Wednesday, 18 July 2012

[WardFive] Re: [ward5] Re: Misplaced outrage?

Rob,

There are several issues with VO's legislation. While his intent may be well, there are several problems with it. The head of DSLBD spoke a lot about this in his testimony.

As for the issues about problems with money in politics that is an excuse.

Many other major cities allow outside employment and don't have the issues we have. Hell the President of the Atlanta City Council is a Partner in a Major International Law Firm, yet he doesn't have those issues.

We are the issue, we elect folks who act this way. This city has constantly discouraged many folks who would be great public servants from considering it and continue to do so.

As for Mr. Thompson and his two companies, they have been successful for years yet DC is the only place in which he has been tied to issues such as this. I think a great deal of it was disrespect for local residents and the need to stroke his own ego. No matter the reason this isolated incidence has caused major issues.

As for the mayor, I will say again that he is in an unfortunately situation. No matter if he was involved or not he has the impression of a Culture of Corruption circling around him which is unfortunate.

Unlike the issues which faced HTJ and KB the Mayor's issues are not personal short comings and eventually he will have to answer for them like the head coach or head of a company.

In closing maybe we as a city and as residents will finally get off the sidelines and truly get serious on a broader level about the issues facing our city.

Eric J. Jones
- ejjones.threed@gmail.com

On Jul 18, 2012 12:18 PM, "Rob" <indianrob@gmail.com> wrote:
 

Hello Everyone,
 
Personally, I made some mistakes in life and at 43, I know who is crooked and who is not and what not mistakes to repeat, who not to be around, etc.  In perspective, the Mayor deserves his due process just as anyone has the right to ask him to resign if they want to - for whatever reason.  So, I am with anyone who wants to change the system so that no campaign gets funded over the set limits they have now and there can be no "mailing" done by unions or corporations or anything like that, work done by out of state folks, no Thompson's or Mary's, No Toms,  or ..... , etc. 
 
Also, I am with anyone who wants no Govt. official to accept anything other than their paycheck or they get prosecuted.  At the Salaries they make, there is no need for outside income from companies doing business in DC.  I am for letting the public know when every meeting is schedule in advanced, with who, for what purpose and to be video and audio taped. These types of regulations will help to keep people in line.
 
The saddest thing about all that is occurring is that Our Mayor is 69 years old and there is no excuse for him at this age to be making the types of mistakes that he is making.  Also, much worse is the decisions that he is forcing on his Black communities with no regard to their input. It was tough riding through IVY CITY the other night and being reminded how impoverished some parts of our community really are (relatively speaking to being in the Capital City of United States/The World).  This is the saddest part of all the Sad things that are occurring.  For all this campaign issues as I am sure that all of our CM's could be peeled back like a banana to expose how green or ripe they really are with corruption. 
 
It is truly SAD how the decisions are being made with the lack of respect for the residents of Our City; especially when it is seems like the decision to or not to do something of priority is based on how it will benifit the carreer (in or our of govt) or pockets (their own, family or friends) of many of our CM's and our Mayor and some of our other Govt. Officials like the Deputy Mayors and next level management and contract issuers, etc..  Most of these individuals are just simply drunk with power addicted to $$ 
 
As to the Double Standard - it exists.
 
1.  At our Local Ward 5 level, you have those who protest a Liquor License over parking for a Black Business with some parking and not for a White Business with no parking. But our some of our residents are cool with that.
2.  We have our some of our ANC vote against the SAP in Brookland (which is part of the law) in the 901 Monroe issue, probably for the financial and vote support in their movement to run for public office and for "love" from the Wilson Bldg - with no care for the people closest to the project.
 
3.  At the next level, We have a Vote from the Zoning Commission breaking the SAP of Brookland, probably because the orders came from the Wilson Bldg.
4.  We have decisions being made about "Vanity" style transportation (Street Cars) when we have more important Capital Improvement to be made.
5.  We have things being placed in communities like 6 MM cultivation spots when they could be spread out all over.
6.  We have Strip Clubs being focused in our community when they should be shared a burden/amenity
7.  We have NO to putting a Trolly Barn in Ward 7 Green Space but OK for Ward 5 Green Space
8.  We have "interim" BUS parking in an already depressed neighborhood when they should be looking at revival of the community.
9.  We have Vincent Orange trying to put together a bill to fix a problem with Small Business Strangulation that should have been done a long time ago but none of our CM's did anything.
10.  We have a Ethics reformation that left so many loopholes and areas that CM's could continue the rapist culture of their position/politics that makes us into our Govt. Officials Prostitutes
 
So, why does it surprise anyone of the double standard that is occuring with Mayor Gray. The Fact is that this is so much bigger than Mr. Gray.  While he is to blame for all those decisions from Suliman Brown to ....... and insensitivity to our most needing communities, the reality is WE ARE THE ONES TO BLAME as we either continue to be selfish or sell ourselves for pennies so we will continue to get a "PENNY'S" worth of Service and Respect. 
 
