September 17, 2012 at 3:31 P.M. Attempts to edit my texts at Philosopher's Quest and other blogs are still obstructed. I will continue to struggle to revise my work or to correct "errors" inserted in the texts.
Craig Wolff, "Hudson Official Admits to Graft," in The Star Ledger, September 12, 2012, at p. 1.
Lin That, "Rivals Call For Probe Into What Sacco Knew About Payments," in The Record, May 12, 2012, at p. L-1.
"An attorney representing 'political rivals' of state Sen. Nicholas Sacco is calling on state and federal officials to conduct an investigation into whether the entrenched North Bergen mayor intentionally kept quiet about a clause in his public employee contract suggesting he could claim an additional $188,000 upon settlement."
Mr. Sacco is a longtime North Bergen mayor -- also assistant superintendent of schools in town -- and as state senator, receives multiple paychecks and expected pensions as well as other perks, like health benefits and use of state cars. Under the circumstances maximizing sick-time payout will prove lucrative and may surpass the figure quoted in this article. Mr. Sacco may also still be listed as "principal" in a local school. ("Da Jersey Code" and "Cement is Gold" then "North Bergen, New Jersey is the Home of La Cosa Nostra.")
This is in addition to "other" forms of compensation, if any, for Mr. Sacco's services. ("New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead" and "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")
Mr. Sacco has been linked to organized crime, allegedly, by law enforcement and town residents for many years. I wonder how Jay Romano, Jim Coviello, Ray Gonzales, and Mr. Falcone are doing these days? ("Jay Romano and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "Feds Investigate Corruption in North Bergen, New Jersey" and "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics.")
A long-established partnership between "Big Bob" Menendez and the North Bergen "crew" has created a kind of cabal that governs Hudson County for the Democrat machine in the state, ensuring that registered voters in local cemeteries turn out on election day. ("Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?" and "Voting in North Bergen, New Jersey.")
"Boss Bob" and "Big Nicky" take turns calling the shots. FBI inquiries and visits are a regular feature of life in town. ("Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" and "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")
No real improvement in the lives of residents of the county and state can take place until the stranglehold of New Jersey's "bosses" can be broken. ("New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court" and "New Jersey's Legal System is a Whore House.")
Mr. Christie understands this reality, but seems to have given up hope that he can change New Jersey's culture of corruption while getting reelected to a second term as governor before a run for the presidency. Perhaps this explains the continuing halfway house scandal for New Jersey Republicans. Mr. Christie has stopped caring about corruption, especially when it involves his friends. Stay the course, Mr. Christie. Also, it is possible that Mr. Sacco can shed some light on the censorship and cybercrime that I struggle against in writing these blog posts. ("Struggle" and "How censorship works in America.")
A list of 15 to 20 examples of N.J. corruption and other matters in the media will be added to this essay in the days ahead.
Sources:
Matt Taibbi, "Greed and Debt," in Rolling Stone, September 13, 2012, at p. 42. (" ... A man makes a $250 MILLION fortune [Mr. Romney] loading companies with debt and then extracting million-dollar fees from those companies, in exchange for the generous service of telling them who needs to be fired in order to finance the debt payments he saddled them with in the first place." Mafia? Or Harvard MBA? Same thing?)
Joseph Epstein, "Who Killed the Liberal Arts?," in The Weekly Standard, September 12, 2012, at p. 23. (Accurate assessment of a depressing reality which may explain many of my experiences at "The Philosophy Cafe.")
Nick Gladstone, "Anti-American Protests Flare Beyond the Mideast," in The New York Times, September 15, 2012, at p. A1. (Should we attack Iran? Libya? Egypt? Yemen?)
Joel Goldberg, "Netanyahu: U.S. Can't 'Red Light' Israel Over Iran," in The New York Times, September 12, 2012, at p. 3. (Attempts to sway U.S. election by a foreign leader?)
"Arrested Trenton Mayor Must Go -- Now," (Editorial) in The Star Ledger, September 12, 2012, at p. 14. ("Jo-Jo" Giorgianni, convicted sex offender and Trenton official, was taped by the FBI -- like Bob Menendez, perhaps? -- describing corruption in Trenton and New Jersey while explaining: "I never give nobody up!")
Michael Linhurst & Melissa Hayes, "Analyst Says States' Revenue is Lagging: Christie Blasts Report That Puts Tax Collection $254 MILLION Behind His Plan," in The Record, September 11, 2012, at A-1. (I wonder why there's no money? Theft? Waste?)
"Tango Bergen-Style: Court Hearings Uphold Donovan," (Editorial) in The Record, September 11, 2012, at p. A-1. (Will control of the government be wrested from the hands of the machines and bosses?)
Jeff Green, "West Milford O.K.s Settlement With Its Former Police Chief," in The Record, September 11, 2012, at p. L-6. ("Paul Costello" gets $20,000 for money owed to him for something, we don't know what. Unused sick and vacation time?)
David Espo, "Obama Slams Romney's Hasty Libya Criticism," in The Star Ledger, September 13, 2012, at p. 2. (Mr. Romney's irresponsible comments may place American lives in danger.)
"Romney's Unfounded Attack On Obama," (Editorial) in The Star Ledger, September 13, 2012, at p. 14. (Mr. Romney's blunder followed closely upon his suspiciously timed response to the Israeli Prime Minister. Shockingly, Mormon Elder Mitt agrees with foreign criticisms of U.S. policy on the Iran issue.)
Kelly Haybaer, "Suit Says Rutgers Favors Pro-Israel Groups," in The Star Ledger, September 13, 2012, at p. 16. (Protests against pro-Israel bias in New Jersey. First time I have seen this kind of suit and others like it in different parts of the country.)
Alexis Friedman, "Teacher Pleading Not Guilty: West Orange Case Spotlights STATEWIDE SEX ABUSE in Schools," in The Star Ledger, September 13, 2012, at p. 16. (Erica De Paolo, English teacher -- possible friend of Diana Lisa Riccioli -- in W. Orange high school is charged with having sex with a 15 year-old. During the same week another New Jersey woman filmed sexual activity between a 13 year-old boy and 8 year-old girl. Both alleged offenders seem to have friends in the public sector in New Jersey.)
Matt Friedman, "Campaign-Funded Trip to Scotland Lands Andrews on a 'Most Corrupt List,'" in The Star Ledger, September 13, 2012, at p. 16. (Rep. Bob Andrews is "for all the people" willing to pay for his vacation in Europe.)
Eric M. Maltz, "Chief Justice [Rabner] Overstepped His Authority," (Op-Ed) in The Star Ledger, September 13, 2012, at p. 15. ("Chief Justice Rabner has taken it upon himself to EXCEED HIS AUTHORITY ..." Such exceeding of a judge's constitutional authority -- discovered by journalists after the charges were made here -- may violate the Canons of Judicial Ethics and make all court actions pursuant to it illegal and void ab initio, according to the New Jersey Supreme Court's own prior decisions. Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner? Are you ethical, Mr. Rabner? Why not check with Angelo "The Horn" Prisco on the legality of your conduct, Stuart?)
Susan K. Livio, "Investigation Widens Into Allegedly Dangerous Rsearch at State Centers," in The Star Ledger, July 17, 2012, at p. 1. (Patients subjected to dangerous research or experimental treatment without their knowedge or consent, often with very harmful consequences. Have they been raped? "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli" and "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.")
Monday, September 17, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Illegal Payments to Bob Menendez.
September 15, 2012 at 12:50 P.M. An alarm was set off at the Morningside Heights branch, NYPL. I was disturbed to notice a young woman who was crying as she left the library. There are many persons in this city who were present on 9/11 and are now living with the effects of serious trauma. If this alarm was about disrupting my writing experience, New Jersey persons should understand that it is highly dangerous to do what you are doing and also criminal in New York city and state.
You are hurting many innocent persons, "Mr. Tuchin." (Bob Menendez?) I write this at the Inwood branch of the NYPL. I will be moving to different branches of the library all the time. I can never be sure of writing from one day to the next. More items focusing on increased corruption leading to new arrests in New Jersey will be posted soon. ("How censorship works in America" and "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey.")
September 13, 2012 at 1:30 P.M. Attacks against my writings and efforts to deny me access to the Internet this week prevent me from editing a literary text that I am trying to complete. I will do my best to work on that story at some point in the next few days.
I was happy to learn of my old friend Ariel Rodriguez's elevation to the N.J. Supreme Court. I will direct my comments to Ariel: I am confident that he is personally aware of the crimes committed against me and of the persons responsible for them. This much has been clear for some time. It may be that Ariel's elevation to the bench was a reward for remaining silent about this matter or cooperating with behind-the-back efforts to silence me. I hope not.
Please contact me in your official capacities, in writing, if you wish to discuss this matter, Ariel. Alternatively, you may wish to bring this matter to the attention of Mr. Chiesa and/or the Governor and/or Mr. Rabner. "No comment" as a response from Judge Rodriguez will confirm my worst fears of corruption or intimidation. There is no longer any "covert operation" for you people in this situation. No plausible denial, gentlemen and ladies. Damage control requires your immediate attention. ("No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!" and "How censorship works in America" then "Torture.")
Dan Frosch, "Professor's Dismissal Upheld by Colorado Supreme Court," in The New York Times, September 11, 2012, at p. A12. (Ward L. Churchill, Professor at the University of Colorado, was terminated for expressions of controversial political opinions as determined by a trial jury. An appellate tribunal held that this was permissible under the circumstances.)
Charlie Savage, "Guantanamo Detainee, a Former Hunger Striker[,] Dies," in The New York Times, September 11, 2012, at p. C12. ("Detainee" whose release was "allowed" years ago by Mr. Bush as well as President Obama "died" -- he probably committed suicide or was killed -- over the weekend while still in confinement.The blatant disregard for legality at Guantanamo constitutes a shock to the world. This man -- whose name is not mentioned in the newspaper at his death -- has not been charged with and/or convicted of any crime. However, he was denied his freedom for more than ten years and, ultimately, lost his life in prison. "Legality and Ethics.")
Kate Zernike, "Trenton Mayor and Two Others Are Charged in Bribery Cases," in The New York Times, September 11, 2012, at p. A18. (Tony F. Mack, Mayor of Trenton, takes New Jersey corruption to a new level. I will be writing more about this matter in the days ahead if I am able to return to this blog.)
Eric Lichtblau, "Report Casts a Harsh Light on Lawmakers' Fund Raising," in The New York Times, May 10, 2012, at p. A19. (Republican money man, with alleged ties to Marco Rubio and Iliana Ros Leghtinen, is subject to ethics probe.)
Kim Lueddeke & Jeff Pillets, "Donor for Dems Pleads Guilty: Made $98,600 in Illegal Contributions," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. A-1. (Senator Bob is for all the people who can contribute $98,600. Is Senator Bob an "ethical" New Jersey attorney?)
"Kate Zernike" and "Kim Lueddeke" are names used, probably, by Chris Christie's operative, Kim Guardagno. No conflict of interest, OAE? ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
September 12, 2012 at 2:10 P.M. All of the changes made yesterday to "Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and the Decline of the New Jersey Supreme Court" seem to have vanished. Luckily, I made a copy of the edited and revised text yesterday. I will do my best to restore the changes that I made previously to that work as soon as possible. (I have both the pre-edited text and post-edited text with the receipts for computer reservations at NYPL, Morningside Heights branch. The print-outs are dated. Perhaps it is only my view of this work that was altered.)
A number of laptops were shut down as persons were using them. I was prevented from writing, abruptly, giving hackers an opportunity to damage several texts. I will try to discover the harm done and make all necessary repairs. Yesterday afternoon I was also prevented from working on a literary text at blogger. I will try to return to that work for a full 45 minutes sometime this week.
I regret that users of NYPL computers are being subjected to these assaults and to the presence of disruptive and unpleasant persons who seem to be reading from the same script. Several computers and printers belonging to the library have been damaged or destroyed. All of this may be about making things more difficult for me. Shame on you, Mr. Menendez. ("How censorship works in America" and "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey.")
"Bergen County insurance broker JOEPH BIGICA, a deep pockets Democratic contributor who won millions in no-bid government contracts across New Jersey, pleaded guilty Wednesday to making $98,600 in illegal campaign contributions to an un-named federal official."
Senator Robert Menendez has turned out to be the "un-named federal official" who ACCEPTED money from Mr. Bigica. ("Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" and "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks.")
"A spokesperson for Senator Menendez later acknowledged that the Democrat from Union City was the federal official referred to in the court papers, but mentioned that the Senator had been a 'victim'of Bigica."
Irony? ("Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" and "Senator Bob Loves Xanadu!")
Mr. Bigica paid little or no taxes since 1999. He agreed to make restitution to the IRS of more than $2.1 MILLION.
Mr. Bigica denies mafia affiliations as does Mr.Menendez.
Neither Senator Menendez nor his spokesperson will acknowledge or admit to being subject to several new federal investigations for corruption -- investigations based in New Jersey and elsewhere, i.e., New York. ("Is Senator Menendez For Sale?" and "Is Senator Menendez a Suspect in Mafia-Political Murder in New Jersey?" then "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry.")
Mr. Menendez will not acknowledge or comment upon any awareness he may have concerning cybercrimes or other crimes committed against me as well as many others, both in New Jersey and New York, or elsewhere. ("Is Senator Bob For Human Rights?" and "Senator Bob Gets Over on the Feds" then "Is Menendez For Sale?" and, again, "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry" and "Senator Bob Has Not Been Indicted Today!" then "More Problems For Menendez -- Tapes!" and "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")
A list of sources will be added to this text detailing (among other things) further examples of corruption in New Jersey's political and legal system occuring only during the past few months.
Sources:
David E. Sanger & Isabel Kerschner, "Israel Leader Stiffens Call for U.S. to Set Iran Trigger," in The New York Times, September 12, 2012, at p. A1. (In a surprising example of the "tail wagging the dog," Israel's Prime Minister criticizes U.S. President Obama -- without naming him -- in a bid to affect the presidential election and American foreign policy that is being studied in the world. This controversial and most unwise statement by Israel was obviously coordinated with Mr. Romney's campaign, which was -- mysteriously -- well prepared for it. Much of the hostility directed at U.S. embassies in the Middle East is due to the U.S. relationship with Israel. Perhaps some of the censorship aimed against me is the result of an unholy alliance between Miami and Jerusalem. "Terry Tuchin," can you shed any light on this mystery? This statement and Mr. Romney's recent comments suggest to enemies of the U.S. that there are "exploitable divisions in American/Israeli ranks" that will endanger American and Israeli lives. I hope not. Silencing me is not the answer, Terry Tuchin, Bob Yudin, or Senator Cardinale.)
"A Defeat for Impartial Courts," (Editorial) in The New York Times, September 12, 2012, at p. A30. (The corruption of electoral politics enters the judiciary further diminishing the independence of courts: "New Jersey Judges Take Care of Their Own" and "New Jersey's Unethical Judiciary.")
John Reitmeyer, "Trenton Wants Tighter Watch On Insurance: Issues Alert to Local Officials," in The Record, August 30, 2012, at p. A-3. ("Undisclosed side agreements" between insurers and elected officials in New Jersey may allow for secret perks for officials and/or kickbacks, allegedly. How nice for them.)
Anthony Campini, "N.J. High Court Fills Vacancies Temporarily: Two Appointments Maintain Balance," in The Record, September 5, 2012, at p. A-8. (N.J. Supreme Court is now up to 12 prospective justices, this week. Mr. Rabner has decided to make additional appointments as "shadow governor" to lighten the work load after consulting with "friends" in Jerusalem or Angelo "The Horn" Prisco. Ariel Rodriguez -- a person I know well -- and Mary Catherine Cuff, will play musical chairs on the Trenton court called: "the most corrupt in America.")
John Petrick, "Ex-Official, Town, Chief Settle Harassment Suit: Halledon Legal Battle Began 2009," in The Record, September 5, 2012, at p. L-1. (Police Chief LUIS MERCURO made "vulgar and defamatory" remarks to former councilwoman, Heather Kilminster. Diana Lisa Riccioli, Terry Tuchin, and others have made such remarks about me, behind-my-back, at a time when this was calculated to do professional harm: "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.")
Virginia Rohan & Eric Connor, "School Sex Case Where Victim is Seen as Victor: Affairs With Female Teachers Often Glorified," in The Record, May 11, 2012, at p. A-1. (Attempt to restore the reputation of DIANA LISA RICCIOLI's friend KRISTIN LEONE, teacher who had sex with a child in Clifton, New Jersey. How many times did you rape Marilyn Straus, Diana? How often did you, Diana, make Marilyn Straus -- d.o.b. May 24, 1959 -- available for sex with others in an impaired state? Were you, Diana, involved with Ms. Poritz at the same time as your sexual "relationship" with Marilyn Straus? "Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")
Craig Wolff, "Hudson Official Admits to Graft: North Bergen DPW Chief Ordered Workers to do Political Jobs in County," in The Star Ledger, September 12, 2012, at p. 1. (North Bergen official admitted commandeering employees and resources for electoral purposes at taxpayer expense and much worse.)
Patricia Alex, "College Defends Deal With Professor: Litigation Over Grade Fixing Claim Seen as Costlier," in The Record, September 7, 2012, at p. L-1. (Peter Huff, professor at Bergen Community College, will be rewarded with sabbatical at his anual pay of $133,000 DESPITE substantial allegations of grade inflation and grade-fixing, possibly for a small fee, by Professor Huff, and no doubt romantic entanglements with students. "America's Nursery School Campus" and "Why Jane Can't Read.")
Christopher Baxter, "Guilty Plea Entered in Child Sex Counts," in The Star Ledger, September 12, 2012, at p. 17. (Camden, New Jersey's Rachael Baker [sic.] -- a possible political "hanger-on" -- admitted engaging in sexual acts with an 8 year-old girl. Photos of these acts were "disseminated" to Gary Cramer, 27, and others in a "private network," possibly including public officials. How strange that the names of participants are not being made public? Do you speak to me of "ethics," Mr. Rabner?)
Hannan Adeley, et als., "History Teacher Latest to Face Sex Charges: Accused of Having a Relationship With a Boy, 16," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. A-1. (A Clifton High School teacher -- with possible connections to Diana Lisa Riccioli -- Kristin Leone was arrested for having sexual contact with a student, possibly at the school itself. How many students in total were involved? Males and females?)
AP, "Top Cop Faces Hearing on High Speed Caravan," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. A-3. (One standard for Col. Rick Fuentes and another for the rest of New Jersey's population. Does not a 100 mile per hour jaunt on the Turnpike endanger the public? "New Jersey's KKK Police Scandal" and "Organized Crime Group in New Jersey's State Police.")
Kim Lueddeke, "Ex-Union Official ADMITS He Took a Bribe," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. L-3. (Patrick Viola, 45, of Edgewater pleaded guilty to accepting $4,000 to allow for non-union labor. Hey, Kim Guardagno -- does Christie know that you're moonlighting?)
Abbott-Koloff, "Man Admits Defrauding Banks," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. L-3. (Is it true that Gilberto Garcia, Esq. is facing ethics and/or criminal charges? Ms. Kriko? Jose Ginarte? Edgar Navarete?)
You are hurting many innocent persons, "Mr. Tuchin." (Bob Menendez?) I write this at the Inwood branch of the NYPL. I will be moving to different branches of the library all the time. I can never be sure of writing from one day to the next. More items focusing on increased corruption leading to new arrests in New Jersey will be posted soon. ("How censorship works in America" and "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey.")
