August 2, 2013 at 12:58 P.M. Numerous phone calls, irremovable pop-ups, other harassments suggest efforts to destroy my new computer and Internet connection are still underway in order to prevent me from writing on-line. I will continue to struggle by writing from multiple public computers.
August 1, 2013 at 1:46 P.M. I will be adding a list of sources in the days ahead indicating further corruption, child molestation, theft, and legal incompetence issues in New Jersey.
Duraid Adnan, "Wave of Car Bombs Kills Dozens in Iraq," The New York Times, July 30, 2013, p. A9. (Iraq continues to fall apart. The U.S. may be forced to return to prevent total disintegration of that society with a corresponding increase in geopolitical influence for Iran and Hezbollah.)
Ismail Khan, "Militants Attack a Prison in Northwest Pakistan," The New York Times, July 30, 2013, p. A7. (Islamic fundamentalist forces continue to threaten to gain more power as U.S. seeks to depart in 2014. Pakistan continues to draw us in. Will we go or will we stay?)
Mathew Rosenberg, "Despite Gains, Leader of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan Says Troops Must Stay," The New York Times, July 30, 2013, p. A7. (Will we leave Afghanistan in 2014? Despite President Obama's promise that we will leave in 2014, I doubt that we can do so.)
"Names of the Dead," The New York Times, July 30, 2013, p. A7. (2,239 dead Americans in Afghanistan; 120,000 wounded in both wars; 15,000 to 20,000 dead Americans in Iraq and Pakistan; about $2 billion per month in costs. "I told you so," Mr. Putin said. Do you expect much of a recovery under these circumstances no matter who is president? I don't.)
Charlie Savage, "Manning Found Not Guilty of Aiding the Enemy: Leaker Convicted of Most Other Charges," The New York Times, July 31, 2013, p. A1. (Pfc. Bradley Manning, not guilty of aiding the enemy, still faces years in prison on other charges of which he has been convicted. Manning is responsible for disclosing the truth concerning alleged U.S. war crimes.)
Staff & Wire Reports, "Sex-Traffic Crackdown in 46 States[,] Biggest Ever," The Star Ledger, July 30, 2013, p. 1. (New Jersey-based horror, again.)
Jason Grant, "Jersey Reality TV Couple Indicted: 'Real Housewives' Stars Teresa, Joe Giudice Face 39 Charges," The Star Ledger, July 30, 2013, p. 1. ("Teresa and her husband[,] Giuseppe -- 'Joe' -- Giudice ... face 39-count indictment on conspiracy and fraud charges." Mr. and Mrs. Giudice refuse to say whether they "know" Diana Lisa Riccioli or Jay Romano.)
Michael S. Schmidt, "F.B.I. Charges 159 Men With Forcing Teenage Girls Into Prostitution," The New York Times, July 30, 2013, p. A11. (N.J.-based national and international child-prostitution and -pornography ring. More arrests are coming. Allegedly, DIANA LISA RICCIOLI is a "person of interest" -- or more than that! -- in this investigation: "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" and "Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!")
" ... a nationwide operation led to the arrests over the last few days of 159 men charged with forcing about 105 teenage girls to work as prostitutes. [Alex Booth?] Some of the girls were as young as 13." (Times.)
More is coming in the ongoing investigation which has led to Atlantic City and, much less so, to Las Vegas. Young women and former victims of such horrors (Marilyn Straus?) have warned of this evil for years.
Regrettably, corrupt state governments have failed to act -- despite these warnings -- so that federal action was called for. New Jersey prosecutors, like Mike DiAndrea (Hudson County) and John Molinelli (Bergen County), have much to answer for and a great deal of inaction to explain. Payoffs? ("Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics" and "More Mafia Arrests in New Jersey.")
"The operation was part of a decade-long Justice Department program -- the Innocence Lost Initiative -- that is intended to break up [sic.] child prostitution rings. The program has led to the convictions of 1,300 people for PIMPING-related offenses, [Ms. Riccioli?] 10 of whom received life sentences[,] according to the F.B.I. ..." (Times.)
