Category Archives: corruption

Georgia gets F on anti corruption measures, GA courts prove corrupt in Obama ballot challenges, State Integrity Investigation, Ethics open records and disclosure laws

Georgia gets F on anti corruption measures, GA courts prove corrupt in Obama ballot challenges, State Integrity Investigation, Ethics open records and disclosure laws

“Why has Obama, since taking the White House, used Justice Department Attorneys, at taxpayer expense,  to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells

“Why is Obama now employing private attorneys to keep his name on state ballots, despite compelling evidence that he is not a natural born citizen?…Citizen Wells

“The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind ‘cos he was way behind and he was willin’ to make a deal.”…Charlie Daniels Band

We already knew that Georgia is a corrupt state. We learned this during the recent handling of the Obama ballot challenges in GA by the behaviour of the Secretary of State, other election officials and the GA courts. We now have independent confirmation from a recent study of state ethics, open records and disclosure laws.

From State Integrity Investigation.

“The tales are sadly familiar to even the most casual observer of state politics.

In Georgia, more than 650 government employees accepted gifts from vendors doing business with the state in 2007 and 2008, clearly violating state ethics law. The last time the state issued a penalty on a vendor was 1999.”
“The stories go on and on. Open records laws with hundreds of exemptions. Crucial budgeting decisions made behind closed doors by a handful of power brokers. “Citizen” lawmakers voting on bills that would benefit them directly. Scores of legislators turning into lobbyists seemingly overnight. Disclosure laws without much disclosure. Ethics panels that haven’t met in years.

State officials make lofty promises when it comes to ethics in government. They tout the transparency of legislative processes, accessibility of records, and the openness of public meetings. But these efforts often fall short of providing any real transparency or legitimate hope of rooting out corruption.

That’s the depressing bottom line that emerges from the State Integrity Investigation, a first-of-its-kind, data-driven assessment of transparency, accountability and anti-corruption mechanisms in all 50 states. Not a single state — not one — earned an A grade from the months-long probe. Only five states earned a B grade: New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, California, and Nebraska. Nineteen states got C’s and 18 received D’s. Eight states earned failing grades of 59 or below from the project, which is a collaboration of the Center for Public Integrity, Global Integrity, and Public Radio International.

The F’s went to Michigan, North Dakota, South Carolina, Maine, Virginia, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Georgia.

What’s behind the dismal grades? Across the board, state ethics, open records and disclosure laws lack one key feature: teeth.

“It’s a terrible problem,” said Tim Potts, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Democracy Rising PA, which works to inspire citizen trust in government. “A good law isn’t worth anything if it’s not enforced.””

“Using a combination of on-the-ground investigative reporting and original data collection and analysis, the State Integrity Index researched 330 “Integrity Indicators” across 14 categories of state government: public access to information, political financing, executive accountability, legislative accountability, judicial accountability, state budget processes, civil service management, procurement, internal auditing, lobbying disclosure, pension fund management, ethics enforcement, insurance commissions, and redistricting.

Indicators assess what laws, if any, are on the books (“in law” indicator) and whether the laws are effective in practice (“in practice” indicators). In many states, the disconnect between scores on a state’s law and scores in practice suggest a serious “enforcement gap.”

In other words, the laws are there, just not always followed.”
“While there are many examples that highlight a lack of resources, others assert that political factors may also be at play.

Georgia’s legislature slashed the ethics commission’s budget, eliminating all investigative positions and eventually forcing out its two top staffers. The former executive director claimed the funding cuts came with ulterior motives; at the time, the agency was pursuing an investigation against Governor Nathan Deal for improper use of campaign funds and exceeding campaign finance limits. Deal said the cuts were in line with what happened to other agencies. The state’s inspector general followed with an investigation, but found no evidence to support the claim of the commission’s former executive director.

Political loyalties can be a potential problem, especially since many ethics agencies are staffed by gubernatorial or legislative appointments.”

“For state judges, it’s a similar situation. Nearly all states have rules, codes, or regulations outlining recusal requirements, but again they leave it up to the judges to decide their own impartiality.

“There’s a longstanding principal that no judge should be the judge in his or her own case,” said Charlie Hall, director of communications for Justice at Stake, a national organization that promotes a fair and impartial court system. “There’s a strong sense by many that if one party asks a judge to step aside, there’s something not satisfying by the judge saying, ‘I think I can be impartial. I can make the decision.’”

Nine states don’t require judges to disclose outside assets, making it almost impossible to determine if a judge has a conflict at all. And in states where judges run for election, the potential for conflicts to arise is even greater.

“Special interests have discovered judicial elections and the money is pouring in,” Hall said.

Spending on judicial elections more than doubled in the past 20 years. From 2000 to 2009, special interests funneled about $206 million into court elections, up from about $83 million in the previous decade.”

http://www.stateintegrity.org/state_integrity_invesitgation_overview_story

From above:

“In other words, the laws are there, just not always followed.”

Georgia!

Recent judicial corruption in Georgia.

“Corrupt Georgia Superior Court Dismisses Legal Appeal Of Obama Eligibility Ruling”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/03/06/georgia-superior-court-dismisses-legal-appeal-of-obama-eligibility-ruling-ga-superior-court-clerk-office-corruption-the-devil-went-down-to-georgia/

Obama Rezko Daniel Frawley $ 400000 reported in NC by John Hammer, Rhino Times, FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank ties Obama to Rezko Chicago corruption

Obama Rezko Daniel Frawley $ 400000 reported in NC by John Hammer, Rhino Times, FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank ties Obama to Rezko Chicago corruption

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Daniel Frawley provide $ 400,000 for Tony Rezko to give to Obama?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

John Hammer, Editor and Publisher of the Rhino (Rhinoceros) Times, is a good man. He is also a rare commodity these days. He has consistently put into print in NC articles that are critical of Barack Obama. I met with John last year and I was just thinking I should meet with him again about the possibility of a larger, real news organization. I finally got around to reading his latest opinions in “Under the Hammer.” I was pleased as usual but even more so because he quoted Illinois Pay to Play, a site that Citizen Wells has quoted and been quoted at. John Hammer, in print in North Carolina, the state that is hosting the Democrat Convention, has covered the Daniel Frawley $400,000 for Rezko to give to Obama.

From the Rhino Times March 08, 2012.

“Isn’t it funny what the mainstream media decides is news? According to the website Illinoispaytoplay.com, Obama has been implicated in the investigation of Obama’s good friend Tony Rezko, who has been convicted and sentenced to 10-and-a-half years for corruption involving, among others, Obama’s good friend former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption.

Before Blagojevich was caught trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat, Obama bragged about running Blagojevich’s campaign and getting him elected.

Rezko, or to be more precise Rezko’s wife, bought the lot next door to Obama’s house in Chicago on the same day that Obama bought the house. And while Obama paid less than the asking price for the house, the Rezkos paid the full asking price for the lot. Later the Rezkos sold part of the lot to the Obamas for less than they had paid for it.

But according to Illinoispaytoplay.com, a witness being deposed as part of the investigation said that he gave Rezko $400,000 to give to Obama. Since Obama happens to be the most powerful man in the world, it seems like people who were known to deal with corrupt politicians claiming to have given money to Rezko for Obama would be news, but for some reason the mainstream media have decided that it is not.”

“It has become accepted by everyone except diehard supporters of other candidates that Romney is going to win the nomination. Romney doesn’t have anywhere near the votes he needs to win at the convention, but he has more than twice as many as Santorum, who is the only candidate who is even close. While Gingrich shot himself in the foot, and it felt so good that he shot himself in the other foot.

No one seems to be able to withstand the withering attack ads that Romney focuses on the front-runner. That is actually a good sign because Romney is not going to beat Obama unless he is willing to go on the attack. Romney is going to have to attack early and often. Romney will be called a racist, not just by Obama but by the liberal media, and they won’t relent. But he isn’t going to get that vote anyway.

It will be interesting to see what Obama does long term if Romney runs a real campaign against him. The closest Obama has come to a real campaign was his race against Hillary Clinton, and by the time Hillary Clinton knew what hit her she had lost and attacking Obama would have only made her look bad.

One thing Romney should do is release every single bit of information that exists about himself and his family. If he has his first grade report card he should put it out there for everyone to examine. The public knows very little about Obama. He is president of the United States. I’d like to read his senior thesis or something that indicates his thought process as a young man. I’d be interested to know how he got to Columbia University, and the answer to the overriding question of did he play freshman basketball at Occidental College. (If he did not, why did a respectable newspaper like the Los Angeles Times report that he did?)