September 13, 2012 at 1:30 P.M. Attacks against my writings and efforts to deny me access to the Internet this week prevent me from editing a literary text that I am trying to complete. I will do my best to work on that story at some point in the next few days.
I was happy to learn of my old friend Ariel Rodriguez's elevation to the N.J. Supreme Court. I will direct my comments to Ariel: I am confident that he is personally aware of the crimes committed against me and of the persons responsible for them. This much has been clear for some time. It may be that Ariel's elevation to the bench was a reward for remaining silent about this matter or cooperating with behind-the-back efforts to silence me. I hope not.
Please contact me in your official capacities, in writing, if you wish to discuss this matter, Ariel. Alternatively, you may wish to bring this matter to the attention of Mr. Chiesa and/or the Governor and/or Mr. Rabner. "No comment" as a response from Judge Rodriguez will confirm my worst fears of corruption or intimidation. There is no longer any "covert operation" for you people in this situation. No plausible denial, gentlemen and ladies. Damage control requires your immediate attention. ("No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!" and "How censorship works in America" then "Torture.")
Dan Frosch, "Professor's Dismissal Upheld by Colorado Supreme Court," in The New York Times, September 11, 2012, at p. A12. (Ward L. Churchill, Professor at the University of Colorado, was terminated for expressions of controversial political opinions as determined by a trial jury. An appellate tribunal held that this was permissible under the circumstances.)
Charlie Savage, "Guantanamo Detainee, a Former Hunger Striker[,] Dies," in The New York Times, September 11, 2012, at p. C12. ("Detainee" whose release was "allowed" years ago by Mr. Bush as well as President Obama "died" -- he probably committed suicide or was killed -- over the weekend while still in confinement.The blatant disregard for legality at Guantanamo constitutes a shock to the world. This man -- whose name is not mentioned in the newspaper at his death -- has not been charged with and/or convicted of any crime. However, he was denied his freedom for more than ten years and, ultimately, lost his life in prison. "Legality and Ethics.")
Kate Zernike, "Trenton Mayor and Two Others Are Charged in Bribery Cases," in The New York Times, September 11, 2012, at p. A18. (Tony F. Mack, Mayor of Trenton, takes New Jersey corruption to a new level. I will be writing more about this matter in the days ahead if I am able to return to this blog.)
Eric Lichtblau, "Report Casts a Harsh Light on Lawmakers' Fund Raising," in The New York Times, May 10, 2012, at p. A19. (Republican money man, with alleged ties to Marco Rubio and Iliana Ros Leghtinen, is subject to ethics probe.)
Kim Lueddeke & Jeff Pillets, "Donor for Dems Pleads Guilty: Made $98,600 in Illegal Contributions," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. A-1. (Senator Bob is for all the people who can contribute $98,600. Is Senator Bob an "ethical" New Jersey attorney?)
"Kate Zernike" and "Kim Lueddeke" are names used, probably, by Chris Christie's operative, Kim Guardagno. No conflict of interest, OAE? ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
September 12, 2012 at 2:10 P.M. All of the changes made yesterday to "Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and the Decline of the New Jersey Supreme Court" seem to have vanished. Luckily, I made a copy of the edited and revised text yesterday. I will do my best to restore the changes that I made previously to that work as soon as possible. (I have both the pre-edited text and post-edited text with the receipts for computer reservations at NYPL, Morningside Heights branch. The print-outs are dated. Perhaps it is only my view of this work that was altered.)
A number of laptops were shut down as persons were using them. I was prevented from writing, abruptly, giving hackers an opportunity to damage several texts. I will try to discover the harm done and make all necessary repairs. Yesterday afternoon I was also prevented from working on a literary text at blogger. I will try to return to that work for a full 45 minutes sometime this week.
I regret that users of NYPL computers are being subjected to these assaults and to the presence of disruptive and unpleasant persons who seem to be reading from the same script. Several computers and printers belonging to the library have been damaged or destroyed. All of this may be about making things more difficult for me. Shame on you, Mr. Menendez. ("How censorship works in America" and "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey.")
"Bergen County insurance broker JOEPH BIGICA, a deep pockets Democratic contributor who won millions in no-bid government contracts across New Jersey, pleaded guilty Wednesday to making $98,600 in illegal campaign contributions to an un-named federal official."
Senator Robert Menendez has turned out to be the "un-named federal official" who ACCEPTED money from Mr. Bigica. ("Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" and "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks.")
"A spokesperson for Senator Menendez later acknowledged that the Democrat from Union City was the federal official referred to in the court papers, but mentioned that the Senator had been a 'victim'of Bigica."
Irony? ("Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" and "Senator Bob Loves Xanadu!")
Mr. Bigica paid little or no taxes since 1999. He agreed to make restitution to the IRS of more than $2.1 MILLION.
Mr. Bigica denies mafia affiliations as does Mr.Menendez.
Neither Senator Menendez nor his spokesperson will acknowledge or admit to being subject to several new federal investigations for corruption -- investigations based in New Jersey and elsewhere, i.e., New York. ("Is Senator Menendez For Sale?" and "Is Senator Menendez a Suspect in Mafia-Political Murder in New Jersey?" then "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry.")
Mr. Menendez will not acknowledge or comment upon any awareness he may have concerning cybercrimes or other crimes committed against me as well as many others, both in New Jersey and New York, or elsewhere. ("Is Senator Bob For Human Rights?" and "Senator Bob Gets Over on the Feds" then "Is Menendez For Sale?" and, again, "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry" and "Senator Bob Has Not Been Indicted Today!" then "More Problems For Menendez -- Tapes!" and "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")
A list of sources will be added to this text detailing (among other things) further examples of corruption in New Jersey's political and legal system occuring only during the past few months.
Sources:
David E. Sanger & Isabel Kerschner, "Israel Leader Stiffens Call for U.S. to Set Iran Trigger," in The New York Times, September 12, 2012, at p. A1. (In a surprising example of the "tail wagging the dog," Israel's Prime Minister criticizes U.S. President Obama -- without naming him -- in a bid to affect the presidential election and American foreign policy that is being studied in the world. This controversial and most unwise statement by Israel was obviously coordinated with Mr. Romney's campaign, which was -- mysteriously -- well prepared for it. Much of the hostility directed at U.S. embassies in the Middle East is due to the U.S. relationship with Israel. Perhaps some of the censorship aimed against me is the result of an unholy alliance between Miami and Jerusalem. "Terry Tuchin," can you shed any light on this mystery? This statement and Mr. Romney's recent comments suggest to enemies of the U.S. that there are "exploitable divisions in American/Israeli ranks" that will endanger American and Israeli lives. I hope not. Silencing me is not the answer, Terry Tuchin, Bob Yudin, or Senator Cardinale.)
"A Defeat for Impartial Courts," (Editorial) in The New York Times, September 12, 2012, at p. A30. (The corruption of electoral politics enters the judiciary further diminishing the independence of courts: "New Jersey Judges Take Care of Their Own" and "New Jersey's Unethical Judiciary.")
John Reitmeyer, "Trenton Wants Tighter Watch On Insurance: Issues Alert to Local Officials," in The Record, August 30, 2012, at p. A-3. ("Undisclosed side agreements" between insurers and elected officials in New Jersey may allow for secret perks for officials and/or kickbacks, allegedly. How nice for them.)
Anthony Campini, "N.J. High Court Fills Vacancies Temporarily: Two Appointments Maintain Balance," in The Record, September 5, 2012, at p. A-8. (N.J. Supreme Court is now up to 12 prospective justices, this week. Mr. Rabner has decided to make additional appointments as "shadow governor" to lighten the work load after consulting with "friends" in Jerusalem or Angelo "The Horn" Prisco. Ariel Rodriguez -- a person I know well -- and Mary Catherine Cuff, will play musical chairs on the Trenton court called: "the most corrupt in America.")
John Petrick, "Ex-Official, Town, Chief Settle Harassment Suit: Halledon Legal Battle Began 2009," in The Record, September 5, 2012, at p. L-1. (Police Chief LUIS MERCURO made "vulgar and defamatory" remarks to former councilwoman, Heather Kilminster. Diana Lisa Riccioli, Terry Tuchin, and others have made such remarks about me, behind-my-back, at a time when this was calculated to do professional harm: "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.")
Virginia Rohan & Eric Connor, "School Sex Case Where Victim is Seen as Victor: Affairs With Female Teachers Often Glorified," in The Record, May 11, 2012, at p. A-1. (Attempt to restore the reputation of DIANA LISA RICCIOLI's friend KRISTIN LEONE, teacher who had sex with a child in Clifton, New Jersey. How many times did you rape Marilyn Straus, Diana? How often did you, Diana, make Marilyn Straus -- d.o.b. May 24, 1959 -- available for sex with others in an impaired state? Were you, Diana, involved with Ms. Poritz at the same time as your sexual "relationship" with Marilyn Straus? "Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")
Craig Wolff, "Hudson Official Admits to Graft: North Bergen DPW Chief Ordered Workers to do Political Jobs in County," in The Star Ledger, September 12, 2012, at p. 1. (North Bergen official admitted commandeering employees and resources for electoral purposes at taxpayer expense and much worse.)
Patricia Alex, "College Defends Deal With Professor: Litigation Over Grade Fixing Claim Seen as Costlier," in The Record, September 7, 2012, at p. L-1. (Peter Huff, professor at Bergen Community College, will be rewarded with sabbatical at his anual pay of $133,000 DESPITE substantial allegations of grade inflation and grade-fixing, possibly for a small fee, by Professor Huff, and no doubt romantic entanglements with students. "America's Nursery School Campus" and "Why Jane Can't Read.")
Christopher Baxter, "Guilty Plea Entered in Child Sex Counts," in The Star Ledger, September 12, 2012, at p. 17. (Camden, New Jersey's Rachael Baker [sic.] -- a possible political "hanger-on" -- admitted engaging in sexual acts with an 8 year-old girl. Photos of these acts were "disseminated" to Gary Cramer, 27, and others in a "private network," possibly including public officials. How strange that the names of participants are not being made public? Do you speak to me of "ethics," Mr. Rabner?)
Hannan Adeley, et als., "History Teacher Latest to Face Sex Charges: Accused of Having a Relationship With a Boy, 16," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. A-1. (A Clifton High School teacher -- with possible connections to Diana Lisa Riccioli -- Kristin Leone was arrested for having sexual contact with a student, possibly at the school itself. How many students in total were involved? Males and females?)
AP, "Top Cop Faces Hearing on High Speed Caravan," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. A-3. (One standard for Col. Rick Fuentes and another for the rest of New Jersey's population. Does not a 100 mile per hour jaunt on the Turnpike endanger the public? "New Jersey's KKK Police Scandal" and "Organized Crime Group in New Jersey's State Police.")
Kim Lueddeke, "Ex-Union Official ADMITS He Took a Bribe," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. L-3. (Patrick Viola, 45, of Edgewater pleaded guilty to accepting $4,000 to allow for non-union labor. Hey, Kim Guardagno -- does Christie know that you're moonlighting?)
Abbott-Koloff, "Man Admits Defrauding Banks," in The Record, May 10, 2012, at p. L-3. (Is it true that Gilberto Garcia, Esq. is facing ethics and/or criminal charges? Ms. Kriko? Jose Ginarte? Edgar Navarete?)
Monday, September 10, 2012
N.J. Chief Justice Rabner and the Decline of the N.J. Supreme Court.
September 11, 2012 at 1:55 P.M. Fittingly enough today is the anniversary of the greatest assault on America's security by Al Qaeda, followed by what many describe as the greatest assault on our civil liberties by our own government. Strangely, many of the policies of the Bush/Cheney administration have been continued by Mr. Obama. Journalist Chris Hedges called the current climate in America's electronic public square or political discourse -- thanks largely to a docile and frightened media -- "criminalization of dissent."
By the current understanding of "dissent" in America, any intellectual or person of conscience who offers criticisms of government actions becomes a dissident and, therefore, a "criminal" to be monitored or penalized, legally or illegally. Under the Constitution, however, dissent is a matter of personal conviction that is protected by the First Amendment. Persons witnessing the crimes being committed against me who are powerless to stop them and/or the censorship which deprives readers of access to ideas are injured by being deprived of their rights as I am deprived of mine. Apathy and indifference to these crimes from law enforcement must be unacceptable. The Internet has become one front in the "war" against totalitarianism. "A New Kind of Warfare: Nations Are Developing Disruptive Offensive Software -- At Great Potential Risk," (Editorial) in The New York Times, September 10, 2012, at p. A24.
September 10, 2012 at 2:07 P.M. I made a reservation at 1:50 P.M. on Computer #5, Morningside Heights branch of the NYPL. I was prevented from accessing the blogger dashboard when I tried to sign-in at that computer. I was unable to access any location to which I tried to gain access. I had to sign-out and forego the opportunity to write at that computer. I do not believe that this was a coincidence.
On Saturday, I could have tried to write, but I did not access any computer in the NYPL system, anywhere, and made no reservation at any branch of the library out of concern for computer crime. Chilling effect?
With the assistance of a librarian, I was able to make a new reservation this afternoon (September 9th) at computer #6 for 2:05 P.M. where I am now writing.
These experiences suggest that hackers with access to government technology may prevent me from writing further at any branch of the library. Furthermore, it is likely that library computer networks have been hacked into. As a result, many New Yorkers' privacy rights have been violated along with my rights.
I believe that this is more content-based censorship aimed against me. Other citizens whose rights may be violated will be regarded as "collateral damage" by persons responsible for these crimes. I believe that these hackers are connected to New Jersey government.
If more than two days pass without a new post from me, then you may be sure that I am prevented from writing illegally. What follows is a development of an essay first posted at Google Groups. I was also unable to access Google Groups from computer #5 and have no idea whether my group continues to exist. (I have retained copies of the receipts for computer reservations made today.)
Repeated "anxiety-inducement," according to CIA/FBI manuals of so-called psychological torture are designed to bring about a nervous breakdown in victims. I can only hope that these tactics will not work with me. I believe that New Jersey officials are aware of this situation, as I say, and are protecting the responsible persons. ("Roberto Unger's Revolutionary Legal Theory" and "What is it like to be tortured?" then "Psychological Torture in the American Legal System.")
Mary Ann Spoto, "Nominee Stalemate Hurting Reputation of State Supreme Court," in The Record, June 11, 2012, at p. A-3.
Ted Sherman & Josh Margolin, The Jersey Sting: Chris Christie and the Most Brazen Case of Jersey Style Corruption Ever (New York: St. Martin's Press, 2011), 348 pages.
Karen Sudol, "Child Porn Suspect Remains Jailed: Lawyer Facing New Charges," in The Record, August 28, 2012, at p. L-3. (EDWARD M. DE SEAR, ESQ., 65, a highly prominent attorney specializing in international law and residing in Richard M. Nixon, Esq.'s home town of Saddle River, New Jersey will face charges for child porn distribution and possible child abuse, despite his many friends among judges and members of the bar who may not wish to be named by this "gentleman." Curiously, this alleged child porn enthusiast will be represented by attorney and Senator Menendez loyalist, allegedly, JOHN VAZQUEZ, ESQ. A private network through which these images were disseminated has been mentioned in the proofs but no members of that "network" have been identified by the authorities. It is likely that this "prominent attorney" and possible member of the Bar Association's Ethics Committee will have a network of friends, online and offline, who happen to be equally prominent members of the New Jersey Bar Association or politicians. Does this explain why such persons are not being identified by police? Mere participation in this network is probably a very serious crime. I will be writing more about this matter soon.)
"With the bitter political stalemate between Governor Christie and Senate Democrats over state Supreme Court nominees showing no signs of ebbing, the top rung of New Jersey's judiciary is down two justices for more than three months -- something that hasn't happened in four decades."
There have been, at different recent occasions, as many as 9 persons with some claim to sit as New Jersey Supreme Court justices in a 7-member court -- including persons nominated, illegally or unconstitutionally, by Stuart Rabner. Mr. Rabner is the current "reigning" Chief Justice in Trenton. ("New Jersey's Judges Disgrace America" and "Christie Rails Against New Jersey's Corrupt Judiciary.")
Several of the justices are tainted by associations with shady real estate figures (worse, there are sexual scandals, alleged mafia affiliations, etc.) -- notably, Jaynee LaVecchia and Helen Hoens are "friends" of realtors and persons in "construction." ("Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!")
Mr. Rabner's connections to Angelo ("The Horn") Prisco remain a subject of gossip and genuine concern. ("Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!" then "Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?")
The connections between failed social experiments and/or judicial legislation -- "Abbott" and "Mt. Laurel," also political or "other" loyalties on the part of members of the court -- have made New Jersey's corrupt judiciary a cautionary tale for America's legal system. ("New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead" and "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")
Secret targeting of unruly or "disobedient" attorneys (it is often an attorney's duty to be disobedient) by the OAE, cover-ups and stonewalling in response to requests for the truth concerning judicial corruption and abuse of human rights -- usually by the same judges who claim to be supporters of the Bill of Rights! -- have made Mr. Rabner's court an international byword for corruption and gross incompetence. ("Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?" and "New Jersey's Legal System is a Whore House" then "New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court.")
"Legal experts say this very public dispute threatens to tarnish the Supreme Court's national reputation for setting precedents and handing down landmark rulings. And they worry the fallout could eventually hurt New Jersey residents who rely on judges for fair decisions."
Many New Jersey residents have abandoned the state legal system because it is seen as hopelessly corrupt. I concur in part and dissent in part. ("Chief Justice John Roberts and the Decline of the U.S. Supreme Court.")
A list of fifteen-to-twenty examples of corruption and incompetence in New Jersey's legal-political system, most of which have appeared since the first posting of this essay at Google Groups roughly two months ago, will be added to this essay in the days ahead if I am able to regain access to this blog in order to continue writing.
Cybercrime and cyberharassment in furtherance of censorship is always expected. I am told that attempts to print from this computer may result in shutting down the computer, so that it will be necessary to reboot the computer and all work may be lost. Printing is being denied to persons using computers at Morningside Heights. Perhaps this is all a coincidence. However, I doubt it.
Do you speak to me of "ethics," Mr. Rabner? ("An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
Sources:
Matt Friedman, et al., "Jones Told to Reimburse Campaign $94K: Court Rules Ex-Newark Mayor Illeglly Used Funds to Fight 2007-08 Federal Case," in The Star Ledger, August 23, 2012, at p. 15. (Mr. Jones may have to account for more misused funds. Were they shared with other public officials? Mr. Corzine?)
Peter J. Sampson, "Bergen Requests a Pretrial Hearing," in The Star Ledger, August 23, 2012, at p. 21. (U.S. Gov. may have coerced or threatened witnesses. No ethics actions will be taken against prosecutors. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
Michael Linehart, "Menendez Camp Releases Senator's Tax Returns: Paid 21% Rate on Earnings of $172,000," in The Record, August 24, 2012, at p. A-3. (Questions are being asked about the matters left out of these returns, also the full extent of the Senator's real estate and other business earnings. "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Is Menendez For Sale?")
Kibret Marcos & Melissa Hayes, "Bank Takes Action Against Embattled Assemblyman: Files $3.6 MILLION Suit, Foreclosures on 6 Properties," in The Record, August 24, 2012, at p. L-6. (N.J. Assemblyman and possible Ethics Committee member, ROBERT SHROEDER defaults and/or absconds with $3.6 MILLION and is still facing more lawsuits.)