Mr. Peloquin and a few others have been saying it for a while - We need to Change the System and then when the People takes those position, they will be forced to conform.  Looking forward to focusing on getting the SERVICE turned back on in the term PUBLIC SERVICE. 
 
Rob Ramson.
 

 
On Wed, Jul 18, 2012 at 10:26 AM, K <cooperator@starpower.net> wrote:
 

Julianne,

We seem to be on the same page about a lot of things -- including not wanting to see Mayor Gray railroaded out of office if he truly wasn't a part of his campaign's violations.

But I think the investigations and prosecutions -- where a criminal case exists -- need to move forward.

And with all of the longstanding political corruption that most of us on this list know exists in D.C.'s local government, there's a small part of me that is wondering if Mayor Gray was set up during his campaign so that somebody could try to pull the plug on his mayoralty as soon as Gray tried to get in the way of some project or gravy train for somebody who's among those milking D.C.

Let's see how far the prosecution of Jeff Thompson and other politicians ever gets....



--Kathy Sinzinger

--- In ward5@yahoogroups.com, "Julianne M. Robertson King" <kingjulianne@...> wrote:
>
> I'm not invested in having the last word, so I'm sure this chain will continue...
>
> That said, you make my point with the Edwards case by pointing out that his prosecution took place AFTER the election.  Heck even monstrous, blood thirsty savages like Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia or Charles Taylor of Liberia served for years and were LATER prosecuted.  Here, we have someone whose involvement with and personal knowledge of the disputed campaign funds is not clear, and we want him to run away and disrupt the operation of the government and abandon his office?  Some operations of the government will grind to a screeching halt.  Surely that's not the outcome you want.  Should he be tried later?  That's not my call.
>
>
> The historical precedent for this scenario was set forth in the early 1990's. Frankly the Iran-Contra crisis should have resulted in George Herbert Walker Bush, Ed Meese, Cap Weinberger and a whole host of other folks to have gone to jail, but instead we (sort of) elected Bush's son to the Presidency.  We see how that worked out...

>
>  
>
> Julianne M. Robertson King Esq.
>
>
>
>
> This e-mail and any computerized telephonic communications (skype, etc.) may be protected by attorney-client or work product privilege. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender, Julianne M. Robertson King at (202) 200-9273 and delete the e-mail without recording its contents in any manner.J
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: K <cooperator@...>
> To: ward5@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 9:54 AM
> Subject: [ward5] Re: Misplaced outrage?
>
>
>  
> If you really believe that self-government is what's at stake here, I believe you are addressing that feared loss in precisely the wrong way.
>
> Digging in one's heals to preserve a long-corrupt system -- rather than fighting alongside the people who are trying to root out the corruption -- sends the wrong message to Congress.
>
> Federal prosecutors should be seen as HELPING US GET CONTROL OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, rather than trying to take it away from us with these prosecutions.
>
> You know, federal prosecutors work for all of us D.C. residents as federal taxpayers, too.
>
> --Kathy Sinzinger
>
> --- In ward5@yahoogroups.com, "Julianne M. Robertson King" <kingjulianne@> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Lol,
> >
> > I've been accused of a lot of things, but naive isn't one of them.  I will keep my own counsel about when to flick the outrage switch, but I can understand why others might allow this contrivance to cause them to react.  Outrage shuts your rational mind down.  It keeps you from critically analysing the situation.  I never said I wasn't deeply disappointed, hurt and betrayed, but those are emotional responses.  The only response that matters is that we fight to preserve our right to elect a Council and Mayor and to have them serve at the pleasure of the electorate.  That's what's at stake here, and they want you to miss it.  Don't let it happen.  I'm on your side.

> >
> >
> > Julianne M. Robertson King Esq.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > This e-mail and any computerized telephonic communications (skype, etc.) may be protected by attorney-client or work product privilege. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender, Julianne M. Robertson King at (202) 200-9273 and delete the e-mail without recording its contents in any manner.J
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: "jeromepeloquin@" <jeromepeloquin@>

> > To: ward5@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 9:36 AM
> > Subject: Re: [ward5] Misplaced outrage?
> >
> >
> >  
> > Once more dear friends ... into the breach ... I take your point but fear you miss mine completely!  The Gray/Thompson affair is merely symptomatic of the deeper root cause.  There is a cancer growing on our government and way of life ... unless we act as a people, it is terminal.  
> >  
> > This is the cancerous and devastating effect of money in the political process.  We can never eliminate greed, but we can remove it to the extent possible ... Please Ms. King, do not be naive.  People like Thompson do not give money for nothing.  I have seen how lobbyists work ... and so, must I believe, have you.   Most of our elected leaders have sold themselves in one way or another.  It is the avowed job of the lobbyist.(damn them) to subvert the official to their bidding.  
> >  
> > Madam, it appears to me that you and those who quibble over small cuts, while we bleed to death as a nation are part of the problem.  Why, as an officer of the court, are you not outraged when you see such blatant misuse of the public trust?   How many Council members and their aids need to go to jail before you realize that the system is corrupt and MUST be replaced.
> >  