According to Wikipedia, Obama’s parents didn’t live together even before his father was accepted at Harvard and moved east. The story is always told of his father getting accepted to Harvard and leaving his wife (who was still a teenager) and child. But according to Wikipedia his mother attended the University of Washington in Seattle after Barack Jr. was born until Barack Obama Sr. left for Harvard. She then transferred back to the University of Hawaii. If that is true it certainly puts Barack Obama Sr. in a different light.

It is the kind of fact that the American people ordinarily know about their presidents.”

Read more:

http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-Columns-c-2012-03-07-211274.112113-Under-the-Hammer.html

It is past time for another meeting with John Hammer to discuss the possibility of a real news organization and to bring him up to speed on the rest of the Obama Rezko corruption. For example the FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank, which is currently underway. The bank that loaned money to Rita Rezko for the lot the Obama’s bought. The same bank that fired whistleblower Kenneth J. Connor . Connor stated that the appraisal for the lot was to high.

Hats off to John.

Blagojevich prepares for prison, Public statement coming, More pristine on Rezko than Obama, Obama chaired IL committee that allowed planning board rigging

Blagojevich prepares for prison, Public statement coming, More pristine on Rezko than Obama, Obama chaired IL committee that allowed planning board rigging

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

“There is enough corruption in Illinois so that all it takes is someone who is serious about finding it to uncover it. If a U.S. attorney is not finding corruption in Illinois, they’re not seriously looking for it.”…Northwestern Law Professor James Lindgren

Rod Blagojevich, who is appealing his conviction for longtime corruption in Chicago and IL, is preparing for his prison sentence that begins next week.

From Chicago Argus March 9, 2012.

“Seven more days for 40892-424”

“One week from now, federal inmate number 40892-424 will have gone through orientation and will have completed his first night in prison – a lifestyle that he’s going to have to endure for just over a decade.

That inmate, of course, is Rod Blagojevich, who has to report to prison (possibly a minimum-security facility in Colorado) come Thursday. Which means he’s now going through his final week of freedom.

EVERYTHING HE DOES in coming days will take on the aura of “one last time” – both for himself and for his family.

It even seems that we’re going to get “one last statement” from Blagojevich. The Associated Press reported that a Blagojevich “spokesman” said the former governor himself will make some sort of public statement some time in coming days.

Then, he will go off to prison – which makes me wonder if his final day of freedom will resemble the scenes in the film “Goodfellas” where actor Ray Liotta’s “Henry Hill” character engaged in a final party of booze and drugs and floozies, only to climb into a limousine and tell the driver, “Now, take me to jail.”

Although as much as I might joke here, and some people will eagerly be awaiting this week with glee (a fact that still bothers me more than anything Blagojevich might have actually done while in public office), the truth is that there really is nothing funny about what is going to happen a week from now.

HE’S STILL A human being, and he will have a wife and two daughters who will be devastated by what will happen. I’m not about to start up the charity fund for the family Blagojevich. But we shouldn’t overlook the loss that is created by a 14-year prison term (even if that translates into 11-plus years of REAL time).

Which is why I can’t help but feel a bit of sympathy these days. But not so much sympathy that I really care much what Blagojevich has to say in a final statement. In fact, a part of me desperately wants to ignore whatever the former governor has to say for his final words as a “free” man.

Because I’m convinced that if we really wanted to inflict a “blow” to the ego of Blagojevich, we’d blow it off. We wouldn’t cover it. We would let his statement twist in the wind, and we’d seriously debate that old philosophical cliché, “If a tree falls in the forest but no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”

If Blagojevich speaks and no one records it, does it really matter?

BECAUSE I CAN’T really envision anything he’d say that needs to be recorded for posterity. He still thinks he ‘didn’t do it.’ He’s been framed?”

http://chicagoargus.blogspot.com/2012/03/seven-more-days-for-40892-424.html

Actually, Blagojevich has said plenty before and since he has been screwed over by Obama, I would be willing to bet he will say more. Perhaps when his appeal process evolves further.

Tony West Obama USDOJ eligibility attorney promoted, Al Qaeda terrorist John Walker Lindh defense attorney, West helped Obama keep records hidden, Fox continues coverup of eligibility issues

Tony West Obama USDOJ eligibility attorney promoted, Al Qaeda terrorist John Walker Lindh defense attorney, West helped Obama keep records hidden, Fox continues coverup of eligibility issues

“Why has Obama, since taking the White House, used Justice Department Attorneys, at taxpayer expense,  to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells

“We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution.”…Abraham Lincoln

“Most disturbing, the dismissal is part of a creeping lawlessness infusing
our government institutions. Citizens would be shocked to learn about the
open and pervasive hostility within the Justice Department to bringing
civil rights cases against nonwhite defendants on behalf of white victims.
Equal enforcement of justice is not a priority of this administration. Open
contempt is voiced for these types of cases.

Some of my co-workers argued that the law should not be used against black
wrongdoers because of the long history of slavery and segregation. Less
charitable individuals called it “payback time.” Incredibly, after the case
was dismissed, instructions were given that no more cases against racial
minorities like the Black Panther case would be brought by the Voting
Section.

Refusing to enforce the law equally means some citizens are protected by
the law while others are left to be victimized, depending on their race.
Core American principles of equality before the law and freedom from racial
discrimination are at risk. Hopefully, equal enforcement of the law is
still a point of bipartisan, if not universal, agreement. However, after my
experience with the New Black Panther dismissal and the attitudes held by
officials in the Civil Rights Division, I am beginning to fear the era of
agreement over these core American principles has passed.”…J. Christian
Adams, former USDOJ attorney

From the US Justice Department February 27, 2012.

“Attorney General Appoints Tony West as Acting Associate Attorney General and Stuart Delery as Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division”

“Attorney General Eric Holder announced today the appointments of Tony West to serve as the Department of Justice’s Acting Associate Attorney General and Stuart Delery as Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division.

“Tony and Stuart have served the department with professionalism, integrity and dedication, and both bring a wealth of experience to their new positions,” said Attorney General Holder. “I’m confident they will provide invaluable leadership and will play a critical role in furthering the department’s key priorities and fulfilling its traditional missions.”

West will become Acting Associate Attorney General, the third highest official at the Justice Department, upon the departure of Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli.

West has served as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division since April 2009. In that capacity, West led the Department’s largest litigating division, with a docket including significant national security matters, defending the Affordable Care Act against constitutional challenges, the government’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, and leading the department’s preemption lawsuits against state immigration laws passed in Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina and Utah.

During his time as Assistant Attorney General, West has bolstered the Civil Division’s affirmative civil enforcement efforts in areas such as health care fraud, procurement fraud and mortgage fraud. Since January 2009, the Civil Division has used the False Claims Act to recover over $8.8 billion in taxpayer money lost to fraud and abuse – the largest three-year total in the Department’s history.”

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2012/February/12-ag-255.html

What about election fraud?

From Fox News March 04, 2012.

“A former Justice Department attorney who blew the whistle on his
department’s policies is now questioning the promotion of a former defense
attorney for an American terrorist to the No. 3 spot at the Justice
Department — specifically charged with crafting U.S. policy on Guantanamo
detainees.

J. Christian Adams, once an elections lawyer who accused the Justice
Department of racial bias in its decision to not prosecute a voter
intimidation case involving the New Black Panther Party, said Tony West’s
promotion from assistant attorney general for the Civil Division to acting
associate attorney general is one more step toward letting radicals run the
Justice Department.”
“”Tony West took on, and his firm, took some of the most radical causes for
America’s enemies before coming to the Justice Department,” he said.
“When he took on the representation of John Walker Lindh, even after the
sentencing, he was out shilling for him. He said things like … ‘I think
he’ll have a lot to offer after he gets out of jail.’ I mean, what is he
going to have to offer after when he gets out of jail? How to endear
yourself to prominent Democrat lawyers? I mean there’s no reason to be
talking like that.””

“West, who was a a finance co-chairman in President Obama’s 2008 election,
was nominated for his Civil Division post in January 2009 and approved by
the Senate in April of that year. Prior to joining the administration, he
was a special assistant attorney general in California and a lawyer at a
San Francisco firm.”