Mike Kelly, "Ethics Kept Bribery [sic.] in Hackensack Public Life," in The Record, August 27, 2012, at p. L-1. (Ken Zisa's possible conflicts of interest as both Chief of Police and Bergen County's most powerful politician with fingers in several pies and many questionable "connections.")
Abbott-Koloff, "Website Isn't 'House of Prostitution,' Judge Rules: FDU Professor Case Puts Focus On Wording of Laws," in The Record, August 28, 2012, at p. A-1. (FDU Professor may slip away from prosecution despite or because of his many New Jersey network partners. Allegations include involvement of UNDERAGE escorts made available through the Internet, sometimes using the professor's taxpayer-provided computer on campus, allegedly. I wonder whether David C. Flory is among the hackers into my sites? Ethics?)
Karen Sudol, "Child Porn Suspect Remains Jailed: Lawyer Facing New Charges," in The Record, August 28, 2012, at p. L-3. (Edward M. De Sea, Esq., 65, will face new charges for child porn distribution. Alleged connections to prominent members of the bar are "under investigation." Mr. Menendez, friend or supporter? Mischaracterization?)
Stephanie Akin, "New Date Set for Zisa Sentencing: Ex-Hackensack Police Chief to Find Out Fate on September 20," in The Record, August 28, 2012, at p. L-3. (Ken Zisa faces sentencing for criminal fraud in September, 2012. Rumors of new charges for Mr. Zisa and other members of the Zisa family are circulating.)
Shawn Boburg, "Ex-Sheriff's Resume Claims Accepted For Years: But Recent Promotion Brought New Scrutiny," in The Record, August 30, 2012, at p. A-1. (Former Bergen County Sheriff Jay Albert may have made fraudulent claims about his credentials. If so, he would be an excellent candidate for the New Jersey Bar Association's Ethics Committee.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Feds Want to Ban a Man From Tax Work: Falsified Returns Cost $500 MILLION," in The Record, June 8, 2012, at p. L-3. (U.S. government seeks to bar former N.J. attorney JOSEPH W. GALLAGER, ESQ., from tax work after alleged scams produced $500 MILLION loss of taxpayer funds. Ex-partner, Mr. Ginarte? Gilberto Garcia, good luck with your troubles. Ramon Gonzales, likewise.)
Ed Beeson, "Ex-CEO at Fund Gets 4&1/2 years: Stole $10.4 MILLION to Gamble On Sports," in The Record, June 7, 2012, at p. L-8. (David Newmark, 39, a neighbor of Mr. Rabner in the area of Short Hills, New Jersey was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison. How are Mr. Romano and Mr. Coviello doing these days?)
By the current understanding of "dissent" in America, any intellectual or person of conscience who offers criticisms of government actions becomes a dissident and, therefore, a "criminal" to be monitored or penalized, legally or illegally. Under the Constitution, however, dissent is a matter of personal conviction that is protected by the First Amendment. Persons witnessing the crimes being committed against me who are powerless to stop them and/or the censorship which deprives readers of access to ideas are injured by being deprived of their rights as I am deprived of mine. Apathy and indifference to these crimes from law enforcement must be unacceptable. The Internet has become one front in the "war" against totalitarianism. "A New Kind of Warfare: Nations Are Developing Disruptive Offensive Software -- At Great Potential Risk," (Editorial) in The New York Times, September 10, 2012, at p. A24.
September 10, 2012 at 2:07 P.M. I made a reservation at 1:50 P.M. on Computer #5, Morningside Heights branch of the NYPL. I was prevented from accessing the blogger dashboard when I tried to sign-in at that computer. I was unable to access any location to which I tried to gain access. I had to sign-out and forego the opportunity to write at that computer. I do not believe that this was a coincidence.
On Saturday, I could have tried to write, but I did not access any computer in the NYPL system, anywhere, and made no reservation at any branch of the library out of concern for computer crime. Chilling effect?
With the assistance of a librarian, I was able to make a new reservation this afternoon (September 9th) at computer #6 for 2:05 P.M. where I am now writing.
These experiences suggest that hackers with access to government technology may prevent me from writing further at any branch of the library. Furthermore, it is likely that library computer networks have been hacked into. As a result, many New Yorkers' privacy rights have been violated along with my rights.
I believe that this is more content-based censorship aimed against me. Other citizens whose rights may be violated will be regarded as "collateral damage" by persons responsible for these crimes. I believe that these hackers are connected to New Jersey government.
If more than two days pass without a new post from me, then you may be sure that I am prevented from writing illegally. What follows is a development of an essay first posted at Google Groups. I was also unable to access Google Groups from computer #5 and have no idea whether my group continues to exist. (I have retained copies of the receipts for computer reservations made today.)
Repeated "anxiety-inducement," according to CIA/FBI manuals of so-called psychological torture are designed to bring about a nervous breakdown in victims. I can only hope that these tactics will not work with me. I believe that New Jersey officials are aware of this situation, as I say, and are protecting the responsible persons. ("Roberto Unger's Revolutionary Legal Theory" and "What is it like to be tortured?" then "Psychological Torture in the American Legal System.")
Mary Ann Spoto, "Nominee Stalemate Hurting Reputation of State Supreme Court," in The Record, June 11, 2012, at p. A-3.
Ted Sherman & Josh Margolin, The Jersey Sting: Chris Christie and the Most Brazen Case of Jersey Style Corruption Ever (New York: St. Martin's Press, 2011), 348 pages.
Karen Sudol, "Child Porn Suspect Remains Jailed: Lawyer Facing New Charges," in The Record, August 28, 2012, at p. L-3. (EDWARD M. DE SEAR, ESQ., 65, a highly prominent attorney specializing in international law and residing in Richard M. Nixon, Esq.'s home town of Saddle River, New Jersey will face charges for child porn distribution and possible child abuse, despite his many friends among judges and members of the bar who may not wish to be named by this "gentleman." Curiously, this alleged child porn enthusiast will be represented by attorney and Senator Menendez loyalist, allegedly, JOHN VAZQUEZ, ESQ. A private network through which these images were disseminated has been mentioned in the proofs but no members of that "network" have been identified by the authorities. It is likely that this "prominent attorney" and possible member of the Bar Association's Ethics Committee will have a network of friends, online and offline, who happen to be equally prominent members of the New Jersey Bar Association or politicians. Does this explain why such persons are not being identified by police? Mere participation in this network is probably a very serious crime. I will be writing more about this matter soon.)
"With the bitter political stalemate between Governor Christie and Senate Democrats over state Supreme Court nominees showing no signs of ebbing, the top rung of New Jersey's judiciary is down two justices for more than three months -- something that hasn't happened in four decades."
There have been, at different recent occasions, as many as 9 persons with some claim to sit as New Jersey Supreme Court justices in a 7-member court -- including persons nominated, illegally or unconstitutionally, by Stuart Rabner. Mr. Rabner is the current "reigning" Chief Justice in Trenton. ("New Jersey's Judges Disgrace America" and "Christie Rails Against New Jersey's Corrupt Judiciary.")
Several of the justices are tainted by associations with shady real estate figures (worse, there are sexual scandals, alleged mafia affiliations, etc.) -- notably, Jaynee LaVecchia and Helen Hoens are "friends" of realtors and persons in "construction." ("Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!")
Mr. Rabner's connections to Angelo ("The Horn") Prisco remain a subject of gossip and genuine concern. ("Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!" then "Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?")
The connections between failed social experiments and/or judicial legislation -- "Abbott" and "Mt. Laurel," also political or "other" loyalties on the part of members of the court -- have made New Jersey's corrupt judiciary a cautionary tale for America's legal system. ("New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead" and "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")
Secret targeting of unruly or "disobedient" attorneys (it is often an attorney's duty to be disobedient) by the OAE, cover-ups and stonewalling in response to requests for the truth concerning judicial corruption and abuse of human rights -- usually by the same judges who claim to be supporters of the Bill of Rights! -- have made Mr. Rabner's court an international byword for corruption and gross incompetence. ("Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?" and "New Jersey's Legal System is a Whore House" then "New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court.")
"Legal experts say this very public dispute threatens to tarnish the Supreme Court's national reputation for setting precedents and handing down landmark rulings. And they worry the fallout could eventually hurt New Jersey residents who rely on judges for fair decisions."
Many New Jersey residents have abandoned the state legal system because it is seen as hopelessly corrupt. I concur in part and dissent in part. ("Chief Justice John Roberts and the Decline of the U.S. Supreme Court.")
A list of fifteen-to-twenty examples of corruption and incompetence in New Jersey's legal-political system, most of which have appeared since the first posting of this essay at Google Groups roughly two months ago, will be added to this essay in the days ahead if I am able to regain access to this blog in order to continue writing.
Cybercrime and cyberharassment in furtherance of censorship is always expected. I am told that attempts to print from this computer may result in shutting down the computer, so that it will be necessary to reboot the computer and all work may be lost. Printing is being denied to persons using computers at Morningside Heights. Perhaps this is all a coincidence. However, I doubt it.
Do you speak to me of "ethics," Mr. Rabner? ("An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
Sources:
Matt Friedman, et al., "Jones Told to Reimburse Campaign $94K: Court Rules Ex-Newark Mayor Illeglly Used Funds to Fight 2007-08 Federal Case," in The Star Ledger, August 23, 2012, at p. 15. (Mr. Jones may have to account for more misused funds. Were they shared with other public officials? Mr. Corzine?)
Peter J. Sampson, "Bergen Requests a Pretrial Hearing," in The Star Ledger, August 23, 2012, at p. 21. (U.S. Gov. may have coerced or threatened witnesses. No ethics actions will be taken against prosecutors. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
Michael Linehart, "Menendez Camp Releases Senator's Tax Returns: Paid 21% Rate on Earnings of $172,000," in The Record, August 24, 2012, at p. A-3. (Questions are being asked about the matters left out of these returns, also the full extent of the Senator's real estate and other business earnings. "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Is Menendez For Sale?")
Kibret Marcos & Melissa Hayes, "Bank Takes Action Against Embattled Assemblyman: Files $3.6 MILLION Suit, Foreclosures on 6 Properties," in The Record, August 24, 2012, at p. L-6. (N.J. Assemblyman and possible Ethics Committee member, ROBERT SHROEDER defaults and/or absconds with $3.6 MILLION and is still facing more lawsuits.)
Mike Kelly, "Ethics Kept Bribery [sic.] in Hackensack Public Life," in The Record, August 27, 2012, at p. L-1. (Ken Zisa's possible conflicts of interest as both Chief of Police and Bergen County's most powerful politician with fingers in several pies and many questionable "connections.")
Abbott-Koloff, "Website Isn't 'House of Prostitution,' Judge Rules: FDU Professor Case Puts Focus On Wording of Laws," in The Record, August 28, 2012, at p. A-1. (FDU Professor may slip away from prosecution despite or because of his many New Jersey network partners. Allegations include involvement of UNDERAGE escorts made available through the Internet, sometimes using the professor's taxpayer-provided computer on campus, allegedly. I wonder whether David C. Flory is among the hackers into my sites? Ethics?)
Karen Sudol, "Child Porn Suspect Remains Jailed: Lawyer Facing New Charges," in The Record, August 28, 2012, at p. L-3. (Edward M. De Sea, Esq., 65, will face new charges for child porn distribution. Alleged connections to prominent members of the bar are "under investigation." Mr. Menendez, friend or supporter? Mischaracterization?)
Stephanie Akin, "New Date Set for Zisa Sentencing: Ex-Hackensack Police Chief to Find Out Fate on September 20," in The Record, August 28, 2012, at p. L-3. (Ken Zisa faces sentencing for criminal fraud in September, 2012. Rumors of new charges for Mr. Zisa and other members of the Zisa family are circulating.)
Shawn Boburg, "Ex-Sheriff's Resume Claims Accepted For Years: But Recent Promotion Brought New Scrutiny," in The Record, August 30, 2012, at p. A-1. (Former Bergen County Sheriff Jay Albert may have made fraudulent claims about his credentials. If so, he would be an excellent candidate for the New Jersey Bar Association's Ethics Committee.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Feds Want to Ban a Man From Tax Work: Falsified Returns Cost $500 MILLION," in The Record, June 8, 2012, at p. L-3. (U.S. government seeks to bar former N.J. attorney JOSEPH W. GALLAGER, ESQ., from tax work after alleged scams produced $500 MILLION loss of taxpayer funds. Ex-partner, Mr. Ginarte? Gilberto Garcia, good luck with your troubles. Ramon Gonzales, likewise.)
Ed Beeson, "Ex-CEO at Fund Gets 4&1/2 years: Stole $10.4 MILLION to Gamble On Sports," in The Record, June 7, 2012, at p. L-8. (David Newmark, 39, a neighbor of Mr. Rabner in the area of Short Hills, New Jersey was sentenced to 54 months in federal prison. How are Mr. Romano and Mr. Coviello doing these days?)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Chief Justice Roberts and the Decline of the U.S. Supreme Court.
September 7, 2012 at 2:13 P.M. President Obama delivered a stirring speech last night at the Democratic National Convention. Many of us on the Left have reservations about Mr. Obama's record on human rights issues and his continuation of Bush-era policies that should be discarded. I expected the first term of Mr. Obama's presidency to be devoted to correcting the economic catastrophe inherited from the previous administration. No surprise there.
Mr. Obama could not concern himself with domestic efforts to improve education and infrastructure, American competitiveness in science and engineering, continued U.S. preeminence in the arts of cinema and literature and elsewhere, until he had "dug us out of the Republican hole." I would prefer not to get into a bigger hole with Elder Mitt of the Mormon Church and Randian Paul Ryan.
I have read the newspapers every day and listened to Republican speeches. No specific suggestions are offered (except tax cuts for the rich and pain for the poor) by Republicans to deal with the crises that we face in the world and in terms of America's domestic economy.
For poor and working people, students and retired persons, middle class suburbanites there is only one choice in this election, Mr. Obama. For the 1% the choice is also clear, Mr. Romney. I will not make a final decision until I walk into the voting booth. Unless I become a member of the 1% by November 6, the choice should be easy.
No italics or bold script are available at blogger (for me) and I cannot print from public library computers. I will continue to write.
"No Penalty For Torture," (Editorial) in The New York Times, September 5, 2012, at p. A26. ("Not only have those responsible escaped criminal liability, but the administration has succeeded in denying victims of this harsh method any day in court ..." Please see: "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics" then "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
Ronald Dworkin, "A Bigger Victory Than We Knew," in The New York Review of Books, August 16, 2012, at p. 6.
Paul Campos, "Did John Roberts Switch His Vote?," in Salon, June 28, 2012, at p. 1.
Joseph Lelyweld, "Obama: The Report Card," in The New York Review of Books, August 16, 2012, at p. 18.
Michael Tomasky, "How the House Really Works," in The New York Review of Books, August 16, 2012, at p. 27. (" ... before the new president had made one concrete proposal, most of the leading congressional Republicans already agreed that they would oppose him and would do so, to the extent possible, unanimously.")
Adam Liptak, "Approval Rating for Justices Hits 44% in Polls," in The New York Times, June 8, 2012, at p. A1. (September, 2012 the Court's approval rating hovers at 41%.)
The judiciary -- especially the nation's highest court -- depends crucially upon the respect and political-moral authority of its decisions for the general population.
Much of the right to CLAIM respect for its decisions has already been lost by the New Jersey Supreme Court and other tribunals in America's "Soprano State." ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "New Jersey's Unethical Judiciary" then "New Jersey Supreme Court's implosion.")
The tendency throughout the country and global community is decline in respect for our nation's Supreme Court which (mercifully) is still far from the appalling level of corruption and incompetence of New Jersey's soiled tribunals. (See: "New Jersey's Judges Take Care of Their Own" and the fothcoming "Decline in Respect For New Jersey's Supreme Court.")
The Court's power is based on legitimacy that is both perceived and granted, in fact, by persons affected by decisions as well as by their representatives, together with those indirectly affected by outcomes -- such as distinguished members of the legal profession who are uniquely identified with the workings of the tribunal responsible for the profession's legitimacy. The U.S. Supreme Court must be symbolic of the nation's commitment to the rule of law. ("Roberto Unger's Revolutionary Legal Theory" and "Richard A. Posner On Voluntary Actions and Criminal Responsibility.")
The Court's effectiveness or power requires responsibility based on adherence to the fundamental law of the land. In the "case" of the Supreme Court this necessitates respect for the text, the actual words of the document at the center of our society, but also inclusion within a "hermeneutic tradition" or "culture of interpretation" that makes some readings possible and others impossible.
There is no sane reading of the U.S. Constitution, in my judgment and in the opinion of most scholars, that makes torture permissible or that sanctions murder by the state outside the boundaries of law, that permits censorship or, after the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, slavery in any form. ("America's Holocaust" and "Foucault, Rose, Davis, and the Meanings of Prison.")
Furthermore, political considerations or policy rationales for decisions are highly suspect as they are "non-jurisprudential" when unconnected to the text and case law emerging under the Constitution. Political deal-making is appropriate in a legislative setting, not a judicial one.
Politics -- while sometimes unavoidable -- is deligitimating for Court decisions. New Jersey is the prime example of this catastrophe given the state's history of justices deciding how their fellow citizens should live by legislating from the bench. ("Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "New Jersey's Judges Disgrace America.")
The Supreme Court should be America's "forum of principle." Chief Justice Roberts is perceived by many Court observers as having caved-in to political pressures and considerations in his so-called "Obama-Care" ruling. This is independent of the result in the case. I agree that Obama's Health Care Initiative and Legislation is a good thing for the country.
What may not be a good thing for the country is a politicized Supreme Court legislating actions we approve of today then making rulings that we disapprove of tomorrow. The most likely outcome in the long term is that many of the "social policy" decisions or political results will be 5-4 decisions favoring the Republicans on the Court. An occasional decision by the Chief Justice for the liberals will not legitimate these outcomes, but such a "switch" may provide cover for future partisanship. Liberals will not be thrilled at such pro-Republican outcomes. ("Ronald Dworkin's Jurisprudence of Interpretation" and "Manifesto for the Unfinished American Revolution.")
Judges do not have command of the army (fortunately!) nor, usually, do they have their own police force. Enforcing the laws and effectuating judicial decrees is a responsibility left to the Executive.
This division of responsibilities creates "discretion" among police officers or their superiors concerning the extent to which judicial decress will be enforced -- particularly when police officers do not understand Court decisions very well -- or whether they will be enforced at all. Sometimes the technicality in Supreme Court decisions is such that to expect police officers to abide by them with exactitude is absurb.
A population can nullify or chip away or insist constantly that judges revisit controversies -- depending on the fluctuating currents of public opinion -- in all areas of Constitutional jurisprudence: for example, racial justice and abortion rights continue to be sources of festering controversy where there is little satisfaction by any faction that disputes have been settled wisely or definitively. ("What is Law?" then "A Commencement Address by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham-Clinton.")
The Court's failure to decide clearly or fairly in contested areas -- like illicit killings of American citizens or killing without judicial process, robot bombs, and all other failures to resolve human rights controversies -- have deligitimized all Court decisions for many students of U.S. law. ("America's Holocaust" and "Justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal" then "Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism.")
