Sunday, May 03, 2015

Most of the RNC platform is depraved. They have no respect for the individual, they value money over life and want to appear to be moral in the face of American hardship.

The agenda is all backwards. More spending on military equipment that creates more danger than it prevents. Less spending on education to American kids. Opposition to health care for all Americans. Rather than fixing what is wrong with Social Security, they allow banks to pay for chronic bailouts while offering vouchers for Medicare. 

The covet a woman's uterus while cutting health care and food stamps for those unable to make ends meet. 

Small government means less services, not better government.

The Republicans make no investment in the people of this country, but, for military spending and bank bailouts there is no end.

They refuse to pass laws regarding banking reform, but, want to control the definition of marriage.

The Epistle of Titus is from Paul regarding the 'character' of the 'ethical church.' Paul was the founder of the first Christian church. His writings in Titus are considered a cornerstone to the leaders.

Titus 1:7 – "For an overseer (Elder of the church), as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain."
 
So, when a Republican pretends to be a man of morals and principles or a man in honor of his Christian faith; challenge him on it. The words he speaks are lies.

Negligence of US Infrastructure by the federal government is depraved. Preention of tragedy means nothing to the Repubicans anymore.


May 2, 2015
 By Paul S. Chinowsky

...In Boulder, (click here) we hear a continuing call to increase our resiliency to climate change. However, the question that needs to be answered is, "What are the specific risks that we face on the Front Range and in Boulder County?" The answer is that we face multiple risks beyond those resulting from catastrophic events such as flash floods and wildfires. In fact, many of the risks we face result from incremental changes in climate. The recently released Colorado Climate Change Vulnerability Study, coauthored by researchers at the University of Colorado-Boulder and Colorado State University, documents that the climate in Colorado is projected to warm by 2.5 to 6.5 degrees Fahrenheit by mid-century. In the Boulder region, all climate models project warming temperatures during the summer months as well as an increasing number of heat waves.

Although much of our infrastructure will be affected by these changes, two sectors are of particular concern and as such need to be a priority for resiliency actions — roads and public buildings. In terms of roads, temperature increases will result in the weakening of asphalt road surfaces. This weakening allows for increased cracking and potholes when traffic patterns remain the same or increase. In cases of flooding, these increased cracks result in a greater likelihood of flood-based damage. Similarly, these cracks result in increased freeze damage in winter months. This increased damage results in significant increases in maintenance costs to maintain currently accepted levels of service....

What should we do about mitigating the Climate Crisis? it is right here, prepared by US government scientists with distinguished credentials.

 "The USA Climate Report" (click here)

The political right wing media is depraved.

May 1, 2015
By Katie Sanders
 
...Hinderaker did seek more details, (click here) but he also ended up publishing the story as is.

The story quickly spread over the Internet and made it to Rush Limbaugh’s talk-radio show April 15. Limbaugh detailed how had he talked over the scoop with "Easton Elliott" and Hinderaker a couple weeks before.
"I did raise the specter that it did appear to me that Dingy Harry got beat up," Limbaugh said before launching into the story. "I don’t know by who, although I might now. Bottom line is, I might now know who did it. And I wasn’t even gonna bring this up."

The real truth came about 10 days later, when Pfeifer (pictured below) told the Las Vegas Sun he was Easton and the story was fake....

Amassing wealth without purpose is depraved.

October 12, 2011
By Keith Fitz=gerald

Do you want to know the real reason banks (click here) aren't lending and the PIIGS have control of the barnyard in Europe?
It's because risk in the $600 trillion derivatives market isn't evening out. To the contrary, it's growing increasingly concentrated among a select few banks, especially here in the United States.
In 2009, five banks held 80% of derivatives in America. Now, just four banks hold a staggering 95.9% of U.S. derivatives, according to a recent report from the Office of the Currency Comptroller.
The four banks in question: JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS).
Derivatives played a crucial role in bringing down the global economy, so you would think that the world's top policymakers would have reined these things in by now – but they haven't.
Instead of attacking the problem, regulators have let it spiral out of control, and the result is a $600 trillion time bomb called the derivatives market....

Every year the banks now take their gambling losses off their income taxes. The American taxpayer is STILL bailing out banks.

December 11, 2014
By Steven Mufson and Tom Hamburge

...But "that provision" isn't just any provision. (click here) It's one that goes to the heart of the Dodd Frank reform because it would let big banks undertake risky activities with funds guaranteed by the federal government and, hence taxpayers.

