April 14, 2012 at 12:10 P.M. No change in printer status. Sabotage of this essay is likely to continue.
April 12, 2012 at 1:55 P.M. The printer at my branch of the public library remains unrepaired. I am beginning to suspect that the library's repair persons also work for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. When foreign visitors speak of a society that "does not work any more," they are referring to countless examples of this defective governmental response to a communal need. I do not blame the library because there may be a political explanation for this possibly deliberate neglect of a library branch in a poor neighborhood. If so, then a more severe criticism may be appropriate, but not one aimed at library officials. Of course, this sabotaged printer may be a coincidence. However, I doubt that it's all just luck. ("Bernard Williams and Identity.")
Shawn Boburg, "Port Authority Faces Congressional Scrutiny: Transportation Bill Gives Audit Power to Top U.S. Watchdog," in The Record, March 15, 2012, at p. A-4.
Shawn Boburg, "Port Authority Opening Its Books: 21,000 Pages a Move Towards Transparency," in The Record, March 29, 2012, at p. A-1.
Kate Zernike, "Report Disputes Christie's Basis for Halting Train Tunnel," in The New York Times, April 10, 2012, at p. A18.
"The bi-state agency, [Port Authority,] already the subject of an audit ordered by the governors of New York and New Jersey and increasing scrutiny from lawmakers in both states, would also become the focus of a federal inquiry under a bill approved Wednesday by the U.S. Senate."
Politicians had to find some way to bring the PA within a kind of control or supervision after clear indications of ... "impropriety." Abuses surrounding overtime payments have been common for years, especially among construction professionals at the PA -- allegedly. ("Herbert Klitzner, Esq.'s Greed and New Jersey's Hypocrisy.")
" ... The Port Authority has been criticized as secretive, dysfunctional and unaccountable to the public since raising tolls as much as 50 percent in September. ..." (emphasis added!)
There have also been accusations of disappearing funds and outrageous fees paid to service providers in exchange for kickbacks, possibly, to prominent Democrats in Trenton (Mr. Codey?) who have used the interstate agency as a patronage mill. ("Is Stephen M. Sweeney, Esq. a Liar?")
The PA certainly has served as a cash machine for Democrat bosses for generations and, allegedly, also for the mafia. This may be a redundancy. ("Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics" and "Does Senator Menendez Have Mafia Friends?")
Seeking to forestall investigators, the PA has made a show of revealing its books. However, there may be more than one set of books. Federal investigators will probably be most interested in the financial books that are not being offered to the public for review. ("North Bergen, New Jersey is the Home of La Cosa Nostra" and "Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?" then "New Jersey is Lucky Luciano's Havana.")
Criticisms of Mr. Christie's cancellation of the tunnel project by Democrat-controlled entities become absurd in light of the PA's history of "mismanagement and corruption," allegedly. ("Richard J. Codey, Esq. Immortalized On Canvas at Taxpayer Expense" and "New Jersey's Legal System is a Whore House!" then "Another Mafia Sweep in New Jersey and Anne Milgram is Clueless!")
Christie cancelled the tunnel project because he expected further thefts of millions of dollars and a tunnel that would remain unfinished, like the Xanadu mall. ("New Jersey's Xanadu Mess!" and "New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead" then "Cement is Gold.")
"Cancelling the tunnel, then the largest public works project in the nation, helped shape Mr. Christie's profile as ... an enforcer of fiscal discipline in a country drunk on debt."
Mr. Christie's flirtation with corruption and nepotism in his own administration -- anything for his Republican friends! -- as well as the governor's ability to deal with crises (such as my matters) will test the sincerity of his reform efforts and capacity to lead. Mr. Christie must establish his claim to presidential status before a run in 2014. It is widely assumed in Trenton that Mr. Romney "ain't gonna make it." ("Is Christopher Christie 'Mentally Deranged' and a 'Liar'?" and "Christie Attacks New Jersey's Corrupt Judges.")
I hope that Mr. Christie will meet this challenge to his principles as distinct from his rhetoric. The jury is still out on Mr. Christie's sincerity as a "reformer," but not on his ambition as a "politician." ("Capice?" and "Christie Attacks New Jersey's Corrupt Judges.")
A list of sources indicating the continuing problems of corruption, incompetence, and theft (Mr. Garcia? Ms. Kricko? Ramon Gonzales, Esq.?) in New Jersey's political and legal system will be added to this essay in the days ahead.
Sources:
New York & the World:
Lizette Alvarez & Michael Cooper, "Prosecutor Files Charges of 2nd Degree Murder In Shooting of Martin," in The New York Times, April 12, 2012, at p. A1. (Would any of this prosecution be happening without political pressure?)
Edgard Thompson & Juliet Macee [Manohla Dargis?], "In Miami, Winning Clearly Isn't The Only Thing," in The New York Times, April 11, 2012, at p. A1. (OZZIE GUILLEN, manager of the Marlins baseball team, suspended for stating an opinion concerning Fidel Castro. In America, persons have -- or should have -- the right to express any opinion about a public figure. Besides, what Mr. Guillen said about Fidel Castro is, probably, a widely shared view in Latin America and the world: "Fidel Castro's 'History Will Absolve Me'" and "American Hypocrisy and Luis Posada Carriles.")