Please compare David E. Sanger, Confront and Conceal: Obama's Secret Wars and Surprising Use of American Power (London & New York: Crown, 2012) with James Mann, The Obamians: The Struggle Inside the White House to Redefine American Power (New York: Viking, 2012).
"Bush v. Gore" is the classic example of a Supreme Court decision unsupported by existing law or sound reasoning. Along with the infamous "Dredd-Scott" decision, "Bush v. Gore" represents a low point in American law because political partisanship was obvious as were rationalizations and obfuscations that sought to DECEIVE readers of the opinion concerning the genuine rationale for the result. No other interpretation seems rational or plausible to me.
One senses in reading the "Bush v. Gore" opinions -- and there are many of them -- that several of the justices were humiliated and angered by what had been committed to parchment in a moment of ideological passion and poor reasoning that, clearly, wounded the Court (severely) and will continue to do so for many years to come.
I suspect that much the same may be true in New Jersey, both with regard to the decision to allow for the crimes to which I have been subjected and the continuing cover-up of those crimes or their perpetuation in ongoing cyberwarfare. ("Is America's Legal Ethics a Lie?" and "American Doctors and Torture" then "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
I urge readers to study the agonized opinion by Justice John Paul Stevens in "Bush v. Gore." ("Charles Fried and William Shakespeare On Interpretation" and "Duncan Kennedy, Peter Gable, and Critical Legal Studies.")
Ignoring the real issue in a case because it is too controversial or rendering partisan, politically-motivated decisions, as in "Bush v. Gore" -- where the split between the justices is exclusively on Republican versus Democrat lines -- undermines the Court's authority, deservedly undermines that authority.
Justices at the state or federal level must not be political hacks or paid servants of the political power-structure, nor should they be concerned with self-interest (or self-preservation) at the expense of their duties and society's demand for legal justice. A corrupt or partisan judiciary violates legal ethics. ("Legal Ethics and Legality" and "Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court" and "New Jersey's Unethical Judiciary" and "New Jersey Supreme Court's Implosion" then "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!")
The Court has failed to address adequately Constitutional crises (torture, assassination of Americans without due process of law, sanctioned state censorship of opinions that is content-based as seen at these blogs) while protecting conspiracies by police and judges to violate civil rights and deferring too much to the president's war powers.
The justices have reasoned poorly and written barely adequate or competent opinions in too many important cases. Lawyers are often intimidated about saying these things in America out of a fear of reprisals, despite the First Amendment. However, in the age of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo this criticism must be spoken publicly: The U.S. Supreme Court has often failed to provide justice or uphold due process of law as required under the Constitution.
Albert Florence is a recent example of smart judges making foolish choices for political reasons of expediency. Maybe a better term is "cowardly" decisions, Mr. Rabner, rather than expedient or merely foolish choices. We need brave Supreme Court justices, like Justices Brennan and Marshall. To ignore the real Constitutional issue raised in a case is not to make the issue go away. New Jersey, please do not continue to ignore my pleas for the truth. ("What is it like to be tortured?" and "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" and someday "What is it like to be raped?")
Racial justice questions, for example, will not vanish if ignored by courts. They will resurface in American society and prisons with greater intensity than we have seen so far. I prefer that such issues be debated and fought over in America's one "forum of principle." No justice, no peace. ("Justice For Mumia Abu-Jamal.")
"Just 44% of Americans approve of the job the Supreme Court is doing and [many persons] say the justices' decisions are sometimes influenced by their personal or political views, [cash in an envelope may work better in New Jersey] according to a poll conducted by The New York Times and CBS news."
I am sure that the disapproval rate is higher and satisfaction with the Court's work is even lower than this statistic suggests. American judges and justices should trouble themselves to discover why this is so and to do something about it while they still can.
Mr. Obama could not concern himself with domestic efforts to improve education and infrastructure, American competitiveness in science and engineering, continued U.S. preeminence in the arts of cinema and literature and elsewhere, until he had "dug us out of the Republican hole." I would prefer not to get into a bigger hole with Elder Mitt of the Mormon Church and Randian Paul Ryan.
I have read the newspapers every day and listened to Republican speeches. No specific suggestions are offered (except tax cuts for the rich and pain for the poor) by Republicans to deal with the crises that we face in the world and in terms of America's domestic economy.
For poor and working people, students and retired persons, middle class suburbanites there is only one choice in this election, Mr. Obama. For the 1% the choice is also clear, Mr. Romney. I will not make a final decision until I walk into the voting booth. Unless I become a member of the 1% by November 6, the choice should be easy.
No italics or bold script are available at blogger (for me) and I cannot print from public library computers. I will continue to write.
"No Penalty For Torture," (Editorial) in The New York Times, September 5, 2012, at p. A26. ("Not only have those responsible escaped criminal liability, but the administration has succeeded in denying victims of this harsh method any day in court ..." Please see: "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics" then "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
Ronald Dworkin, "A Bigger Victory Than We Knew," in The New York Review of Books, August 16, 2012, at p. 6.
Paul Campos, "Did John Roberts Switch His Vote?," in Salon, June 28, 2012, at p. 1.
Joseph Lelyweld, "Obama: The Report Card," in The New York Review of Books, August 16, 2012, at p. 18.
Michael Tomasky, "How the House Really Works," in The New York Review of Books, August 16, 2012, at p. 27. (" ... before the new president had made one concrete proposal, most of the leading congressional Republicans already agreed that they would oppose him and would do so, to the extent possible, unanimously.")
Adam Liptak, "Approval Rating for Justices Hits 44% in Polls," in The New York Times, June 8, 2012, at p. A1. (September, 2012 the Court's approval rating hovers at 41%.)
The judiciary -- especially the nation's highest court -- depends crucially upon the respect and political-moral authority of its decisions for the general population.
Much of the right to CLAIM respect for its decisions has already been lost by the New Jersey Supreme Court and other tribunals in America's "Soprano State." ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "New Jersey's Unethical Judiciary" then "New Jersey Supreme Court's implosion.")
The tendency throughout the country and global community is decline in respect for our nation's Supreme Court which (mercifully) is still far from the appalling level of corruption and incompetence of New Jersey's soiled tribunals. (See: "New Jersey's Judges Take Care of Their Own" and the fothcoming "Decline in Respect For New Jersey's Supreme Court.")
The Court's power is based on legitimacy that is both perceived and granted, in fact, by persons affected by decisions as well as by their representatives, together with those indirectly affected by outcomes -- such as distinguished members of the legal profession who are uniquely identified with the workings of the tribunal responsible for the profession's legitimacy. The U.S. Supreme Court must be symbolic of the nation's commitment to the rule of law. ("Roberto Unger's Revolutionary Legal Theory" and "Richard A. Posner On Voluntary Actions and Criminal Responsibility.")
The Court's effectiveness or power requires responsibility based on adherence to the fundamental law of the land. In the "case" of the Supreme Court this necessitates respect for the text, the actual words of the document at the center of our society, but also inclusion within a "hermeneutic tradition" or "culture of interpretation" that makes some readings possible and others impossible.
There is no sane reading of the U.S. Constitution, in my judgment and in the opinion of most scholars, that makes torture permissible or that sanctions murder by the state outside the boundaries of law, that permits censorship or, after the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments, slavery in any form. ("America's Holocaust" and "Foucault, Rose, Davis, and the Meanings of Prison.")
Furthermore, political considerations or policy rationales for decisions are highly suspect as they are "non-jurisprudential" when unconnected to the text and case law emerging under the Constitution. Political deal-making is appropriate in a legislative setting, not a judicial one.
Politics -- while sometimes unavoidable -- is deligitimating for Court decisions. New Jersey is the prime example of this catastrophe given the state's history of justices deciding how their fellow citizens should live by legislating from the bench. ("Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "New Jersey's Judges Disgrace America.")
The Supreme Court should be America's "forum of principle." Chief Justice Roberts is perceived by many Court observers as having caved-in to political pressures and considerations in his so-called "Obama-Care" ruling. This is independent of the result in the case. I agree that Obama's Health Care Initiative and Legislation is a good thing for the country.
What may not be a good thing for the country is a politicized Supreme Court legislating actions we approve of today then making rulings that we disapprove of tomorrow. The most likely outcome in the long term is that many of the "social policy" decisions or political results will be 5-4 decisions favoring the Republicans on the Court. An occasional decision by the Chief Justice for the liberals will not legitimate these outcomes, but such a "switch" may provide cover for future partisanship. Liberals will not be thrilled at such pro-Republican outcomes. ("Ronald Dworkin's Jurisprudence of Interpretation" and "Manifesto for the Unfinished American Revolution.")
Judges do not have command of the army (fortunately!) nor, usually, do they have their own police force. Enforcing the laws and effectuating judicial decrees is a responsibility left to the Executive.
This division of responsibilities creates "discretion" among police officers or their superiors concerning the extent to which judicial decress will be enforced -- particularly when police officers do not understand Court decisions very well -- or whether they will be enforced at all. Sometimes the technicality in Supreme Court decisions is such that to expect police officers to abide by them with exactitude is absurb.
A population can nullify or chip away or insist constantly that judges revisit controversies -- depending on the fluctuating currents of public opinion -- in all areas of Constitutional jurisprudence: for example, racial justice and abortion rights continue to be sources of festering controversy where there is little satisfaction by any faction that disputes have been settled wisely or definitively. ("What is Law?" then "A Commencement Address by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham-Clinton.")
The Court's failure to decide clearly or fairly in contested areas -- like illicit killings of American citizens or killing without judicial process, robot bombs, and all other failures to resolve human rights controversies -- have deligitimized all Court decisions for many students of U.S. law. ("America's Holocaust" and "Justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal" then "Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism.")
Please compare David E. Sanger, Confront and Conceal: Obama's Secret Wars and Surprising Use of American Power (London & New York: Crown, 2012) with James Mann, The Obamians: The Struggle Inside the White House to Redefine American Power (New York: Viking, 2012).
"Bush v. Gore" is the classic example of a Supreme Court decision unsupported by existing law or sound reasoning. Along with the infamous "Dredd-Scott" decision, "Bush v. Gore" represents a low point in American law because political partisanship was obvious as were rationalizations and obfuscations that sought to DECEIVE readers of the opinion concerning the genuine rationale for the result. No other interpretation seems rational or plausible to me.
One senses in reading the "Bush v. Gore" opinions -- and there are many of them -- that several of the justices were humiliated and angered by what had been committed to parchment in a moment of ideological passion and poor reasoning that, clearly, wounded the Court (severely) and will continue to do so for many years to come.
I suspect that much the same may be true in New Jersey, both with regard to the decision to allow for the crimes to which I have been subjected and the continuing cover-up of those crimes or their perpetuation in ongoing cyberwarfare. ("Is America's Legal Ethics a Lie?" and "American Doctors and Torture" then "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
I urge readers to study the agonized opinion by Justice John Paul Stevens in "Bush v. Gore." ("Charles Fried and William Shakespeare On Interpretation" and "Duncan Kennedy, Peter Gable, and Critical Legal Studies.")
Ignoring the real issue in a case because it is too controversial or rendering partisan, politically-motivated decisions, as in "Bush v. Gore" -- where the split between the justices is exclusively on Republican versus Democrat lines -- undermines the Court's authority, deservedly undermines that authority.
Justices at the state or federal level must not be political hacks or paid servants of the political power-structure, nor should they be concerned with self-interest (or self-preservation) at the expense of their duties and society's demand for legal justice. A corrupt or partisan judiciary violates legal ethics. ("Legal Ethics and Legality" and "Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court" and "New Jersey's Unethical Judiciary" and "New Jersey Supreme Court's Implosion" then "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!")
The Court has failed to address adequately Constitutional crises (torture, assassination of Americans without due process of law, sanctioned state censorship of opinions that is content-based as seen at these blogs) while protecting conspiracies by police and judges to violate civil rights and deferring too much to the president's war powers.
The justices have reasoned poorly and written barely adequate or competent opinions in too many important cases. Lawyers are often intimidated about saying these things in America out of a fear of reprisals, despite the First Amendment. However, in the age of Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo this criticism must be spoken publicly: The U.S. Supreme Court has often failed to provide justice or uphold due process of law as required under the Constitution.
Albert Florence is a recent example of smart judges making foolish choices for political reasons of expediency. Maybe a better term is "cowardly" decisions, Mr. Rabner, rather than expedient or merely foolish choices. We need brave Supreme Court justices, like Justices Brennan and Marshall. To ignore the real Constitutional issue raised in a case is not to make the issue go away. New Jersey, please do not continue to ignore my pleas for the truth. ("What is it like to be tortured?" and "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" and someday "What is it like to be raped?")
Racial justice questions, for example, will not vanish if ignored by courts. They will resurface in American society and prisons with greater intensity than we have seen so far. I prefer that such issues be debated and fought over in America's one "forum of principle." No justice, no peace. ("Justice For Mumia Abu-Jamal.")
"Just 44% of Americans approve of the job the Supreme Court is doing and [many persons] say the justices' decisions are sometimes influenced by their personal or political views, [cash in an envelope may work better in New Jersey] according to a poll conducted by The New York Times and CBS news."
I am sure that the disapproval rate is higher and satisfaction with the Court's work is even lower than this statistic suggests. American judges and justices should trouble themselves to discover why this is so and to do something about it while they still can.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
"Prometheus": A Movie Review.
"Prometheus" (2012): Produced and directed by Ridley Scott; Colin Wilson receives a screen credit as Executive Producer; script by John Speights and Damon Lindelof; Director of Photography, Darious Wolski; Edited by Pietro Scalia; Music by Marc Streitenheld; STARRING: Noomi Rapace (Elizabeth Shaw); Michael Fassbender (Dave); Guy Pearce (Weyland); Idris Elba (Janek); Logan Marshall-Green (Halloway); Charlize Theron (Meredith Vickers); Rafe Spall (Millburn); and Sean Harris (Fifield).
Alternative Reviews:
A.O. Scott, "Once More Into the Galactic Void," in The New York Times, June 8, 2012, at p. C1. (Inadequate.)
David Denby, "Prometheus," (Movie Review in CURRENT CINEMA), in The New Yorker, June 18, 2012, at p. 86. (Shameful, not by David Denby. Possibly, this review was written by the same person who wrote the "Times" review.)
Geoffrey O'Brian, "The Day of the Android," in The New York Review of Books, August 16, 2012, at p. C4. (Review that is better than the article that appeared in The New Yorker -- possibly by the same author -- that still misses the associations with Joseph Conrad's books, Colin Wilson's ideas, the conflict between religion and science concerning human nature, as well as Shakespeare's influence on this movie director.)
I am unable to use italics or bold script. Harassment often makes writing these texts very difficult. I cannot print my essays from library computers due to vandalism. September 4, 2012 at 3:10 P.M. an attempt to edit my essay dealing with Jonathan Franzen's essays was obstructed. I will continue to try to edit my works.
I do not believe that David Denby or "A.O. Scott" (other suspect names include Jim Holt, James Wood, Manohla Dargis?) is directly responsible for the computer crime or censorship that I struggle against. Furthermore, I believe that some of those "authors" have also been victimized by insertions in their articles.
I do not know "A.O. Scott," nor whether this is a "real person's name." I recognize Mr. Denby's style because I have read David Denby's prose for years. I think highly of Mr. Denby's criticisms of films. I am sure that he could not have written some of the reviews attributed to him recently that damage his reputation -- perhaps more severely than people realize -- and tarnish the image of a once much-admired magazine. "Geoffrey O'Brian" may be doing the same for The New York Review of Books. Is Mr. O'Brian also "Manohla Dargis"? ("Manohla Dargis Strikes Again!" then see "What is it like to be plagiarized?" and "'Brideshead Revisited': A Movie Review.")
An earlier version of this review appeared in Google Groups on July 14, 2012. I will not delete that review so that readers may compare my essays with the subsequent review of "Prometheus" published in The New York Review of Books. To my knowledge, the first mention of "Solaris" in connection with "Prometheus" appeared in U.S. media only after my published review established the reference. I am sure that this is merely a coincidence. No corrections or editing was possible at Google Groups.
Introduction.
Ages ago, near a waterfall on earth, a being from another galaxy wanders through a desolate landscape under the shadow of a spaceship. This "alien" makes the ultimate sacrifice to weave his DNA into the waters from which all life on earth emerged.
We cut to a near-future discovery by archeologist Shaw (Noomi Rapace, in a stellar performance) and her boyfriend, Halloway (Logan Marshall-Green), of cave paintings (Sistine Chapel?) pointing to our origins among the stars.
This directorial gesture is not about Von Daniken's "Chariots of the Gods," but about universal religious/mythological "origin stories" dramatizing metaphysical and scientific mysteries concerning human nature. The cave, in fact, becomes a master device in the movie as in Western philosophy to represent the psyche in relation to the world.
An eccentric and dying billionaire -- someone like Rupert Murdoch/Ridley Scott? -- sets up the corporate project of finding our unearthly progeniturs by means of the spaceship "Prometheus." This quest for the "fire of the gods" is as ancient as human civilization, as is the Romantic idea of "homecoming." The completion of the circle that is human history will also be signalled during the movie for audience members.
"Prometheus" (fittingly enough) is the vessel created for this specific purpose of stealing the mysteries from the gods. It is piloted by Janek (Mr. Elba doing his creative version of an "all-American mid-western accent"). The mission is headed by Meredith (Theron) and Dave (Fassbender), mirror images of gender ambiguity, neither of whom is very "human" although for very different reasons. Humanity, as an endangered category, is a major concern of this film.
"Prometheus" expresses important anxities and poses questions about human arrogance, scientific pretension, the continuing relevance of religion in a scientific age, the human capacity for aggression or self-destruction -- as a feature of our genetic programming or species identity -- and the redeeming power of genius and love as equally powerful aspects of our natures.
Unlike most popular films in the Hollywood tradition these days, this is not a cheerful, feel good, "happy ending" kind of a movie. Nevertheless, the film does offer hope by concluding with a small measure of "faith" (right word!) in humanity's ambiguous curiosity and heroism that makes us "survivors" in biological as well as moral meanings of the word.
"Prometheus" offers an essentially Christian vision of fallen humanity in a post-Christian age. Science is seen as both blessing and curse, but then, so is institutionalized religion. The film's preoccupation with death and transcendence hints at Mr. Scott's final summation of a lifetime's reflections on ultimate issues of meaning and creativity expressed in cinema.
I do not know and cannot say whether Mr. Scott is or has been ill. I hope that he is very well and that we will enjoy many more fine films made by this talented director. One cannot avoid the feeling, however, that Mr. Scott was compelled to offer what might be his final statement in this disturbing work.
"Prometheus," accordingly, is a powerful reflection on mortality by a man facing and coming to terms with his own death. An Executive Producer of this movie is Colin Wilson, whose novel "The Philosopher's Stone" is certainly an important influence on this work:
Wilson's subject is "original sin, the capacity for man's self-destruction, which grows out of his self-loathing, which grows inevitably out of the very psychological and philosophical revolutions that once freed him from even more stifling bonds. The Darwinian, Freudian, and behaviorist assumptions about man's slavery to his 'lower nature,' his helplessness in the hands of natural forces, merge, tragically enough, with the science of economics by Adam Smith, Ricardo, and Malthus ... and against this sense of oppression, of a total denial of 'freedom,' the poet" -- or filmaker? -- "must rebel, if he is to live. And rebelling, he must hate; he finds himself HATING. And in the words of that arch-ironist and hater, Robert Musil, 'One can't be angry with one's own time without damage to oneself.' ..."
Joyce Carol Oates, "Introduction," in Colin Wilson, The Philosopher's Stone (New York: Warner, 1974), pp. 7-8. Please compare Colin Wilson, "The Strange Story of Modern Philosophy," in The Essential Colin Wilson (Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1986), pp. 91-111 with Jeremy Rifkin & Ted Howard, Entropy: A New World View (New York: Bantam, 1981), pp. 248-257. ("The Heat Death of the Universe.")
This theme of "anger at one's own time" summarizes Musil's great novel: "The Man Without Qualities." Mr. Scott has been angry at his own century for some time. It is difficult not to share his anger. To be angry at one's time is to be skeptical about science's ability to describe or define ALL of human nature; it is to find room for religious wisdom, even as an atheist, and the arts in a technological age that trivializes both endeavors; it is to protest against evil and greed in their depersonalized and administrative forms, while loving humanity and life. These are the lessons of "Prometheus" and of Mr. Scott's life-work.
I will focus in my review on three symbols and their interactions: 1). the ring, signaling finality and completion, ending by means of a beginning as in T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets"; 2). the crucifix, indicating religion's continuing importance amidst the forces of industry, commerce, and science; and 3). a severed head, the archetype of contemporary scientism or inhumanity as the death of classical humanism.
I. "The Ring": Hermeneutic Circles.
Dramatizations of ultimate issues leads to a natural association of "Prometheus" with several tragedies and poems by William Shakespeare, whose shade hovers over this film. Mr. Scott should offer Shakespeare a screen credit. I am sure that the Bard would happily accept such acknowledgement. For instance, Othello, in his agony, specifically alludes to "Promethean" hubris and the life-force:
... but once put out thy light,
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
I know not where is that Promethean heat
That can thy light relume.
"Othello," Act V, sc. II, p. 114. (Floger Lib. Ed.)
Among other Shakespearean works borrowed from and referenced in "Prometheus" are "Hamlet" and "Lear," "The Tempest" and "MacBeth." Echoes of phrases from a variety of Shakespeare's texts are srpinkled throughout the script. Mr. Scott admires Shakespeare's plays and, evidently, is recognizing a debt to the greatest poet in the English language in this film.
At the center of the film, which purports to be a prequel or prelude to the "Alien" movies (hence, the ring worn by Ms. Rapace's character, "Shaw," that suggests a circle or return to origins) is a single question found in some form in all of Mr. Scott's films. This question is as old as Genessis and as recent as DNA: "What is human nature?"
This master issue leads to a number of related conundrums: What is life? Are we driven to consume, destroy, dominate all other life-forms in our paths? Or are we capable of choice, compassion, and love? Is evolution the amoral story of survival of life-forms everywhere in the universe in a contest of "fitness"? Or are we "designed" to cooperate even at the cost of survival for the individual (or species) as part of a grand scheme that we see only darkly? ("Is it rational to believe in God?" and "Is this atheism's moment?")
It is these collateral issues that raise the Promethean dilemma: Is knowledge only the ultimate quest for power? Is scientific knowledge the fruit of the tree of "forbidden" knowledge? Do we seek mastery of the laws of the universe in order to become gods as a serpent once suggested to Eve? Or do we seek understanding out of love for all that is? Do we seek to meet and unite with our maker? Or do we seek control and mastery even of God and the universe?
"Prometheus" gestures at the tragic costs of our perilous Faustian bargain with technology and at Mary Shelley's illustration of this theme in "Frankenstein." Ms. Shelley's novel was subtitled: "The Modern Prometheus."
"Cursed, cursed creator!" Frankenstein's monster wails, "Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed?"
"Frankenstein," p. 130. (A list of sources will be added to this essay in the days ahead providing my specific edition of this work. "The 'Galatea Scenario' and the Mind/Body Problem.")
We are driven to seek knowledge or mastery -- sometimes at the expense of others -- but we are also compelled to choose understanding of our fellow "subjects" in a world of "objects." We must "fuse our horizons" with others for the benefit all. The parallel to the virgin birth in Shaw's unwanted pregnancy is an acid-like comment on the Western mythology underlying our story.
Life is indeed "fused" in this movie with the primal sacrifice of the alien life-form in a prehistoric earth (with a bow to Kubrick's "2001, A Space Odyssey" and "A Clockwork Orange") culminating with a pilot's, Janek's (played by Idris Elba) heroic sacrifice for humanity (Spielberg/Kubrick, "A.I." and "Saving Private Ryan" then "Minority Report").
"Prometheus" is Mr. Scott's Polish movie. This is true not only because of Chopin's "Preludes" in the score. We get it: "Prometheus" is a prelude to "Alien." Also, this possibly final Ridley Scott movie is a completion of themes found in "Blade Runner," "Gladiator," "Robin Hood" and in terms of the sources for the movie. I do not know whether Mr. Scott has Polish ancestry. It certainly seems that this concentration on Polish sources is not accidental. (Aronofsky's "Solaris" was a Russian film with some Polish locations, I believe.)
For example, "Nostromo" is the name of the ship in "Alien" and also the title of Joseph Conrad's novel focusing on the collision between civilizations. Hence, "Lawrence of Arabia" and the tribute to David Lean. As detailed in T.E. Lawrence's "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom," a technologically dominant civilization will tend to exploit and destroy a weaker one. In this story, we human beings are the weaker civilization. Are there analogies to how the U.S. is behaving at the moment in the Middle East? Are Americans different from the British criticized by Lawrence of Arabia? Are we behaving in a manner that is worse than the British in "Arabia" during World War One? (Mr. Scott also directed "The Kingdom of Heaven.")
"Victory" is Joseph Conrad's matching novel on a "Tempest"-like theme -- Joseph Conrad is Ridley Scott's favorite novelist, or certainly one of them -- a theme that mirrors the plot of "Prometheus." Joseph Conrad is the great Polish-English chronicler of adventure on the high seas (outer space?) and within the human subconscious (the cave?).
Like Ridley Scot, the dying billionaire in the story seeks to defeat death through his enterprises. Unlike Mr. Scott -- or Joseph Conrad -- the fictional character on-screen is unsuccessful. Mr. Scott's films and Conrad's novels will certainly outlive most of us.
II. "The Crucifix": Religion within the province of reason alone.
The search for humanity's "Creator" and for human origins is really the search for ourselves. It is the effort to understand ourselves. Stanislas Lem writes:
"We take off into the cosmos, ready for anything, for solitude, for hardship, for exhaustion, death. Modesty forbinds us to say so, but there are times when we think pretty well of ourselves. And yet, if we examine it more closely, our enthusiasm turns out to be all a sham. We don't want to conquer the cosmos, we simply want to extend the boundaries of the Earth to the frontiers of the cosmos. ... we think of ourselves as the Knights of the Holy Contact. This is another lie. We are only seeking man. We have no need of other worlds. We need mirrors."
Solaris (New York: Harcourt, Inc., 1970), pp. 72-73. (Translated from the French by Joanna Kilmartin and Steve Cox, after the Polish text of 1961). Please compare Leszek Kolakowski, "On the So-Called Crisis of Christianity," in Modernity On Endless Trial (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997), p. 86. (Both Mr. Lem and Professor Kolakowski are Poles.)
The search for a "homecoming," the feeling of loss after God's departure from human history (Deus Absconditus), haunts this movie. This has nothing to do with a literal search for aliens who visited our planet centuries ago, but with the allegory of God or god-like "creators" of humanity to whom we may return. In order for humanity to be free. ("They designed us!") A creator-God's second action would be to disappear from the universe. ("'The Adjustment Bureau': A Movie Review.")
This defense of free will allowed by a vanishing God is a feature, for example, of the metaphysics of Erigena or John Duns Scotus. Nietzsche's comment that the death of God -- or the murder of the gods by man -- is an act that is "still too great for us!" is brought to mind in this movie. God's absence is felt and mourned by Mr. Scott whose Christian education and "faith" is showing in "Prometheus." (Think of the etymology of the word "Prometheus" -- superior to or "over and above the gods.") ("'The Matrix": A Movie Review" and "'Inception': A Movie Review.")
The archeologist, Shaw (Ms. Rapace), and her boyfriend, Halloway (Mr. Marshall), embody the curiosity that defines our species. They are among several pairs of dialectical twins ("Twelfth Night"?) in this movie, a kind of Adam and Eve in outer space: "Prometheus" has a twin-sister or parallel myth in the story of "Pandora" who unleashes all the evils in the world, but also provides "hope" for humanity. ("Where's my crucifix?")
A second pair of dialectical twins, Meredith (Theron) and the HAL and Peter O'Toole-like robot, Dave (played with relish by Michael Fassbender), dramatizes the tension between human and inhuman that obsessed twentieth-century science fiction and history, i.e., "Eichman in Jerusalem." For example, Philip K. Dick's "Blade Runner" and several of Mr. Dick's philosophical essays are concerned with this topic which is also examined in the works of Assimov, Bradbury, Ellison and Lem.
An obvious mythological reference for this dialectical and bi-gendered pair is Krishna/Arjuna in "The Bhagavad Gita." We do not find God among the aliens, but only the "mirror-image" of man -- selfish, brutal, appetitive, driven by an urge to dominance over others.
Plato's shadows on the cave wall become holograms suggesting a linkage to contemporary physics. The cave or dark interior of an ancient and abandoned spaceship becomes an image of the subconscious (movie theater?) by way of Conrad ("The Heart of Darkness") and Freud ("Civilization and Its Discontents"), but also a reflection of the Holocaust with the piling of alien bodies, like refuse, before a permanently shut door. Ghibertti's "Doors of Paradise" -- a sculpture that is roughly contemporary with Dante's "Divine Comedy" that describes Virgil's ascent only to the "doors" of paradise -- is one association here, but there are many others -- i.e., Thomas Mann's "Doctor Faustus" and "Death in Venice."
Death is the consequence of life. We are necessarily devouring organisms who excrete everything that we ingest, including this movie, eventually. Yet we are capable of love and self-giving. Our alienation from one another is often FURTHERED by science which reduces life-forms and subjectivities to laboratory "objects." A machine performs surgery on a person who is, scientifically, only another machine. How many robots are there in this movie? Has Mr. Scott experienced surgery recently? There but for the grace of God (you should forgive the expression) go all of us.
Technology makes us all nothing but intellect "connected" to machines with various "apps." Few of us, in fact, are now deeply connected to others, despite E.M. Forster's advice. We merely interact for mutual convenience. We have become all head and no heart. The history of our species has brought us to the edge of self-destruction by way of our marvelous gadgets. The question left to audiences at the conclusion of this movie and after we read the daily newspapers is -- "Will humanity survive?"
III. "A Severed Head": Scientism.
There are warnings in this film about contemporary culture's abandonment of religious traditions in favor of recent self-understandings, allegedly, based on what science tells us about ourselves -- that we should relinquish all quests for larger meanings. Abandonment of mythological meanings leaves humanity alienated from the cosmos and its own actions. T.S. Eliot writes: "Men and women cannot bear too much reality."
We cannot live without hope. We are said to be brutal, selfish apes, driven by genes; whether as cold administrators (like Meredith) without time for compassion, or as robots transforming persons into unwilling experimental animals. Is this grim knowledge concerning human delight in sadism the ultimate outcome of the scientific revolution? Not necessarily. (Dave asks Holloway: "How badly do you want to know?")
Meredith offers a wicked comment on Euro-politics in an age of austerity. Does the character of Meredith illustrate the cruelty of Ms. Merkel's policies for Greece? Or Spain? Is Dave or Meredith (Ms. Merkel?) more of a "robot"? Are both beings only "severed heads," representatives of Modernity as the worship of impersonal reason at the cost of humane compassion? What is the price of our scientific knowledge? Self-destruction? I hope not.
The film certainly suggests that instrumental reason divorced from human values leads to suicide. Is humanity flirting with suicide (death instinct) as a result of highly rational decisions for INDIVIDUAL nations that have insane consequences for the entire planet and human species? Mr. Scott thinks so. Many others agree with him.
Science gives us space travel as well as nuclear weapons and concentration camps. This may explain Mr. Scott's Polish sources in this film. After all, Auschwitz (symbol of the misuse of technology to create gas chambers) is located in Poland. Poland is a nation trapped between two greedy and powerful neighbors -- Russia and Germany or America. Poland is also a nation forced to choose in the twentieth century between Marx and Jesus. As in this movie, Jesus won that competition.
We need both science and faith. The search by Shaw for our human origins or the "gods" continues, as the curtain falls on our story, even as she chooses to pursue her quest further into the cosmos while wearing her crucifix.
Conclusion.
"For Gadamer, the sheer survival of our species is in question, because it possesses the weapons and the technology to destroy itself. Gadamer also appeared especially concerned with the ecological crisis, remarking, pessimistically, that probably no one knows how to solve it. ... 'Humankind cannot live without hope,' he often said. By this he meant not hope in the life hereafter, ... but rather confidence in life, in the life-struggle for our own survival."
Physical and MORAL survival are equally essential for Gadamer:
" ... '[We] must learn to stop and respect the other, as an other, whether it is nature or the growing cruelties of peoples and nations' [that may prevent this recognition.] ..."
Jean Grondin, Hans-George Gadamer: A Biography, p. 329.
Solutions to the severed head phenomenon are found in new modes (Postmodern) of scientific thinking that are sensitive to values and ambiguities, as features of scientific study itself, because they are aspects of human nature expressed in all that we do.
"Prometheus" is best classified as "Techno-Noir," a style pioneered way back in the eighties in the "Terminator" (James Cameron) and, more recently, in Spielberg's "Minority Report" as well as in "Total Recall." This genre is characterized by a fusion of traditional Noir characteristics from forties' cinema with sci-fi features dating from the fifties and later. Mr. Scott is an original and early contributor to this style of cinema in "Blade Runner" and "Alien."
Ms. Rapace does an especially fine job, as does Mr. Fassbinder in his role. Mr. Scott, like James Cameron, offers Joseph Conrad's solutions to life's mysteries: courage as we sail into the abyss, unapologetic faith or hope in humanity -- despite the horrors of our nature -- and confidence in humanity's aesthetic and intellectual striving tempered by wisdom along with the fundamental need for beauty. Most of all, love and compassion as our best qualities and slim chance for survival.
As a possible final statement from an important director, I cannot think of a better conclusion to a life's work celebrating hope for humanity than "Prometheus."
Sources:
Films referenced in "Prometheus":
1. "2001, A Space Odyssey."
2. "Lawrence of Arabia."
3. "Solaris."
4. "A.I."
5. "Minority Report."
6. "A Clockwork Orange/The Shining."
7. "Dr. Zhivago."
8. "The Terminator."
9. "The Omega Man."
10. "Silent Running."
11. "I am Legend."
12. "Planet of the Apes."
Books:
Works by or about Joseph Conrad:
Joseph Conrad, The Heart of Darkness (New York: Signet, 1991).
Bertrand Russell, "Joseph Conrad," in Portraits From Memory (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1956), pp. 86-92. (Perceptive comments on "The Heart of Darkness" and on Conrad's character. Russell's short stories should be examined after reading this essay. See especially, Russell's "Satan in the Suburbs" which earned Russell a Nobel prize in literature.)
Joseph Conrad, Victory (New York: Signet, 1991).
Joseph Conrad, Nostromo (New York: Signet, 1960). (Foreword by F.R. Leavis is excellent.)
Leo Gurko, Joseph Conrad: Giant in Exile (New York: Collier, 1962 & 1979).
Other Selected Works:
Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream Electric Sleep? (New York: Ballantine, 1968). ("Blade Runner.")
Harlan Ellison, Alone Against Tomorrow: Stories of Alienation in Speculative Fiction (New York: Collier, 1971).
Harlan Ellison, Dangerous Visions (New York: Signet, 1967).
Jean Grondin, Hans-Georg Gadamer: A Biography (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003).
James Gunn, Ed., From Here to Forever: The Road to Science Fiction #4 (New York: Signet, 1982).
Leszek Kolakowski, Modernity On Endless Trial (Chicago: University of Chicago, 1987).
Stanislas Lem, Solaris (New York: Harcourt, 1961).
James Merril, Ed., SF-12: New Dimensions in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Imagination (New York: Dell, 1968).
Jeremy Rifkin & Ted Howard, Entropy: A New World View (New York: Bantam, 1987).
Theodore Rozsak, The Memoirs of Elizabeth Frankenstein (New York: Random House, 1995).
William Shakespeare, Othello (New York: Simon & Schuster -- WSP, 1957). (Folger Lib. Ed. of Complete Works.)
Roger Shattuk, Forbidden Knowledge: A Landmark Exploration of the Dark Side of Human Ingenuity and Imagination (New York: Harcourt Brace, 1996).
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (New York: Signet, 1965).
Lawrence Sutin, The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick (New York: Pantheon, 1993).
Alternative Reviews:
A.O. Scott, "Once More Into the Galactic Void," in The New York Times, June 8, 2012, at p. C1. (Inadequate.)
David Denby, "Prometheus," (Movie Review in CURRENT CINEMA), in The New Yorker, June 18, 2012, at p. 86. (Shameful, not by David Denby. Possibly, this review was written by the same person who wrote the "Times" review.)
Geoffrey O'Brian, "The Day of the Android," in The New York Review of Books, August 16, 2012, at p. C4. (Review that is better than the article that appeared in The New Yorker -- possibly by the same author -- that still misses the associations with Joseph Conrad's books, Colin Wilson's ideas, the conflict between religion and science concerning human nature, as well as Shakespeare's influence on this movie director.)
I am unable to use italics or bold script. Harassment often makes writing these texts very difficult. I cannot print my essays from library computers due to vandalism. September 4, 2012 at 3:10 P.M. an attempt to edit my essay dealing with Jonathan Franzen's essays was obstructed. I will continue to try to edit my works.
I do not believe that David Denby or "A.O. Scott" (other suspect names include Jim Holt, James Wood, Manohla Dargis?) is directly responsible for the computer crime or censorship that I struggle against. Furthermore, I believe that some of those "authors" have also been victimized by insertions in their articles.
I do not know "A.O. Scott," nor whether this is a "real person's name." I recognize Mr. Denby's style because I have read David Denby's prose for years. I think highly of Mr. Denby's criticisms of films. I am sure that he could not have written some of the reviews attributed to him recently that damage his reputation -- perhaps more severely than people realize -- and tarnish the image of a once much-admired magazine. "Geoffrey O'Brian" may be doing the same for The New York Review of Books. Is Mr. O'Brian also "Manohla Dargis"? ("Manohla Dargis Strikes Again!" then see "What is it like to be plagiarized?" and "'Brideshead Revisited': A Movie Review.")
An earlier version of this review appeared in Google Groups on July 14, 2012. I will not delete that review so that readers may compare my essays with the subsequent review of "Prometheus" published in The New York Review of Books. To my knowledge, the first mention of "Solaris" in connection with "Prometheus" appeared in U.S. media only after my published review established the reference. I am sure that this is merely a coincidence. No corrections or editing was possible at Google Groups.
Introduction.
Ages ago, near a waterfall on earth, a being from another galaxy wanders through a desolate landscape under the shadow of a spaceship. This "alien" makes the ultimate sacrifice to weave his DNA into the waters from which all life on earth emerged.