The omnibus appropriations bill would do that by undoing the Dodd Frank provision that ordered banks to move their riskiest activities -- such as default swaps, trading commodities, and trading derivatives -- to new entities so that deposits guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. would not be in danger....

Russia is investigating "tweeking" as a depraved act.

April 14, 2015
By Josh Krup

It doesn’t take much for a scandal to erupt in Russia. (click here) A host of memes were recently made illegal in the Motherland because they “violate the laws governing personal data and harm the honor, dignity, and business of public figures,” and a twerking video is now being investigated by the Investigative Committee of Russia for “depraved acts.” Hold on to your ushanka!

The Washington Post reports that the clip above was filmed in Orenburg, and it shows “a troupe of girls from the local dance school Credo” twerking with the Russian version of Winnie the Pooh. The women, who might be younger than 18, are dressed like bees… or are they?!?...


"The Zombie Culture" is depraved.

June 17, 2013

Sarah Juliet Lauro (click here) is an English professor at Clemson University who specializes in not Dickens or some other classic subject, but in zombies. We spoke with her about symbolism, embodiment, and the undead wisdom of her hairdresser.

People are really scared of me. They know I study zombies so they expect this kind of Goth person, someone who's into horror and slasher films but nothing can be further from the truth. I hate horror movies. I'm skittish around violence. Having to watch every zombie movie ever was a labor.

The zombie is always double. It's a symbol of failure and success. Slavery and rebellion....

Taking the food out of the mouths of children is depraved.

1980 - 1981 - Jimmy Carter

1981 - 1989 - Ronald Reagan

1989 - 1993 - George W. Bush

1993 - 2001 - Bill Clinton

2001 - 2009 - George W. Bush

2009 - present - Barak Obama

What the heck do Republicans do to make the administration of Food Stamps more expensive resulting in less help to citizens?

January 24, 2015
By Benjamin Landy

...But Romney (click here) is far from alone in his grandiose and off the mark allegations; just last week rival presidential candidate Newt Gingrich doubled down on his controversial comments tarring President Obama as a "food stamp president," who, the former House speaker proclaimed, has put more people on food stamps "than any president in American history." A recent USA Today fact check corrects that mistake: while the percentage of Americans on food stamps is at historic highs, fewer people have applied for SNAP under Obama than during George W. Bush's tenure, when 14.7 million joined the rolls. What's more, the current growth rate has been declining since the end of the recession in 2009, when there is a clear inflection point in the graph below.


Passing legislatoin to build the dirtiest oil pipeline in the world is depraved in the face of the climate crisis.

May 1, 2015
ICTMN Staff

The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe (click here) is celebrating the 147th anniversary of the signing of the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty by … enforcing it.

Invoking their rights under article one of the treaty, the tribe voted to reject the Keystone XL pipeline and evict TransCanada from its lands “in direct response to the unethical business practices that TransCanada has demonstrated over the last six years,” the tribe said in a statement.

“As descendants of the people of this land we have witnessed destruction of many magnitudes,” said Acting Chairman Kevin Wright in the Lower Brule Sioux statement. “We are concerned for our land, water, and most importantly not only the physical wellbeing of our people but spiritual wellbeing as well. I am first a human being, not a politician, when it comes to these matters. I believe in protecting our people and look to more ecological ways of living.”...

There are other measures of depravity in the USA.

The Assault Weapons Ban was passed in 1994. There is every indication it began the decline in gun crimes. It still has an influence. We know for a fact there are a fixed number of gun purchasers in the USA. They are primarily the ones that still purchase guns.

The number of people that do not purchase guns has not increased, but, has decreased. The tragedy continues to realize there are still 30,000 gun deaths per year in the USA, including suicides. 

States with very lax gun laws are definitely depraved, morally corrupt and wicked. "Stand Your Ground" is depraved.

May 7, 2013
By Bill Chappell

Since 1993, (click here) the United States has seen a drop in the rate of homicides and other violence involving guns, according to two new studies released Tuesday. Using government data, analysts saw a steep drop for violence in the 1990s, they saw more modest drops in crime rates since 2000.

"Firearm-related homicides dropped from 18,253 homicides in 1993 to 11,101 in 2011," according to a report by the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, "and nonfatal firearm crimes dropped from 1.5 million victimizations in 1993 to 467,300 in 2011.