New Jersey's sick and continuing spectacle of child exploitation as well as hideous child-porn, abusive child-prostitution and worse is, once again, at center stage in these matters:
"One child was rescued in New Jersey during Operation Cross Country and five alleged pimps were among at least 70 ARRESTED IN AND AROUND JERSEY CITY [Hudson County, Bob Menendez turf!] Fairfield, and ATLANTIC CITY, said special agent, Barbara Woodruff." (The Star Ledger.)
This makes New Jersey, not Denver, the worst jurisdiction in the country for child abuse.
Amazingly, judges -- as will be seen in the list of sources to accompany this essay -- engage in sexual relationships with convicted criminals and/or others involved in loathsome industries requiring federal law enforcement attention. ("Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "Sybil R. Moses and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" then "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!")
Worse, these are only a few of the arrests this week in the Garden State for what has become a daily horror of child rape, torture, child porn and prostitution in America's "Soprano State." ("New Jersey Welcomes Child Molesters" and "New Jersey Superior Court Judge is a Child Molester" then "Judges in Bayonne, New Jersey Protect Child Molesters" and "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")
Barbara Buono, I am sure, denies any and all affiliations with persons involved in this conspiracy as well as denying any connection -- or even knowing -- Diana Lisa Riccioli. ("Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!" and "Jennifer Velez is a Dyke Magnet!" and, again, "Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" then "New Jersey's Child Sex Crisis" and "Is Menendez For Sale?")
The inability of New Jersey's Attorney General or ANY county prosecutors to deal with this massive state crisis continues to humiliate a jurisdiction that is ethically suspect at best and a huge embarrassment to America at worst. ("New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court" and "New Jersey's Legal System is a Whore House.")
New Jersey cannot sink further into humiliation and disgusting corruption because of this uncontrollable horror. Have you no shame in Trenton about this nightmare? ("Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?" and "New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead" then "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" then "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Menendez Consorts With Underage Prostitutes.")
Sources:
New York & the World:
Charlie Savage, "Manning Found Not Guilty of Aiding the Enemy: Leaker Convicted of Most Other Charges," The New York Times, July 31, 2013, p. A1. (Manning did not seek to aid the enemy, but to reveal evidence of crimes of war.)
Steven Lee Myers & Andrew E. Kramer, "Defiant Russia Grants Snowden a Year's Asylum: U.S. Is Infuriated by Decision On Leaker," The New York Times, August 2, 2013, p. A1. (No surprise after Mr. Holden's letter. I suspect that Mr. Snowden will remain in Russia for about a year, not permanently. He will probably visit Cuba, before reaching a final destination, assuming that he does not remain in Havana.)
Richard Perez-Pena, "Elite Colleges Differ On How They Aid Poor," The New York Times, July 31, 2013, p. A1. (Little is done to make elite educations available to the poor of all races, genders, and ethnicities.)
Jessica Silver-Greenberg & Ben Protess, "JP Morgan Looks to Pay to Settle U.S. Inquiries," The New York Times, July 31, 2013, p. B1. (Jamie Diamond is up to his old tricks.)
Edwardo Porter, "Inequalities in America: The Data is Sobering," The New York Times, July 31, 2013, p. B1. (National income for persons in the U.S. "trails ONLY that of Norway, Luxembourg, Singapore, Switzerland and Hong Kong, and soon, Japan." Quality of life -- after factoring in costs of higher education and health care -- is higher in 17 countries than in the U.S. at the moment.)
Clifford Krauss, "An Avenger, On the Defensive: Lawyer Who Beat Chevron in Equador Faces a Trial of His Own," The New York Times, July 31, 2013, p. B1. (Steven Danzinger, Esq. won an $18 BILLION judgment against Chevron and has been targeted for harassment, subjected to surveillance, following, legal actions and economic harms as well as threats. He is being targeted for legal ethics actions to deprive him of his license to practice law and may never see a penny of the judgment to be paid by Chevron. Worthy of the OAE, Chevron.)
Andrew Higgins, "A Trail of Masterpieces and a 'Web of Lies,' Leading to Anguish," The New York Times, July 27, 2013, p. A1. (Radu Dogaru stole famous artworks from Rotterdam which may now be lost forever.)