We cut to a near-future discovery by archeologist Shaw (Noomi Rapace, in a stellar performance) and her boyfriend, Halloway (Logan Marshall-Green), of cave paintings (Sistine Chapel?) pointing to our origins among the stars.
This directorial gesture is not about Von Daniken's "Chariots of the Gods," but about universal religious/mythological "origin stories" dramatizing metaphysical and scientific mysteries concerning human nature. The cave, in fact, becomes a master device in the movie as in Western philosophy to represent the psyche in relation to the world.
An eccentric and dying billionaire -- someone like Rupert Murdoch/Ridley Scott? -- sets up the corporate project of finding our unearthly progeniturs by means of the spaceship "Prometheus." This quest for the "fire of the gods" is as ancient as human civilization, as is the Romantic idea of "homecoming." The completion of the circle that is human history will also be signalled during the movie for audience members.
"Prometheus" (fittingly enough) is the vessel created for this specific purpose of stealing the mysteries from the gods. It is piloted by Janek (Mr. Elba doing his creative version of an "all-American mid-western accent"). The mission is headed by Meredith (Theron) and Dave (Fassbender), mirror images of gender ambiguity, neither of whom is very "human" although for very different reasons. Humanity, as an endangered category, is a major concern of this film.
"Prometheus" expresses important anxities and poses questions about human arrogance, scientific pretension, the continuing relevance of religion in a scientific age, the human capacity for aggression or self-destruction -- as a feature of our genetic programming or species identity -- and the redeeming power of genius and love as equally powerful aspects of our natures.
Unlike most popular films in the Hollywood tradition these days, this is not a cheerful, feel good, "happy ending" kind of a movie. Nevertheless, the film does offer hope by concluding with a small measure of "faith" (right word!) in humanity's ambiguous curiosity and heroism that makes us "survivors" in biological as well as moral meanings of the word.
"Prometheus" offers an essentially Christian vision of fallen humanity in a post-Christian age. Science is seen as both blessing and curse, but then, so is institutionalized religion. The film's preoccupation with death and transcendence hints at Mr. Scott's final summation of a lifetime's reflections on ultimate issues of meaning and creativity expressed in cinema.
I do not know and cannot say whether Mr. Scott is or has been ill. I hope that he is very well and that we will enjoy many more fine films made by this talented director. One cannot avoid the feeling, however, that Mr. Scott was compelled to offer what might be his final statement in this disturbing work.
"Prometheus," accordingly, is a powerful reflection on mortality by a man facing and coming to terms with his own death. An Executive Producer of this movie is Colin Wilson, whose novel "The Philosopher's Stone" is certainly an important influence on this work:
Wilson's subject is "original sin, the capacity for man's self-destruction, which grows out of his self-loathing, which grows inevitably out of the very psychological and philosophical revolutions that once freed him from even more stifling bonds. The Darwinian, Freudian, and behaviorist assumptions about man's slavery to his 'lower nature,' his helplessness in the hands of natural forces, merge, tragically enough, with the science of economics by Adam Smith, Ricardo, and Malthus ... and against this sense of oppression, of a total denial of 'freedom,' the poet" -- or filmaker? -- "must rebel, if he is to live. And rebelling, he must hate; he finds himself HATING. And in the words of that arch-ironist and hater, Robert Musil, 'One can't be angry with one's own time without damage to oneself.' ..."
Joyce Carol Oates, "Introduction," in Colin Wilson, The Philosopher's Stone (New York: Warner, 1974), pp. 7-8. Please compare Colin Wilson, "The Strange Story of Modern Philosophy," in The Essential Colin Wilson (Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1986), pp. 91-111 with Jeremy Rifkin & Ted Howard, Entropy: A New World View (New York: Bantam, 1981), pp. 248-257. ("The Heat Death of the Universe.")
This theme of "anger at one's own time" summarizes Musil's great novel: "The Man Without Qualities." Mr. Scott has been angry at his own century for some time. It is difficult not to share his anger. To be angry at one's time is to be skeptical about science's ability to describe or define ALL of human nature; it is to find room for religious wisdom, even as an atheist, and the arts in a technological age that trivializes both endeavors; it is to protest against evil and greed in their depersonalized and administrative forms, while loving humanity and life. These are the lessons of "Prometheus" and of Mr. Scott's life-work.
I will focus in my review on three symbols and their interactions: 1). the ring, signaling finality and completion, ending by means of a beginning as in T.S. Eliot's "Four Quartets"; 2). the crucifix, indicating religion's continuing importance amidst the forces of industry, commerce, and science; and 3). a severed head, the archetype of contemporary scientism or inhumanity as the death of classical humanism.
I. "The Ring": Hermeneutic Circles.
Dramatizations of ultimate issues leads to a natural association of "Prometheus" with several tragedies and poems by William Shakespeare, whose shade hovers over this film. Mr. Scott should offer Shakespeare a screen credit. I am sure that the Bard would happily accept such acknowledgement. For instance, Othello, in his agony, specifically alludes to "Promethean" hubris and the life-force:
... but once put out thy light,
Thou cunning'st pattern of excelling nature,
I know not where is that Promethean heat
That can thy light relume.
"Othello," Act V, sc. II, p. 114. (Floger Lib. Ed.)
Among other Shakespearean works borrowed from and referenced in "Prometheus" are "Hamlet" and "Lear," "The Tempest" and "MacBeth." Echoes of phrases from a variety of Shakespeare's texts are srpinkled throughout the script. Mr. Scott admires Shakespeare's plays and, evidently, is recognizing a debt to the greatest poet in the English language in this film.
At the center of the film, which purports to be a prequel or prelude to the "Alien" movies (hence, the ring worn by Ms. Rapace's character, "Shaw," that suggests a circle or return to origins) is a single question found in some form in all of Mr. Scott's films. This question is as old as Genessis and as recent as DNA: "What is human nature?"
This master issue leads to a number of related conundrums: What is life? Are we driven to consume, destroy, dominate all other life-forms in our paths? Or are we capable of choice, compassion, and love? Is evolution the amoral story of survival of life-forms everywhere in the universe in a contest of "fitness"? Or are we "designed" to cooperate even at the cost of survival for the individual (or species) as part of a grand scheme that we see only darkly? ("Is it rational to believe in God?" and "Is this atheism's moment?")
It is these collateral issues that raise the Promethean dilemma: Is knowledge only the ultimate quest for power? Is scientific knowledge the fruit of the tree of "forbidden" knowledge? Do we seek mastery of the laws of the universe in order to become gods as a serpent once suggested to Eve? Or do we seek understanding out of love for all that is? Do we seek to meet and unite with our maker? Or do we seek control and mastery even of God and the universe?
"Prometheus" gestures at the tragic costs of our perilous Faustian bargain with technology and at Mary Shelley's illustration of this theme in "Frankenstein." Ms. Shelley's novel was subtitled: "The Modern Prometheus."
"Cursed, cursed creator!" Frankenstein's monster wails, "Why, in that instant, did I not extinguish the spark of existence which you had so wantonly bestowed?"
"Frankenstein," p. 130. (A list of sources will be added to this essay in the days ahead providing my specific edition of this work. "The 'Galatea Scenario' and the Mind/Body Problem.")
We are driven to seek knowledge or mastery -- sometimes at the expense of others -- but we are also compelled to choose understanding of our fellow "subjects" in a world of "objects." We must "fuse our horizons" with others for the benefit all. The parallel to the virgin birth in Shaw's unwanted pregnancy is an acid-like comment on the Western mythology underlying our story.
Life is indeed "fused" in this movie with the primal sacrifice of the alien life-form in a prehistoric earth (with a bow to Kubrick's "2001, A Space Odyssey" and "A Clockwork Orange") culminating with a pilot's, Janek's (played by Idris Elba) heroic sacrifice for humanity (Spielberg/Kubrick, "A.I." and "Saving Private Ryan" then "Minority Report").
"Prometheus" is Mr. Scott's Polish movie. This is true not only because of Chopin's "Preludes" in the score. We get it: "Prometheus" is a prelude to "Alien." Also, this possibly final Ridley Scott movie is a completion of themes found in "Blade Runner," "Gladiator," "Robin Hood" and in terms of the sources for the movie. I do not know whether Mr. Scott has Polish ancestry. It certainly seems that this concentration on Polish sources is not accidental. (Aronofsky's "Solaris" was a Russian film with some Polish locations, I believe.)
For example, "Nostromo" is the name of the ship in "Alien" and also the title of Joseph Conrad's novel focusing on the collision between civilizations. Hence, "Lawrence of Arabia" and the tribute to David Lean. As detailed in T.E. Lawrence's "The Seven Pillars of Wisdom," a technologically dominant civilization will tend to exploit and destroy a weaker one. In this story, we human beings are the weaker civilization. Are there analogies to how the U.S. is behaving at the moment in the Middle East? Are Americans different from the British criticized by Lawrence of Arabia? Are we behaving in a manner that is worse than the British in "Arabia" during World War One? (Mr. Scott also directed "The Kingdom of Heaven.")
"Victory" is Joseph Conrad's matching novel on a "Tempest"-like theme -- Joseph Conrad is Ridley Scott's favorite novelist, or certainly one of them -- a theme that mirrors the plot of "Prometheus." Joseph Conrad is the great Polish-English chronicler of adventure on the high seas (outer space?) and within the human subconscious (the cave?).
Like Ridley Scot, the dying billionaire in the story seeks to defeat death through his enterprises. Unlike Mr. Scott -- or Joseph Conrad -- the fictional character on-screen is unsuccessful. Mr. Scott's films and Conrad's novels will certainly outlive most of us.
II. "The Crucifix": Religion within the province of reason alone.
The search for humanity's "Creator" and for human origins is really the search for ourselves. It is the effort to understand ourselves. Stanislas Lem writes:
"We take off into the cosmos, ready for anything, for solitude, for hardship, for exhaustion, death. Modesty forbinds us to say so, but there are times when we think pretty well of ourselves. And yet, if we examine it more closely, our enthusiasm turns out to be all a sham. We don't want to conquer the cosmos, we simply want to extend the boundaries of the Earth to the frontiers of the cosmos. ... we think of ourselves as the Knights of the Holy Contact. This is another lie. We are only seeking man. We have no need of other worlds. We need mirrors."
Solaris (New York: Harcourt, Inc., 1970), pp. 72-73. (Translated from the French by Joanna Kilmartin and Steve Cox, after the Polish text of 1961). Please compare Leszek Kolakowski, "On the So-Called Crisis of Christianity," in Modernity On Endless Trial (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997), p. 86. (Both Mr. Lem and Professor Kolakowski are Poles.)
The search for a "homecoming," the feeling of loss after God's departure from human history (Deus Absconditus), haunts this movie. This has nothing to do with a literal search for aliens who visited our planet centuries ago, but with the allegory of God or god-like "creators" of humanity to whom we may return. In order for humanity to be free. ("They designed us!") A creator-God's second action would be to disappear from the universe. ("'The Adjustment Bureau': A Movie Review.")
This defense of free will allowed by a vanishing God is a feature, for example, of the metaphysics of Erigena or John Duns Scotus. Nietzsche's comment that the death of God -- or the murder of the gods by man -- is an act that is "still too great for us!" is brought to mind in this movie. God's absence is felt and mourned by Mr. Scott whose Christian education and "faith" is showing in "Prometheus." (Think of the etymology of the word "Prometheus" -- superior to or "over and above the gods.") ("'The Matrix": A Movie Review" and "'Inception': A Movie Review.")
The archeologist, Shaw (Ms. Rapace), and her boyfriend, Halloway (Mr. Marshall), embody the curiosity that defines our species. They are among several pairs of dialectical twins ("Twelfth Night"?) in this movie, a kind of Adam and Eve in outer space: "Prometheus" has a twin-sister or parallel myth in the story of "Pandora" who unleashes all the evils in the world, but also provides "hope" for humanity. ("Where's my crucifix?")
A second pair of dialectical twins, Meredith (Theron) and the HAL and Peter O'Toole-like robot, Dave (played with relish by Michael Fassbender), dramatizes the tension between human and inhuman that obsessed twentieth-century science fiction and history, i.e., "Eichman in Jerusalem." For example, Philip K. Dick's "Blade Runner" and several of Mr. Dick's philosophical essays are concerned with this topic which is also examined in the works of Assimov, Bradbury, Ellison and Lem.
An obvious mythological reference for this dialectical and bi-gendered pair is Krishna/Arjuna in "The Bhagavad Gita." We do not find God among the aliens, but only the "mirror-image" of man -- selfish, brutal, appetitive, driven by an urge to dominance over others.
Plato's shadows on the cave wall become holograms suggesting a linkage to contemporary physics. The cave or dark interior of an ancient and abandoned spaceship becomes an image of the subconscious (movie theater?) by way of Conrad ("The Heart of Darkness") and Freud ("Civilization and Its Discontents"), but also a reflection of the Holocaust with the piling of alien bodies, like refuse, before a permanently shut door. Ghibertti's "Doors of Paradise" -- a sculpture that is roughly contemporary with Dante's "Divine Comedy" that describes Virgil's ascent only to the "doors" of paradise -- is one association here, but there are many others -- i.e., Thomas Mann's "Doctor Faustus" and "Death in Venice."
Death is the consequence of life. We are necessarily devouring organisms who excrete everything that we ingest, including this movie, eventually. Yet we are capable of love and self-giving. Our alienation from one another is often FURTHERED by science which reduces life-forms and subjectivities to laboratory "objects." A machine performs surgery on a person who is, scientifically, only another machine. How many robots are there in this movie? Has Mr. Scott experienced surgery recently? There but for the grace of God (you should forgive the expression) go all of us.
Technology makes us all nothing but intellect "connected" to machines with various "apps." Few of us, in fact, are now deeply connected to others, despite E.M. Forster's advice. We merely interact for mutual convenience. We have become all head and no heart. The history of our species has brought us to the edge of self-destruction by way of our marvelous gadgets. The question left to audiences at the conclusion of this movie and after we read the daily newspapers is -- "Will humanity survive?"
III. "A Severed Head": Scientism.
There are warnings in this film about contemporary culture's abandonment of religious traditions in favor of recent self-understandings, allegedly, based on what science tells us about ourselves -- that we should relinquish all quests for larger meanings. Abandonment of mythological meanings leaves humanity alienated from the cosmos and its own actions. T.S. Eliot writes: "Men and women cannot bear too much reality."
We cannot live without hope. We are said to be brutal, selfish apes, driven by genes; whether as cold administrators (like Meredith) without time for compassion, or as robots transforming persons into unwilling experimental animals. Is this grim knowledge concerning human delight in sadism the ultimate outcome of the scientific revolution? Not necessarily. (Dave asks Holloway: "How badly do you want to know?")
Meredith offers a wicked comment on Euro-politics in an age of austerity. Does the character of Meredith illustrate the cruelty of Ms. Merkel's policies for Greece? Or Spain? Is Dave or Meredith (Ms. Merkel?) more of a "robot"? Are both beings only "severed heads," representatives of Modernity as the worship of impersonal reason at the cost of humane compassion? What is the price of our scientific knowledge? Self-destruction? I hope not.
The film certainly suggests that instrumental reason divorced from human values leads to suicide. Is humanity flirting with suicide (death instinct) as a result of highly rational decisions for INDIVIDUAL nations that have insane consequences for the entire planet and human species? Mr. Scott thinks so. Many others agree with him.
Science gives us space travel as well as nuclear weapons and concentration camps. This may explain Mr. Scott's Polish sources in this film. After all, Auschwitz (symbol of the misuse of technology to create gas chambers) is located in Poland. Poland is a nation trapped between two greedy and powerful neighbors -- Russia and Germany or America. Poland is also a nation forced to choose in the twentieth century between Marx and Jesus. As in this movie, Jesus won that competition.
We need both science and faith. The search by Shaw for our human origins or the "gods" continues, as the curtain falls on our story, even as she chooses to pursue her quest further into the cosmos while wearing her crucifix.
Conclusion.
"For Gadamer, the sheer survival of our species is in question, because it possesses the weapons and the technology to destroy itself. Gadamer also appeared especially concerned with the ecological crisis, remarking, pessimistically, that probably no one knows how to solve it. ... 'Humankind cannot live without hope,' he often said. By this he meant not hope in the life hereafter, ... but rather confidence in life, in the life-struggle for our own survival."
Physical and MORAL survival are equally essential for Gadamer:
" ... '[We] must learn to stop and respect the other, as an other, whether it is nature or the growing cruelties of peoples and nations' [that may prevent this recognition.] ..."
Jean Grondin, Hans-George Gadamer: A Biography, p. 329.
Solutions to the severed head phenomenon are found in new modes (Postmodern) of scientific thinking that are sensitive to values and ambiguities, as features of scientific study itself, because they are aspects of human nature expressed in all that we do.
"Prometheus" is best classified as "Techno-Noir," a style pioneered way back in the eighties in the "Terminator" (James Cameron) and, more recently, in Spielberg's "Minority Report" as well as in "Total Recall." This genre is characterized by a fusion of traditional Noir characteristics from forties' cinema with sci-fi features dating from the fifties and later. Mr. Scott is an original and early contributor to this style of cinema in "Blade Runner" and "Alien."
Ms. Rapace does an especially fine job, as does Mr. Fassbinder in his role. Mr. Scott, like James Cameron, offers Joseph Conrad's solutions to life's mysteries: courage as we sail into the abyss, unapologetic faith or hope in humanity -- despite the horrors of our nature -- and confidence in humanity's aesthetic and intellectual striving tempered by wisdom along with the fundamental need for beauty. Most of all, love and compassion as our best qualities and slim chance for survival.
As a possible final statement from an important director, I cannot think of a better conclusion to a life's work celebrating hope for humanity than "Prometheus."
Sources:
Films referenced in "Prometheus":
1. "2001, A Space Odyssey."
2. "Lawrence of Arabia."
3. "Solaris."
4. "A.I."
5. "Minority Report."
6. "A Clockwork Orange/The Shining."
7. "Dr. Zhivago."
8. "The Terminator."
9. "The Omega Man."
10. "Silent Running."
11. "I am Legend."
12. "Planet of the Apes."
Books:
Works by or about Joseph Conrad:
Joseph Conrad, The Heart of Darkness (New York: Signet, 1991).
Bertrand Russell, "Joseph Conrad," in Portraits From Memory (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1956), pp. 86-92. (Perceptive comments on "The Heart of Darkness" and on Conrad's character. Russell's short stories should be examined after reading this essay. See especially, Russell's "Satan in the Suburbs" which earned Russell a Nobel prize in literature.)
Joseph Conrad, Victory (New York: Signet, 1991).
Joseph Conrad, Nostromo (New York: Signet, 1960). (Foreword by F.R. Leavis is excellent.)
Leo Gurko, Joseph Conrad: Giant in Exile (New York: Collier, 1962 & 1979).
Other Selected Works:
Philip K. Dick, Do Androids Dream Electric Sleep? (New York: Ballantine, 1968). ("Blade Runner.")
Harlan Ellison, Alone Against Tomorrow: Stories of Alienation in Speculative Fiction (New York: Collier, 1971).
Harlan Ellison, Dangerous Visions (New York: Signet, 1967).
Jean Grondin, Hans-Georg Gadamer: A Biography (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003).
James Gunn, Ed., From Here to Forever: The Road to Science Fiction #4 (New York: Signet, 1982).
