed," said Ellison. "As a matter of fact, they want to settle scores with Sara Jane Olson and others who were fighting for freedom in the '60s and '70s.
"... And like many of my clients, Sara Jane Olson has a public defender. Do you understand what I'm saying? Because she cannot afford to pay for her defense all by herself. Do you understand what I'm saying? I mean, the reality is, Sara Jane Olson, basically – is a black gang member – as far as I can see.
"... I think, just like the people who want to come together and lock up Sara, we need to come together and free Sara. And all the Saras, because she's not the only one."
...
Thirty-three months after Ellison's call for Soliah-Olson's release, she, the Harrises, and Michael Bortin, pleaded guilty to the shotgun murder of Myrna Opsahl, the bank customer killed in the SLA robbery. Soliah-Olson also pleaded guilty to placing pipe bombs under LAPD police cars. A fifth member, James Kilgore, was later captured in South Africa and sentenced for bomb possession and Opsahl's murder.
The focus on the SLA in Soliah-Olson's trial distracted attention from her own violent history before and after coming into contact with the group that kidnapped Patty Hearst. Over a year before the SLA came into existence, Soliah, her brother, Bortin and Kilgore were questioned in connection with a bomb factory discovered in a Berkeley garage. Bortin and a second man were arrested in connection with the bomb lab and convicted and sentenced for possessing an ammonium-nitrate bomb. Based on information developed by the Alameda County district attorney, the pair were suspected of 10 bombings in 1971 and one in 1972, the latter involving a tack-grenade bomb – housed in a beer can – tossed into a bar across the street from the San Francisco Hall of Justice frequented by police officers and court personnel.
During the latter half of 1974, when the Harrises and Hearst were hiding out on a Pennsylvania farm, Kathleen Soliah, her brother, Kilgore and Bortin were setting off bombs in the Bay Area under the banner of the New World Liberation Front, a name announced in the first SLA communique after the Harrises and Hearst came under the protection of Soliah in June 1974.
Vin McLellan and Paul Avery, in their 1977 book "The Voices of Guns," documented more than 10 Bay Area bombings by Soliah's NWLF in late 1974 and 1975...
...
By February 1975, the Bay Area was averaging one bombing every 16 days. The NWLF was linked to more than 70 bombings by authorities, mostly in Northern California.
...
After the FBI dragnet that caught Hearst and the Harrises failed to capture Soliah in September 1975, she and Kilgore continued setting off bombs under the name of the NWLF. On Feb 12, 1976, 24 years to the day before Ellison's plea to "free Sara," authorities say Soliah and Kilgore set off a bomb at the historic Hearst Castle on California's central coast, causing $1 million in damage. The pair were identified from photographs by tourists who escaped the blast. The NWLF communique that followed demanded the Hearst family contribute $250,000 to the defense of the Harrises.
The following night, a deputy sheriff patrolling near Woodside in the south Bay Area was shot by two gunmen as he investigated suspicious activity beneath an electric transmission tower adjacent to the freeway. The officer interrupted the pair's efforts before the bomb they were setting could be exploded. The NWLF took credit for shooting the officer.
...
Last week, Ellison was named to the House Judiciary Committee, which has oversight over civil liberties, immigration and the courts. He said he would like to see a ban on racial profiling and will work to restore civil liberties he says have been rolled back by the Bush administration, Associated Press reported.
Jon Opsahl, son of the woman killed by the SLA, told WND:
"It does seem to confirm that, unfortunately, intelligence and integrity are not prerequisites for political office in this country in general and in Minnesota in particular."
So a Muslim with ties to Farrakhan and CAIR stood up for a terrorist bomber.
I guess it's time to remind everyone that Thomas Jefferson read this Quran to learn about the dangers of the Islamic Extremists.
“It was founded on the Laws of the Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners.” -- Thomas Jefferson
This is a global war folks. Get used to it.
“Any reference to the catastrophic outcome of the war,”
Catastrophic? That’s a mighty big word for a writer with the IQ score equal to the number of lug nuts found on a LeCar:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=430138&in_page_id=1770
No Media Bias Part II:
From the “religion of peace”:
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-01-19T155927Z_01_L1968420_RTRUKOC_0_US-TURKEY-AUTHOR-SHOT.xml&pageNumber=0&imageid=&cap=&sz=13&WTModLoc=NewsArt-C1-ArticlePage2
Via:
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24073_Media_Blackout-_I_Shot_the_Non-Muslim&only
More on Islam:
What to say or write about this?:
From:
http://www.danegerus.com/weblog/Comments.asp?svComment=16566
Keith 'Hakim' Ellison(D) supported
Sara Jane Olson of SLA
Keith "Hakim" Ellison(D) wasn't just a supporter of Louis Farrakhan:
Well... Keith "Hakim" Ellison(D) doesn't admit to being a supporter of Louis Farrakhan ... but...
1987--Ellison enrolls in University of Minnesota Law School
1989--Ellison publishes the first of two articles in the University of Minnesota Daily under the alias "Keith Hakim." In the first such article, Ellison speaks up for the Nation of Islam.
1990--Ellison participates in the sponsorship of the anti-Semitic speech by Kwame Ture given at the University of Minnesota Law School ("Zionism: Imperialism, White Supremacy or Both?"). Ellison rejects the appeal of Jewish law students to withdraw sponsorship of the lecture. Ellison graduates from University of Minnesota Law School.
1992--Ellison appears as speaker at demonstration against Minneapolis police with Vice Lords leader Sharif Willis following the murder of Officer Haaf by four Vice Lords gangsters in September.
1993--Ellison leads demonstration chanting "We don't get no justice, you don't get no peace" in support of Vice Lords defendant on trial for the murder of Officer Haaf. Ellison attends Gang Summit in Kansas City with Willis.
1995--Ellison supports Million Man March, appears at organizing rally with former Nation of Islam spokesman Khalid Muhammed at University of Minnesota. Ellison acts as local Nation of Islam leader in march at office of U.S. Attorney in Minneapolis protesting indictment of Qubilah Shabazz for conspiring to murder Louis Farrakhan. Ellison charges FBI with conspiring to murder Farrakhan. Ellison writes article under alias "Keith X Ellison" attacking Star Tribune for criticizing Louis Farrakhan
1997--Ellison appears under alias "Keith Ellison-Muhammad" at Minnesota Initiative Against Racism hearing in support of Joanne Jackson. Ellison defends "the truth" of Jackson's statement that "Jews are the most racist white people."
1998--Ellison first runs for DFL endorsement for state representative. Ellison identifies himself as member of Nation of Islam in Insight News article on his candidacy. Ellison runs for endorsement under alias "Keith Ellison-Muhammad."
2000--Ellison gives speech supporting Kathleen Soliah/Sara Jane Olson at National Lawyers Guild fundraiser. Demands Soliah/Olson's release. Asks audience to recall time when "Qubilah Shabazz was prosecuted in retribution against Minister Farrakhan." Speaks favorably of cop killers Mumia Abu-Jamal and Assata Shakur.
May 2006--Ellison writes letter to JCRC asserting involvement with Nation of Islam limited to 18 months supporting Million Man March.
August 2006--Ellison appears at unpublicizied fundraiser with CAIR executive director and Hamas supporter Nihad Awad among featured guests.
Jay Baggett notes:
On Feb.12, 2000, Ellison joined Bernadine Dohrn, one of the founders of the 1960s radical group the Weather Underground, and several other speakers at a fundraiser for recently arrested Kathleen Soliah, a.k.a. Sara Jane Olson.
Soliah – who along with a small band of Bay Area radicals took in Bill and Emily Harris and Patty Hearst, the last surviving members of the Symbionese Liberation Army following the May 17, 1974, shootout in Los Angeles – had been on the run since the three SLA "soldiers" were captured in September 1975.
You remember Sara Jane Olson, the SLA bomber who confessed, then recanted, then confessed...
Keith "Hakim" Ellison(D) sure seems to like cop-killers:
Ellison, who frequently defended black gang members in his practice, linked the prosecution of Soliah-Olson to notable radicals Geronimo Pratt and Mumia Abu Jamal.
"For the people who want to incarcerate Sara Jane Olson, ain't nothing changed," said Ellison. "As a matter of fact, they want to settle scores with Sara Jane Olson and others who were fighting for freedom in the '60s and '70s.
"... And like many of my clients, Sara Jane Olson has a public defender. Do you understand what I'm saying? Because she cannot afford to pay for her defense all by herself. Do you understand what I'm saying? I mean, the reality is, Sara Jane Olson, basically – is a black gang member – as far as I can see.
"... I think, just like the people who want to come together and lock up Sara, we need to come together and free Sara. And all the Saras, because she's not the only one."
...
Thirty-three months after Ellison's call for Soliah-Olson's release, she, the Harrises, and Michael Bortin, pleaded guilty to the shotgun murder of Myrna Opsahl, the bank customer killed in the SLA robbery. Soliah-Olson also pleaded guilty to placing pipe bombs under LAPD police cars. A fifth member, James Kilgore, was later captured in South Africa and sentenced for bomb possession and Opsahl's murder.
The focus on the SLA in Soliah-Olson's trial distracted attention from her own violent history before and after coming into contact with the group that kidnapped Patty Hearst. Over a year before the SLA came into existence, Soliah, her brother, Bortin and Kilgore were questioned in connection with a bomb factory discovered in a Berkeley garage. Bortin and a second man were arrested in connection with the bomb lab and convicted and sentenced for possessing an ammonium-nitrate bomb. Based on information developed by the Alameda County district attorney, the pair were suspected of 10 bombings in 1971 and one in 1972, the latter involving a tack-grenade bomb – housed in a beer can – tossed into a bar across the street from the San Francisco Hall of Justice frequented by police officers and court personnel.
During the latter half of 1974, when the Harrises and Hearst were hiding out on a Pennsylvania farm, Kathleen Soliah, her brother, Kilgore and Bortin were setting off bombs in the Bay Area under the banner of the New World Liberation Front, a name announced in the first SLA communique after the Harrises and Hearst came under the protection of Soliah in June 1974.
Vin McLellan and Paul Avery, in their 1977 book "The Voices of Guns," documented more than 10 Bay Area bombings by Soliah's NWLF in late 1974 and 1975...
...
By February 1975, the Bay Area was averaging one bombing every 16 days. The NWLF was linked to more than 70 bombings by authorities, mostly in Northern California.
...
After the FBI dragnet that caught Hearst and the Harrises failed to capture Soliah in September 1975, she and Kilgore continued setting off bombs under the name of the NWLF. On Feb 12, 1976, 24 years to the day before Ellison's plea to "free Sara," authorities say Soliah and Kilgore set off a bomb at the historic Hearst Castle on California's central coast, causing $1 million in damage. The pair were identified from photographs by tourists who escaped the blast. The NWLF communique that followed demanded the Hearst family contribute $250,000 to the defense of the Harrises.
The following night, a deputy sheriff patrolling near Woodside in the south Bay Area was shot by two gunmen as he investigated suspicious activity beneath an electric transmission tower adjacent to the freeway. The officer interrupted the pair's efforts before the bomb they were setting could be exploded. The NWLF took credit for shooting the officer.
...
Last week, Ellison was named to the House Judiciary Committee, which has oversight over civil liberties, immigration and the courts. He said he would like to see a ban on racial profiling and will work to restore civil liberties he says have been rolled back by the Bush administration, Associated Press reported.
Jon Opsahl, son of the woman killed by the SLA, told WND:
"It does seem to confirm that, unfortunately, intelligence and integrity are not prerequisites for political office in this country in general and in Minnesota in particular."
So a Muslim with ties to Farrakhan and CAIR stood up for a terrorist bomber.
I guess it's time to remind everyone that Thomas Jefferson read this Quran to learn about the dangers of the Islamic Extremists.
“It was founded on the Laws of the Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as prisoners.” -- Thomas Jefferson
This is a global war folks. Get used to it.
Ethanol
Stupidity abounds at:
http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11342&Itemid=2
“Commodity agriculture is acre-based. It requires acres, grain elevators, fuels, and chemicals. A Casey's and a bar are what is left in many rural towns. But a human community requires churches, schools, health clinics, and civic organizations that are all people-based, and "modern agriculture" has no place for them. Most of the subsidies end up in more seeds, chemicals, and machinery from the same companies that these farms sell their crops to. A sort of company town with its token currency.”
Yes, and many of these “rural towns” also have a courthouse and at least one school. Ya wanna save some money? Look to government consolidation for savings.
Next:
“In addition to this economy of loss, we are seeing soil loss and degradation as a result of harsh farming practices encouraged by federal crop subsidies. We are seeing corn fertilizer and corn pesticides in our drinking waters.”
Please cite your sources providing this “information”.
I alledge that harsh stupidity is polluting our sources of information. And I can lead you directly to a citation:
http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11342&Itemid=42
Next:
“Then you have the federal subsidies - presently 51 cents per gallon - to blenders of ethanol. The third head of the monster is all the tax dollars the Iowa Department of Economic Development is handing out to build the ethanol plants. The fourth head is the one that makes ethanol blends cheaper at the gas station: state subsidies to ethanol retailers.”
Again:
Please cite your sources of these allegations. Last time I checked the federal subsidy for ethanol production totaled 50 cents per gallon of ethanol. Included in this figure (of 50 cents per gallon) was the factor of existing crop subsidies. Sorry bud, you don’t get to count the same subsidy twice, at least if your aim is to provide truthful information. Then again, maybe the truth holds no interest for you. And that 50 cents is per gallon of ethanol, *not* per gallon of E10. Do the math.
And while we’re on the subject of subsidies…..ever heard of the oil depletion allowance?
Then we come to the IDED; Eliminate this department. IDED needs to be killed. Government has no business in handing out favor dollars to those they deem to be worthy. Especially since that money represents income that has been confiscated from the taxpayers.
Next:
“Think how better we could spend those millions of dollars in subsidies toward revitalizing our rural communities. And now the multinational grain merchants want the taxpayers to pay for an ethanol pump at every gas station. A pump that, to me, signifies the monster is winning. A pump that really reflects the soil-eroding, nitrate-leaking, money-losing, community-ruining "farm" policies of the past 50 years.”
OK, so you are saying that “we could spend those millions of dollars…toward revitalizing our rural communities”. Damn, once again that socialistic mentality absorbs light like a black hole.
It goes back to the confiscation of tax dollars by government so that those dollars can be spent more wisely by the bureaucratic system of government. Again, God forbid that the people are left in charge of spending their own money. We’re just too stupid doncha know.
The old idiocy continues;
“I have not even mentioned that by some analyses, ethanol is a net energy loser. Even by promoters' most optimistic analysis, it barely makes enough energy to make up for all the fossil energy burned to produce it. (See sidebar.) Meanwhile farmers pay for high fuel and energy costs on the farm!”
Damn. How many times has this author been hit by the stupid stick?
Simply google “ethanol energy conversion” and then read the UNBIASED research studies.
The “studies” conducted or funded by greenpeace, the Union of concerned “scientists” or the sierra club.
Try reading studies published by oh…say universities? I hear they be some mighty smart folks around them places of higher learning.
Finally;
“Now imagine if only $1 million per year of that $173 million crop subsidy for the eight-county area were invested in strengthening the local and regional food economy.”
Once again, please provide details of exactly how this $1,000,000 per year should be spent. Maybe by subsidizing your aunt’s organic farming operation?
Mr. Enshayan’s article continues with more stupid concerning our “wasteful driving habit” and “corn weed killers”. Well you be the judge, because he is certainly acting as one.
