Corporately Owned Candidates Didn’t Know: But Ralph Nader Did

September 17, 2008 www.votenader.org www.officialnaderstore.com

In a letter to Congress on July 23, 2008, Ralph Nader warned that the federal government’s bank insurance fund may be insufficient to handle the developing crisis in the banking industry. The day after Ralph sent out his warning, he was ridiculed in Congress. One member, Spencer Bachus, at a Congressional hearing, mentioned Ralph’s letter and said point blank “Our banks are well capitalized, our deposit insurance fund is sound. There’s absolutely no factual basis for saying that there’s not money there to pay.” Fast forward to September 17, 2008, today, less than two months after Ralph sent his letter. And now we have an Associated Press story, featured prominently right now on the Drudge Report, with the headline “Federal bank insurance fund dwindling.” Here’s the opening sentence from the AP report today: “Banks are not the only ones struggling in the growing financial crisis. The fund established to insure their deposits is also feeling the pinch, and the taxpayer may be the lender of last resort.” The reality is that the Democrats and Republicans have screwed up royally. They have screwed up because they are under the thumb of the big corporations. The big corporations said — weak regulation, weak law and order for corporations. And the Democrats and Republicans delivered for their corporate paymasters. The rest of us — taxpayers and workers alike — will now suffer the consequences — through either increased taxes, lost jobs — or both. For his entire career, Ralph Nader has been sounding the alarm about the dangers of deregulation, about the dangers of a hands off approach to corporate power. Time to listen up. Reassert the public will. And get behind the one Presidential candidacy that has the track record and will power to set things straight. How? If you haven’t donated yet to Nader/Gonzalez — do it now. We’re really close to meeting our goal of $80,000 by midnight tonight. Donate now, whatever you can afford — $10, $20, $50, $100. And help push us over the top. If you give $100 or more now, we will send you In Pursuit of Justice, the 520-page book of essays by Ralph Nader — essays on corporate power, the Constitution, and transforming our country. If you donate $100 now, we will send you this historic collection — autographed by the man himself — Ralph Nader. (This offer ends at 11:59 p.m. tonight.) Together, we will make a difference. Onward to November. The Nader Team

The Republocrat Campaign Song

BreakTheMatrix.com presents:

The Republocrat reign is nigh..

Music video of McCain, Obama, Clinton and Bush

h/t missykcarr

B’Man’s Adventures: World’s Most Comfortable Hotel Chain

Are any of these in East TN while I travel the rest of this week?

Looks like my kind of place.

(Limited posting by me while gone thru Friday)

Continuing the Palfrey UPDATE–

By MARK DOUGLAS
News Channel 8
Published: August 15, 2008
Updated: 08/15/2008 02:24 pm

CLEARWATER – A judge ruled today that it’s OK for the public to see but not publish crime scene photos from the Tarpon Springs mobile park where the woman known as the “D.C. Madam” hanged herself.
“While the photographs are public record and should be able to be reviewed … they should not be able to be duplicated or published,” Circuit Judge Linda R. Allen said in her ruling.
The decision followed a hearing on a motion by the mother of Deborah Jeane Palfrey to prevent release of the photos to news organizations. Palfrey committed suicide May 1 in a shed at the Tarpon Springs mobile home park where her mother lived.
The death came two weeks after Palfrey’s conviction on federal charges related to a prostitution operation in Washington.
Palfrey’s mother, Blanche Elizabeth Palfrey, 76, wept as she expressed gratitude after the ruling was reached.
Testifying earlier today, Palfrey said, “This is the last thing I can do for my daughter. Please don’t let these pictures get out in public.”
Allen instructed Tarpon Springs police to allow anyone who requests a viewing to see and touch the photos but not to copy, publish or broadcast them. They will be available once the investigation into the death is complete.
Scott Brockew, a Tarpon Springs detective in charge of the investigation, testified today that the investigation should wrap up “in the near future.”
Allen said it was important for her to balance the privacy rights of the Palfrey family with the public’s right to know. Her decision falls in line with a ruling over crime scene photos following the Gainesville serial killings in August 1990. Danny Rolling was put to death for those crimes in 2006.
News organizations asked under Florida’s public records law to inspect the photographs, a request opposed by Palfrey as a violation of her privacy. She filed a lawsuit against Tarpon Springs to prevent release of the photos.
Quoting Florida’s public records laws, Palfrey’s suit says the crime scene photos may not be displayed for any commercial or advertising interest “…unless the photographs are used as part of a bona fide news report or presentation having a legitimate public interest.”
Her attorney, Serbo C. Simeoni of Safety Harbor, concludes, “The only media or public interest in these photographs stems from a morbid exploitation by some members of the media.”
Palfrey had to be helped from the witness stand today after breaking down in sobs during testimony about finding her daughter’s body.
Allen declared a break just before 11:30 a.m. so she could review in private the 288 photos.
On April 15, a federal jury convicted Deborah Palfrey of money laundering, using the mail system for illegal purposes and racketeering. She reportedly made more than $2 million operating a prostitution service.
Palfrey was free and awaiting sentencing, which was scheduled for July 24. Known as “Miz Julia” to her employees – and as the “D.C. Madam” during her trial – she faced a maximum sentence of 55 years in prison.
The pursuit of Palfrey’s conviction ran down at least one lawmaker and several high-level Washington officials, most notably, Republican Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana.
Palfrey had said her escort service, Pamela Martin & Associates, was a legitimate business offering sexual fantasies, not a prostitution service. She said if any of the women had sex for money, they did so without her knowledge.

Now– I think all the information Palfey had SHOULD BE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE!!! Especially since that knowledge got her murdered!!! I am so pissed that a Judge in Florida dropped charges against Deborah after her death,  so all property reverts back to her estate, which includes her  BOOK.

They make her Mom look at 288 autopsy and hanging photos— melt down as any Mom would and then friggin’ remark that Mom may not be fit to handle estate!!!  PLEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZE!