http://copycateffect.blogspot.com/2010/11/goodbye-arlen.html
Monday, November 22, 2010
Goodbye, Arlen
Loren Coleman
Today is the anniversary of the killing of John F. Kennedy.
I want to use this moment to say goodbye to Arlen Specter.
On May 18, 2010, Pennsylvania Senator Specter was defeated by Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania's Democratic Primary election 54% to 46% (Sestak 564,444 votes to Specter's 481,566). Due to that event, Specter's senate career is scheduled to end on January 3, 2011.
One should not be so shallow as to blame a massive coverup like the investigation of the JFK assassination on one person, but the metaphor afforded by the actions of Arlen Specter are worth noting.
Lest we forget, Arlen Specter has been involved in conspiracies for a long time, and Lee Harvey Oswald remains on his mind. Don't take my word for this. Read what he said in 2009.
For those who are young, Specter's history is a wisp of smoke.
But guess who invented the "Magic Bullet Theory"?
The Magic Bullet Theory was introduced by the Warren Commission (November 29, 1963 - September 24, 1964) to explain how three shots supposedly made by Lee Harvey Oswald resulted in the assassination of the United States President John F. Kennedy.
The theory is credited to Warren Commission staffer Arlen Specter (the outgoing U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania). Specter proposed that a single bullet, known as "Warren Commission Exhibit 399" (also labeled as "CE399"), caused all of the non-fatal wounds in both President Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally on November 22, 1963, at Dealey Plaza, btw, the site of the first Masonic temple in Dallas, Texas.
The fatal head wound to JFK was caused by a bullet other than this alleged "Magic Bullet."
Arlen's checked history and reputation as "Snarlin' Arlen," is well-documented. But then, he probably did always have the Warren Commission on his mind.
On April 28, 2009, as the media swarmed and tried to interview Senator Arlen Specter about his jump from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, he is reported to have said, "I don't think Lee Harvey Oswald had this big a crowd trailing him."
What a curious thing to say.
Well, it wasn't really too weird for Arlen Specter to say what he said, after all.
Goodbye, Arlen.
Showing posts with label Arlen Specter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arlen Specter. Show all posts
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Union plumbers heckle and jeer 'Joe the Plumber'
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Union_plumbers_heckle_Joe_Plumber_at_0331.html
Union plumbers heckle and jeer 'Joe the Plumber' at rally
Rachel Oswald
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Despite the praise heaped on Joe Wurzelbacher, aka "Joe the Plumber," by conservatives as an exemplary blue-collar working man, many in the plumbing industry are none too pleased -- and they're letting it be known.
Wurzelbacher, a Toledo man first made famous by Sen. John McCain during the final presidential debate in 2008, appeared in Pittsburgh Monday night to rally opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act. The act is ardently opposed by the business lobby because it would make it easier for workers to unionize.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's James O'Toole on Monday covered a preemptive rebuttal to Wurzelbacher's remarks by union officials at the headquarters of Pittsburgh Plumbers Local 27.
"It's definitely a slap in the face to every real plumber out there," said Thomas Bigley, the business manager of the Pittsburgh Plumbers, of Wurzelbacher, adding that he should be called "Joe the impostor," as he is not a licensed plumber.
Wurzelbacher's actual appearance at a hotel rally Monday night was met by a mixture of cheers from fellow conservatives and boos from union members who managed to infiltrate the anti-EFCA rally.
As O'Toole reported on Tuesday, the crowd of approximately 100 attendees was divided between conservative supporters and those there to jeer Wurzelbacher with catcalls of "liar" and "pay your taxes," as well as a few more choice words.
"Mr. Wurzelbacher appeared unperturbed by the catcalls as the impromptu debates within the audience grew heated, though never violent, under the gaze of several Green Tree police officers," wrote O'Toole.
Wurzelbacher admitted that he is not a state-certified plumber in Ohio but asserted that he is in fact a working plumber with many years on the job.