Michael S. Schmidt & Steven Lee Myers, "U.S. Letter Says Leaker Won't Face Death Penalty," The New York Times, July 27, 2013, p. A4. (U.S. tries to persuade Mr. Putin to accept our public rhetoric concerning the most discredited legal system in the First World. No deal.)
Scott Sayare, "France Orders Strauss-Khan to Stand Trial," The New York Times, July 27, 2013, p. A9. (Like John McGill of the OAE, Mr. Strauss-Khan may have run out of luck.)
Jonathan Martin, "Christie Assails Libertarian Shift on National Security by Some in the G.O.P.," The New York Times, July 27, 2013, p. A15. (Christie LIKES surveillance and loss of liberty for Americans.)
New Jersey's Open Sewer:
Jason Grant, "Hackers: The Big Take-Down -- Authorities Charge 5 With Running the U.S.'s Largest Cybercrime Scheme," The Star Ledger, July 26, 2013, p. 1. (World's greatest cybercrime, theft, organized crime organization to match Internet child prostitution, child porn, and other filth protected by corrupt officials. New Jersey remains America's child porn capitol.)
Steven Strunsky, "Analysis[:] P.A. Lost $58 MILLION on Premiums: Agency Admits It Overpaid For Years," The Star Ledger, July 25, 2013, p. 1. (How much was coming back to P.A. architects, engineers, and lawyers from grateful insurance brokers paying under the table bribes?)
Jarrett Renshaw & Salvador Rizzo, "Buono Expected to Anounce Hispanic Union Leader as Her Running Mate," The Star Ledger, July 26, 2013, p. 1. ("Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!" and "Diana's Friend Goes to Prison.")
AP, "Halliburton to Plead Guilty to Destroying Evidence After Gulf Coast Spill," The Star Ledger, July 26, 2013, p. 5. (Lawyer for Halliburton -- like New Jersey's OAE attorneys -- may have destroyed evidence and LIED about it. Most will serve on ethics committees and/or become federal judges, like Mr. Bush's torture lawyer, Jay S. Bybee.)
David Giambuso, "After Girl Goes Missing in R.I., Four-State Manhunt Ends With N.J. Man's Arrest," The Star Ledger, July 26, 2013, p. 1. (Another N.J. man arrested in American child sexual exploitation capitol: New Jersey's open sewer continues to stink.)
"Roselle: Teacher, Teacher's Aide Found Smoking Marijuana, Police Say," The Star Ledger, July 26, 2013, p. 21. (Other than judicial chambers and prisons, N.J. schools may be the best places to get illegal drugs. Roselle is Marilyn Straus' home town. I wonder how Marilyn is enjoying her Summer vacation?)
Anthony G. Alterino, "Perth Amboy: Cops -- 3 Face Drug Charges, Had $17K in SUV," The Star Ledger, July 26, 2013, p. 21. (Police often provide escorts for drug dealers in exchange for a percentage of the merchandise, as in Hudson County.)
Jarrett Renshaw, "Conflicting Judgments on the State's Revenue Collection," The Star Ledger, July 26, 2013, p. 25. (No more lies or monkey business with the numbers, Mr. Christie.)
Bill Wichert, "Lawyer Confirms That Judge is Living With Robbery Suspect," The Star Ledger, July 30, 2013, p. 11. (N.J. Superior Court Judge Carla Brady has borrowed a page from Debbie Poritz's book and "shacked-up" with a criminal defendant, not with a lesbian, but with, JASON PRONTNICKI, who pleaded guilty to receiving stolen prescription drug forms. Distribution of CDS? Most judges have sex in their chambers with younger and, one hopes, willing colleagues. Rarely do judges take home criminal defendants.)
AP, "Trenton: Doctor Receives Jail Term," The Star Ledger, July 30, 2013, p. 15. (Doctor may have supplied local cops, judges and lawyers with "oxycodone." [sic.] Jacqueline La Presti -- mafia? -- was ordered to forfeit $465,000 and pay $5,000. The 52 year-old "successful" woman is alleged to have said: "I didn't do nothing!" Heroin and cocaine have become drugs of choice in New Jersey's suburbs.)