Apparently he deems himself as the master of defining a wasteful driving habit. Gee…maybe I should ask permission from him before being allowed to travel? FIA.
Corn weed killers….heh. I’ll bet this asshat skipped his agronomy classes but was still given a passing grade because of……who he is.
Read it all at:
http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11342&Itemid=42
http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11342&Itemid=2
“Commodity agriculture is acre-based. It requires acres, grain elevators, fuels, and chemicals. A Casey's and a bar are what is left in many rural towns. But a human community requires churches, schools, health clinics, and civic organizations that are all people-based, and "modern agriculture" has no place for them. Most of the subsidies end up in more seeds, chemicals, and machinery from the same companies that these farms sell their crops to. A sort of company town with its token currency.”
Yes, and many of these “rural towns” also have a courthouse and at least one school. Ya wanna save some money? Look to government consolidation for savings.
Next:
“In addition to this economy of loss, we are seeing soil loss and degradation as a result of harsh farming practices encouraged by federal crop subsidies. We are seeing corn fertilizer and corn pesticides in our drinking waters.”
Please cite your sources providing this “information”.
I alledge that harsh stupidity is polluting our sources of information. And I can lead you directly to a citation:
http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11342&Itemid=42
Next:
“Then you have the federal subsidies - presently 51 cents per gallon - to blenders of ethanol. The third head of the monster is all the tax dollars the Iowa Department of Economic Development is handing out to build the ethanol plants. The fourth head is the one that makes ethanol blends cheaper at the gas station: state subsidies to ethanol retailers.”
Again:
Please cite your sources of these allegations. Last time I checked the federal subsidy for ethanol production totaled 50 cents per gallon of ethanol. Included in this figure (of 50 cents per gallon) was the factor of existing crop subsidies. Sorry bud, you don’t get to count the same subsidy twice, at least if your aim is to provide truthful information. Then again, maybe the truth holds no interest for you. And that 50 cents is per gallon of ethanol, *not* per gallon of E10. Do the math.
And while we’re on the subject of subsidies…..ever heard of the oil depletion allowance?
Then we come to the IDED; Eliminate this department. IDED needs to be killed. Government has no business in handing out favor dollars to those they deem to be worthy. Especially since that money represents income that has been confiscated from the taxpayers.
Next:
“Think how better we could spend those millions of dollars in subsidies toward revitalizing our rural communities. And now the multinational grain merchants want the taxpayers to pay for an ethanol pump at every gas station. A pump that, to me, signifies the monster is winning. A pump that really reflects the soil-eroding, nitrate-leaking, money-losing, community-ruining "farm" policies of the past 50 years.”
OK, so you are saying that “we could spend those millions of dollars…toward revitalizing our rural communities”. Damn, once again that socialistic mentality absorbs light like a black hole.
It goes back to the confiscation of tax dollars by government so that those dollars can be spent more wisely by the bureaucratic system of government. Again, God forbid that the people are left in charge of spending their own money. We’re just too stupid doncha know.
The old idiocy continues;
“I have not even mentioned that by some analyses, ethanol is a net energy loser. Even by promoters' most optimistic analysis, it barely makes enough energy to make up for all the fossil energy burned to produce it. (See sidebar.) Meanwhile farmers pay for high fuel and energy costs on the farm!”
Damn. How many times has this author been hit by the stupid stick?
Simply google “ethanol energy conversion” and then read the UNBIASED research studies.
The “studies” conducted or funded by greenpeace, the Union of concerned “scientists” or the sierra club.
Try reading studies published by oh…say universities? I hear they be some mighty smart folks around them places of higher learning.
Finally;
“Now imagine if only $1 million per year of that $173 million crop subsidy for the eight-county area were invested in strengthening the local and regional food economy.”
Once again, please provide details of exactly how this $1,000,000 per year should be spent. Maybe by subsidizing your aunt’s organic farming operation?
Mr. Enshayan’s article continues with more stupid concerning our “wasteful driving habit” and “corn weed killers”. Well you be the judge, because he is certainly acting as one.
Apparently he deems himself as the master of defining a wasteful driving habit. Gee…maybe I should ask permission from him before being allowed to travel? FIA.
Corn weed killers….heh. I’ll bet this asshat skipped his agronomy classes but was still given a passing grade because of……who he is.
Read it all at:
http://www.rcreader.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=11342&Itemid=42
Yet More On The PD
Random quote:
“Des Moines Art Center certainly is a classy museum! (the fact that's its free is awesome too!) “
Well of course it’s free! It’s paid for by state and federal grants, local property taxes, and of course….the building and land is not subject to property taxes! Free! Free! It’s all free!
Jee whiz, I wonder who does pick up the cost of the DSMAC?
Could it be…..hmmm….maybe the people who pay city, county, state and federal taxes? But at least the DSMAC is free to everyone, even if some choose to never step foot inside (while continuing to pay all of those taxes).
Get a clue.
The Idiocy continues regarding the PD tax. Apparently many “feeeelll” that this new tax will attract more workers through an improved quality of life. Right. Here’s an idea similar to the minimum wage increase; Why stop at a mere 16.75% sales tax increase? Hell, let’s raise the sales tax to…say….40%. Think of how many quality jobs will flood the central Iowa area once such a tax is enacted for the sole purpose of improving the “cultural environment” (pinky raised while sipping from a cup of tea) of Iowa, said culture currently reflecting the fact that us hicks don’t know how best to spend our own money. At least according to those in the know.
“Des Moines Art Center certainly is a classy museum! (the fact that's its free is awesome too!) “
Well of course it’s free! It’s paid for by state and federal grants, local property taxes, and of course….the building and land is not subject to property taxes! Free! Free! It’s all free!
Jee whiz, I wonder who does pick up the cost of the DSMAC?
Could it be…..hmmm….maybe the people who pay city, county, state and federal taxes? But at least the DSMAC is free to everyone, even if some choose to never step foot inside (while continuing to pay all of those taxes).
Get a clue.
The Idiocy continues regarding the PD tax. Apparently many “feeeelll” that this new tax will attract more workers through an improved quality of life. Right. Here’s an idea similar to the minimum wage increase; Why stop at a mere 16.75% sales tax increase? Hell, let’s raise the sales tax to…say….40%. Think of how many quality jobs will flood the central Iowa area once such a tax is enacted for the sole purpose of improving the “cultural environment” (pinky raised while sipping from a cup of tea) of Iowa, said culture currently reflecting the fact that us hicks don’t know how best to spend our own money. At least according to those in the know.
Another Clinton?
WoooHoooo!
Hillary has announced that she is forming an “investigative committee” to explore her options pursuent to her 2008 presidential candidacy.
On the left we have “department of peace” kucinich,
“I didn’t know anything about CIETC” Vilsack,
And now “I can’t find those Rose Law Firm Records” Hillary.
Meanwhile on the Republican side, no current candidate has announced “the formation of an explorative committee” to further their presidential aspirations.
Seems that the basic difference between the left and the right is reflected in the way that potential candidates “announce” their intentions:
For democrats it’s all about committees.
For most Republicans it’s simply about throwing their hat in the ring.
Hillary has announced that she is forming an “investigative committee” to explore her options pursuent to her 2008 presidential candidacy.
On the left we have “department of peace” kucinich,
“I didn’t know anything about CIETC” Vilsack,
And now “I can’t find those Rose Law Firm Records” Hillary.
Meanwhile on the Republican side, no current candidate has announced “the formation of an explorative committee” to further their presidential aspirations.
Seems that the basic difference between the left and the right is reflected in the way that potential candidates “announce” their intentions:
For democrats it’s all about committees.
For most Republicans it’s simply about throwing their hat in the ring.
Still Ragging on the PD
Yeah, this could be viewed as the same old same old, but I am done with being taxed for the benefit of others.
Get used to it.