"The mainstream media is powerful. They'll destroy you if they can. ... I'm a plumber, brother," he said. "A lot of people seem to respond to what I have to say. And what I'm saying is very simple, I'm just regurgitating what my mother and father taught me."
Wurzelbacher did receive an appearance fee from the anti-labor group, Americans for Prosperity, for his remarks at the Pittsburgh rally and will receive fees as well for anti-EFCA appearances on Tuesday in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. He declined to divulge the amount of the fee, saying, it was "nobody's business."
"The public loves Joe the Plumber," said Americans for Prosperity spokesperson, Mary Ellen Burke, to The Plum Line's Greg Sargent. "They see him as a role model."
Writes Sargent, "Asked whether Joe the Plumber had any particular knowledge or expertise about EFCA that might explain the decision to enlist him, Burke said that he was being enlisted to provide a 'grassroots perspective' and 'the working perspective' on the measure. Pressed on whether Joe the Plumber has any particular claim to being a spokesperson on the issue, Burke replied that 'he represents the American worker.'"
According to O'Toole, Wurzelbacher dismissed speculation that he would respond to a draft movement for him to run for Congress next year.
The Employee Free Choice Act is unlikely to pass in the current Congress. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) recently switched his allegiance on the measure, saying he would vote with Republicans to filibuster it. Specter faces a tight primary race with a conservative challenger, and has been told by the national Republican fundraising apparatus that he must oppose the measure to receive national GOP aid.
Union plumbers heckle and jeer 'Joe the Plumber' at rally
Rachel Oswald
Tuesday March 31, 2009
Despite the praise heaped on Joe Wurzelbacher, aka "Joe the Plumber," by conservatives as an exemplary blue-collar working man, many in the plumbing industry are none too pleased -- and they're letting it be known.
Wurzelbacher, a Toledo man first made famous by Sen. John McCain during the final presidential debate in 2008, appeared in Pittsburgh Monday night to rally opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act. The act is ardently opposed by the business lobby because it would make it easier for workers to unionize.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's James O'Toole on Monday covered a preemptive rebuttal to Wurzelbacher's remarks by union officials at the headquarters of Pittsburgh Plumbers Local 27.
"It's definitely a slap in the face to every real plumber out there," said Thomas Bigley, the business manager of the Pittsburgh Plumbers, of Wurzelbacher, adding that he should be called "Joe the impostor," as he is not a licensed plumber.
Wurzelbacher's actual appearance at a hotel rally Monday night was met by a mixture of cheers from fellow conservatives and boos from union members who managed to infiltrate the anti-EFCA rally.
As O'Toole reported on Tuesday, the crowd of approximately 100 attendees was divided between conservative supporters and those there to jeer Wurzelbacher with catcalls of "liar" and "pay your taxes," as well as a few more choice words.
"Mr. Wurzelbacher appeared unperturbed by the catcalls as the impromptu debates within the audience grew heated, though never violent, under the gaze of several Green Tree police officers," wrote O'Toole.
Wurzelbacher admitted that he is not a state-certified plumber in Ohio but asserted that he is in fact a working plumber with many years on the job.
"The mainstream media is powerful. They'll destroy you if they can. ... I'm a plumber, brother," he said. "A lot of people seem to respond to what I have to say. And what I'm saying is very simple, I'm just regurgitating what my mother and father taught me."
Wurzelbacher did receive an appearance fee from the anti-labor group, Americans for Prosperity, for his remarks at the Pittsburgh rally and will receive fees as well for anti-EFCA appearances on Tuesday in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. He declined to divulge the amount of the fee, saying, it was "nobody's business."
"The public loves Joe the Plumber," said Americans for Prosperity spokesperson, Mary Ellen Burke, to The Plum Line's Greg Sargent. "They see him as a role model."