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/03/04/attorney-questions-promotion-terrorist-defender-to-head-gitmo-policy-at-justice/

There is one more important job that Tony West performed over the past several years.

From Obama Release Your Records March 4, 2012.

“Obama’s Top DOJ Eligibility Attorney Promoted to Number 3 Spot at Justice”

http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2012/03/obamas-top-doj-eligibility-attorney.html

That’s right. Tony West represented Barack Obama as a defense attorney, at taxpayer expense, to help Obama keep his records hidden and violate the US Constitution. Here is one small example.

“Case: 09-4209 Document: 003110049041 Page: 1 Date Filed: 03/08/2010”

“CHARLES KERCHNER, JR., et al.,
Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
BARACK OBAMA, et al.,”

“ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY
________________________
BRIEF FOR DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES”

“TONY WEST
Assistant Attorney General”

“Plaintiffs’
alleged grievances regarding President Obama’s constitutional
qualifications reflect a generalized interest in the proper
administration of the law “shared by all the American people,”
App. 10, not a concrete injury particular to plaintiffs. The
Supreme Court has repeatedly held that Article III standing may
not be predicated on such injury. Plaintiffs’ attempts to
aggrandize their harms, based on oaths they have taken to support
to the Constitution, their heightened interest in constitutional
principles, or the possibility of future military service, fail.”

Georgia Superior Court Dismisses Legal Appeal Of Obama Eligibility Ruling, GA Superior Court Clerk office corruption, The devil went down to Georgia

Georgia Superior Court Dismisses Legal Appeal Of Obama Eligibility Ruling, GA Superior Court Clerk office corruption, The devil went down to Georgia

“Why has Obama, since taking the White House, used Justice Department Attorneys, at taxpayer expense,  to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells

“Why is Obama now employing private attorneys to keep his name on state ballots, despite compelling evidence that he is not a natural born citizen?…Citizen Wells

“The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind ‘cos he was way behind and he was willin’ to make a deal.”…Charlie Daniels Band

From The Western Center for Journalism March 6, 2012.

“Corrupt Georgia Superior Court Dismisses Legal Appeal Of Obama Eligibility Ruling”
“The Georgia Superior Court Clerk’s office did everything in its power to thwart the very filing of a legal appeal in Weldon v Obama, the case in which Judge Michael Malihi ruled that Barack Hussein Obama was born in Hawaii and therefore eligible for the Georgia ballot.

And the Superior Court itself has just dismissed plaintiff David Weldon’s appeal of that ruling.

The numerous questions surrounding Malihi’s February 3rd decision and the clear errors of law and procedure upon which it was based have been discussed by countless members of the new media.

And now Van Irion, head counsel for Liberty Legal Foundation (LLF) and the attorney who represented David Weldon in his lawsuit questioning Obama’s eligibilty before Judge Malihi, relates what has happened since the decision.

The story he tells of improper and illegal conduct on the part of the Superior Court arguably reveals a more blatant and callous disregard for the law and the rights of the American people than was displayed in the ruling itself.”

“And here is the clincher:

Obama filed a Motion to Dismiss LLF’s Appeal of the Malihi ruling and the Motion was FILED IMMEDIATELY by the Superior Court Clerk. Obviously no problem in the Clerk’s office with Mr. Obama’s paper work.

THREE DAYS after Obama’s Motion to Dismiss was filed, the Court informed Attorney Van Irion that he had LESS THAN 1 DAY to file an Opposition to that Motion; thoroughly improper behavior on the part of the Court.

Late that SAME DAY, the Chief Judge of the Superior Court denied Irion’s motion to be admitted as a visiting attorney (Irion practices in Tennessee) in spite of his impeccable reputation and the fact that his Georgia sponsor is a member of the Georgia State Legislature who has practiced before the Court! The Court had deliberately held up this particular decision for 2 weeks, effectively preventing LLF from filing the Opposition the Court had RULED only 6 hours earlier that LLF must file on that day! All of this represents unheard of behavior on the part of a court.

Finally, just 90 minutes after plaintiff David Weldon personally filed the Opposition–as the Court had prevented Irion and LLF from doing so–the Chief Judge issued a 3 page Opinion granting Obama’s Motion to Dismiss the LLF Appeal!

Incredibly, neither Judge Malihi nor the Secretary of State sent the Weldon v Obama case record to the Superior Court for review until AFTER the Court had ruled in Obama’s favor! That means the Chief Judge agreed to Obama’s Motion to Dismiss an Appeal of a case the Judge NEVER READ!! This is the extent to which judicial corruption has replaced judicial review in the State of Georgia.”

Read more:

http://www.westernjournalism.com/corrupt-georgia-superior-court-dismisses-legal-appeal-of-obama-eligibility-ruling/

Glenn Beck receives 5 Orwells for his stupid uniformed comments about Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Beck more Alinsky than Obama?, It’s the Constitution stupid

Glenn Beck receives 5 Orwells for his stupid uniformed comments about Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Beck more Alinsky than Obama?, It’s the Constitution stupid

“You can’t fix stupid.”…Ron White

“Why has Obama, since taking the White House, used Justice Department Attorneys, at taxpayer expense,  to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells

“Why does Glenn Beck continue to make uninformed attacks and insults upon Sheriff Joe Arpaio and millions of concerned Americans?”…Citizen Wells

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”…George Washington

If you are a Glenn Beck listener I suggest you come here for the truth. To be deprogrammed from the modern day Big Brother spokesman, Glenn Beck. Beck would have you believe that upholding the constitution in regard to Obama eligibility is not an issue. That all of the fraud that Obama has committed is not the issue.

Whether or not the Obama camp has used the birth certificate as a distraction is hardly the point.

It’s the Constitution stupid.

Upholding the US Constitution is the most real issue that we can ever have. It is what the founding fathers and subsequent generations have fought to preserve. It is what generations of immigrants struggled to gain. A safe harbor in which they, their families and descendants could thrive in.

From GlennBeck.com  March 2, 2012.

“Huh? Sheriff Joe Arpaio gives Obama 2012 a gift, goes after birth certificate”

“Just when Obama was starting to run out of things to say about Republicans, Sheriff Joe Arpaio decides to come out and launch a big investigation into Barack Obama’s birth certificate. Why he decided to bring this ridiculous issue, one that only gives Obama an opportunity to call the right (justifiably so, in this case) ‘crazy’ – is beyond explanation. But, he’s doing it anyway.

“Okay. Look, I am a fan of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. I am a guy who has supported him in the past. I like him, I… I think he’s great on illegal immigration. But Joe, have you gone nuts?” Glenn said as he opened the show.

The birth certificate has long been a tool of the Obama administration to distract people from real issues, like inflation, and to paint the Tea Party as racist and insane. Most of the outcry over the birth certificate had died down after Donald Trump faded into the background of the latest The Apprentice season and Obama releasing a copy of the birth certificate. Sadly, Sherrif Arpaio had to bring it up again.

Glenn treated the whole thing as a joke, presenting some wild theories of his own. Could the Obama administration have presented a forgery only to leave the real one in a vault just to screw with people? Or could he be the grandson of Sally Hemmings and Kruschev?

Even though Stu was really, really , really sick of having to talk about the “birther” issue on air once again, Glenn felt like he had to explain why it’s such a ridiculous story.

“Here’s the thing. You have two newspapers that ran the birth announcement,” Glenn said.

“Which is more likely that he was, he was a Soviet plant from birth? Because really that’s what has to happen to be able to have the 1962 records in the newspaper,” Glenn said.

“Now really? Are we going to the place to where they knew from birth that this guy was going to be President of the United States? Which is more likely? That they knew from birth or the President of the United States and his minions are so good at what they do and they’re taking just great joy and glee and delight in holding that birth certificate back as long as they possibly can, not answering, just to make everybody look like crazy Birthers and then seriously,” Glenn said.

Stu, obviously frustrated, said, “The thing is that the Obama administration actually has conversations like this: Imagine if we didn’t have to justify any of our economic failures and we could just talk about whether or not I was born here? That’s the conversation they have.”

“There is one person on Earth, one, one person on Earth that I am more sure about his citizenship in the United States than Barack Obama, one. His name is Zachary Burguiere. He’s my son. I was there for his birth. Including myself. I have more evidence that he, Barack Obama, was born in America,” Stu said.

Stu’s frustration comes from the fact that every time someone brings up the birth certificate, he’s the one assigned the job of looking into whatever arguments are being created to say Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

“About 80% of my pay I believe comes from the fact that you torture me with this stupid story,” Stu lamented.