Many proponents of the PD tax (as they whine “it’s only a penny”) also happen to believe that central Iowa doesn’t have enough “cultural” events or facilities. And we all know that us Iowa hicks are too dumb to spend our own money as we see fit. Better that our money be confiscated in order to satisfy the empire building mentality so common among those elitists in the vast bureaucracy of State, County and City entities. By the way, many of those elitists are not elected officials but instead are appointed to their positions of power.
PD Related Joke
HOTEL BILL
A husband and wife are traveling by car from Key West to Boston.
After almost twenty-four hours on the road, they're too tired to continue, and they decide to stop for a rest.
They stop at a nice hotel and take a room, but they only plan to sleep for four hours and then get back on the road.
When they check out four hours later, the desk clerk hands them a bill for $350.
The man explodes and demands to know why the charge is so high. He tells the clerk although it's a nice hotel, the rooms certainly aren't worth $350.
When the clerk tells him $350 is the standard rate, the man insists on speaking to the Manager.
The Manager appears, listens to the man, and then explains that the hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference center that was available for the husband and wife to use.
"But we didn't use them," the man complains.
"Well, they are here, and you could have," explains the Manager.
He goes on to explain they could have taken in one of the shows for which the hotel is famous. "The best entertainers from New York, Hollywood and Las Vegas perform here," the Manager says.
"But we didn't go to any of those shows, "complains the man again.
"Well, we have them, and you could have," the Manager replies.
No matter what facility the Manager mentions, the man replies, "But we didn't use it!"
The Manager is unmoved, and eventually the man gives up and agrees to pay. He writes a check and gives it to the Manager.
The Manager is surprised when he looks at the check.
"But sir," he says, this check is only made out for $50."
"That's correct," says the man. "I charged you $300 for sleeping with my wife."
"But I didn't!" exclaims the Manager.
"Well, too bad," the man replies. "She was here and you could have."
Another example of governments eagerness “to provide services” to the masses, many of whom will not use these “services“ anyway:
“The social-services complex has responded with barely concealed enthusiasm to this new flood of clients. As Hispanic social problems increase, so will the government sector that ministers to them. In July, a New York Times editorial, titled young latinas and a cry for help, pointed out the elevated high school dropout rates and birthrates among Hispanic girls. A quarter of all Latinas are mothers by the age of 20, reported the Times. With the usual melodrama that accompanies the pitch for more government services, the Times designated young Latinas as “endangered” in the same breath that it disclosed that they are one of the fastest-growing segments of the population. “The time to help is now,” said the Times—by which it means ratcheting up the taxpayer-subsidized social-work industry.”
Just substitute a few key words in that paragraph and one comes up with the perfect mirror image of the PD proponents message; That being that more government/taxation is good for us.
Wetbacks
These are the kind of “immigrants” that all US citizens should welcome, even if said “immigrants” are in fact illegal aliens:
http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_4_hispanic_family_values.html
Comments?
Get used to it.
Many proponents of the PD tax (as they whine “it’s only a penny”) also happen to believe that central Iowa doesn’t have enough “cultural” events or facilities. And we all know that us Iowa hicks are too dumb to spend our own money as we see fit. Better that our money be confiscated in order to satisfy the empire building mentality so common among those elitists in the vast bureaucracy of State, County and City entities. By the way, many of those elitists are not elected officials but instead are appointed to their positions of power.
PD Related Joke
HOTEL BILL
A husband and wife are traveling by car from Key West to Boston.
After almost twenty-four hours on the road, they're too tired to continue, and they decide to stop for a rest.
They stop at a nice hotel and take a room, but they only plan to sleep for four hours and then get back on the road.
When they check out four hours later, the desk clerk hands them a bill for $350.
The man explodes and demands to know why the charge is so high. He tells the clerk although it's a nice hotel, the rooms certainly aren't worth $350.
When the clerk tells him $350 is the standard rate, the man insists on speaking to the Manager.
The Manager appears, listens to the man, and then explains that the hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference center that was available for the husband and wife to use.
"But we didn't use them," the man complains.
"Well, they are here, and you could have," explains the Manager.
He goes on to explain they could have taken in one of the shows for which the hotel is famous. "The best entertainers from New York, Hollywood and Las Vegas perform here," the Manager says.
"But we didn't go to any of those shows, "complains the man again.
"Well, we have them, and you could have," the Manager replies.
No matter what facility the Manager mentions, the man replies, "But we didn't use it!"
The Manager is unmoved, and eventually the man gives up and agrees to pay. He writes a check and gives it to the Manager.
The Manager is surprised when he looks at the check.
"But sir," he says, this check is only made out for $50."
"That's correct," says the man. "I charged you $300 for sleeping with my wife."
"But I didn't!" exclaims the Manager.
"Well, too bad," the man replies. "She was here and you could have."
Another example of governments eagerness “to provide services” to the masses, many of whom will not use these “services“ anyway:
“The social-services complex has responded with barely concealed enthusiasm to this new flood of clients. As Hispanic social problems increase, so will the government sector that ministers to them. In July, a New York Times editorial, titled young latinas and a cry for help, pointed out the elevated high school dropout rates and birthrates among Hispanic girls. A quarter of all Latinas are mothers by the age of 20, reported the Times. With the usual melodrama that accompanies the pitch for more government services, the Times designated young Latinas as “endangered” in the same breath that it disclosed that they are one of the fastest-growing segments of the population. “The time to help is now,” said the Times—by which it means ratcheting up the taxpayer-subsidized social-work industry.”
Just substitute a few key words in that paragraph and one comes up with the perfect mirror image of the PD proponents message; That being that more government/taxation is good for us.
Wetbacks
These are the kind of “immigrants” that all US citizens should welcome, even if said “immigrants” are in fact illegal aliens:
http://www.city-journal.org/html/16_4_hispanic_family_values.html
Comments?
Good Ideas
How many Iowa taxpayers are aware of the Senior Living Trust Fund?
It’s just another scheme to confiscate the income of Iowa workers for the purpose of more state control over our lives. And the lives of our parents and grandparents.
Iowa Finance Authority. Another Ponzi scheme to confiscate money from the taxpayers to finance business and fulfill some politicians wetdream.
Iowa Values Fund. Good to know that the State of Iowa is so willing to subsidize business through the confiscation of money from working Iowans.
Goodbye Maytag. Goodbye Bandag. Goodbye Heartland Handcrafted Homes Inc.
Goodbye who’s next. Unless taxes are again raised to attract new business. Like that will work.
Scene: a group of democrats sitting around a table sipping on their double soya, twist of cinamin, foamy on top lattes discussing a propasol for the next tax increase. They admit that the LOST moniker wasn’t the best, but Warren County hit the ball out of the patk with their SILO. Ooohhh! SILO sounds so, so, well so farmy!
We’ve got to beat that one!
After much discussion the moniker of Project Destiny comes to the front.
Ooohhh! Project Destiny! And we can sell this as a way to cut property taxes too!
The stupid sheeples will buy that! After all, they bought Prairie Meadows, an increase of the state sales tax from 3% to 6%, state sponsored gambling (well, OK…maybe those touch play machines were a bit much, but hey, favors were owed).
Lets have the people vote! Right away!
Later…..Oh oh, this CIETC thing has really hurt our chances. Let’s lay back for awhile.
Yet later: Hey! Let’s have a vote on the PD tax in July! That way most people won’t show up to vote against a way of funding our pet projects. Ha Ha! Those tax paying voters are too lazy to lift their fat butts out of their barcaloungers just to vote on a “penny tax” (a 16.75% increase but “penny” sounds so much better, don’t you think).
What the hell ever happened to the idea of business coming up with it’s own money?
As of today I demand that there be a statewide tax program to finance my new Porsche. We can call that program the PonU. It’ll only cost you a penny.
And head on over to absolutedesmoines.com to make a comment contrary to the administrator. Within hours, you too will be unable to post comments in a supposedly open forum.