Writes Sargent, "Asked whether Joe the Plumber had any particular knowledge or expertise about EFCA that might explain the decision to enlist him, Burke said that he was being enlisted to provide a 'grassroots perspective' and 'the working perspective' on the measure. Pressed on whether Joe the Plumber has any particular claim to being a spokesperson on the issue, Burke replied that 'he represents the American worker.'"
According to O'Toole, Wurzelbacher dismissed speculation that he would respond to a draft movement for him to run for Congress next year.
The Employee Free Choice Act is unlikely to pass in the current Congress. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) recently switched his allegiance on the measure, saying he would vote with Republicans to filibuster it. Specter faces a tight primary race with a conservative challenger, and has been told by the national Republican fundraising apparatus that he must oppose the measure to receive national GOP aid.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Prisons a 'national disgrace,' must be reformed
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Sens._Webb_Specter_Prison_system_national_0326.html
Sen. Webb: Prisons a 'national disgrace,' must be reformed
Stephen C. Webster
Thursday March 26, 2009
Proposed commission would seek to bring prison populations down, 'overhaul drug criminalization'
Even as President Barack Obama slapped down the hopes of American marijuana consumers as to his position on legalization, Senator Jim Webb (D-Va) was quietly preparing to introduce major legislation which has the potential to dramatically alter US drug laws.
Calling the US criminal justice system "a national disgrace," two US senators called for a top-to-bottom review with an eye on reforms aimed at reducing America's vast prison population.
Senator Webb, backed by Republican Senator Arlen Specter, introduced legislation to create a blue-ribbon panel that would conduct an 18-month assessment and offer concrete recommendations for reform.
Sen. Webb's legislation enjoys not just bipartisan support, but "quiet encouragement from President Barack Obama," reported The Virginian-Pilot.
"America's criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a national disgrace," Webb said, noting that the United States has five percent of the world's population but 25 percent of the world's prisoners.
According to a document released by Sen. Webb's office, "Its task will be to propose concrete, wide-ranging reforms to responsibly reduce the overall incarceration rate; improve federal and local responses to international and domestic gang violence; restructure our approach to drug policy; improve the treatment of mental illness; improve prison administration, and establish a system for reintegrating ex-offenders."
The Virginia lawmaker noted soaring numbers of drug offenders in prison, and charged that four times more mentally ill people are incarcerated than are in mental health hospitals.
"We are doing something drastically wrong," said Webb, whose plan also aims to improve the US response to armed gangs, especially drug-related groups, as it seeks to bring the prison population down from about 2.4 million people.
"The high-level commission created by the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 legislation will be comprised of experts in fields including criminal justice, law enforcement, public heath, national security, prison administration, social services, prisoner reentry, and victims' rights," read a statement from Webb's office. "It will be led by a chairperson to be appointed by the President. The Majority and Minority Leaders in the House and Senate, and the Democratic and Republican Governors Associations will appoint the remaining members of the commission."
About five million people are on probation or parole.
"We are not protecting our citizens from the increasing danger of criminals who perpetrate violence and intimidation as a way of life, and we are locking up too many people who do not belong in jail," said Webb.
"Despite the president's flippant comments today, the grievous harms of marijuana prohibition are no laughing matter," said Jack Cole, a former undercover narcotics officer and founding member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, in a statement to RAW STORY. "Certainly, the 800,000 people arrested last year on marijuana charges find nothing funny about it, nor do the millions of Americans struggling in this sluggish economy. It would be an enormous economic stimulus if we stopped wasting so much money arresting and locking people up for nonviolent drug offenses and instead brought in new tax revenue from legal sales, just as we did when ended alcohol prohibition 75 years ago during the Great Depression."
"Other supporters include the current Judiciary panel head, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., and the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois," noted the Times-Dispatch.
"In Webb's home state, prison population has been growing steadily since 1995, when Virginia dumped parole for fixed sentences -- an initiative of the Republican former governor Webb narrowly defeated in 2006: George Allen."