AP, "Former Prosecutor in Arizona is Disbarred," in The New York Times, April 11, 2012, at p. A16. ("Andrew Thomas" -- Mr. Tuchin, Mr. McGill? -- "the former top county prosecutor was disbarred in Arizona for violating the rules of conduct for lawyers in bringing criminal charges against two county officials and a judge in December 2009 with the purpose of embarassing them." Solicitation of grievances by OAE officials is unethical and may be criminal, Mr. McGill. Terry Tuchin, how many of your victims have been damaged for life? Diana, do you always have sex with those you question under hypnosis?)
Kate Zernike, "Christie Stands by His Decision to Cancel the Train Tunnel," in The New York Times, April 11, 2012, at p. A21. (Democrat efforts to generate criticisms against Christie for cancelling the "tunnel project" -- better known in Trenton as "the Mafia Assistance Program" -- will fail. Right decision, for once, Mr. Christie. Is "Kate Zernike" also "Kim Guardagno"? No conflict of interest? No wonder Christie gets great reviews in the Times.)
Declan Walsh, "Major Review by Pakistan Calls for an End to Drone Hits," in The New York Times, March 21, 2012, at p. A8. (Taliban gains ground in Pakistan. We will continue to get the message that the robot bomb campaign will cost U.S. lives. Are we listening?)
Noah Rosenberg, "Ex-Underboss Offers primer on Mob Life," in The New York Times, March 21, 2012, at p. A16. (SALVATORE VITALE, Bonano and Colombo crime family boss and alleged friend of Senator Bob may spend the rest of his life in prison. "Does Senator Menendez Have Mafia Friends?" and "Is Senator Menendez a Suspect in Mafia-Political Murder in New Jersey?")
New Jersey's "Forget About It" Situation:
Matt Friedman, "Governor Slams 2 Middlesex Democrats Over PACs: Assembly Accuses Christie of LYING Again," in The Star Ledger, April 12, 2012, at p. 17. (After accusations that VIRGINIA LONG lied about her sex life, STUART RABNER lied about Mr. Prisco, there are further claims that yet another member of the New Jersey Bar Association, Mr. Christie, lied about charges that Democrat JOHN WISNIEWSKI lied about his affiliation with a PAC affiliate with Middlesex Democrats -- like Mr. Sweeney, who has been accused of lying by Mr. Christie and others in New Jersey politics as well as the media. Do you "ladies and gentlemen" speak to me of "ethics" in the soiled courtrooms of New Jersey?)
Mary Ann Spoto, "Fewer Butts, More Plastic Bottles Litter the Shore," in The Star Ledger, April 12, 2012, at p. 17. (In addition to chemical waste and carcinogens, more plastic and other pollutants are now found on New Jersey's beaches thanks to paid-off inspectors and other corrupt officials in the Garden State. Snookie and Celeste Carpiano are not going swimming no more because of this situation here. Geez.)
"Senators Dig Into the Tunnel Issue, Not Christie," in The Star Ledger, April 12, 2012, at p. 19. (Democrat-generated attacks -- arranged by Mr. Lautenberg with Bob Menendez as water boy -- failed to hurt Christie. The Jersey Boys are frustrated by the "teflon governor.")
Matt Friedman, "Most New Jersey Voters Give Christie Thumbs Up, Poll Finds," in The Star Ledger, April 12, 2012, at p. 25. (Christie's job approval rating climbs to 59%, capice?)
Jason Grant, "Fired Teacher-Coach Enters Guilty Plea to Child Porn Charge," in The Star Ledger, April 12, 2012, at p. 31. (BRIAN STERN, 35, former 7th grade teacher pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing and distributing child porn, including images of children engaging in sexual conduct with adults. Mr. Stern ADMITTED distributing child porn. The situation suggests political protection -- for some time! -- for this man, in my opinion: At least 19 videos and 273 images of disgusting child porn were floating around in the defendant's home, perhaps more of this Jersey filth had already been distributed all over the country. It cannot be confirmed whether Mr. Stern's rabbi was Mr. Toledo of Passaic. Terry Tuchin? "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli" and "Psychological Torture in the American Legal System.")
Peter J. Sampson, "Judge's Neutrality Questioned in Rare Bias Challenge by U.S. Prosecutors," in the Record, March 29, 2012, at p. L-1. (U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey -- Paul Fishman is the Democrat's boy! -- will argue that a federal District Court Judge in New Jersey is sabotaging their case against Mr. Bergrin, possibly implying a "mob hook," as it were, in William J. Martini, the aforesaid judge and party of the first part. It's a Jersey thing. Badda bing, badda boom. You goin' down da shore?)
John Petrick, "Ex-Sheriff Denies Bias Motivated Officer's Transfer: Injured Worker Sued for Old Post," in The Record, March 30, 2012, at p. L-7. (Jerry Speziale, former Passaic County Sheriff with alleged underworld affiliations, is sued -- along with the county -- for racially, ethnically, and politically motivated demotion of former officer. Naturally, Mr. Speziale is now CONNECTED to the Port Authority. Mr. Speziale claims he "don't know from nothing.")
Stephanie Akin, "More Time Needed to Fill Jury in Chief's Misconduct Trial," in The Record, March 30, 2012, at p. L-7. (Opening arguments in the criminal trial of former Hackensack police chief, CHARLES "KEN" ZISA, who is alleged to have "underworld links," have begun. Mr. Zisa is likely to be convicted.)
