Two stories today that made me embarrassed to be a registered democrat...
blackredyellow
Posts: 5,889
I heard these two stories on NPR this morning and I just shook my head...
I realize that people are loosing jobs and politicians need to try to save face by making a big deal about it, but c'mon... The Federal Reserve is trying to save money by making a move that on the surface makes sense - people don't write checks anymore, so it goes to reason that less centers will be needed to processes checks.
AND
Yes, I'm sure that appointment has some politics to it... but in the end the guy worked for the MA State Police for 25 years and retired as the Commander... You aren't going to find someone much more qualified then that.
Quit bitching about it, if the Dems would have won in 2004, they would make the same sort of moves. To the victors go the spoils...
Clinton, Arcuri protest plan to close Fed check center
UTICA (AP) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton and Rep. Michael Arcuri sent a letter Thursday to Federal Reserve System Chairman Ben Bernanke opposing the closing of the Federal Reserve Office in upstate New York.
The Federal Reserve Bank announced Tuesday that a decline in paper check writing was behind the decision to scale back operations at 14 sites, including closing its suburban Utica office in Whitestown, which employs nearly 200 workers.
Both New York lawmakers expressed strong opposition to the closing and criticized how the announcement was handled. They demanded answers from the Federal Reserve regarding its decision, the execution of the closing, and any plans to assist employees affected by the closing.
"I am deeply troubled that we were not told of this closing ahead time or given any opportunity to voice our concerns," said Arcuri. "It's bad enough when the private sector outsources jobs overseas, but it's unforgivable when our own government does it to us."
Clinton said the closing would be devastating to the community.
"It is unacceptable that this decision was made without the opportunity for the workers, community members or their elected officials to make the case to keep this facility open," Clinton said. "The Federal Reserve owes it to the community to fully explain their reasoning for this abrupt closure."
The New York lawmakers asked whether a rating system was used to determine which four sites would be selected as "regional check processing sites" and how Utica ranked in comparision with other facilities. Arcuri and Clinton also asked for cost-benefit analysis information on consolidating all check processing sites into four regional centers.
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070628/NEWS01/706280368
I realize that people are loosing jobs and politicians need to try to save face by making a big deal about it, but c'mon... The Federal Reserve is trying to save money by making a move that on the surface makes sense - people don't write checks anymore, so it goes to reason that less centers will be needed to processes checks.
AND
Hillman appointed to U.S. marshal post for Mass., but faces fight
June 29, 2007
BOSTON --President Bush has appointed Reed Hillman, the former head of the State Police, to serve as the U.S. Marshal for Massachusetts, a selection that the state's two Democratic senators say they will fight.
Hillman, former Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey's running mate in her unsuccessful run for governor last year, was nominated in a letter delivered Thursday to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Traditionally, the marshal's job has gone to a prominent political figure from the same party as the president. The Marshal's Service is responsible for securing courthouses, protecting judges and witnesses, and helping transport prisoners. Massachusetts' marshal oversees courthouses in Boston, Worcester, and Springfield.
Hillman, 58, rose through the ranks of the 2,500-member State Police during a 25-year career to become the agency's highest-ranking officer. After retiring in 1999, he switched to politics, representing Sturbridge in the state Legislature for six years and then making last year's losing bid for lieutenant governor.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, a Judiciary Committee member, and Sen. John Kerry said they would oppose a nomination they regard as a political patronage appointment.
"It is important for our citizens to have confidence that political considerations are not unduly affecting law enforcement administration. Mr. Hillman does not meet the criteria," Kennedy said in a statement.
Kerry said in a statement, "I will gladly join Sen. Kennedy in opposing this terrible nomination."
A White House spokeswoman said Hillman is "extraordinarily qualified" for the post.
"All you have to do is look over his extensive experience in law enforcement to realize he is well suited for this position," Emily Lawrimore said.