Oh, and be prepared for personal attacks. That’s what kids do best when they are unable to defend their position.
It’s just another scheme to confiscate the income of Iowa workers for the purpose of more state control over our lives. And the lives of our parents and grandparents.
Iowa Finance Authority. Another Ponzi scheme to confiscate money from the taxpayers to finance business and fulfill some politicians wetdream.
Iowa Values Fund. Good to know that the State of Iowa is so willing to subsidize business through the confiscation of money from working Iowans.
Goodbye Maytag. Goodbye Bandag. Goodbye Heartland Handcrafted Homes Inc.
Goodbye who’s next. Unless taxes are again raised to attract new business. Like that will work.
Scene: a group of democrats sitting around a table sipping on their double soya, twist of cinamin, foamy on top lattes discussing a propasol for the next tax increase. They admit that the LOST moniker wasn’t the best, but Warren County hit the ball out of the patk with their SILO. Ooohhh! SILO sounds so, so, well so farmy!
We’ve got to beat that one!
After much discussion the moniker of Project Destiny comes to the front.
Ooohhh! Project Destiny! And we can sell this as a way to cut property taxes too!
The stupid sheeples will buy that! After all, they bought Prairie Meadows, an increase of the state sales tax from 3% to 6%, state sponsored gambling (well, OK…maybe those touch play machines were a bit much, but hey, favors were owed).
Lets have the people vote! Right away!
Later…..Oh oh, this CIETC thing has really hurt our chances. Let’s lay back for awhile.
Yet later: Hey! Let’s have a vote on the PD tax in July! That way most people won’t show up to vote against a way of funding our pet projects. Ha Ha! Those tax paying voters are too lazy to lift their fat butts out of their barcaloungers just to vote on a “penny tax” (a 16.75% increase but “penny” sounds so much better, don’t you think).
What the hell ever happened to the idea of business coming up with it’s own money?
As of today I demand that there be a statewide tax program to finance my new Porsche. We can call that program the PonU. It’ll only cost you a penny.
And head on over to absolutedesmoines.com to make a comment contrary to the administrator. Within hours, you too will be unable to post comments in a supposedly open forum.
Oh, and be prepared for personal attacks. That’s what kids do best when they are unable to defend their position.
The Mantra of Central Planning Continues
Just chant: central planning, central planning, central planning, central planning
Your tax dollars at work:
http://state29.blogspot.com/2005/08/michael-gartners-principal-pork.html
“And I think I have the facts to prove it“:
http://state29.blogspot.com/2005/10/vilsack-defends-corporate-welfare.html
And this guy thinks he has a chance at the Presidency? Well, maybe. Idiocy seemed to work well for Culver, Steve Green ( AKA Ako Abdul Sammad for those of you not paying attention) and the LOST.
Judgement pending regarding the PD and the gullibility of central Iowa taxpayers.
Your tax dollars at work:
http://state29.blogspot.com/2005/08/michael-gartners-principal-pork.html
“And I think I have the facts to prove it“:
http://state29.blogspot.com/2005/10/vilsack-defends-corporate-welfare.html
And this guy thinks he has a chance at the Presidency? Well, maybe. Idiocy seemed to work well for Culver, Steve Green ( AKA Ako Abdul Sammad for those of you not paying attention) and the LOST.
Judgement pending regarding the PD and the gullibility of central Iowa taxpayers.
More on PD
CIETC-The gift that that keeps on taking.
More at:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS10/701050381/1001/RSS01
And more!
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070116/NEWS/70116041/1001/NEWS
Well, ok it’s only been going on for over 25 fricken years!
And:
http://www.rothcpa.com/archives/002422.php
Tax increases only serve to point out the incompetence of the current State, County and City governments. We must continue to work to defeat such idiocy that only serves the cause of empire building by elected and non-elected “officials”.
I continue to hear and read that our public schools are underfunded. What? Last year over 60% of my property tax bill went to pay for the schools. And another 1% of every dollar I spend for retail purchases in Warren county goes “for the children”. Bullshit.
And a message to Des Moines from a Warren County resident: I moved out of Des Moines to escape the idiocy. Stay the hell out of my county with your spot annexation plans.
(See Greenfield Plaza).
The city of Des Moines is nothing but a cancer upon central Iowa residents thanks to the likes of Archie Brooks, his girlfriend Romana Cunningham, Ako Abdul Samad with his creative visions pie in the sky paid for by …….hold on!: Taxpayers! (with the help of Tom Harkin). The fact that Ako has been elected to the State legislature by Des Moines voters indicates that the majority are easily duped. But then of course, that was proven with the passage of the LOST back in ‘99.
A message to Polk County and Des Moines “Leaders” and the kids at absolute des moines:
Enough. Think about these issues, continue to defend your utopia plans including never ending tax increases so that you may continue to fund your bureaucratic empires. And gird yourselves for defeat in the real world.
When you too find yourselves paying over 50% of your income to the government in the form of state and federal incomes taxes, property taxes, sales taxes (it is only a penny more don’t you know), fuel taxes and federal excise taxes…..you will come to realize the point of view as presented by one who has become weary of the central planning mentality and the endless quest for yet more income confiscation.
Good to see that the WFA, Convention Center and Wallace Building has worked out so well for the taxpayers of Polk County and Iowa, not to mention the benefits such boondoggles have provided to the contractors employing unionized laborers, which in the case of WFA were legal immigrants (wink, wink). White elephants indeed. More like pie in the sky dreams built in part by brown undocumented domesticated animals.
Wait, that’s not PC…..they’re not animals, they’re aliens.
Regardless; They are here illegally and I am forced to pay for their health care and subsidize their existence. While they continue “to do jobs that Americans won’t do”. Such as shitting on the lettuce and spinach that they pick for the purpose of creating e-coli outbreaks in the United States.
OK, that morphed into a slam at criminals employed by…..criminals.
Sorry.
Not at all.
More at:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS10/701050381/1001/RSS01
And more!
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070116/NEWS/70116041/1001/NEWS
Well, ok it’s only been going on for over 25 fricken years!
And:
http://www.rothcpa.com/archives/002422.php
Tax increases only serve to point out the incompetence of the current State, County and City governments. We must continue to work to defeat such idiocy that only serves the cause of empire building by elected and non-elected “officials”.
I continue to hear and read that our public schools are underfunded. What? Last year over 60% of my property tax bill went to pay for the schools. And another 1% of every dollar I spend for retail purchases in Warren county goes “for the children”. Bullshit.
And a message to Des Moines from a Warren County resident: I moved out of Des Moines to escape the idiocy. Stay the hell out of my county with your spot annexation plans.
(See Greenfield Plaza).
The city of Des Moines is nothing but a cancer upon central Iowa residents thanks to the likes of Archie Brooks, his girlfriend Romana Cunningham, Ako Abdul Samad with his creative visions pie in the sky paid for by …….hold on!: Taxpayers! (with the help of Tom Harkin). The fact that Ako has been elected to the State legislature by Des Moines voters indicates that the majority are easily duped. But then of course, that was proven with the passage of the LOST back in ‘99.
A message to Polk County and Des Moines “Leaders” and the kids at absolute des moines:
Enough. Think about these issues, continue to defend your utopia plans including never ending tax increases so that you may continue to fund your bureaucratic empires. And gird yourselves for defeat in the real world.
When you too find yourselves paying over 50% of your income to the government in the form of state and federal incomes taxes, property taxes, sales taxes (it is only a penny more don’t you know), fuel taxes and federal excise taxes…..you will come to realize the point of view as presented by one who has become weary of the central planning mentality and the endless quest for yet more income confiscation.
Good to see that the WFA, Convention Center and Wallace Building has worked out so well for the taxpayers of Polk County and Iowa, not to mention the benefits such boondoggles have provided to the contractors employing unionized laborers, which in the case of WFA were legal immigrants (wink, wink). White elephants indeed. More like pie in the sky dreams built in part by brown undocumented domesticated animals.