"Webb has succeeded in pushing major legislation through Congress before, as his 21st Century GI Bill passed last year," noted The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder. "And it's hard for anyone to accuse the former Navy secretary of not being 'tough' enough."
Sen. Webb's office has published the legislation online.
Sen. Webb: Prisons a 'national disgrace,' must be reformed
Stephen C. Webster
Thursday March 26, 2009
Proposed commission would seek to bring prison populations down, 'overhaul drug criminalization'
Even as President Barack Obama slapped down the hopes of American marijuana consumers as to his position on legalization, Senator Jim Webb (D-Va) was quietly preparing to introduce major legislation which has the potential to dramatically alter US drug laws.
Calling the US criminal justice system "a national disgrace," two US senators called for a top-to-bottom review with an eye on reforms aimed at reducing America's vast prison population.
Senator Webb, backed by Republican Senator Arlen Specter, introduced legislation to create a blue-ribbon panel that would conduct an 18-month assessment and offer concrete recommendations for reform.
Sen. Webb's legislation enjoys not just bipartisan support, but "quiet encouragement from President Barack Obama," reported The Virginian-Pilot.
"America's criminal justice system has deteriorated to the point that it is a national disgrace," Webb said, noting that the United States has five percent of the world's population but 25 percent of the world's prisoners.
According to a document released by Sen. Webb's office, "Its task will be to propose concrete, wide-ranging reforms to responsibly reduce the overall incarceration rate; improve federal and local responses to international and domestic gang violence; restructure our approach to drug policy; improve the treatment of mental illness; improve prison administration, and establish a system for reintegrating ex-offenders."
The Virginia lawmaker noted soaring numbers of drug offenders in prison, and charged that four times more mentally ill people are incarcerated than are in mental health hospitals.
"We are doing something drastically wrong," said Webb, whose plan also aims to improve the US response to armed gangs, especially drug-related groups, as it seeks to bring the prison population down from about 2.4 million people.
"The high-level commission created by the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 legislation will be comprised of experts in fields including criminal justice, law enforcement, public heath, national security, prison administration, social services, prisoner reentry, and victims' rights," read a statement from Webb's office. "It will be led by a chairperson to be appointed by the President. The Majority and Minority Leaders in the House and Senate, and the Democratic and Republican Governors Associations will appoint the remaining members of the commission."
About five million people are on probation or parole.
"We are not protecting our citizens from the increasing danger of criminals who perpetrate violence and intimidation as a way of life, and we are locking up too many people who do not belong in jail," said Webb.
"Despite the president's flippant comments today, the grievous harms of marijuana prohibition are no laughing matter," said Jack Cole, a former undercover narcotics officer and founding member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, in a statement to RAW STORY. "Certainly, the 800,000 people arrested last year on marijuana charges find nothing funny about it, nor do the millions of Americans struggling in this sluggish economy. It would be an enormous economic stimulus if we stopped wasting so much money arresting and locking people up for nonviolent drug offenses and instead brought in new tax revenue from legal sales, just as we did when ended alcohol prohibition 75 years ago during the Great Depression."
"Other supporters include the current Judiciary panel head, Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., and the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois," noted the Times-Dispatch.
"In Webb's home state, prison population has been growing steadily since 1995, when Virginia dumped parole for fixed sentences -- an initiative of the Republican former governor Webb narrowly defeated in 2006: George Allen."
"Webb has succeeded in pushing major legislation through Congress before, as his 21st Century GI Bill passed last year," noted The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder. "And it's hard for anyone to accuse the former Navy secretary of not being 'tough' enough."
Sen. Webb's office has published the legislation online.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Patriots taped Rams before Super Bowl
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs07/news/story?id=3227245
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Report: Source claimed Patriots taped Rams before Super Bowl
ESPN.com news services
An unnamed source has claimed a New England Patriots employee secretly videotaped the St. Louis Rams' pre-game walkthrough the day before Super Bowl XXXVI, the Boston Herald reported Saturday.