Kennedy has advocated for what he has termed professionalizing the Marshals Service, and last year he added a provision to the Patriot Act requiring marshals to have experience in "command-level" management and experience protecting court personnel.
Bush's previous nominee for US marshal in Massachusetts was Anthony Dichio, a former state trooper. The president dismissed Dichio in 2005, 10 months after The Boston Globe published a story alleging Dichio had lax work habits, and used his government-owned vehicle for personal errands.
Since his firing, the state has had an acting marshal.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/06/29/hillman_appointed_to_us_marshal_post_for_mass_but_faces_fight/
Yes, I'm sure that appointment has some politics to it... but in the end the guy worked for the MA State Police for 25 years and retired as the Commander... You aren't going to find someone much more qualified then that.
Quit bitching about it, if the Dems would have won in 2004, they would make the same sort of moves. To the victors go the spoils...
My whole life
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Ooo the imagery...
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
(\__/)
( o.O)
(")_(")
It's nice to hear a democrat say this. I am not a democrat, but certainly am more like a deomocrat than a republican. And when Bush appoints far-right people (i.e. Ashcroft), I won't say that I like it, but when arguing with other lefties about fighting it, I use that same phrase, "to the victors go the spoils." Unless you can prove that someone is grossly unqualified or has a history of breaking laws or being quite unprofessional, Bush won the election and he gets to make the appointment. "Too conservative" is not a valid reason.
As for the Clinton thing. I agree with you. But this is more a reflection on pork and politics than on the Democrats or even Clinton. They all want to stand up for their state/district and very few think of the greater good as UNITED STATES representatives (as opposed to their state/district) and try not to waste the federal dollars in the process. Again, Clinton deserves heat for this, but so do most.
I'm not so sure that the Federal Reserve is actually part of the government. From Wiki:
Legal status and position in government
The Federal Reserve System was created via the Federal Reserve Act of December 23rd, 1913.[14] The Reserve Banks opened for business on November 16th, 1914. Federal Reserve Notes were created as part of the legislation, to provide a supply of currency. The notes were to be issued to the Reserve Banks for subsequent transmittal to banking institutions. The various components of the Federal Reserve System have differing legal statuses.
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is an independent federal government agency.[15] The Board of Governors does not receive funding from Congress, and the terms of the seven members of the Board span multiple presidential and congressional terms. Once a member of the Board of Governors is appointed by the president, he or she functions mostly independently. The Board is required to make an annual report of operations to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.[16] The law provides for the removal of a member of the Board by the President "for cause."[17] The Board of Governors is responsible for the formulation of monetary policy. It also supervises and regulates the operations of the Federal Reserve Banks, and US banking system in general.
The Federal Reserve Banks are owned by private member banks (see below). Each member bank owns nonnegotiable shares of stock in its regional Federal Reserve Bank; see below). In Lewis v. United States,[18] the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit stated that "the Reserve Banks are not federal instrumentalities for purposes of the FTCA [the Federal Tort Claims Act], but are independent, privately owned and locally controlled corporations." The opinion also stated that "the Reserve Banks have properly been held to be federal instrumentalities for some purposes."[19] Another decision is Scott v. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City[20] in which the distinction between the Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors is made.
The member banks are privately owned corporations. The stocks of many of the member banks are publicly traded."
see more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Federal_Reserve
One of the best points ever made on this board.
Siegelman, Scrushy go straight to jail
Both men leave court, are shackled, promise appeal
Friday, June 29, 2007
KIM CHANDLER and CHARLES J. DEAN
News staff writers
MONTGOMERY - Former Gov. Don Siegelman, once a rising political star, and Richard Scrushy, once the head of a Fortune 500 company, were taken from a Montgomery courtroom late Thursday and put in shackles to begin lengthy prison terms for their convictions on bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud.
U.S. District Court Judge Mark Fuller sentenced Siegelman to seven years, four months in prison, three years on probation, restitution of $181,325, a $50,000 fine and 500 hours of community service for bribery, conspiracy and mail fraud.