There were seven gun homicides per 100,000 people in 1993, the Pew Research Center study says, which dropped to 3.6 gun deaths in 2010. The study relied in part on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Compared with 1993, the peak of U.S. gun homicides, the firearm homicide rate was 49 percent lower in 2010, and there were fewer deaths, even though the nation's population grew," according to the Pew study. "The victimization rate for other violent crimes with a firearm—assaults, robberies and sex crimes—was 75 percent lower in 2011 than in 1993."...

Ms.Mosby needs to continue to do her job.

She has a great deal of integrity. It is difficult for many to see past the so called politics because the American people are used to someone who is honest and trustworthy. In the year 2015 Americans are listening for twisted truths and manipulated outcomes. 

Ms. Mosby is fresh air.

She is uncorrupted. She is a treasure. I am quite confident she can do her job without bias. She has exceptionally good judgement.

Besides all that, I like her.

May 3, 2015
By Doug Donovan

Fraternal Order of Police (click here) lodge is asking Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby to appoint a special prosecutor to the Freddie Gray investigation because of her personal connection to the Gray family's attorney, William H. "Billy" Murphy Jr., and her marriage to a city councilman....

This level of defaming a perfectly concise prosecutor is out of line. There is no remote indication Ms. Mosby has impaired or divided loyalties. If the FOP wants to challenge Ms. Mosby's authority or abilities there is a court system in Baltimore last time I checked. 

The FOB might get some traction in requesting a new venue for the trials, but, to insult a very able prosecutor is not a good beginning for the FOP. I was rather surprised when the FOP (Not GOP) carrying out this stunt. It has nothing to do with the case, except, to attempt to turn the public against Ms. Mosby, discredit her enough so even the charges might be dropped by those that might replace her.

Well, I don't think so.

She needs to plan ot be president someday.

I found her extraordinary. She wowed me. She is the person we want in the USA to lead. She is a pure heart. Difficult to find in American politics. I was heartened by her poise and truthfulness. I don't know whether to be happy or sad; but, evidently it takes a young age of a professional to be uncorrupted by the covert world of authority in the United States of America.

Maybe people become jaded over time, but, it makes no difference. The people we want in government has made themselves known in Ms. Marilyn Mosby. 

Deprave. It's an interesting word. It has captured some folks, including me.

verb: deprave 

3rd person present: depraves; past tense: depraved; past participle: depraved; gerund or present participle: depraving

1: archaic :  to speak ill of :  malign
2:  to make bad :  corrupt; especially :  to corrupt morally

Origin of DEPRAVE

Middle English, from Anglo-French depraver, from Latin depravare to pervert, from de- + pravus crooked, bad

First Known Use: 14th century
Synonyms
abase, bastardize, canker, cheapen, corrupt, debauch, degrade, demean, demoralize, debase, deteriorate, lessen, pervert, poison, profane, prostitute, subvert, vitiate, warp
Antonyms
elevate, ennoble, uplift
It is Sunday Night.

This is not porn.


"Depraved Mind Murder" by Fear Factory (click here for official website)

I am a self contained machine
Prefabricated, no sympathy
My mind laid bare to world depression
My man made soul in isolation

I have been scraped by humanity
Darkness confines every injury

I must make witness with bitterness
Concealed existence of countless dead
I'm not a walking form of waste
Amassed illusion burning disgrace

I have been scraped by humanity
Darkness confines every injury

Deprivation has been forced on me
I am losing all of my memories

My reality
My heart is a dark shade of metallic dust
My heart is a dark shade of metallic dust

I have been scraped by humanity
Darkness confines every injury

Deprivation has been forced on me
I am losing all of my memories
They are nothing more to me than a dream
I reject all visions of reality
Visions of reality
Reality

Depraved is often an issue for religion.


How does one go from being a newspaper editor to a Unitarian Universalist minister? (click here)

Now-Rev. David Kraemer, who was the editor of the Ames Tribune for eight years, explains: “It’s like Jack Kerouac’s ‘On The Road.’ Life is one long, steady stream with good adventures all along the way.

“A book about my life,” Kraemer said in an article published in the Rochester Post-Bulletin, “would be called ‘Adventure by Adventure,’ where I turn good newspaper stories into good sermons. So, it could also be called ‘Story by Story.’ Journalism, at its root, is about words and people. I like both. Ministry is much the same.”

Kraemer was ordained April 12 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Rochester, Minn., only the second minister to be ordained there in the church’s 149-year history.