Wait, that’s not PC…..they’re not animals, they’re aliens.
Regardless; They are here illegally and I am forced to pay for their health care and subsidize their existence. While they continue “to do jobs that Americans won’t do”. Such as shitting on the lettuce and spinach that they pick for the purpose of creating e-coli outbreaks in the United States.
OK, that morphed into a slam at criminals employed by…..criminals.
Sorry.
Not at all.
The War On Islam
Gee whiz there is good news coming out of Iraq!
Look for perky katie to run this story on tonights see bs news:
"This month, Fatikhan was host of the first Ramadi reconstruction conference, held behind the high walls of his family compound. Contractors, sheiks and others met with U.S. officials to discuss projects to pave roads, rebuild schools and improve electrical, sewer, phone and water systems.
Fatikhan, who wears tailored suits when not in traditional clothing, understands U.S. politics. He told a visiting journalist, "Please take a message to the Democrats: Let the American forces stay until we can hold Iraq together. Then we will have a party when American forces go.""
and:
"The terrorists are not here for the interests of Iraq," Fatikhan said. "We don't need them here to say they're here to defend us. If Iraq was in danger, the real people of Iraq would stand up and defend Iraq."
He referred to the U.S. and Britain as "the two great nations."
Read it all at
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-sheik23jan23,1,448732.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=1&cset=true
Look for perky katie to run this story on tonights see bs news:
"This month, Fatikhan was host of the first Ramadi reconstruction conference, held behind the high walls of his family compound. Contractors, sheiks and others met with U.S. officials to discuss projects to pave roads, rebuild schools and improve electrical, sewer, phone and water systems.
Fatikhan, who wears tailored suits when not in traditional clothing, understands U.S. politics. He told a visiting journalist, "Please take a message to the Democrats: Let the American forces stay until we can hold Iraq together. Then we will have a party when American forces go.""
and:
"The terrorists are not here for the interests of Iraq," Fatikhan said. "We don't need them here to say they're here to defend us. If Iraq was in danger, the real people of Iraq would stand up and defend Iraq."
He referred to the U.S. and Britain as "the two great nations."
Read it all at
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-sheik23jan23,1,448732.story?coll=la-headlines-world&ctrack=1&cset=true
Project Destiny
This morning while attempting to reply to a post at absolutedesmoines I discovered that once again my posting privileges have been suspended.
Without notice.
Hmm.
Go on over there and peruse the forums. The prevelant attitude over there reminds me of a quote (in some other forum) that I ran across several weeks ago:
"This issue is also seen by many in the liberal camp as the best chance they have to achieve the statewide redistribution of wealth."
Ahh yes, a model of the Soviet Union.
All bow to the bureaucrats. All your money belong to them.
Without notice.
Hmm.
Go on over there and peruse the forums. The prevelant attitude over there reminds me of a quote (in some other forum) that I ran across several weeks ago:
"This issue is also seen by many in the liberal camp as the best chance they have to achieve the statewide redistribution of wealth."
Ahh yes, a model of the Soviet Union.
All bow to the bureaucrats. All your money belong to them.
Project Destiny
It occurred to me; If a 16.67% sales tax increase is good for the tri-county area, why wouldn't a 66,67% tax increase be event better?
Anyone remember when the state sales tax was 3% and there was no hotel/motel tax, and there was no Prairie Meadows, and there were no casinos at all in the State Of Iowa? Remember when the very idea of tax abatement was viewed as a dumb idea? Remember when we were all expected to pull our own weight?
For those who remember ask yourselves; Were you better off then than you are today?
And why do those downtown lofts enjoy a 10 year tax abatement when new suburban housing gets only 5 years?
Does all of this smack of central planning? Look at how well that worked out for The former Soviet Union.
Keep your powder dry.
Anyone remember when the state sales tax was 3% and there was no hotel/motel tax, and there was no Prairie Meadows, and there were no casinos at all in the State Of Iowa? Remember when the very idea of tax abatement was viewed as a dumb idea? Remember when we were all expected to pull our own weight?
For those who remember ask yourselves; Were you better off then than you are today?
And why do those downtown lofts enjoy a 10 year tax abatement when new suburban housing gets only 5 years?
Does all of this smack of central planning? Look at how well that worked out for The former Soviet Union.
Keep your powder dry.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Project Destiny & Other Bogus Taxes
Most of this rant is in response to an ongoing discussion concerning the proposed PD tax, supposedly to be voted on in July of '07, found at absolute des moines. Since I am no longer allowed to post there, this blog is my way of getting the word out........................................................
First of all, I believe that some taxes are neccesary, if for no other reason than to provide a way for income redistribution to be determined by elected…and non elected (aka “appointed”) officials.
But I hope that many here are against any more new taxes.
Some history about how taxes have been sold to all of us in Des Moines, Central Iowa, and the State of Iowa:
1) Back in the mid 1980’s the hotel/motel tax was sold to us as a way towards property tax relief. After all, none of us hicks would have to pay such a tax because we didn’t stay in local motels!
Guess what; All of us pay this tax anytime we travel, and such a tax is passed onto all of us whenever we travel, be it for business or personal trips. The simple fact is that no business pays any taxes, business owners simply pass this additional cost onto their customers in the form of price increases.
Do ya think that maybe a way to attract new businesses and tourists to Iowa would be the abolition of this tax?
2) In the early 1980’s the state imposed a “temporary” sales tax increase from 4 cents to 5 cents per dollar. Also known as a 25% tax increase. All in the name of cutting taxes, because you see, a tax increase will actually lead to a tax decrease. By the way, that was another temporary tax made permanent.
(Apparently our city, county and state “leaders” actually did inhale back in their college happy, happy, happy days.)
3) Prairie Meadows (PM) was sold to Polk County tax payers as yet another path to property tax relief. In fact, back in the 1980’s it was touted as a way to completely eliminate residential property taxes in Polk county. Later, PMs’ proponents backed off of that extreme claim and instead promised that revenues from the horse racing would provide property tax “relief” while also providing additional revenue to be used in a way to later be determined (rainbows, sunshine and kumbaya also known as RSK).
Then PM went bankrupt. Apparently the horse racing thing didn’t pan out. Kinda like the Waterloo Dog Racing track. And the Dubuque Greyhound track, and the Coucil Bluffs dog track.
And today we in central Iowa several full blown casino’s out there that do not generate revenues. They merely tax the stupid to fund the pet projects of Polk county bureaucrats such as……programs to counsel problem gamblers. Wow!
We were suckers for allowing this to happen.
4) The State lottery was sold as yet another way to the yellow brick road of tax relief for the entire state.
And the results were? RSK. Today there is talk of adding yet another “temporary penny tax” to the state sales tax. For the children. Oh, and for “tax relief”. Again our elected officials promote yet another tax increase as yet another way to cut taxes *and* provide “amenities” that will supposedly attract people to our state. Yeah riiigght. Makes me want to move to a state with even higher taxes, you know. So that those in government can spend my money better than I can on amenities that I will not use.
How many reading this regularly visit Greys Lake?
That new open air ice rink downtown?
Yeah, me neither.
God forbid that the taxpayers are in charge of our own hard earned money. Better it be spent for pet projects.
http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2007/01/16/latest_news/doc45ad0eb731054633141402.txt
Like the state sponsored lottery is not a scam?
Touch play machines anyone? Scam, Scam, Scam, central planning, central planning, central planning. Bueller? Bueller?
5) The LOST. Again, that was sold as a path towards property tax relief. Chime in if any of you Polk county home owners have seen a property tax reduction in excess of what you pay in additional sales taxes. So far as you renters; You pay property taxes as part of your rental fee. Have any of you experienced a reduction of your rental payments due to the LOST? Oh, and are those sales taxes deductible for anyone out there? Try to deduct state and local sales taxes and you will find yourself in jail.