The judge sentenced Scrushy, the founder of HealthSouth Corp., to six years, 10 months in prison, three years of probation, 500 hours of community service, a $150,000 fine and $267,000 in restitution. He also ordered Scrushy to pay the costs of his prison stay - $1,952.66 a month while he is in prison plus $3,450 a year for supervision.
A jury last year convicted Siegelman of selling, and Scrushy of buying, an appointment to the state Certificate of Need Review Board with $500,000 in contributions to Siegelman's lottery campaign.
Siegelman's lead defense lawyer, Vince Kilborn, said his team would file an emergency appeal this morning with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta to seek Siegelman's release.
Kilborn said that when he left Siegelman, the former governor was shackled by the ankles, waiting to be taken to a nearby jail. Kilborn called the former governor's incarceration a dangerous and scary situation.
Scrushy attorney Art Leach said he was not shocked that his client had been taken immediately into custody. "It's a high-profile case and the judge has total discretion," he said.
Leach said he would file an expedited appeal of the case as soon as Fuller makes his order final.
"We're going to pursue all of his options, all of his appeals and we expect he will be vindicated," Leach said. "I'm disappointed by the length of the jail term but it could have been a whole lot worse," Leach said.
Louis Franklin, the acting U.S. attorney in the case, said he was confident the convictions and sentences would stand on appeal.
Before imposing sentence on Siegelman, Fuller told him, "There is no question in this court's mind that you have done many great things for the state." He said that the good Siegelman had done exceeded the bad, but he must impose a fair punishment.
Fuller said he'd received 720 letters asking him to be lenient on the former governor.
Fuller called the sentencing an unpleasant responsibility but told Siegelman, "You and I both took an oath to uphold the law. You have violated that oath."
Fuller refused to allow Scrushy and Siegelman to remain free while they appeal their sentences.
Scrushy's wife, Leslie, openly sobbed as Siegelman and Scrushy were escorted from the courtroom. She spoke briefly with reporters afterward, saying in a low, strained voice that she was returning home to be with her children.
Siegelman's wife, Lori Allen, left the courthouse looking flushed and visibly shaken. She did not speak with reporters.
"I think this is a sad day for the state but a good day for justice," said Steve Feaga, one of the federal prosecutors in the case. "People have a right to have their government conducted honestly and not in the best interest of cronies."
In 1993, Feaga helped convict then-Gov. Guy Hunt on state charges of wrongdoing.
Convicted 1 year ago:
A jury one year ago today convicted Siegelman and Scrushy of federal funds bribery, conspiracy and honest services mail fraud.
The jury found Scrushy bribed Siegelman for an appointment to the state Certificate of Need Review Board, which controls the growth of HealthSouth and its competitors, by arranging $500,000 in donations to Siegelman's 1999 lottery campaign.
Siegelman was convicted on an additional obstruction of justice charge on allegations that he hid $9,200 he received from lobbyist Lanny Young, who was under investigation, by claiming the money was an aide's down payment for a motorcycle.
Siegelman had once been the brightest star in state politics, winning four elected offices. Nine years ago he celebrated his 1998 lopsided victory over Republican Fob James in downtown Montgomery a few blocks from the federal courthouse.
On Thursday he stood at the courthouse before Fuller asking for mercy.
"Richard Scrushy was on top of corporate America, in that small elite, the pinnacle. He has taken a tremendous fall," said Doug Jones, former U.S. attorney who now is with a law firm suing HealthSouth and Scrushy for securities fraud.
Ex-governor sheds tears:
Siegelman removed his glasses several times to wipe away tears as he described to Fuller how he got into politics to make Alabama better.
"I never intended to do anything that approached a crime," Siegelman told Fuller. "I'm not a perfect person, but I'm a good person. I've made mistakes. I've done some stupid things, but I believe in the people of this state. All I wanted to do was make the state a better place."
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1183105209178840.xml&coll=2