“At this moment, you are the newest Unitarian Universalist minister in the world! This is a moment to savor. You have worked long and hard,” said the Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski, the church’s minister since 2006, in the ordination service.
Kraemer’s nontraditional path to the ministry can be traced back to high school, when he read “Walden,” a seminal book that “turned me around” and sparked an enduring academic interest in American transcendentalists. But when asked if his life has turned out how he planned from those high school days, he said, “Hell no! I had no idea!”...

When will the LGBT community ever become regular Americans rather than a political wedge issue?

With the facts known to those that come to this blog, I respectfully suggest Mr. Jeb Bush run his campaign with transparency and policies as he sees it. I would not believe a word of it anyway, but, there is a chance the truth about the party and it's priorities might actually match up with American values regarding life.

With the burgeoning of the Tea Party extremists in November 2008, I will never understand why it was the Republican Party that was suppose to survive beyond any reason for it to disappear. It surprised even me. I guess Wall Street and the greedy such as the Kochs wouldn't change their strips. 

April 30, 2015

It's a question every potential 2016 GOP (click here) hopeful is being asked: Would you attend a gay family member's wedding?

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who hasn't officially thrown his hat into the presidential ring yet, is the latest high profile Republican to be asked the "gotcha!" question, the Huffington Post points out.

"I haven't -- that's not to say I wouldn't," Bush told reporters Tuesday during an event in Puerto Rico. He later added in Spanish "claro que sí" ("of course") he would go if invited to a same-sex wedding.

Though he would attend the ceremony, Bush reiterated his support for "traditional marriage" in February and said marriage equality should be handled by the states and not the federal courts.... 


Nothing new here. His answer spells loudly his affection for extremist religious funding. Same 'ole, same 'ole.

Another quote by Bush. Islam is on occassion a religion of peace.

TIMES OF ISRAEL – At an event at the National Review Institute in Washington, Bush was asked whether he thought Islam was a religion of peace.

“I’m sure for some of the practitioners, but it’s been hijacked by people who have a [sic] ideology that wants to destroy Western civilization, and they’re barbarians. And so that part, which is the part that we need to confront head-on, is clearly not a religion of peace,” he was quoted by The Guardian as saying.

“And I think it’s – you’re not offending the sensibilities of people that are peaceful in the adherence to their faith when you say what I just said,” he went on.

In his interview he sees Chrisitans in the Middle East as a personal interest because an Iraqi daughter in law. I wonder if Saddam fits into the picture somewhere in the way personal interests fit the reasons for invading Iraq did "W". Jeb Bush, being his own man, thinks there should be no negotiations with Iran at all according to his interview.

5-21-(200)6
By Terrell E. Arnold

Dear Mr. President (click here)

Within the past few daysWithin the past few days the Government of Iran has made explicit requests to you and your Secretary of State for direct talks with the United States on nuclear matters. Those requests have been repeated over a period of at least three years, while your team has used every elliptical "diplomatic" device, including threats to bomb Iran, to coerce Iranian leadership into accepting special, even unique rules for any Iranian nuclear program....

Everyone in the world knows "W" never wanted talks with Iran. Actions speak far louder than words with Republicans. He wanted to invade the country as a rouge nation. Is there doubt anywhere? "The Axis of Evil Speech" followed by an invasion into Iraq. Is there any doubt? No. So, Jeb Bush's idea of fun in foreign policy is exactly what his brothers 

This article by Hadley written in 2010 takes President Obama's approach to Iran and rewrites history regarding "W."

November 3, 2010
By Steven Hadley
  
...The Bush approach (click here) can be summarized as the "two clocks" strategy: First, try to push back the time when the Iranian regime would have a clear path to a nuclear weapon. And second, try to bring forward the time when public pressure would either cause the regime to change its nuclear policy (and suspend enrichment), or transform it into a government more likely to make the strategic choice to deal with the international community....

In the article below from the Huffington Post, Jeb Bush resoundlingly holds onto the "Powell Doctrine."

May 2, 2015
By Mark Hensch

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (click here) argued Saturday that American foreign policy should frighten the nation’s enemies abroad with its strength.
“The basic policy should be our friends know we have their back over the long haul, and our enemies need to fear us again,” Bush said at the South Carolina GOP convention in Columbia, according to the Associated Press.
Bush added that he thought President Obama’s strategy abroad has been an “unmitigated disaster” thus far. Hillary Clinton’s would not fare much better, he said, should she get elected president in 2016....

In the year 2015, the enemies (whoever they are, just generally everyone except NATO I suppose.) are not the only ones who fear the USA's military capacity. A growing number of Americans and their US House representatives fear the path of the USA military which invites nuclear war and not deescalating it's burgeoning threat. In the year 2015, the USA military is violating the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Fear the USA's military prowess? Who in this year doesn't?