Leszek Kolakowski, Modernity On Endless Trial (Chicago: University of Chicago, 1987).
Stanislas Lem, Solaris (New York: Harcourt, 1961).
James Merril, Ed., SF-12: New Dimensions in Science Fiction, Fantasy and Imagination (New York: Dell, 1968).
Jeremy Rifkin & Ted Howard, Entropy: A New World View (New York: Bantam, 1987).
Theodore Rozsak, The Memoirs of Elizabeth Frankenstein (New York: Random House, 1995).
William Shakespeare, Othello (New York: Simon & Schuster -- WSP, 1957). (Folger Lib. Ed. of Complete Works.)
Roger Shattuk, Forbidden Knowledge: A Landmark Exploration of the Dark Side of Human Ingenuity and Imagination (New York: Harcourt Brace, 1996).
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein (New York: Signet, 1965).
Lawrence Sutin, The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick (New York: Pantheon, 1993).
Saturday, August 25, 2012
What kind of justice is this?
August 30, 2012 at 10:55 A.M. Access to this dashboard was blocked by way of "Philosopher's Quest. "Errors" not found in previous copies of this essay have appeared. I will do my best to correct them. I was directed to http://talkingbooks.nypl.org then http://nypl.org/loc/man/cl-cfm then http://nypl.org/location/heiskell (I am writing at the Morningside Heights branch of the New York Public Library.)
August 25, 2012 at 1:50 P.M. Suddenly and mysteriouly -- like mana in the desert for the Israelites -- bold and italic script have become available, today. I will sacrifice a fatted calf later. This bounty may not last. Thus far, I have been prevented from printing at library computers. I will not be sharing any "ID Numbers" with hackers.
As I logged on today, August 27, 2012 at 2:25 P.M. I was directed to http://nypl.org/location/heiskell I am at the Morningside Heights branch of the library. I was required, twice, to close out a warning asking whether I wished "this to be my Internet connection or home page." This seems strange since I am at the NYPL (Morningside Heights).
Charles McGrath, "Vidal's Own Wit to Celebrate Him," in The New York Times, August 24, 2012, at p. C1. (Liz Smith, Elaine May, Elizabeth Ashley, Candice Bergen and many others, famous and not famous -- or infamous in some cases -- came together at the Broadway theater currently featuring "The Best Man" to honor the memory of Gore Vidal. I wish that I had been there. I wonder whether Mr. McGrath knows or can identify Mr. Ferguson, or the author of the "infamous" piece on Gore Vidal in The Weekly Standard? "Dormi Bene, Gore Vidal" and "Book Chats and 'Chits'" then "An Evening With Gore Vidal.")
Karen Sudol, "Entitled to Half or Nothing: Zisa's Ex-Wife Wants Pension, Even if Sentence Takes it Away," in The Record, August 24, 2012, at p. A-1. (Former Hackensack Police Chief and now convicted fraudster, Ken Zisa, is fighting over pension rights -- as regards only ONE of his public pensions -- against a former wife while appealing a prison sentence. Only in New Jersey: "New Jersey Pension Funds $50 Billion Short" and "Zisa is Convicted" at Google Groups" then "New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead.")
Use of printing services at NYPL computers is, evidently, gone forever as regards my humble essays. This means that I will be charged exhorbitant rates to copy my texts from public print shops. Harassment value, Mr. Menendez? ("Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?")
The continuing censorship and cybercrime on display here is fascinating for what it reveals about our collective indifference to cruelty and inhumanity by public officials. It is always dangerous for public officials in a democracy to act, secretly, on the lives of citizens. To seek to injure a person because you, as a public official, dislike or disapprove of that person's opinions or values is offensive to the Constitution and criminal. ("What is it like to be censored in America?" and "Struggle" at Google Groups.)
I believe that the "targeted cybercrime" aimed against me is part of continuing so-called "touchless torture" techniques designed to cover-up criminality by government officials or to prevent disclosure of embarassing files by New Jersey's Supreme Court and state police. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "Psychological Torture in the American Legal System.")
Once again: I am requesting, publicly, all torture files and/or reports by Terry Tuchin and/or Diana Lisa Riccioli -- or any other person, including any expert -- purporting to comment on me, my actions, and/or ethics submitted to the Office of Attoney Ethics (OAE) and/or the New Jersey Supreme Court, and/or any other governmental entity, federal or state, that is/are in the possession of New Jersey state or local governments. ("An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
I make this request under "open file" or "sunshine"laws in the state of New Jersey as well as "right-to-know" laws and applicable provisions of the federal Constitution and statutory laws.
As I type these words, I cannot be certain of whether I will be able to write, again, on-line nor whether I will manage to keep copies of my own writings. Uncertainty and anxiety is only a small part of the torture. Induced stress is a pervasive feature of my life, twenty-four hours per day, that is often combined with much worse. ("What is it like to be tortured?" and "Censorhip and Cruelty in New Jersey.")
I appreciate how hurtful these experiences of censorship and cybercrime are for witnesses as well as myself. Nevertheless, it is important that they be seen by Internet readers from all over the world. My protest is important to bringing about necessary changes in New Jersey law and ethics regardless of what you think of me or my opinions. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!")
My fall into apathy and/or despair would be useful for those who wish to silence dissent by destroying dissenters. There are many such persons in America and, especially, in New Jersey. I will not cooperate with your efforts to discourage me. I will never give up.
No matter what anyone says, publicly, the N.J. state police has a real problem with minority relations (racism) and must do more to correct the problem. Speeches will not be enough. ("Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism" and "Driving While Black [DWB] in New Jersey" then "Give Us Free!")
All content-based political censorship is unconstitutional and criminal, Mr.Menendez.
"What kind of justice is this?
Where the poor go to prison and the rich go free?
Where witneses are rented, bought, or bribed.
Where evidence is made or manufactured.
Where people are tried not because of any criminal actions
but because of their political beliefs.
Where was the justice for men at Attica?
Where was the justice for Medgar Evers, Fred Hampton, Clifford Glover?
Where was the justice for the Rosenbergs?
And where is the justice for the Native Americans who we presumptuously call Indians?"
Assata Shakur, Assata: An Autobiography (Connecticut: Laurence Hill & Co., 1987), p. 167.
Sources:
All ability to make use of italics and bold script is gone once again. The harassment as I struggled to log-on this afternoon may be designed to create a "bridge" -- or some other obstruction -- that will prevent me from reaching these blogs. If more than two days pass without a new post from me, or other alteration of the contents of these blogs, it means that I am prevented from writing against my will.
Ruth Baker, "Fighting the War On Women," MS, in , Spring/Summer, 2012, at p. 26. (Important.)
Stephanie Akin, "Chief Admits On-Duty Politics: Says Police Equipment Was Used in Campaigning," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. A-1. (Politicizing police services is dangerous in a democracy. Thomas Padilla, Chief of Hackensack's Police Department, is only the latest politician/cop in New Jersey to get in trouble for confusing his roles.)
Deena Yellin, "Towns Taken to Federal Court: Angry Citizens Bypass State Level," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. A-1. (New Jersey residents have figured out that the state court system is a joke. Chris Christie said: "Time to get off the beach, New Jersey!")
Mike Frassinelli, "Child Porn Charges Mount For Man, 52: Sexual Assault, Spying On Boys," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. A-4. (Patrick T. Deck arrested and charged in the state that leads the nation in child porn, allegedly.)
AP, "Teacher Receives 5-Year Term for Sex With Students: Guilty of Encounters With 5 in Home," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. A-5. (Brittini Nicole Colleps, 28, facing prison time for what is routine in Clifton, New Jersey -- child abuse. Friend of yours, Diana Lisa Riccioli? I wonder whether Diana Lisa Riccioli can shed some light on the computer crimes that I deal with every day?)
John Petrick, "Haledon Owes Its Top Cop $302,092: Payment of Legal Fees Ordered in Court Fight," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. L-1. (YOU will be paying Chief Luis Mercuro's legal fees.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Lawsuits Target 132 New Jersey Internet Users Over Sharing Porn: Studios Are Seeking Names and Addresses," in The Record, August 20, 2012, at p. L-1. (I wonder how many of these people have been among the hackers into my sites who have violated not only my intellectual property rights, but also those of Google, MSN, Yahoo and others, including Time/Warner.)
Stephanie Akin, "City Reports $2.48 MILLION Police Settlement: Hackensack Police Chief Faced Harassment Suit," in The Record, August 22, 2012, at p. A-1. (The ex-girlfriend of Frank Zisa, Jr. -- does she want half of his pensions? -- will receive $2.48 MILLION to settle a harassment suit which the taxpayers will have to cover. Ken Zisa is not the only member of the family with legal troubles. How long will people in N.J. put up with this nonsense?)
Tiffany Hall, "40% of U.S. Food Supply WASTED, Study Says," in The Record, August 22, 2012, at p. A-7. ($165 BILLION in uneaten food is wasted, every year, in America as thousands DIE of hunger in the world, every day. A family of four squanders $2,275.00 in food each year; 20 pounds of food per person, per month, is wasted. Much of this food can be recovered and may feed many persons. Please see: "Richard A. Posner On Voluntary Actions and Criminal Responsibility.")
Peter J. Sampson, "Lawyer, Facing Retrial in Killing, Seeks Hearing: Alleges Government Misconduct in Case," in The Record, August 22, 2012, at p. L-3. (I agree with Mr. Bergrin -- much as I hate to do so -- that the government's conduct in prosecuting him violates the Constitution.)
August 25, 2012 at 1:50 P.M. Suddenly and mysteriouly -- like mana in the desert for the Israelites -- bold and italic script have become available, today. I will sacrifice a fatted calf later. This bounty may not last. Thus far, I have been prevented from printing at library computers. I will not be sharing any "ID Numbers" with hackers.
As I logged on today, August 27, 2012 at 2:25 P.M. I was directed to http://nypl.org/location/heiskell I am at the Morningside Heights branch of the library. I was required, twice, to close out a warning asking whether I wished "this to be my Internet connection or home page." This seems strange since I am at the NYPL (Morningside Heights).
Charles McGrath, "Vidal's Own Wit to Celebrate Him," in The New York Times, August 24, 2012, at p. C1. (Liz Smith, Elaine May, Elizabeth Ashley, Candice Bergen and many others, famous and not famous -- or infamous in some cases -- came together at the Broadway theater currently featuring "The Best Man" to honor the memory of Gore Vidal. I wish that I had been there. I wonder whether Mr. McGrath knows or can identify Mr. Ferguson, or the author of the "infamous" piece on Gore Vidal in The Weekly Standard? "Dormi Bene, Gore Vidal" and "Book Chats and 'Chits'" then "An Evening With Gore Vidal.")
Karen Sudol, "Entitled to Half or Nothing: Zisa's Ex-Wife Wants Pension, Even if Sentence Takes it Away," in The Record, August 24, 2012, at p. A-1. (Former Hackensack Police Chief and now convicted fraudster, Ken Zisa, is fighting over pension rights -- as regards only ONE of his public pensions -- against a former wife while appealing a prison sentence. Only in New Jersey: "New Jersey Pension Funds $50 Billion Short" and "Zisa is Convicted" at Google Groups" then "New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead.")
Use of printing services at NYPL computers is, evidently, gone forever as regards my humble essays. This means that I will be charged exhorbitant rates to copy my texts from public print shops. Harassment value, Mr. Menendez? ("Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?")
The continuing censorship and cybercrime on display here is fascinating for what it reveals about our collective indifference to cruelty and inhumanity by public officials. It is always dangerous for public officials in a democracy to act, secretly, on the lives of citizens. To seek to injure a person because you, as a public official, dislike or disapprove of that person's opinions or values is offensive to the Constitution and criminal. ("What is it like to be censored in America?" and "Struggle" at Google Groups.)
I believe that the "targeted cybercrime" aimed against me is part of continuing so-called "touchless torture" techniques designed to cover-up criminality by government officials or to prevent disclosure of embarassing files by New Jersey's Supreme Court and state police. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "Psychological Torture in the American Legal System.")
Once again: I am requesting, publicly, all torture files and/or reports by Terry Tuchin and/or Diana Lisa Riccioli -- or any other person, including any expert -- purporting to comment on me, my actions, and/or ethics submitted to the Office of Attoney Ethics (OAE) and/or the New Jersey Supreme Court, and/or any other governmental entity, federal or state, that is/are in the possession of New Jersey state or local governments. ("An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
I make this request under "open file" or "sunshine"laws in the state of New Jersey as well as "right-to-know" laws and applicable provisions of the federal Constitution and statutory laws.
As I type these words, I cannot be certain of whether I will be able to write, again, on-line nor whether I will manage to keep copies of my own writings. Uncertainty and anxiety is only a small part of the torture. Induced stress is a pervasive feature of my life, twenty-four hours per day, that is often combined with much worse. ("What is it like to be tortured?" and "Censorhip and Cruelty in New Jersey.")
I appreciate how hurtful these experiences of censorship and cybercrime are for witnesses as well as myself. Nevertheless, it is important that they be seen by Internet readers from all over the world. My protest is important to bringing about necessary changes in New Jersey law and ethics regardless of what you think of me or my opinions. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!")
My fall into apathy and/or despair would be useful for those who wish to silence dissent by destroying dissenters. There are many such persons in America and, especially, in New Jersey. I will not cooperate with your efforts to discourage me. I will never give up.
No matter what anyone says, publicly, the N.J. state police has a real problem with minority relations (racism) and must do more to correct the problem. Speeches will not be enough. ("Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism" and "Driving While Black [DWB] in New Jersey" then "Give Us Free!")
All content-based political censorship is unconstitutional and criminal, Mr.Menendez.
"What kind of justice is this?
Where the poor go to prison and the rich go free?
Where witneses are rented, bought, or bribed.
Where evidence is made or manufactured.
Where people are tried not because of any criminal actions
but because of their political beliefs.
Where was the justice for men at Attica?
Where was the justice for Medgar Evers, Fred Hampton, Clifford Glover?
Where was the justice for the Rosenbergs?
And where is the justice for the Native Americans who we presumptuously call Indians?"
Assata Shakur, Assata: An Autobiography (Connecticut: Laurence Hill & Co., 1987), p. 167.
Sources:
All ability to make use of italics and bold script is gone once again. The harassment as I struggled to log-on this afternoon may be designed to create a "bridge" -- or some other obstruction -- that will prevent me from reaching these blogs. If more than two days pass without a new post from me, or other alteration of the contents of these blogs, it means that I am prevented from writing against my will.
Ruth Baker, "Fighting the War On Women," MS, in , Spring/Summer, 2012, at p. 26. (Important.)
Stephanie Akin, "Chief Admits On-Duty Politics: Says Police Equipment Was Used in Campaigning," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. A-1. (Politicizing police services is dangerous in a democracy. Thomas Padilla, Chief of Hackensack's Police Department, is only the latest politician/cop in New Jersey to get in trouble for confusing his roles.)
Deena Yellin, "Towns Taken to Federal Court: Angry Citizens Bypass State Level," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. A-1. (New Jersey residents have figured out that the state court system is a joke. Chris Christie said: "Time to get off the beach, New Jersey!")
Mike Frassinelli, "Child Porn Charges Mount For Man, 52: Sexual Assault, Spying On Boys," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. A-4. (Patrick T. Deck arrested and charged in the state that leads the nation in child porn, allegedly.)
AP, "Teacher Receives 5-Year Term for Sex With Students: Guilty of Encounters With 5 in Home," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. A-5. (Brittini Nicole Colleps, 28, facing prison time for what is routine in Clifton, New Jersey -- child abuse. Friend of yours, Diana Lisa Riccioli? I wonder whether Diana Lisa Riccioli can shed some light on the computer crimes that I deal with every day?)
John Petrick, "Haledon Owes Its Top Cop $302,092: Payment of Legal Fees Ordered in Court Fight," in The Record, August 18, 2012, at p. L-1. (YOU will be paying Chief Luis Mercuro's legal fees.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Lawsuits Target 132 New Jersey Internet Users Over Sharing Porn: Studios Are Seeking Names and Addresses," in The Record, August 20, 2012, at p. L-1. (I wonder how many of these people have been among the hackers into my sites who have violated not only my intellectual property rights, but also those of Google, MSN, Yahoo and others, including Time/Warner.)
Stephanie Akin, "City Reports $2.48 MILLION Police Settlement: Hackensack Police Chief Faced Harassment Suit," in The Record, August 22, 2012, at p. A-1. (The ex-girlfriend of Frank Zisa, Jr. -- does she want half of his pensions? -- will receive $2.48 MILLION to settle a harassment suit which the taxpayers will have to cover. Ken Zisa is not the only member of the family with legal troubles. How long will people in N.J. put up with this nonsense?)
Tiffany Hall, "40% of U.S. Food Supply WASTED, Study Says," in The Record, August 22, 2012, at p. A-7. ($165 BILLION in uneaten food is wasted, every year, in America as thousands DIE of hunger in the world, every day. A family of four squanders $2,275.00 in food each year; 20 pounds of food per person, per month, is wasted. Much of this food can be recovered and may feed many persons. Please see: "Richard A. Posner On Voluntary Actions and Criminal Responsibility.")
Peter J. Sampson, "Lawyer, Facing Retrial in Killing, Seeks Hearing: Alleges Government Misconduct in Case," in The Record, August 22, 2012, at p. L-3. (I agree with Mr. Bergrin -- much as I hate to do so -- that the government's conduct in prosecuting him violates the Constitution.)
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Hypocrisy, Lies, and Money in N.J. Law.
August 24, 2012 at 1:30 P.M. I am unable to print from laptops at the Morningside Heights branch of the NYPL. I will attempt to print from print shops in the future or other branches of the library. I will not sign-in to blogger except from library computers. (I continue to receive a request for my ID number when I try to print.)
I am at computer number #3, downstairs, 110th Street and Broadway, New York, New York.
August 23, 2012 at 2:45 P.M. I am unable to print items from NYPL computers today, despite using my library card to access the computer. This obstruction is the result of hacks into the NYPL computer, perhaps, or corruption of library employees by a person or persons unknown. I will attempt to print my texts tomorrow, if I am able to regain access to blogger from some library computer. ("How censorship works in America" and "What is it like to be censored in America?")
August 22, 2012 at 2:10 P.M. I made a reservation today at computer number #1, Morningside Heights branch of the NYPL. I was prevented from using this computer by a lecture which should have prevented my receipt of the reservation in the first place. ("Censorship, Again?" and "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey" then "More in Sadness Than in Anger.")
With the assistance of a librarian, I was reassigned to a desk-top computer (which is apparently easier to tamper with), where I was prevented from accessing blogger.
I will attempt to write, again, on August 23, 2012.
Use of frustrations, anxiety, as well as economic-professional harms, or personal destruction through behind-the-back efforts, are common in American politics and law. What I have experienced is much worse than the "norm" -- if there is such a term for such criminal efforts -- since sexual and other assaults are unusual even for sadists involved in such tactics. Anyway, I can never know from one day to the next whether I will be able to write, print, or edit my texts at blogger.
The goal of these government-developed psychological torture techniques is to "dehumanize persons ... making them 'walking coprses.'" Adjustment to the tortures is "learned helplessness, a surrender of identity and dignity" (comparable to slavery); torturers aim to make persons "indifferent to their own enslavement and/or death." ("Freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal.")