When Obama released his birth certificate last year, Stu released a “real” birth certificate lampooning some of the ridiculous theories:”

http://www.glennbeck.com/2012/03/02/huh-sheriff-joe-arpaio-gives-obama-2012-a-gift-goes-after-birth-certificate/

Commenter Pete wrote on March 4, 2012.

“I posted on this on his site 2 days ago.

…….Glenn Beck.
I doubt you would read this, but I am trying to grasp your concept. You see the danger of Obama being that of policy, one that leads to ‘socialism’ (really it’s closer to fascism IMHO). His concepts, used before by progressives, always lead to loss of liberty and freedoms and the citizens of this country suffering a failed economic agenda. The misery index is indeed well and alive under Obama, with estimated inflation now 8%, unemployment 16% (1970′s standards). The policy of socialist ‘chaos’ and overburden to the ‘working poor’ has accelerated at massive rates. The progressive agenda IS the problem, Obama is just the messenger of that agenda. You see Obama as another progressive, in a whomp a mole game of progressives, and hitting him with eligibility doesn’t stop the next progressive mole from popping up. Thus, you see Arpaio efforts as futile, even if the findings are accurate.

I do not agree with you here, not in the slightest. Al Capone was not brought down by the horrible crimes he performed, but by ‘tax evasion’. Obama, and his thugs, are in this category. Destroying Obama from an eligibility standpoint will immediately open the door to widespread fraud investigations into his ‘previous’ political life and graft in Chicago (see Rezco and Frawley). People will want to know how this could happen, how they could be lied to, whom ran cover for the greatest fraud in history. Pandora’s box will open, and all the ugly little progressives and their schemes will be exposed for public consumption. The people will start to follow the money, and the media will be forced to report the news. These events have the potential to heal the country, and restore it to a Constitutional Republic by the awareness of the treasonous acts of those from within and their enemies from abroad. Obama’s made up past, and the keys that those exposed lies will provide, will open doors to healing a nation.

While I believe that you are a patriot, a true American, and want to defend the Constitution, you are misguided here by an elitist attitude. The belief that the American people cannot think and process the outward attack upon them, and the means of that attack, without the ‘help’ of the media enlightened. The liberals have long believed that the American people can be led like sheep, and that information must be ‘spoon fed’ to them so that they can be controlled. Try a different approach, give the people the truth, even if you don’t think it’s important, misleading, or a political deflection. Let the facts speak. Let the people decide how important the lies are, and if treasonous should be pursued. When people believe that everyone is deciding for them what is important, what to think, and what stories should be told, they don’t see a difference between politicians, networks, or political pundits. America can be saved, and yes the American people can ‘handle’ the truth. If you really want to help your fellow Americans, investigate what Arpaio is saying in a non-partisan way and give Americans the truth.

Pete…….”

From commenter GORDO March 4, 2012.

Andrea Shea King:

“Hey Glenn Beck, question with boldness?”

“Color me keenly disappointed and disillusioned. Insulted and betrayed by someone I trusted. It would have been bad enough if Glenn Beck had just come out and said why he doesn’t believe the Arpaio Cold Case Posse Report. At least he would have made an honest and truthful attempt to defend his position, giving us assurance that he had even read the report or watched the video of the news conference. But instead, Glenn used the same Alinskyite tactics he excoriates the Left for doing, mocking Americans (millions of which are his listeners) and insulting them for “questioning with boldness” and following the truth wherever it leads, because “the truth has no agenda”, right Glenn? I am so turned off by this, I can’t even watch this video again. And it will be a while before I will tune into his programs, and may cancel my subscription to GBTV.”
[more]

http://radiopatriot.wordpress.com/2012/03/03/hey-glenn-beck-question-with-boldness/

You cannot separate one distasteful aspect of Obama from another. That would be like criticizing Adolf Hitler for just impacting the Jewish economy. Citizen Wells has covered the corruption ties, radical influences, repeated lies, suspect selective service application, IL bar application, hidden college and other records as well as eligibility issues including birth certificate and natural born citizen deficiencies. It is all part of a pattern of lies, diversions, fraud and radical influences.

I agree with Beck that Obama is not the only problem. But have you noticed that for years he has gone out of his way to say that Obama is not the problem.

Glenn Beck, who are you working for? The American people or Obama?

Glenn Beck, you are deserving of 5 Orwells.

Chicago most corrupt city in US, University of Illinois report, Illinois third most corrupt state, Obama most corrupt politician in Washington DC

Chicago most corrupt city in US, University of Illinois report, Illinois third most corrupt state, Obama most corrupt politician in Washington DC

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

“There is enough corruption in Illinois so that all it takes is someone who is serious about finding it to uncover it. If a U.S. attorney is not finding corruption in Illinois, they’re not seriously looking for it.”…Northwestern Law Professor James Lindgren

From a report published by the University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Political Science and the Illinois Integrity Initiative of the University of Illinois’ Institute for Government and Public Affairs on February 15, 2012.

“Chicago and Illinois,
Leading the Pack in Corruption”

“For a century and a half, public corruption has been a shameful aspect of both
Illinois and Chicago politics. The Governor’s mansion and Chicago City Council
Chambers have long been the epicenters of public corruption. The extent and
pervasiveness of bribery, fraud, stealing from the taxpayers, and illegal patronage have made the city and state national leaders of corruption. Our notorious reputations have provided fodder for scores of comedians and late night talk show hosts. But corruption is a serious problem that hurts all citizens who put their trust – and tax dollars – in the hands of politicians who abuse the power they are given.

New public corruption conviction data from the U.S. Department of Justice shows the Chicago metropolitan region has been the most corrupt area in the country since 1976. In addition, the data reveal that Illinois is the third most corrupt state in the nation. The latest information, just released by the Justice Department, provides new evidence of the need for reforms to reduce rampant corruption in Chicago and Illinois.”

“Capital City of Corruption

Not to be outdone, the City of Chicago has seen its share of convicted officials.
The first conviction of Chicago aldermen and Cook County Commissioners for accepting bribes to rig a crooked contract occurred in1869. Since 1973, 31 more aldermen have been convicted of corruption. Approximately 100 aldermen have served since then, which is a conviction rate of about one-third.”

“In the case of Rod Blagojevich, an attempt was made to extract payment or campaign donations in exchange for appointment to a United States Senate seat. He also created a culture of corruption involving appointments to boards and commissions, campaign contributions and permits to expand hospitals. While Blagojevich represents the most egregious case, at the heart of most convictions is a payoff for something that is a sweetheart contract or a law or permit necessary to do business. This has been the main pattern of corruption in the city and the state for over 150 years.

Recent conviction data shows that the Chicago is the most corrupt area in the
United States, and the State of Illinois is the third most corrupt state.”

“Conclusion

Corruption is not funny and it is not free. It costs the taxpayers of Illinois more
than $500 million per year. Governor Blagojevich’s well-publicized corruption antics led to a lowering of the state’s bond rating, which cost the state more than $20 million during its last bond issue. Corruption also takes time and resources away from police and prosecutors. Blagojevich’s first trial cost tens of millions of dollars to investigate and prosecute, and after a hung jury resulted in a retrial, the taxpayers footed the bill for Blagojevich’s new attorneys. And so it goes – in a time of deep budget deficits, we are wasting taxpayer money and raising taxes and fees on citizens who can ill afford to pay for corruption any longer.

What has come to be called “The Chicago Way” or “The Illinois Way” of public
corruption has undermined the in voters’ sense of political efficacy. Why apply for a city or state job if you know only patronage employees or politician’s relatives will be hired anyway? Why report corrupt officials, if you know they won’t be punished and they may turn the powers of the government on you? Voters may laugh at times at the antics of public officials, but in the end, they feel powerless, lose their faith in government and vote less often because they believe the “fix is in.””

http://cbschicago.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/leadingthepack.pdf

And speaking of Chicago corruption and the most corrupt politician in Washington, DC, Barack Obama….

From Illinois Pay to Play March 1, 2012.

“Since at least last January 22nd, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has known of Daniel Frawley’s claim that he gave Tony Rezko $400,000 in cash that Rezko then passed on to U.S. Senator Barack Obama. We believe, though, that that knowledge goes back much earlier.

In a December 11, 2011 Illinois Pay To Play (IP2P) article entitled “The Fitz Solution to Corruption: The Citizens Report It,” we noted that “While commenting on Blago’s prison sentence, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald repeated what has become for him a common theme: Illinois citizens are responsible for stopping corruption by reporting it to the authorities.”

Along with that article, IP2P posted a video clip wherein Fitzgerald stated that there needed to “be a change in the public’s attitude. People seem resigned to corruption at times and…they’re afraid to say ‘no’ when someone in power asks them for something they shouldn’t. The people in power should be afraid to ask.”

So it’s a fact that the U.S. Attorney has, on several occasions, encouraged average citizens to get involved in fighting corruption.

Well, we found one citizen who did just that, back on January 22nd – six weeks ago. Here’s the email thread the citizen sent.

From: Address Deleted
To: “Randall Samborn” <Address Deleted@usdoj.gov>, “Kimberly Nerheim” <Adress Deleted@usdoj.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 9:15:44 PM
Subject: Public outreach/safety.

Mr Randall Samborn and Ms. Kimberly Nerheim

I am more than a little concerned by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s complete lack of response to the serious matter that has been brought to his attention below. Mr. Fitzgerald made a very public outreach encouraging people to report corruption to his office. Hopefully he will not disappoint those he urged to risk so much ?

Concerned Citizen

XXXXXXXXXXXXX”

“Mr. Randall Samborn

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has repeatedly challenged the public to do something about corruption in Illinois by bringing information of illegal acts directly to him. Mr. Samborn, while I agree the premise of reporting crime to the U.S. Attorney is a logical step in fighting corruption, I do not underestimate the serious danger those who do are put in.

Need I remind you, it was also Patrick Fitzgerald who acknowledged that his office may be the source for information being leaked to the very criminals he urges the public to inform on. With this in mind, please personally hand a copy of this email to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald and ask him to personally send me a response addressing concerns I have about his office and my personal safety. At the very least Mr Fitzgerald can acknowledge the risk I am taking exposing corruption at the highest levels.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

> ———- Forwarded message ———-
> From: Dan Frawley <Address Deleted@gmail.com>
> Date: Tue, 31 May 2011 08:08:15 -0500
> Subject: Frawely vs Weaver
> To: XXXXX XXXXX <XXXXXXXX@gmail.com>
>
> Hi XXXX
> I think the best way to bring this to the public and media is to fact
> plead
> the malpractice case against Weaver.
> I have discussed this with my attorney’s and they are willing to do it at
> the right time and way.
> Instead of a news conference being called like the gay guy did with Obama.
> PUT AS THE GUTS OF THE SUIT THE MEETING AT THE FOUR SEASONS AND THE 4OO
> GRAND GOING TO YOU KNOW WHO AND THE USE OF THE MONEY.
> I would bring this out in the for of a legal action not a personal
> vendetta.
> The media with the right reporters would make sure that was national news.
> When the usual denials are made or the old I don’t remember I hit him with
> the second naming names dates and places.
> Punches are always more effective when thrown in combination.
> know we figure out the best timing.
> DAN

And in response, what did the citizen hear back from the U.S. Attorney’s office?

Absolute silence.”

Read more:

http://illinoispaytoplay.com/2012/03/01/u-s-attorney-fitzgerald-has-known-of-frawleys-obama-bribe-accusation/

It is time for Barack Hussein Obama to be arrested.

March 1, 2012, Sheriff Joe Arpaio news conference, GA obama ballot challenge appeal, Natural Born Citizen ruling, Frawley sentencing, FDIC Mutual Bank lawsuit, Blagojevich appeal

March 1, 2012, Sheriff Joe Arpaio news conference, GA obama ballot challenge appeal, Natural Born Citizen ruling, Frawley sentencing, FDIC Mutual Bank lawsuit, Blagojevich appeal

“Why has Obama, since taking the White House, used Justice Department Attorneys, at taxpayer expense,  to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells

“Why is Obama now employing private attorneys to keep his name on state ballots, despite compelling evidence that he is not a natural born citizen?…Citizen Wells

“It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is. Those who apply the rule to particular cases, must of necessity
expound and interpret that rule. If two laws conflict with each other, the courts must decide on the operation of each.”…Marbury vs Madison

Tomorrow, March 1, 2012, Sheriff Joe Arpaio will reveal his findings about Obama’s records in a news conference.

From WND, World News Daily, Februar 29, 2012.

“MEDIA FINALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO ELIGIBILITY?
See which major networks plan on covering Cold Case Posse results”

“Poll after poll in recent months has revealed that Americans have a high level of concern over Barack Obama’s eligibility to be president, with one poll revealing fully half of the nation wants Congress to investigate the question.

But mostly reporters for the traditional media – networks, major newspapers, major news corporations and conglomerates – have giggled when talk turns to the serious question of just what – exactly – does the U.S. Constitution require of presidents.

But that’s changing, as media organizations from all political persuasions seek admittance to a news conference to be held by Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz.

The event is tomorrow at 1 p.m. Mountain Standard Time in Phoenix, 3 p.m. Eastern, and will be live-streamed by WND.

The topic of discussion will be an investigation by Arpaio’s Cold Case Posse into concerns about Obama’s eligibility, the first time an official law enforcement report has addressed many of the allegations about the presumptive 2012 Democratic nominee for president.

Those issues include his eligibility under the U.S. Constitution’s requirements, questions about his use of a Connecticut Social Security number, the image of his purported birth certificate from Hawaii and others.

In addition to the live-streaming, WND will make available to the public, the same day by email, the official report distributed to media by Arpaio’s investigators. Those interested in receiving the report can sign up for the free service.

Top national media organizations have indicated their plans to attend and bookings for radio and television reports are in the works. Expected are reporters from AP, Reuters, Univision, the Washington Times and NBC, CBS and ABC affiliates, as well statewide radio networks, among many others.

Because of the circumstances, the decision was made to hold the press conference at the sheriff’s training center, which is on the outskirts of Phoenix, rather than at a downtown office, according to reports.

It even has drawn the promise of protesters who object to the sheriff’s office review of allegations that Obama may be using – or attempt to use – a fraudulent document to have his name placed on the 2012 presidential election ballot in Arizona.

Without releasing any details, Arpaio has said the results “could be a shock.”

He constituted a special five-member law enforcement posse last year to investigate allegations brought by members of the Surprise, Ariz., Tea Party that the Obama birth certificate released to the public by the White House on April 27 might be a forgery.

The posse is made up of three former law enforcement officers and two retired attorneys with law enforcement experience. Members have been examining evidence since September concerning Obama’s eligibility to be president under Article 2, Section 1 of the Constitution, which requires a president to be a natural-born citizen.

Among other issues, there also have been allegations of Obama’s use of a Social Security number that corresponds to a Connecticut address, even though the president apparently had no links there.

WND earlier reported a private investigation found that the Social Security number being used by Obama does not pass a check with E-Verify, the electronic system the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has created to verify whether or not someone is authorized to work legally in the country.

Arpaio’s investigation is the first official law enforcement look at the allegations surrounding Obama’s eligibility. Many of the private investigators who have examined it contend there are too many questionable circumstances to believe that everything regarding Obama is above-board.

Arpaio previously told WND that when he launched his Cold Case Posse it was with the possibility that he would clear Obama.

But he said it wasn’t an issue he could ignore, after 250 members of the tea party organization “came to me and asked their sheriff to investigate Obama and the birth certificate.””

Read more:

http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/media-finally-paying-attention-to-eligibility/

Regardless of what sheriff Arpaio reveals, Obama is ineligible to be on the ballot because of his Natural Born Citizen deficiency.

Obama’s attorney Michael Jablonski has filed a motion to dismiss the appeal of Judge Malihi’s ruling in the GA Obama ballot challenge.

From Birther Report February 27, 2012.

“Obama’s Georgia Attorney Files Motion to Dismiss: Obama Being Harassed;
Ignores Natural Born Citizen Requirement”

http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2012/02/obamas-attorney-files-motion-to-dismiss.html

There are Obama ballot challenges in quite a few states and the PA challenges are now proceeding with the help of attorney Mario Apuzzo.

From CDR Charles Kerchner.

“Atty Mario Apuzzo of Jamesburg NJ has filed documents to the Commonwealth Court of PA to join the Kerchner/Laudenslager v Obama PA Ballot Access Challenge Team as Co-Counsel along with Atty Karen L. Kiefer of Scottdale PA.