6) Tax abatement for new construction: Who picks up the slack for all of these tax abated homes? Answer: Everybody else owning a home built since 2002. And all renters. Again, businesses do not pay taxes. Developers do not pay taxes. They merely collect them from their customers and forward that revenue to the taxing authority.
7) Vision Iowa: How exactly does this income confiscation scheme help the Iowa taxpayers? Maytag, Bandag, Amana, that organic food producer in North Liberty that went bankrupt, (Dreamers help make Iowa City what it is :
http://www.press-citizen.com/opinion/pceditorials/staffedit122403.htm)
the Iowa Pork, uhh rain forest just to name a few. How have any of these projects funded by us taxpayers actually been good for our communities in the long term?
Answer: It’s money that has been pissed away for the purpose of influence peddling.
8) The Pork, err, Oman’s Rain Forest dream. So far over $3,000,000 of the $50,000,000 has been spent for “administration” and “promoting” this latest scheme of tax confiscation. Call it what it is: It IS NOT “development”. It is taking money from taxpayers to fund one persons hobby…..of taking money to fund……one persons hobby.
I challenge anyone to provide proof that the “Great Ape Trust” (another Oman project subsidized by....wait for it……..taxpayers!) Wow! Have any taxpayer relized a benefit from this project other than the great david?
http://state29.blogspot.com/2006/12/vilsack-with-all-due-respect-to-those.html
Again, taxes do not “generate” revenue. More taxes are merely a form of confiscation to pay for bagels and donuts for the privileged:
“Isn't it funny how Grassley is more concerned about pork when it involves things like $12 bagels and $14 cookies?”
http://state29.blogspot.com/2006/12/vilsack-with-all-due-respect-to-those.html
While writing legislation to favor his friends:
http://state29.blogspot.com/2005/11/senator-chuck-grassley-weasel.html
Anecdotals: I recently sold a home built in 1971 for $128,000. Said home is assessed by Polk county as worth $184,600. Can you say over-appreciated and over taxed? The new owners plan to ask the city for a reduction in the assessed value (good luck to them as I am not aware of a single tax in Iowa or Des Moines that has been reduced). Why this disparity? Look at tax abatement for new construction for the reason.
B)There is for sale on the SE side of Des Moines a newer home that sold at $202,500 two years ago. Current asking price? $179,000. Why is that? Even a tax abated home located in Polk county can’t sell for it’s original list price? The fact is that people are looking to alternative locales.
(Reference Potters Field.)
Soon tax abatement will finally be found to be one of the largest shell games ever foisted upon the residents of Des Moines. While offering the carrot of temporary tax abatement, the city and county are working a game for developers while proposing more taxes to be paid by us "masses" in the form of additional permanent taxes such as a continuation of the LOST, an additional Statewide “penny” increase in the sales tax (a 17% increase for those of you keeping score) for the schools/children of course and another local (no doubt “temporary”) income tax for Polk county residents. Again, sales taxes are not deductible on your income tax returns.
So far as the PD tax; It’s being sold to residents of three counties with the threat that any county that fails to go along with such a tax increase will suffer. This is nothing more than a form of extortion.
Back to the LOST. Initially it was to be a temporary tax. But before leaving office to head a much smaller school district in Illinois (and does that raise the question of whither he was dis-invited by the DSM skoolbord?), Witherspoon was promoting a movement to make the LOST permanent. This for a tax that was voted down three times by Polk County taxpayers and was finally passed in 1999 only because it’s proponents successfully lobbied the state legislature for a rule change making it possible for a simple majority of voters to approve such a tax. And a simple majority they have proven to be (I’m not posting this to make friends, after all. I’m just trying to wake up the true tax payers of Polk, Warren and Dallas counties).
It’s been over 7 years now since the Polk County LOST took effect: All of you experiencing a property tax or rental reduction payments please raise your hands.
*crickets*
And it is fact that Des Moines city manager Clark is a proponent for a local city/county wide income tax. He trial ballooned that idea nearly a year ago in front of the DMAAR. I was there and why this was not widely reported I have no idea. Oh wait, I do know why this was not widely reported. The Des Moines Register has yet to find any tax increase that it doesn’t like, unless said tax is assessed for the purchase of a newspaper.
Think about this: Do you pay sales tax when you purchase a newspaper such as the Des Moines Register?
Do you pay a sales tax when you buy a magazine?
Hmmm. Why the difference?
Anyway, look for the local income tax proposal to be once again pitched in about a year after the July ‘07 vote for the PD goes down in flames.
Quote from a post at absolute des moines:
“I can understand that some don't want to have to pay for improvements, and projects that can be seen as "white elephants", but there are likely plenty of people that share the pro-progress sentiment, backed by business and government leaders that do like to have these things to better the communities they live in, and that takes an investment.” (EQ)
Then let private entities take the lead. The Fleur Drive Beatification project comes to mind as a project exemplifying private enterprise taking the lead instead of the taxpayers being hooked for another tax increase.
It is widely believed that Principle Park (currently 3X over budget) will “enhance” the community. Who is going to pay to maintain that project? Not to mention that this particular project is already over budget! So far as other downtown “renovation” projects; See Walnut Street. Ohhhh!, Look at the pretty bricks!
Ohhhh? Look at all of the foot traffic to all of the succesful retial based entites that line, line I tell you that downtown street. But at least that project kept Younkers downtown.
Oh, wait. Nevermind.
Grey’s Lake and the Fleur Drive beatification project: This has enhanced Des Moines exactly how? Oh, I see; Tax the many for the benefit of the few.
The fact is that the property owners of homes built prior to 2002 and those who make a living in Polk county and those just passing through who happen to stay at a hotel or motel will once again pick up the slack for yet another project that initially was to be financed by the Principle Group. Speaking of; that hotel/motel tax was proported to be a temporary tax that would provide………property tax relief.
Funny how all of these “temporary” taxes intended to provide tax relief for Polk county residents tend to hang around forever while providing zero property tax relief unless one defines tax relief as being able to pay more taxes which continue to be frittered away on things such as CIETC:
http://mainstreamiowan.blogspot.com/2007/01/cietc-still-ripping-off-taxpayers.html
Enough.
First of all, I believe that some taxes are neccesary, if for no other reason than to provide a way for income redistribution to be determined by elected…and non elected (aka “appointed”) officials.
But I hope that many here are against any more new taxes.
Some history about how taxes have been sold to all of us in Des Moines, Central Iowa, and the State of Iowa:
1) Back in the mid 1980’s the hotel/motel tax was sold to us as a way towards property tax relief. After all, none of us hicks would have to pay such a tax because we didn’t stay in local motels!
Guess what; All of us pay this tax anytime we travel, and such a tax is passed onto all of us whenever we travel, be it for business or personal trips. The simple fact is that no business pays any taxes, business owners simply pass this additional cost onto their customers in the form of price increases.
Do ya think that maybe a way to attract new businesses and tourists to Iowa would be the abolition of this tax?
2) In the early 1980’s the state imposed a “temporary” sales tax increase from 4 cents to 5 cents per dollar. Also known as a 25% tax increase. All in the name of cutting taxes, because you see, a tax increase will actually lead to a tax decrease. By the way, that was another temporary tax made permanent.
(Apparently our city, county and state “leaders” actually did inhale back in their college happy, happy, happy days.)
3) Prairie Meadows (PM) was sold to Polk County tax payers as yet another path to property tax relief. In fact, back in the 1980’s it was touted as a way to completely eliminate residential property taxes in Polk county. Later, PMs’ proponents backed off of that extreme claim and instead promised that revenues from the horse racing would provide property tax “relief” while also providing additional revenue to be used in a way to later be determined (rainbows, sunshine and kumbaya also known as RSK).
Then PM went bankrupt. Apparently the horse racing thing didn’t pan out. Kinda like the Waterloo Dog Racing track. And the Dubuque Greyhound track, and the Coucil Bluffs dog track.