It is completely obvious Jeb Bush, if ever president, will pick up where "W" left off.

Excuse me? The process works? For who?

May 1, 2015

RALEIGH, N.C. (CBSMiami/AP) — Former Gov. Jeb Bush (click here) said he trusts the legal process that resulted in charges against six Baltimore officers in the death of Freddie Gray.
Bush, a likely presidential candidate, was asked how a president can address rising anger toward police. Bush told reporters that a president can lead a conversation on how to fight the pockets of poverty that can result in dissatisfaction and anger.
Commenting on the Freddie Gray case in Baltimore, Bush said: “The process works” and “people are innocent until proven guilty.”...

Amazing, once a bureaucrat always a bureaucrat. I am surprised Jeb Bush didn't take credit for the charges. Sure he wasn't the very person that decided the charges and simply helped out those unfortunate females in Maryland and in the DOJ? 

Jeb Bush Interview (click here) "Everyone needs to respect property." When he was discussing Baltimore events. "People on the left CREATES a set of reasons why this happens.... Okay, I want every Democrat responsible for the death of Freddie Gray to turn themselves in to authorities and don't hold a riot to "Create a set of reasons."

There is a man dead and there is every reason to believe there are many men dead and all he has to say is "The process works." That is amazing. Dead people simply line the streets while 'the process works.' It worked THIS TIME because there were riots in the streets and he has the almighty nerve to state "the process works." Amazing. 

This must be Jeb Bush's Katrina. It simply arrived early and thankfully before he is President. 

Bush affiliates himself with racists. Is that surprising to anyone? It was his Secretary of State that disenfranchised African Americans in Florida's Dade County.

May 2, 2015
By Ziad Jilani

Charles Murray, (click here) a scholar at the right-wing American Enterprise Institute, is most known for his book The Bell Curve, which argued that intelligence differences among racial groups explaining inequalities in America. It is widely regarded as an attempt to justify racism using pseudo-science.
This week, Murray apparently gained a new fan. At an event with the National Review, Bush explained that his view on the breakup of American families has been informed by the notorious right-wing writer. According to Talking Points Memo:

[National Review editor Rich] Lowry asked Bush, “… is there any policy or anything public officials can do to help turn back what has been a rising tide of family breakdown crossing decades now?”

“Absolutely, there is,” Bush, a likely 2016 Republican presidential candidate, said. “It’s not exactly     the core. My views on this were shaped a lot on this by Charles Murray’s book, except I was reading the book and I was waiting for the last chapter with the really cool solutions — didn’t quite get there.”

Later in the interview, Lowry asked Bush what he likes to read. Again, he cited Murray.

I like Charles Murray books to be honest with you, which means I’m a total nerd I guess,” Bush said....

It all falls in with the Republican View of the World. Former US Senator Rick Santorum wrote a book that follows those same old racist stereotypes. It will be at least a generation more or more like two generations before Republicans finally drop the racism they count on to get them elected and policies that keep their donors coming back.

This is an example of the depth the Republicans are operating at to make a decision about a presidential nominee.

May 7, 2015
By Arleete Saenz
 
In Iowa this weekend, (click here) everyone will be listening closely to what comes out of Jeb Bush’s mouth, but they should also be paying attention to what he puts in it.
Last month, Bush revealed he follows the Paleo diet -- a strict regimen of eating only what our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate: vegetables, meats, seafood, fruits and nuts.
“Continue to pray that I stick on this Paleo diet where my pants fall down,” Bush told donors in Tallahassee in February. “Perpetually starving to death apparently is the source of losing weight....

"The Paleo Diet" has made it to the Republican National Debate. And what is Former Secretary Clinton bringing to the Dems; "Income Inequality." There is no comparison to the platform of the DNC. There are real problems in the USA and not simply The Paleo Diet and how that relates to wealthy donors and patronizing electorate.

Tell me if hurts and I'll stop. Maybe.

May 2, 2015
By Aliyah Furmin

Today, thanks to a Supreme Court (click here) decision that unleashed unlimited money into politics, even the unlikeliest of long-shot presidential candidates needs only one very wealthy patron to run a credible campaign. It’s a system that many campaign finance reform advocates see as messy and bordering on corrupt. But now, Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is taking things to an entirely new level: putting off his official entry into the 2016 race so he can raise vast sums for a super PAC that’s supposed to be entirely independent of his all-but-certain campaign....