See this prior interview for some background and information about Atty Mario Apuzzo:
http://puzo1.blogspot.com/2010/06/post-emails-exclusive-interview-with.html

You can read Atty Apuzzo’s legal and scholarly writings on Article II Section 1, the presidential eligibility clause at these links: “

http://puzo1.blogspot.com  and http://www.scribd.com/puzo1/collections

WE NEED YOUR HELP:  If you can, please help the PA legal action to expose the usurper resident in our Oval Office.  Support the PA Ballot Challenge/Objection against Obama filed in PA. Please contribute:
https://secure.piryx.com/donate/Owri7yAp/Article-II-Legal-Defense-Fund/PA

CDR Charles Kerchner (Ret)
Lehigh Valley PA USA
http://www.protectourliberty.org/
http://www.scribd.com/protectourliberty/collections/
http://cdrkerchner.wordpress.com/

Daniel Frawley, Tony Rezko’s old partner, is still awaiting sentencing.

From Illinois Pay to Play February 27, 2012.

“Daniel T. Frawley, a former business partner of Antoin “Tony” Rezko, claims he gave Rezko $400,000 that Rezko gave to then U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

This claim comes through Frawley’s emails to, and conversations with, Robert “Bob” Cooley, former Chicago mob lawyer turned government informer and author of the book on Chicago corruption entitled “When Corruption Was King”.

Cooley was the star witness in a series of trials in the early 1990’s as part of an F.B.I. investigation named Operation Gambat. Those trials led to the convictions of over a score of Chicago crooks, including First Ward Alderman Fred Roti, a made-man; the Chief Judge of Cook County’s Chancery Court; the Assistant Majority Leader of the Illinois State Senate; and the only Federal Judge in U.S. history convicted of fixing a murder trial.

About April 2011, Frawley, along with Daniel Mahru, a former business associate of Rezko dating back to 1989, and a former business partner of current White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett, began conversations with Cooley concerning collaboration on a book about Chicago corruption.

Frawley’s claim that the money he gave Rezko went to Obama is alluded to in a December 1, 2010 deposition executed in the context of a legal malpractice complaint filed by Frawley, on July 9, 2010, against his former attorney and long-time friend, George Weaver.”

http://illinoispaytoplay.com/2012/02/27/former-rezko-partner-says-he-gave-tony-400k-for-obama/

You remember Mutual Bank? You know, the bank that loaned Rita Rezko the money to buy the lot she sold part of to the Obama’s. You know, the bank that fired whistleblower Kenneth J. Connor for questioning the appraisal of the lot.

The FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank is still active.

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
 
FDIC as Receiver for Mutual Bank v. Mahajan, Case No: 1:11-cv-07590
 
 
Oh, and don’t forget the Blagojevich appeal. Blago is looking at a long prison sentence. He has thrown Obama under the bus before. Perhaps he is a bit more flexible today.
 
And, a ruling on the definition of Natural Born Citizen by the US Supreme Court. We have our best chance by far of putting this before them. Obama has pissed off a number of the justices. Keep your fingers crossed. And of course, pray.
 
 

Obama Penny Pritzker Media Matters et al, Pritzker on Obama Economic Recovery Advisory Board, Pritzker Family Foundation funds Media Matters, Obama on board

Obama Penny Pritzker Media Matters et al, Pritzker on Obama Economic Recovery Advisory Board, Pritzker Family Foundation funds Media Matters, Obama on board

“During its 15 years in New York City, ACORN has helped squatters claim derelict city-owned property, forced bankers to invest in low-income communities, and organized a war against the city’s workfare program.

It’s also developed a reputation for no-holds-barred tactics—getting results through adversarial campaigns against bankers, politicians and bureaucrats using confrontation and concession rather than consensus.”…ACORN document, February 1999

“There is enough corruption in Illinois so that all it takes is someone who is serious about finding it to uncover it. If a U.S. attorney is not finding corruption in Illinois, they’re not seriously looking for it.”…Northwestern Law Professor James Lindgren

Yesterday, WND, World Net Daily presented an article about Penny Pritzker, Obama’s national finance chairman in 2008 and now a member of his Economic Recovery Advisory Board. (Highlighting of Penny Pritzker by Citizen Wells)

“OBAMA FINANCE CHIEF FUNDED MEDIA MATTERS
President deeply tied to anti-Fox News group’s top donors”

“President Obama served eight years on the board of a charity that is a top donor to the embattled Media Matters for America progressive activist organization.

Obama is also tied to numerous other top Media Matters donors and fundraisers, including a foundation run by the finance chairman of his 2008 presidential campaign, Penny Pritzker, WND has learned.

Last week, the Daily Caller released a list of grants to Media Matters.

A WND review of the donor list found a number of deep ties to Obama.

The information comes amid reports that White House staffers held regular meetings with Media Matters, which is under fire for unusual tactics, including compiling a de facto enemies list; announcing an all-out campaign of “guerrilla warfare and sabotage” aimed at the Fox News Channel; and reportedly seeking to investigate the personal lives of targeted reporters and news personalities.

The Media Matters donor list included the Pritzker Family Foundation, which donated a total of $400,000 to the progressive attack group in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The Pritzker family is best known for owning the Hyatt hotel chain and is considered to be one of America’s wealthiest families.

The family foundation is directed by Penny Pritzker, who served as the national finance chairman of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Penny Pritzker is currently a member of the Obama’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board, which formulates and evaluates economic policy for the Obama administration.

Another top donor to Media Matters, according to the released donor list, is the Joyce Foundation. Obama served on the Joyce Foundation board from 1994 to 2002.

Joyce gave a $400,000 grant to Media Matters in 2010, purportedly to “support a gun and public safety issue initiative.”

While Obama was on the Joyce Foundation board, the organization granted tens of millions of dollars to gun control organizations. Also, numerous large grants were provided to a group called Leadership for Quality Education, which was run by John Ayers, the brother of Weather Underground terrorist Bill Ayers.

Also while Obama was at Joyce, the foundation gave numerous grants to the Small Schools workshop at the University of Chicago, which was founded by Bill Ayers and is run by avowed communist activist Mike Klonsky, who served with Ayers in the radical Students for a Democratic Society group.

Another key funding tie for Media Matters is the Center for American Progress, led by John Podesta, who directed Obama’s White House transition team.

Media Matters reportedly entered into a fundraising-sharing agreement with the Center for American Progress, or CAP.

CAP’s extensive reports and research reportedly help to inform Obama administration policy.

A Time magazine article profiles the influence of Podesta’s Center for American Progress in the formation of the Obama administration, stating that “not since the Heritage Foundation helped guide Ronald Reagan’s transition in 1981 has a single outside group held so much sway.”

CAP has received large grants from the Tides Foundation, which, according to the published donor list, is the single largest donor to Media Matters, with over $4 million in donations to the progressive media attack group.

Last week, WND was first to report on the Tides’ donations to Media Matters.

Media Matters tied to MoveOn.org, ACORN

Tides is a controversial far-left clearinghouse that funds groups such as MoveOn.org, ACORN and a litany of anti-war organizations.

The Tides Foundation is funded in part by billionaire George Soros, himself a prominent Media Matters donor via his Open Society Institute.

Tides functions as a money tunnel in which major leftist donors provide large sums that are channeled to hundreds of radical groups.

Tides documentation reviewed by WND shows the group provided a total of $4.1 million to Media Matters during the fiscal years of 2004-2009.

During that same time period, Tides provided an additional $110,000 to the Media Matters Action Network, the group’s affiliated progressive lobby.

The Tides Foundation funding to Media Matters was most significant during the progressive news organization’s startup year in 2004, when Tides granted it $2.2 million.

In 2005, Tides sent another $1.1 million to Media Matters.

The years 2006 and 2007 saw smaller Tides donations of $56,223 and $38,225 respectively.

In 2008, a significant Tides donation of $659,500 came in to Media Matters, with another $106,038 in 2009.

In 2010, the Tides Center expressed public support for Media Matters when the media group stepped up its activism against Fox News by posting a Web page dedicated to anti-Fox material along with an online petition that pressed Fox’s advertisers to “Drop Fox.” At the time, Tides chief executive and founder, Drummond Pike, endorsed Media Matters’ campaign.