According to the report, an unnamed source close to the team during the 2001 season said that following the Patriots' walkthrough at the Louisiana Superdome, a member of the team's video staff stayed behind and taped the Rams' walkthrough -- a non-contact, no-pads practice at reduced speed in which a team goes through its plays.
The cameraman was not asked to identify himself or produce a press pass and rode the media shuttle back to the Patriots' hotel after it was over, a source told the Herald. It is not known what became of the tape afterwards, or whether the cameraman made the tape on his own initiative or at someone else's instruction, according to the report.
Asked about the report, Patriots media relations Stacey James said "The coaches have no knowledge of it," according to the Herald.
The next day, the Patriots upset the favored Rams 20-17 for their first Super Bowl championship. New England will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, in a bid to become the first NFL team to finish a season 19-0.
Former St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, currently with the Arizona Cardinals, told ESPN.com investigative reporter Mike Fish that if the league has heard those claims, he's surprised the NFL has not spoken to former Patriots video department employee Matt Walsh. He said if Walsh or any other source has information, it should be investigated.
Walsh, a former Patriots video assistant, has suggested to ESPN.com that he has information that could have exposed the Patriots prior to the NFL catching New England taping the New York Jets' defensive signals during the 2007 season opener. The Patriots were fined $750,000 and lost a first-round draft pick as punishment.
"If I had a reason to want to go public, or tell a story, I could have done it before it even broke," Walsh told ESPN.com. "I could have said everything rather than having [Jets head coach Eric] Mangini be the one to bring it out."
"If they're doing a thorough investigation -- they didn't contact me," Walsh told ESPN.com. "So draw your own conclusions. Maybe they felt they didn't need to. Maybe the league feels they got satisfactory answers from everything the Patriots sent them."
Walsh, 31, now an assistant golf pro at the Ka'anapli Golf Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii, worked for the Patriots from 1996 until the winter of 2002-03 when he was fired. He has hinted to ESPN.com that he has information that could be damaging to both the league and the Patriots, but declined to make it available, saying that it could possibly be seen as stolen property.
Walsh said he is fearful of potential legal action against him by either the league or Patriots if he details what he knows. He has refused to provide evidence of potential wrongdoing unless ESPN agreed to pay his legal fees related to his involvement in the story, as well as an indemnification agreement that would cover any damages found against him in court. ESPN denied his requests.
Friday, Senator Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said he had written NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, seeking an explanation as to why evidence in the NFL's investigation of the Patriots videotaping was destroyed.
"I am very concerned about the underlying facts on the taping, the reasons for the judgment on the limited penalties and, most of all, on the inexplicable destruction of the tapes," Specter said in the letter to Goodell.
Specter, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the matter could put the league's antitrust exemption at risk. In a phone interview with The New York Times, which first reported Specter's interest in Spygate, he said the committee at some point will call on Goodell to address the antitrust exemption as well as the destruction of the tapes.
Goodell, in his previously scheduled news conference Friday from Phoenix, said, "I am more than willing to speak with the senator. There are very good explanations why the tapes were destroyed by our staff -- there was no purpose for them."
There were six tapes, according to Goodell -- some from the 2007 preseason, and the rest from 2006. He said he had them destroyed because he was confident that the Patriots had turned over all of the tapes and notes the NFL had requested in its investigation. He also said they were destroyed in order to prevent leaks to the media -- as some footage from one of the tapes was shortly after the story broke.
"We wanted to take and destroy that information," Goodell said. "They may have collected it within the rules, but we couldn't determine that. So we felt that it should be destroyed."
Patriots coach Bill Belichick had little to add on the subject.