And today we in central Iowa several full blown casino’s out there that do not generate revenues. They merely tax the stupid to fund the pet projects of Polk county bureaucrats such as……programs to counsel problem gamblers. Wow!
We were suckers for allowing this to happen.
4) The State lottery was sold as yet another way to the yellow brick road of tax relief for the entire state.
And the results were? RSK. Today there is talk of adding yet another “temporary penny tax” to the state sales tax. For the children. Oh, and for “tax relief”. Again our elected officials promote yet another tax increase as yet another way to cut taxes *and* provide “amenities” that will supposedly attract people to our state. Yeah riiigght. Makes me want to move to a state with even higher taxes, you know. So that those in government can spend my money better than I can on amenities that I will not use.
How many reading this regularly visit Greys Lake?
That new open air ice rink downtown?
Yeah, me neither.
God forbid that the taxpayers are in charge of our own hard earned money. Better it be spent for pet projects.
http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2007/01/16/latest_news/doc45ad0eb731054633141402.txt
Like the state sponsored lottery is not a scam?
Touch play machines anyone? Scam, Scam, Scam, central planning, central planning, central planning. Bueller? Bueller?
5) The LOST. Again, that was sold as a path towards property tax relief. Chime in if any of you Polk county home owners have seen a property tax reduction in excess of what you pay in additional sales taxes. So far as you renters; You pay property taxes as part of your rental fee. Have any of you experienced a reduction of your rental payments due to the LOST? Oh, and are those sales taxes deductible for anyone out there? Try to deduct state and local sales taxes and you will find yourself in jail.
6) Tax abatement for new construction: Who picks up the slack for all of these tax abated homes? Answer: Everybody else owning a home built since 2002. And all renters. Again, businesses do not pay taxes. Developers do not pay taxes. They merely collect them from their customers and forward that revenue to the taxing authority.
7) Vision Iowa: How exactly does this income confiscation scheme help the Iowa taxpayers? Maytag, Bandag, Amana, that organic food producer in North Liberty that went bankrupt, (Dreamers help make Iowa City what it is :
http://www.press-citizen.com/opinion/pceditorials/staffedit122403.htm)
the Iowa Pork, uhh rain forest just to name a few. How have any of these projects funded by us taxpayers actually been good for our communities in the long term?
Answer: It’s money that has been pissed away for the purpose of influence peddling.
8) The Pork, err, Oman’s Rain Forest dream. So far over $3,000,000 of the $50,000,000 has been spent for “administration” and “promoting” this latest scheme of tax confiscation. Call it what it is: It IS NOT “development”. It is taking money from taxpayers to fund one persons hobby…..of taking money to fund……one persons hobby.
I challenge anyone to provide proof that the “Great Ape Trust” (another Oman project subsidized by....wait for it……..taxpayers!) Wow! Have any taxpayer relized a benefit from this project other than the great david?
http://state29.blogspot.com/2006/12/vilsack-with-all-due-respect-to-those.html
Again, taxes do not “generate” revenue. More taxes are merely a form of confiscation to pay for bagels and donuts for the privileged:
“Isn't it funny how Grassley is more concerned about pork when it involves things like $12 bagels and $14 cookies?”
http://state29.blogspot.com/2006/12/vilsack-with-all-due-respect-to-those.html
While writing legislation to favor his friends:
http://state29.blogspot.com/2005/11/senator-chuck-grassley-weasel.html
Anecdotals: I recently sold a home built in 1971 for $128,000. Said home is assessed by Polk county as worth $184,600. Can you say over-appreciated and over taxed? The new owners plan to ask the city for a reduction in the assessed value (good luck to them as I am not aware of a single tax in Iowa or Des Moines that has been reduced). Why this disparity? Look at tax abatement for new construction for the reason.
B)There is for sale on the SE side of Des Moines a newer home that sold at $202,500 two years ago. Current asking price? $179,000. Why is that? Even a tax abated home located in Polk county can’t sell for it’s original list price? The fact is that people are looking to alternative locales.
(Reference Potters Field.)
Soon tax abatement will finally be found to be one of the largest shell games ever foisted upon the residents of Des Moines. While offering the carrot of temporary tax abatement, the city and county are working a game for developers while proposing more taxes to be paid by us "masses" in the form of additional permanent taxes such as a continuation of the LOST, an additional Statewide “penny” increase in the sales tax (a 17% increase for those of you keeping score) for the schools/children of course and another local (no doubt “temporary”) income tax for Polk county residents. Again, sales taxes are not deductible on your income tax returns.
So far as the PD tax; It’s being sold to residents of three counties with the threat that any county that fails to go along with such a tax increase will suffer. This is nothing more than a form of extortion.
Back to the LOST. Initially it was to be a temporary tax. But before leaving office to head a much smaller school district in Illinois (and does that raise the question of whither he was dis-invited by the DSM skoolbord?), Witherspoon was promoting a movement to make the LOST permanent. This for a tax that was voted down three times by Polk County taxpayers and was finally passed in 1999 only because it’s proponents successfully lobbied the state legislature for a rule change making it possible for a simple majority of voters to approve such a tax. And a simple majority they have proven to be (I’m not posting this to make friends, after all. I’m just trying to wake up the true tax payers of Polk, Warren and Dallas counties).
It’s been over 7 years now since the Polk County LOST took effect: All of you experiencing a property tax or rental reduction payments please raise your hands.
*crickets*
And it is fact that Des Moines city manager Clark is a proponent for a local city/county wide income tax. He trial ballooned that idea nearly a year ago in front of the DMAAR. I was there and why this was not widely reported I have no idea. Oh wait, I do know why this was not widely reported. The Des Moines Register has yet to find any tax increase that it doesn’t like, unless said tax is assessed for the purchase of a newspaper.
Think about this: Do you pay sales tax when you purchase a newspaper such as the Des Moines Register?
Do you pay a sales tax when you buy a magazine?
Hmmm. Why the difference?
Anyway, look for the local income tax proposal to be once again pitched in about a year after the July ‘07 vote for the PD goes down in flames.
Quote from a post at absolute des moines:
“I can understand that some don't want to have to pay for improvements, and projects that can be seen as "white elephants", but there are likely plenty of people that share the pro-progress sentiment, backed by business and government leaders that do like to have these things to better the communities they live in, and that takes an investment.” (EQ)
Then let private entities take the lead. The Fleur Drive Beatification project comes to mind as a project exemplifying private enterprise taking the lead instead of the taxpayers being hooked for another tax increase.
It is widely believed that Principle Park (currently 3X over budget) will “enhance” the community. Who is going to pay to maintain that project? Not to mention that this particular project is already over budget! So far as other downtown “renovation” projects; See Walnut Street. Ohhhh!, Look at the pretty bricks!
Ohhhh? Look at all of the foot traffic to all of the succesful retial based entites that line, line I tell you that downtown street. But at least that project kept Younkers downtown.
Oh, wait. Nevermind.
Grey’s Lake and the Fleur Drive beatification project: This has enhanced Des Moines exactly how? Oh, I see; Tax the many for the benefit of the few.
The fact is that the property owners of homes built prior to 2002 and those who make a living in Polk county and those just passing through who happen to stay at a hotel or motel will once again pick up the slack for yet another project that initially was to be financed by the Principle Group. Speaking of; that hotel/motel tax was proported to be a temporary tax that would provide………property tax relief.
Funny how all of these “temporary” taxes intended to provide tax relief for Polk county residents tend to hang around forever while providing zero property tax relief unless one defines tax relief as being able to pay more taxes which continue to be frittered away on things such as CIETC:
http://mainstreamiowan.blogspot.com/2007/01/cietc-still-ripping-off-taxpayers.html
Enough.
New To This.......
...blogging thing. So if anyone out there has any blogging tips leave 'em in the comments please.
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