He hasn't said the words. That means he isn't running and is outside the parameters of fund raising? Really? Well, that explains it then, of course, Jeb Bush isn't corrupt to the core. He only engineered the election of his brother, but, that wasn't his fault, it was an underling. But, that wasn't corruption. Ask him how he views Voter ID when he is in ?

...By not officially jumping in the race, the former Florida governor doesn’t have to abide by the “hard money” rules of presidential campaigns, which cap primary donations at just $2,700 per individual. He’s raising unlimited funds for his Right to Rise super PAC instead....

I take it Former Governor Jeb Bush isn't discouraging Ohio from limiting the electorate in 2016. The truth is an entire election cycle should have to occur before any limitations on voting takes place. People have to gear up for these changes.

May 1, 2015
By Paula Bolyard 

A group of Republican lawmakers in Ohio (click here) will introduce a bill in the Ohio House next week that will require a driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID in order to cast a ballot in person in the state.

 “This is a bill which I believe is very important for the state of Ohio for the sanctity of our election system, for the sanctity of making sure that it is one person, one vote and they are in fact residents and citizens of the United States,” said Andrew Brenner (R-Powell), the primary sponsor of the bill, in a press conference this week....

Talk about pandering. Give me a break. Kindly keep it real. The closest any Bush ever got to assault by police is when Georgie pleaded guilty to DUI.

How many mothers does Jeb Bush know? One and maybe the mother to his own children? A mother-in-law perhaps.

May 1, 2015 5:14 PM EDT - Former(click here) Florida governor Jeb Bush says the Baltimore mom who smacked her son during protests this week reminded him of his own mother, former first lady Barbara Bush. (Reuters)

The mother in the video from Baltimore wasn't disciplining her son, she was rescuing him from "...being another Freddy Gray...". She was afraid the police would also arrest her son, put him in the van and he would end up dead, too. Barbara Bush had the same problem, huh? Barbara Bush is afraid of cops? Really? Well, her sons have definitely lived through it.

 

It was an office culture. They exist.

I am confident everyone understands how an office culture exists and becomes part of a work day. This one was rather nasty with a group of Republicans surrounded by Democrats.

May 2, 2015
By R. W.

...The government’s inquiry into the jam, (click here) otherwise known as “Bridgegate”, has now yielded a guilty plea, two indictments and a rather delicious story of a conspiracy. On May 1stPaul Fishman, New Jersey’s federal prosecutor, announced the indictment of two former top allies to Mr Christie: William Baroni, formerly a top-ranking executive at the Port Authority, and Ms Kelly, Mr Christie’s former deputy chief of staff. Both were charged with nine counts of conspiracy and fraud. David Wildstein, who went to school with Mr Christie and who worked for the Port Authority, pleaded guilty in a federal court on May 1st to conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy against civil rights....

It is rather surprising the members of the group have been trusted members of government and law. I would never have guessed Bill Baroni was a surprise. I didn't thing he'd ever compromise a career.

Wildstein is rather new to NJ politics. I don't remember hearing that name before, but, that is due to his affiliations as a Republican. It appears as though Kelly's words are ambivalent. "Time to cause traffic problems in Fort Lee." Difficult to tell from an e-mail whether that was an order or a joke. The timeline puts that before the event, but, there is every reason to believe Mr. Wildstein acted on his own with mutual support from political friends. The court case will probably prove interesting as well.

David Samson was also a surprise. There seems to be a whole lot of hubris in this administration. But, that is all part of that office culture. Actually, Republicans as a rule are mired in hubris in their politics. It doesn't serve them well and alienates many Americans from taking them seriously, but, "the inflated ego" certainly is their brand. I think that fell into Mr. Samson's choices when he mixed business and politics.

When hubris mixes with power as occurred with these folks, it creates an environment of being untouchable. There is also the idea no one else can do it better than oneself. I think that sort of ego driven idea caused David Samson to trust only his own law firm. I can understand that, but, it completely compromised his career. It was not worth it.  

The fact Mr. Samson left his law firm and they changed the name of the firm, only speaks to the intense financial competition in the New York - New Jersey market. It is evident, image plays heavily into the choices New Yorkers  and Jerseyites make. If image matched by reputation lands contracts and otherwise Mr. Samson is really an odd breech in ethics I would not expect from a well seasoned and successful attorney. 

Chris Christie is not involved. I waited for the US Attorney and he made is very clear the events occurring in Bridgegate was not engineered by Christie. I am not surprised.