"It's a league matter," he said Friday during his news conference. "I don't know anything about it."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Report: Source claimed Patriots taped Rams before Super Bowl
ESPN.com news services
An unnamed source has claimed a New England Patriots employee secretly videotaped the St. Louis Rams' pre-game walkthrough the day before Super Bowl XXXVI, the Boston Herald reported Saturday.
According to the report, an unnamed source close to the team during the 2001 season said that following the Patriots' walkthrough at the Louisiana Superdome, a member of the team's video staff stayed behind and taped the Rams' walkthrough -- a non-contact, no-pads practice at reduced speed in which a team goes through its plays.
The cameraman was not asked to identify himself or produce a press pass and rode the media shuttle back to the Patriots' hotel after it was over, a source told the Herald. It is not known what became of the tape afterwards, or whether the cameraman made the tape on his own initiative or at someone else's instruction, according to the report.
Asked about the report, Patriots media relations Stacey James said "The coaches have no knowledge of it," according to the Herald.
The next day, the Patriots upset the favored Rams 20-17 for their first Super Bowl championship. New England will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, in a bid to become the first NFL team to finish a season 19-0.
Former St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, currently with the Arizona Cardinals, told ESPN.com investigative reporter Mike Fish that if the league has heard those claims, he's surprised the NFL has not spoken to former Patriots video department employee Matt Walsh. He said if Walsh or any other source has information, it should be investigated.
Walsh, a former Patriots video assistant, has suggested to ESPN.com that he has information that could have exposed the Patriots prior to the NFL catching New England taping the New York Jets' defensive signals during the 2007 season opener. The Patriots were fined $750,000 and lost a first-round draft pick as punishment.
"If I had a reason to want to go public, or tell a story, I could have done it before it even broke," Walsh told ESPN.com. "I could have said everything rather than having [Jets head coach Eric] Mangini be the one to bring it out."
"If they're doing a thorough investigation -- they didn't contact me," Walsh told ESPN.com. "So draw your own conclusions. Maybe they felt they didn't need to. Maybe the league feels they got satisfactory answers from everything the Patriots sent them."
Walsh, 31, now an assistant golf pro at the Ka'anapli Golf Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii, worked for the Patriots from 1996 until the winter of 2002-03 when he was fired. He has hinted to ESPN.com that he has information that could be damaging to both the league and the Patriots, but declined to make it available, saying that it could possibly be seen as stolen property.
Walsh said he is fearful of potential legal action against him by either the league or Patriots if he details what he knows. He has refused to provide evidence of potential wrongdoing unless ESPN agreed to pay his legal fees related to his involvement in the story, as well as an indemnification agreement that would cover any damages found against him in court. ESPN denied his requests.
Friday, Senator Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said he had written NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, seeking an explanation as to why evidence in the NFL's investigation of the Patriots videotaping was destroyed.
"I am very concerned about the underlying facts on the taping, the reasons for the judgment on the limited penalties and, most of all, on the inexplicable destruction of the tapes," Specter said in the letter to Goodell.
Specter, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the matter could put the league's antitrust exemption at risk. In a phone interview with The New York Times, which first reported Specter's interest in Spygate, he said the committee at some point will call on Goodell to address the antitrust exemption as well as the destruction of the tapes.
Goodell, in his previously scheduled news conference Friday from Phoenix, said, "I am more than willing to speak with the senator. There are very good explanations why the tapes were destroyed by our staff -- there was no purpose for them."
There were six tapes, according to Goodell -- some from the 2007 preseason, and the rest from 2006. He said he had them destroyed because he was confident that the Patriots had turned over all of the tapes and notes the NFL had requested in its investigation. He also said they were destroyed in order to prevent leaks to the media -- as some footage from one of the tapes was shortly after the story broke.
"We wanted to take and destroy that information," Goodell said. "They may have collected it within the rules, but we couldn't determine that. So we felt that it should be destroyed."
Patriots coach Bill Belichick had little to add on the subject.
"It's a league matter," he said Friday during his news conference. "I don't know anything about it."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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