Ideally, for torturers, ALL "capacity for self-determination, ability to predict the future and to prepare for it, is systematically destroyed." When these methods are combined with financial pressures and induced social stigma produced by vilification through lies, over decades, the intended outcome for the victim is "suicide or severe psychosis." ("Psychological Torture in the American Legal System" and "American Doctors and Torture" then "America's Holocaust" and "Is America's Legal Ethics a Lie?" also "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" and "Torture.")
I believe the censorship I experience that is on display at these blogs is one small part of the psychological torture to which I have been subjected. My opinions have not changed. I will continue to express them. ("An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" then "Time to End the Embargo Against Cuba.")
William Neuman & Maggy Ayala, "Ecuador to Let Assange Stay In Its Embassy," in The New York Times, August 16, 2012, at p. A4. (UK still seeks to extradite Mr. Assange, possibly under CIA pressure, and now offers to exchange Tony Blair for Mr. Assange, allegedly. Ecuador has no desire to receive or host Tony Blair as, indeed, neither does Britain.)
Azam Ahmed & Ben Protess, "As Libor Fault-Finding Grows, It is Now Every Bank For Itself," in The New York Times, August 16, 2012, at p. A1. (HSBC, Barclays Bank, and others are heading for regulatory hearings in London where fines are expected in the equivalent of millions of dollars. No one has yet been indicted. Each of these banks is blaming the others for the financial crisis. I agree with all of them.)
Azam Ahmed & Ben Protess, "No Criminal Case is Likely in Loss at Corzine Firm; Inquiry Nears an End," in The New York Times, August 16, 2012, at p. A1. (3 months for this investigation? I have seen much smaller investigations take many more months.)
"A criminal investigation into the collapse of the brokerage firm MF Global and the DISAPPEARANCE of about $1 BILLION [more like $1.8 or close to $2 BILLION!] in customer money is now heading into its final stage without charges expected against any top executive."
This is a revealing example of the lies and hypocrisies detected by many observers of the American legal system. ("America's Holocaust" and "So Black and So Blue in Prison.")
There are persons serving multiple state prison sentences for thefts of a few thousand dollars. Mr. Corzine, indisputably, "appropriated client funds" (accidentally?) and sheltered his own assets while claiming under oath that he had "no knowledge of what happened."
This claim is somewhat undermined by e-mails and testimony by former colleagues who 1) advised Mr. Corzine of possible "merger" of funds; and 2) warned of the danger of losses and crises affecting accounts where Mr. Corzine's funds would be at risk.
This warning allowed Corzine to take dramatic and expedient action, promptly, before the stocks "hit the fan," as it were. ("Justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" then "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")
$1.8 BILLION or so of client money was lost, injuring, severely, persons in mutual funds and other small investors (i.e., pensioners) who trusted N.J.'s former governor while enriching the "elite" law firms who served Corzine/MF Global needs. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "Eric Wisler, Esq. is an Ethical New Jersey Attorney" then "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!" and "New Jersey Pension Funds $56 Billion Short" and "Senator Bob Says Xanadu and You Are Perfect Together!")
NONE of these models of integrity, former members of the New Jersey Bar Association's Ethics Committee, perhaps, and pillars of the community in the Garden State will face ethics or criminal charges, although law suits may be brought against Mr. Corzine.
The trustee in bankruptcy was reputedly "discouraged" from taking all actions necessary to protect assets for creditors, which is highly unusual and may be illegal. I wonder why that is?
New Jersey politicians have not risen on their soapboxes to demand that Mr. Corzine and/or others be indicted nor that the many urgent questions of victims be answered. How curious?
Rather, persons like Mr. Corzine and his lawyers -- including his son-in-law and former North Bergen Municipal Prosecutor, Scott Bazzani, Esq. -- will judge the ethics of others in the community, like the victims of this disaster perhaps. ("North Bergen, New Jersey is the Home of La Cosa Nostra" and "Jay Romano and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" then "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Law and Politics.")
This offensive and absurd -- I believe also RACIST -- reality is typical of the fraud and farce that is New Jersey law, especially, and of the corruptions of money and influence in American law generally. ("Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism" and "Driving While Black [DWB] in New Jersey.")
There is nothing to prevent Mr. Chiesa from seeking an indictment under applicable state laws not subject to federal preemption of the securities field. Mr. Chiesa has not indicated that he will indict Mr. Corzine. Gee, I wonder why not?
No wonder they want to prevent me from writing on-line and to keep you from reading these essays:
"Just a few individuals -- none of them top Wall Street players -- have been prosecuted for the risky acts that led to recent failures and billions of dollars in losses."
These losses have a lot to do with the European crisis that has produced misery for millions and that still threatens the lives of persons all over the globe.
Will Mr. Corzine seek asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy?
A list of sources will be attached to this essay in the days ahead, if I am able to regain access to the dashboard at blogger. I will try to find a place from which to print these essays to discourage repeated insertions of "errors" in the text.
SOURCES:
New York and the World:
David Itzhoff, "A Biography of Gore Vidal is Planned for 2015," in The New York Times, August 23, 2012, at p. C3. (Jay Parini, novelist and critic from Columbia University as well as friend of Mr. Vidal, will write a biography of the Maestro. A number of Vidal's manuscripts were not to be published until after his death. I expect that several "new" Vidal books will appear in the months or years ahead.)
Shane Harris, "Giving In to the Surveillance State," in The New York Times, August 23, 2012, at p. A25. (What if we give up privacy not to catch terrorists, but only to allow our government to become more totalitarian?)
"DNA and the Fourth Amendment," (Editorial) in The New York Times, August 6, 2012, at p. A16. (See what I mean? "Larry Peterson Cleared by DNA" and "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
"Names of the Dead," in The New York Times, August 22, 2012, at p. A9. (2,084 dead Americans in Afghanistan; new attacks in Iraq bring the total in that country to close to 10,000; more than 100,000 wounded in both conflicts and other "activity" in the region.)
James Dao & Andrew W. Lehren, "In Toll of 2,000, New Portrait of Afghan War," in The New York Times, August 22, 2012, at p. A1. (Continuing deaths of Americans at the hands of units trained by U.S. forces that have been penetrated by Taliban forces.)
Jessica Silver-Greenberg, "Laundering Case Settled by Bank For $340 MILLION," in The New York Times, August 22, 2012, at p. A1. (No criminal charges will be brought that will require anyone to serve time with this financial "resolution" of the matter: "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")
New Jersey's Fiasco:
Melissa Hayes & Kibret Marcos, "Lawsuit Will Center on Official's $1.5 MILLION Loan," in The Record, August 9, 2012, at p. A-1. (Investors may sue Mr. Schroeder for what amounts to a Ponzi scheme, even as the New Jersey Assembly member may continue to serve on the New Jersey Bar Association's Ethics Committee, perhaps. No wonder they don't want me to print these essays.)
John Reitmeyer, "Christie Seeking Outside Audits of Halfway Houses," in The Record, August 9, 2012, at p. A-3. (The incompetence and thefts as well as threats to the public must be controlled without turning the matter over to Democrats, who will merely seek to hurt the governor politically. Perhaps this scandal and alleged corruption will be the subject of Mr. Christie's keynote speech at the GOP convention?)
Zach Patberg, "Corrections Officer Sues Sheriff's Office: Alleges Coercion to Wrangle Latino Support," in The Record, August 10, 2012, at p. L-1. (C.O. ordered to raise campaign contributions from Latino community in order to keep his job.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Bergen Man, 9 Others Tied to Mortgage Scam: Indictment Says Scheme Cost Lenders More Than $40 MILLION," in The Record, August 10, 2012, at p. L-3. (Victims allege collusion with local politicians and judges as the only way this scam could have been pulled off. No one is going to prison at this time.)
Juliet Fletcher & John Reitmeyer, "N.J. Jobless Rate at 9.8%: Reaches Its Highest Level in 35 Years," in The Record, August 17, 2012, at p. A-1. (Employers dread corruption levels that are unmatched in America, gross incompetence in delivery of legal services, high taxes, state government controlled by organized crime.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Judge Upholds Prison Sentence in $100 MILLION Scam," in The Record, August 16, 2012, at p. L-3. ($100 MILLION Ponzi scheme results in 18 year sentence for culprit, Wayne Puff. None of the political friends of this individual will be charged. Mr. Puff will appeal and is offering fellow inmates a great investment opportunity, allegedly.)
Charles Stile, "Factional Feud: Battle Over County Police Merger Latest in a Long Line of Republican Skirmishes," in The Record, August 16, 2012, at p. A-1. (Bob Yudin belongs to Israeli interests financing his efforts, allegedly, and his opposition is connected to Mr. Christie, also allegedly. Who will control New Jersey's GOP? We will have to ask Jerusalem. "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.")
Kim Lueddeke, "Chief Defends Comp Request: Says He Doesn't Expect a Big Payout," in The Record, August 15, 2012, at p. A-1. (In addition to salary and overtime, Kevin Amos, is looking for 410 hours of comp time putting him at close to $300,000 in compensation, approximately.)
I am at computer number #3, downstairs, 110th Street and Broadway, New York, New York.
August 23, 2012 at 2:45 P.M. I am unable to print items from NYPL computers today, despite using my library card to access the computer. This obstruction is the result of hacks into the NYPL computer, perhaps, or corruption of library employees by a person or persons unknown. I will attempt to print my texts tomorrow, if I am able to regain access to blogger from some library computer. ("How censorship works in America" and "What is it like to be censored in America?")
August 22, 2012 at 2:10 P.M. I made a reservation today at computer number #1, Morningside Heights branch of the NYPL. I was prevented from using this computer by a lecture which should have prevented my receipt of the reservation in the first place. ("Censorship, Again?" and "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey" then "More in Sadness Than in Anger.")
With the assistance of a librarian, I was reassigned to a desk-top computer (which is apparently easier to tamper with), where I was prevented from accessing blogger.
I will attempt to write, again, on August 23, 2012.
Use of frustrations, anxiety, as well as economic-professional harms, or personal destruction through behind-the-back efforts, are common in American politics and law. What I have experienced is much worse than the "norm" -- if there is such a term for such criminal efforts -- since sexual and other assaults are unusual even for sadists involved in such tactics. Anyway, I can never know from one day to the next whether I will be able to write, print, or edit my texts at blogger.
The goal of these government-developed psychological torture techniques is to "dehumanize persons ... making them 'walking coprses.'" Adjustment to the tortures is "learned helplessness, a surrender of identity and dignity" (comparable to slavery); torturers aim to make persons "indifferent to their own enslavement and/or death." ("Freedom for Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal.")
Ideally, for torturers, ALL "capacity for self-determination, ability to predict the future and to prepare for it, is systematically destroyed." When these methods are combined with financial pressures and induced social stigma produced by vilification through lies, over decades, the intended outcome for the victim is "suicide or severe psychosis." ("Psychological Torture in the American Legal System" and "American Doctors and Torture" then "America's Holocaust" and "Is America's Legal Ethics a Lie?" also "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" and "Torture.")
I believe the censorship I experience that is on display at these blogs is one small part of the psychological torture to which I have been subjected. My opinions have not changed. I will continue to express them. ("An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" then "Time to End the Embargo Against Cuba.")
William Neuman & Maggy Ayala, "Ecuador to Let Assange Stay In Its Embassy," in The New York Times, August 16, 2012, at p. A4. (UK still seeks to extradite Mr. Assange, possibly under CIA pressure, and now offers to exchange Tony Blair for Mr. Assange, allegedly. Ecuador has no desire to receive or host Tony Blair as, indeed, neither does Britain.)
Azam Ahmed & Ben Protess, "As Libor Fault-Finding Grows, It is Now Every Bank For Itself," in The New York Times, August 16, 2012, at p. A1. (HSBC, Barclays Bank, and others are heading for regulatory hearings in London where fines are expected in the equivalent of millions of dollars. No one has yet been indicted. Each of these banks is blaming the others for the financial crisis. I agree with all of them.)
Azam Ahmed & Ben Protess, "No Criminal Case is Likely in Loss at Corzine Firm; Inquiry Nears an End," in The New York Times, August 16, 2012, at p. A1. (3 months for this investigation? I have seen much smaller investigations take many more months.)
"A criminal investigation into the collapse of the brokerage firm MF Global and the DISAPPEARANCE of about $1 BILLION [more like $1.8 or close to $2 BILLION!] in customer money is now heading into its final stage without charges expected against any top executive."
This is a revealing example of the lies and hypocrisies detected by many observers of the American legal system. ("America's Holocaust" and "So Black and So Blue in Prison.")
There are persons serving multiple state prison sentences for thefts of a few thousand dollars. Mr. Corzine, indisputably, "appropriated client funds" (accidentally?) and sheltered his own assets while claiming under oath that he had "no knowledge of what happened."
This claim is somewhat undermined by e-mails and testimony by former colleagues who 1) advised Mr. Corzine of possible "merger" of funds; and 2) warned of the danger of losses and crises affecting accounts where Mr. Corzine's funds would be at risk.
This warning allowed Corzine to take dramatic and expedient action, promptly, before the stocks "hit the fan," as it were. ("Justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" then "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")
$1.8 BILLION or so of client money was lost, injuring, severely, persons in mutual funds and other small investors (i.e., pensioners) who trusted N.J.'s former governor while enriching the "elite" law firms who served Corzine/MF Global needs. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "Eric Wisler, Esq. is an Ethical New Jersey Attorney" then "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!" and "New Jersey Pension Funds $56 Billion Short" and "Senator Bob Says Xanadu and You Are Perfect Together!")
NONE of these models of integrity, former members of the New Jersey Bar Association's Ethics Committee, perhaps, and pillars of the community in the Garden State will face ethics or criminal charges, although law suits may be brought against Mr. Corzine.
The trustee in bankruptcy was reputedly "discouraged" from taking all actions necessary to protect assets for creditors, which is highly unusual and may be illegal. I wonder why that is?
New Jersey politicians have not risen on their soapboxes to demand that Mr. Corzine and/or others be indicted nor that the many urgent questions of victims be answered. How curious?
Rather, persons like Mr. Corzine and his lawyers -- including his son-in-law and former North Bergen Municipal Prosecutor, Scott Bazzani, Esq. -- will judge the ethics of others in the community, like the victims of this disaster perhaps. ("North Bergen, New Jersey is the Home of La Cosa Nostra" and "Jay Romano and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" then "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Law and Politics.")
This offensive and absurd -- I believe also RACIST -- reality is typical of the fraud and farce that is New Jersey law, especially, and of the corruptions of money and influence in American law generally. ("Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism" and "Driving While Black [DWB] in New Jersey.")
There is nothing to prevent Mr. Chiesa from seeking an indictment under applicable state laws not subject to federal preemption of the securities field. Mr. Chiesa has not indicated that he will indict Mr. Corzine. Gee, I wonder why not?
No wonder they want to prevent me from writing on-line and to keep you from reading these essays:
"Just a few individuals -- none of them top Wall Street players -- have been prosecuted for the risky acts that led to recent failures and billions of dollars in losses."
These losses have a lot to do with the European crisis that has produced misery for millions and that still threatens the lives of persons all over the globe.
Will Mr. Corzine seek asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy?
A list of sources will be attached to this essay in the days ahead, if I am able to regain access to the dashboard at blogger. I will try to find a place from which to print these essays to discourage repeated insertions of "errors" in the text.
SOURCES:
New York and the World:
David Itzhoff, "A Biography of Gore Vidal is Planned for 2015," in The New York Times, August 23, 2012, at p. C3. (Jay Parini, novelist and critic from Columbia University as well as friend of Mr. Vidal, will write a biography of the Maestro. A number of Vidal's manuscripts were not to be published until after his death. I expect that several "new" Vidal books will appear in the months or years ahead.)
Shane Harris, "Giving In to the Surveillance State," in The New York Times, August 23, 2012, at p. A25. (What if we give up privacy not to catch terrorists, but only to allow our government to become more totalitarian?)
"DNA and the Fourth Amendment," (Editorial) in The New York Times, August 6, 2012, at p. A16. (See what I mean? "Larry Peterson Cleared by DNA" and "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
"Names of the Dead," in The New York Times, August 22, 2012, at p. A9. (2,084 dead Americans in Afghanistan; new attacks in Iraq bring the total in that country to close to 10,000; more than 100,000 wounded in both conflicts and other "activity" in the region.)
James Dao & Andrew W. Lehren, "In Toll of 2,000, New Portrait of Afghan War," in The New York Times, August 22, 2012, at p. A1. (Continuing deaths of Americans at the hands of units trained by U.S. forces that have been penetrated by Taliban forces.)
Jessica Silver-Greenberg, "Laundering Case Settled by Bank For $340 MILLION," in The New York Times, August 22, 2012, at p. A1. (No criminal charges will be brought that will require anyone to serve time with this financial "resolution" of the matter: "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")
New Jersey's Fiasco:
Melissa Hayes & Kibret Marcos, "Lawsuit Will Center on Official's $1.5 MILLION Loan," in The Record, August 9, 2012, at p. A-1. (Investors may sue Mr. Schroeder for what amounts to a Ponzi scheme, even as the New Jersey Assembly member may continue to serve on the New Jersey Bar Association's Ethics Committee, perhaps. No wonder they don't want me to print these essays.)
John Reitmeyer, "Christie Seeking Outside Audits of Halfway Houses," in The Record, August 9, 2012, at p. A-3. (The incompetence and thefts as well as threats to the public must be controlled without turning the matter over to Democrats, who will merely seek to hurt the governor politically. Perhaps this scandal and alleged corruption will be the subject of Mr. Christie's keynote speech at the GOP convention?)
Zach Patberg, "Corrections Officer Sues Sheriff's Office: Alleges Coercion to Wrangle Latino Support," in The Record, August 10, 2012, at p. L-1. (C.O. ordered to raise campaign contributions from Latino community in order to keep his job.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Bergen Man, 9 Others Tied to Mortgage Scam: Indictment Says Scheme Cost Lenders More Than $40 MILLION," in The Record, August 10, 2012, at p. L-3. (Victims allege collusion with local politicians and judges as the only way this scam could have been pulled off. No one is going to prison at this time.)
Juliet Fletcher & John Reitmeyer, "N.J. Jobless Rate at 9.8%: Reaches Its Highest Level in 35 Years," in The Record, August 17, 2012, at p. A-1. (Employers dread corruption levels that are unmatched in America, gross incompetence in delivery of legal services, high taxes, state government controlled by organized crime.)
Peter J. Sampson, "Judge Upholds Prison Sentence in $100 MILLION Scam," in The Record, August 16, 2012, at p. L-3. ($100 MILLION Ponzi scheme results in 18 year sentence for culprit, Wayne Puff. None of the political friends of this individual will be charged. Mr. Puff will appeal and is offering fellow inmates a great investment opportunity, allegedly.)
Charles Stile, "Factional Feud: Battle Over County Police Merger Latest in a Long Line of Republican Skirmishes," in The Record, August 16, 2012, at p. A-1. (Bob Yudin belongs to Israeli interests financing his efforts, allegedly, and his opposition is connected to Mr. Christie, also allegedly. Who will control New Jersey's GOP? We will have to ask Jerusalem. "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.")
Kim Lueddeke, "Chief Defends Comp Request: Says He Doesn't Expect a Big Payout," in The Record, August 15, 2012, at p. A-1. (In addition to salary and overtime, Kevin Amos, is looking for 410 hours of comp time putting him at close to $300,000 in compensation, approximately.)
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