Media Matters already admitted to taking $1 million directly from Soros. The billionaire has donated more than $7 million to Tides over the years.”

http://www.wnd.com/2012/02/obama-finance-chief-funded-media-matters/

The references to Obama ties to Penny Pritzker above are damning enough. However, after reading the following, first presented by The Common Conservative on October 1, 2008 and presented here on October 21, 2011, it is obvious a congressional investigation must follow.

“Obama’s Links to Real Estate Scandals, Bank Failures, and Rezko Far Deeper”

“If there is one thing Obama has been very good at, it’s been covering
his tracks. This time, I believe I have made a link that is undeniable
to his knowledge and possible participation in the real estate
dealings and the corruption in Chicago. His links to not so savory
individuals and friends have supported almost every attempt for
political office he has ever made. It is amazing how someone who came
from nowhere has risen to the position of power in such a short time.
He stands to lose much, if Tony Rezko actually tells all he knows as
his Federal sentence is about to be imposed. Possibly he is playing
“lets make a deal” in exchange for bringing down the house on Chicago
real estate ventures at public expense. Everywhere you turn, the major
players are tied directly to Sen. Obama.

First, let’s start with the Superior Bank in Chicago. That bank failed
directly under the control of Penny Pritzker. She is Obama’s Campaign
Finance Chairman and has been instrumental in raising millions for his
campaign. The regulators closed Superior Bank in 2001 because of a
vast number of sub-prime mortgage loans. She took over a failed
savings and loan in 1988 and it was renamed Superior Bank.

During the years of that Obama was actively in Chicago as a community
organizer, one interesting person comes into the picture. Stanley
Kurts reports this in his N.Y. Post article:

ONE key pioneer of ACORN’s subprime-loan shakedown racket was Madeline
Talbott – an activist with extensive ties to Barack Obama. She was
also in on the ground floor of the disastrous turn in Fannie Mae’s
mortgage policies.

Long the director of Chicago ACORN, Talbott is a specialist in “direct
action” – organizers’ term for their militant tactics of intimidation
and disruption. Perhaps her most famous stunt was leading a group of
ACORN protesters breaking into a meeting of the Chicago City Council
to push for a “living wage” law, shouting in defiance as she was
arrested for mob action and disorderly conduct. But her real legacy
may be her drive to push banks into making risky mortgage loans.

In February 1990, Illinois regulators held what was believed to be the
first-ever state hearing to consider blocking a thrift merger for lack
of compliance with CRA. The challenge was filed by ACORN, led by
Talbott. Officials of Bell Federal Savings and Loan Association, her
target, complained that ACORN pressure was undermining its ability to
meet strict financial requirements it was obligated to uphold and
protested being boxed into an “affirmative-action lending policy.” The
following years saw Talbott featured in dozens of news stories about
pressuring banks into higher-risk minority loans.

IN April 1992, Talbott filed an other precedent-setting com plaint
using the “community support requirements” of the 1989
savings-and-loan bailout, this time against Avondale Federal Bank for
Savings. Within a month, Chicago ACORN had organized its first “bank
fair” at Malcolm X College and found 16 Chicago-area financial
institutions willing to participate.

Two months later, aided by ACORN organizer Sandra Maxwell, Talbott
announced plans to conduct demonstrations in the lobbies of area banks
that refused to attend an ACORN-sponsored national bank “summit” in
New York. She insisted that banks show a commitment to minority
lending by lowering their standards on downpayments and underwriting –
for example, by overlooking bad credit histories.

By September 1992, The Chicago Tribune was describing Talbott’s
program as “affirma- tive-action lending” and ACORN was issuing fact
sheets bragging about relaxations of credit standards that it had won
on behalf of minorities.

And Talbott continued her effort to, as she put it, drag banks
“kicking and screaming” into high-risk loans. A September 1993 story
in The Chicago Sun-Times presents her as the leader of an initiative
in which five area financial institutions (including two of her former
targets, now plainly cowed – Bell Federal Savings and Avondale Federal
Savings) were “participating in a $55 million national pilot program
with affordable-housing group ACORN to make mortgages for low- and
moderate-income people with troubled credit histories.”

What made this program different from others, the paper added, was the
participation of Fannie Mae – which had agreed to buy up the loans.
“If this pilot program works,” crowed Talbott, “it will send a message
to the lending community that it’s OK to make these kind of loans.”

This was exactly the time frame Superior Bank was very active in the
sub-prime lending and no doubt, Obama knew exactly who Penny Pritzker
was and her involvement in the ACORN sponsored lending practices.
Another direct link early on to Obama is with another foundation that
Pritzker in involved in. Pritzker is very much involved in the reform
of Chicago’s public education system. Currently she is vice chair of
the Chicago Public Education Fund, the successor organization to the
Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which is the same Board Sen. Obama served
with William Ayers.

Obama no doubt needed the financial backing of the Pritzker’s. They
are the owners of the Hyatt Hotel chain and Obama had inside
connections. David Mendell recalled in his 2007 book Obama: From
Promise To Power:
“Obama was confident that he was destined for more than a day job
running a foundation or practicing law or languishing in the minority
party in the Illinois senate…He invited a group of African-American
professionals to the house of Marty Nesbitt, who had served as finance
chairman of his congressional campaign. Nesbitt is…vice-president of
the Pritzker Realty Group, part of the Pritzker family empire…Nesbitt
arranged a weekend gathering to help Obama reach inside the deepest
pockets he knew—those of the Pritzker family…

“…Nesbitt knew that if Obama could sell himself to Penny Pritzker, her
support would not only reap huge immediate financial dividends but
also be a crucial step in the foundation of a fund-raising network.

“So in late summer 2002, Obama, Michelle [Robinson-Obama] and their
two daughters drove to Penny Pritzker’s weekend cottage along the
lakefront in Michigan about forty-five minutes from Chicago…”

Also notice this report from WNBC in New York:

On Feb. 10, 2007, Senator Barack Obama launched his bid for the White
House in Springfield, setting himself on a course that has become one
for the history books. But Obama might not have made it even to the
Old State Capitol Building that frigid day if not for a private
meeting he had with friends and advisers in late 2002 as he was
mulling a run for the U.S. Senate. In a South Side high-rise
overlooking the lake, the junior state senator vetted his lofty
political ambitions with a group of Chicago’s African American
business elite that included Frank M. Clark Jr., Valerie B. Jarrett,
Quintin E. Primo III, James Reynolds Jr., and John W. Rogers Jr.

Remember the name Quintin E. Primo III, as he is CEO of Capri Capital
in Chicago. Capri Capital will reemerge later in this article as they
have direct ties to Obama, Pritzker, and also direct ties to Rezko.

Also during the time frame that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were buying
sub-prime mortgages, Franklin Raines was CEO of this institution from
1998- 2004. It was during this time, Superior Bank was in real trouble
and under scrutiny from regulators. Pritzker assured regulators there
was nothing wrong, and no doubt, she had to have known Franklin
Raines. Her bank was using Fannie Mae funds since the largest book of
their business was in sub-prime lending. Finally, in December 2004,
Mr. Raines was forced to resign because the Office of Federal Housing
Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), the regulating body of Fannie Mae, of
abetting widespread accounting errors, which included the shifting of
losses so senior executives, such as himself, could earn large
bonuses.

Another interesting connection to Pritzker is from the Chicago
Community Loan Fund published in 2006:

Bank is financing partner
CCLf had the resources to make a $1 million loan for the first time in
its history in 2005, thanks in large part to a $3 million loan pool
investment from Charter One Bank. Charter One’s investment in CCLF was
part of a record-setting infusion of new investment capital in 2005.

In fact, CCLF’s partnership with Charter One and the Historic
Pacesetter Limited Partnership is now multi-faceted: the bank plans to
provide a portion of the financing for the project’s construction.