> > Nothing short of complete legislative and judicial reform will do.
> >  
> > Jerry in opposition
> >  

> > ----- Original message -----
> > From: "Julianne M. Robertson King" <kingjulianne@>
> > To: "ward5@yahoogroups">ward5@yahoogroups.com" <ward5@yahoogroups">ward5@yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: Re: [ward5] Misplaced outrage?
> > Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2012 06:02:09 -0700 (PDT)
> >  
> >  
> >  
> > I would be completely outraged if it was clear that Gray gave quid pro quo to Thompson in exchange for those funds, but the DOJ has declined to assert that.  It would be a matter then of having an elected leader having sold himself, but I don't see it.  It's also disheartening to have this played out in leaks, as if people dont see that the real objective is to create just this controversy we are playing out.  Not falling for it.
> >  
> >
> > Julianne M. Robertson King Esq.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > This e-mail and any computerized telephonic communications (skype, etc.) may be protected by attorney-client or work product privilege. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender, Julianne M. Robertson King at (202) 200-9273 and delete the e-mail without recording its contents in any manner.J
> >  
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: KPW <WKPW3@>

> > To: ward5@yahoogroups">ward5@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 8:47 AM
> > Subject: Re: [ward5] Misplaced outrage?
> >
> >  
> > I would like to know if money people like Thompson do this across the country. Is this unique to D.C.?
> >
> > Also, have some of the people that have been in their elected positions since the 20th century done anything wreckless like this? Are others squeaky clean? When one asks for someone else's resignation, does that mean the person is never under review or question? I've heard councilmembers accused of conflict of interest and one never sees a full scale review.
> >
> > There's need for a lot of outrage over a lot of things in this city and country. Sometimes other things seem to take priority in the list for outrage. I don't know if Thompson is a bad guy or whether he was playing the game like he was taught by the real money people.
> >
> > "Julianne M. Robertson King" <kingjulianne@> wrote:
> >
> > >"Sometimes letting things go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on." - Eckhart Tolle. 
> > >
> > >
> > >Personally, outrage is a paralyzing, nonproductive space to be in.  Jeff Thompson funded campaigns all over the country, and I think PACs are a way to game the system, but they've been around as a campaign tool since Franklin Roosevelt.  For me, the greater outrage is that DC elected officials are now subject to an additional level of scrutiny AFTER they have been declared the winner and sworn in.  That violates the spirit, if not the letter, of the Home Rule Charter.  Our independence is being threatened, and my question is:  "Who stands the most to gain by taking our leaders out?"
> > >
> > > 

> > >
> > >Julianne M. Robertson King Esq.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >This e-mail and any computerized telephonic communications (skype, etc.) may be protected by attorney-client or work product privilege. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender, Julianne M. Robertson King at (202) 200-9273 and delete the e-mail without recording its contents in any manner.J
> > >
> > >
> > >________________________________
> > > From: K <cooperator@>
> > >To: ward5@yahoogroups">ward5@yahoogroups.com
> > >Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 7:46 AM
> > >Subject: [ward5] Misplaced outrage?
> > >
> > >
> > > 

> > >Most of us would probably agree that the shadow campaign for Vince Gray was both wrong and stupid.
> > >
> > >What I don't really understand is why no one seems to be damning Jeff Thompson for his apparent key role in perpetrating this shadow campaign.
> > >
> > >Where is the outrage over the person who apparently FUNDED this shadow campaign? And the outrage over all of our tax dollars that Jeff Thompson has been apparently converting into campaign cash over the years?
> > >
> > >None of this bad stuff happens in campaigns without the money, folks. Why aren't you angry over THAT and showing just a little bit of outrage over the great possibility that our tax dollars may have been either willfully or incidentally converted into campaign money to undermine fair campaigning for local elective offices for many, many years?
> > >
> > >None of this stuff started with Vince Gray's campaign, and anyone who is either active in D.C. politics or pays close attention knows that full well.
> > >
> > >And no -- I'm not trying to excuse anything that went wrong in Vince Gray's campaign. I'm just trying to understand why people in this town would rather jockey for political advantage over something like this rather than rooting out the real problems.
> > >
> > >Educate me.
> > >
> > >--Kathy Sinzinger
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >  
> >  
> >  
> >
>




--
R. Ramson
3744 12th Street, N.E.,
Washington D.C., 20017
202-438-5988

"We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi-
(Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)




 


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