Then we take a look at Sen. Obama’s request for earmark requests for
2005 and we find a very interesting request:

Obama Requested $2.5 Million (And An Additional $ 5 Million Over Two
Years) For A Pacesetter Redevelopment Program In The Village Of
Riverdale. I2 2005, Obama requested $2.5 million for the Village of
Riverdale and their Pacesetter Redevelopment Program. The
redevelopment of the Pacesetter neighborhood is essential to the
successful industrial development in Riverdale. The Pacesetter
neighborhood is adjacent to Riverdale’s industrial redevelopment area.
The poor quality of housing, crime and image that the neighborhood
portrays must be changed in order to make the Village’s overall
efforts a success. Pacesetter Redevelopment, Phase I, would be
comprised of approximately 100 units and cost approximately $22
million. It is proposed that all of the units in this first phase be
rehabilitated. The development team would acquire these properties
from individual landowners. The plan is to control all properties
along Lowe Avenue by the end of 2005. By location and number, these
properties would create the critical mass required for economic
feasibility, while providing a development of sufficient size to make
a visible impact. The Village is seeking an initial investment in the
project of $5 million over a period of two federal fiscal years.
[Obama Request Letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on
Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, HUD & Related Agencies,
11/6/05]

The Pacesetter funding by Charter One Bank and the Obama earmark
request are not so coincidental. Charter Bank is the same bank that
took over the Superior Bank assets in 2001. From the FDIC:

FDIC APPROVES SALE OF
SUPERIOR FEDERAL BANK, FSB, HINSDALE, ILLINOIS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR-78-2001 (10-31-2001) Media Contact:
David Barr (202) 898-6992

The Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(FDIC) approved the sale of the branches and deposits of Superior
Federal Bank, FSB. The winning bidder is Charter One Bank, FSB,
Cleveland, Ohio.

Superior Federal Bank, FSB is the conservatorship established by the
FDIC after the Office of Thrift Supervision closed Superior Bank, FSB
on July 27, 2001. Charter One has agreed to pay the FDIC a premium of
$52.4 million to assume the 17 locations and the $1.1 billion of
deposits held in conservatorship.

In addition to assuming all the deposits, Charter One is acquiring
approximately $45 million of Superior’s assets. These assets consist
mainly of home equity lines of credit, overdrafts assigned to each
branch location, cash and cash equivalents.

Now one has to wonder exactly how Sen. Obama’s request, which was
apparently denied or died on a Bill, was then funded by Charter One
Bank. Penny Pritzker was Obama’s big money and fundraiser for his
Senate campaign and also was directly responsible for Superior Banks
failure. This is no coincidence, or if it is, it surely raises red
flags to the possibility of influence peddling by the Obama camp or
even Sen. Obama directly. Read the FDIC press release. There were $45
million of home loans, and most were sub-prime loans. Questions need
to be asked regarding if Sen. Obama was able to pull a few strings
with Fannie Mae to get these loans spread to other sources of funding
in exchange to lending the project funds.

Once we look into the Rezko trial, we find something very interesting
once again. Rezko was convicted of of six counts of mail fraud, six
counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering and two counts of
abetting bribery. He was acquitted on eight counts, including a charge
he tried to extort as much as $2 million from Lakeshore Entertainment
Group founder and former Capri Capital principal Thomas Rosenberg, who
testified against him at trial.

Once again we find Penny Pritzker having ties to Capri Capital as they
both serve on the Boards of The Real Estate Roundtable with Ms.
Pritzker as it’s Treasurer as late as March, 2008. Much of there
efforts have been to lobby for many changes in real estate and real
estate funding laws. One letter was directly to Sen. Chris Dodd
requesting changes in allowing the Federal Reserve to purchase loans
and asset-backed securities, identically the type of securities being
sold by Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac to Wall Street. Bear in mind that Ms.
Pritzker is President of Pritzker Reality Group L.P.

Another place we find Capri Capital is in the CCLF (above). In their
2006-2007 Annual Report, we find that Capri is listed as one of the
Sponsors. Also we find that CCLF was also funded by Fannie Mae as
well. All of these funds are directed primary at the
Riverdale/Pacesetter project.

The Rezko/Pritzker connection goes deep and finding the link hasn’t
been easy. On October 1, 2006, Daley appointed Martin Nesbitt
chairperson of the Chicago Housing Authority. The CHA was created for
“the purposes of engaging in the development, acquisition, leasing,
operation, and administration of a Low Rent Housing Program and other
federally assisted programs,” according to the agency’s 2005 annual
financial report.”

https://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/obama-bank-failure-policies-acorn-penny-pritzker-cellini-trial-witness-rosenberg-dredges-up-old-memories-capri-capital-where-is-house-judiciary-committee/

Oh, and by the way, the FDIC lawsuit against Mutual Bank is still active. You remember, the bank that loaned money to Rita Rezko for the lot sold to the Obama’s. The same bank that fired whistleblower Kenneth J. Connor for questioning the appraisal.

Blagojevich update, February 16, 2012, Chicago attorney Len Goodman heading appeal, Rod Blagojevich assigned to Littleton, Colorado, Patti interview

Blagojevich update, February 16, 2012, Chicago attorney Len Goodman heading appeal, Rod Blagojevich assigned to Littleton, Colorado, Patti interview

“Why did the Illinois Senate Health & Human Services Committee, with Obama as chairman, create and push Bill 1332, “Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act,” early in 2003, which reduced the number of members on the Board from 15 to 9, just prior to rigging by Tony Rezko and Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“Why did Patrick Fitzgerald and the US Justice Department wait until December 2008 to arrest Rod Blagojevich?”…Citizen Wells

“I believe I’m more pristine on Rezko than him.”…Rod Blagojevich

From the Chicago SunTimes February 15, 2012.
“Rod Blagojevich will be spending his time behind bars in a Littleton, Colorado facility as he had asked — something one of his lawyers said the family had hoped to keep private.

Carolyn Gurland, who had a hand in handling the ex-governor’s sentencing, said Wednesday that Blagojevich and his family were focused on his transition to prison.

“He and his family want some privacy during this time,” Gurland said. “The govenor’s focus is going to be that there is a smooth transition and hopes there’s some respect for his privacy.”

“Mr. Blagojevich, (the U.S. Probation Department) and the defense team were extraordinarily cautious that this information did not become public and we’re very disappointed that it did,” she said.”

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/10652447-418/blagojevich-to-serve-sentence-at-colorado-prison.html

From Chicago Business December 22, 2011.

“A Chicago attorney who has represented a Guantanamo detainee and former Cicero Town President Betty Loren-Maltese is taking over the appeals case of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, sentenced this month to 14 years in prison for soliciting a bribe and other federal corruption charges.

Len Goodman, a Chicago criminal defense attorney, will lead the effort in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was assigned by U.S. District Judge James Zagel, who handed down the sentence.

Mr. Goodman, who has tried criminal cases in state and federal courts throughout the Midwest, said he is still getting up to speed on the case.

“I wasn’t at the trial and need to read all the transcripts,” said Mr. Goodman, who won a rare acquittal before a federal jury when he represented a Utah pharmaceuticals executive charged with six counts of fraud.

“The main issue at trial was — what was (Mr. Blagojevich’s) intent? This is a case about campaign contributions; he was not accused of stuffing his own pockets the way some other politicians do. The governor was part of a system in Illinois which required him to raise tens of millions of dollars to stay in office and which encouraged him to seek campaign contributions from persons who received business and benefits from the state. In that type of case, the defendant has to be given a full opportunity to present evidence of his intent, or what was in his head,” Mr. Goodman said in an email. “That is what I am going to be looking at. Did the jury hear both sides of the story? Did they get a full picture? Or did they hear mostly just the evidence that the government wanted them to hear?””

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20111222/BLOGS03/111229936/chicago-attorney-who-represented-cicero-mayor-taking-up-blagojevich-appeal

From ABC February 10, 2012.

“In an interview that was rambling, tearful and sometimes punctuated by sobbing, former Illinois first lady Patti Blagojevich on Thursday spoke in detail for the first time since her husband was sentenced to a lengthy federal prison term.

ABC7 News has learned that Mrs. Blagojevich taped an exclusive interview with Chicago-based talk show hostess Rosie O’Donnell.

During the one-on-one interview, the wife of the impeached and disgraced Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich downplayed the severity of her husband’s wrongdoing that resulted in jury convictions on 17 corruption-related counts. “He was found guilty of getting advice and having routine conversations with advisors and closest friends” she told O’Donnell “It wasn’t about anything else,” she said.

Accompanied on Thursday by the lawyer who unsuccessfully defended her husband, Mrs. Blagojevich said that she wanted to provide more details about the legal ordeal and that “someday when this is over we could have 3 hour conversation” but that “his lawyers have told me not to talk about it.”

Mrs. Blagojevich said that the “case isn’t over. We have faith in system that this wrong will be righted and truth will prevail.” The former governor’s legal team has filed an appeal of the conviction and sentence.

Mr. Blagojevich is scheduled to report to federal prison on March 15 to begin a sentence of 14 years. He has requested to serve time at a facility in Colorado.”

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8537643