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
New Jersey, Crime, and the Internet.
July 30, 2013 at 9:34 A.M. Attacks on NYPL computer #4 yesterday prevented me from signing-in to write this post. I will continue to struggle. Interestingly, the ironic reversal in a United States Attorney General seeking, unsuccessfully, to assure Russian officials that the U.S. will not torture or kill a person sought on criminal charges has not been commented upon in American media. This Snowden affair is a public relations coup for Mr. Putin as well as China, since Mr. Holder is not believed by a majority of Russians, nor by most Europeans for that matter. The American legal system, tragically, is not well regarded by most legal professionals in the world, at the moment, as Mr. Obama's second term drifts into a possible disaster. ("What is Law?" and "Ronald Dworkin's Jurisprudence of Interpretation" then "Richard A. Posner On Voluntary Actions and Criminal Responsibility.")
Peter J. Sampson, "5 Indicted in Massive Theft of Credit Data: 'Staggering' Losses Over the Years," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-1. (Israeli, Russian, Miami and New Jersey Internet mob destroyed.)
Hugh R, Morley, "N.J. Settles Case Over On-Line Ads: Planting 'Cookies' Costs Firm $1 MILLION," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-1. (More on-line scams.)
Abbott Koloff, "Priest Charged With Sex Case: Authorities Alerted to Girl's Initial Report," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-1. (Incidents of child molestation covered-up for years in New Jersey.)
Leslie Brody, "Ex-Parsippany Schools Chief Must Repay Salary Over Cap," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-8. (Compensation "under the table" that is received by New Jersey public officials is rarely reimbursed.)
AP, "Halliburton Admits to Destroying Evidence," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-11. (John McGill of the OAE may have done the same. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
Denise R. Superville, "East Orange Man Charged With $50,000 Identity Theft Scam: Allegedly Tapped Co-Workers' 401(K) Funds," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. L-2. (Maurice Golden, 33, allegedly linked to Essex County politicians, arrested. Are Mr. Codey and Mr. Booker among his friends?)
AP, "Man Found With Missing R.I. Girl, 13," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. L-3. (Another N.J. man in child molesting incident and/or network. "Daniel Berger" charged with transporting a minor for purposes of sexual activity. New Jersey's child molesting network is connected to on-line organized crime: "New Jersey Welcomes Child Molesters" and "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry.")
Jim Norman, "Arrest Made in Clifton Storage-Unit Burglaries: Garfield Man Eyed in Two-Dozen Thefts," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. L-3. (Kurt Bilin, 28, may have been bailed-out by persons affiliated with, or who "know" Diana Lisa Riccioli, allegedly.)
Organized computer crime is the cutting edge of highly lucrative financial crimes committed by sophisticated units, often made up of persons with law enforcement or intelligence backgrounds.
New Jersey's conservative Russian Jewish community that was so prominent in the Solomon Dwek matter enjoys the protection of many Right-wing politicians and may include Stuart Rabner among its "friends." ("Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?" and "Solomon Dwek May Become a Rabbi.")
A mob partnership with Miami's anti-Castro Cubans has created a genuine menace to Internet commerce for Americans and the world. ("Time to End the Embargo Against Cuba.")
The investigation by Paul Fishman -- New Jersey's U.S. Attorney and Stuart Rabner's friend -- began, allegedly, with information provided by Albert Gonzales, 32, of Miami, Florida. Mr. Gonzales is serving a 20-year sentence for computer crime and theft. Mr. Gonzales is very "successful," according to the denizens of South Beach, Miami.
Mr. Gonzales is rumored to be a "supporter" of Marco Rubio and Iliana Ros-Leghtinen as well as the Cuban American National Foundation. Affiliations between Senator Menendez and Mr. Gonzales cannot be confirmed. ("Cubanazos Pose a Threat to National Security" and "Cubanoids Protest Against Peace!")
"The alleged leaders of an international ring of computer hackers were charged Thursday in New Jersey with stealing at least 160 MILLION credit and debit card numbers and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in losses in what U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman called the largest scheme of its kind ever prosecuted in the United States."
In a single hacking incident dating from December, 2007 more than 130 million credit card numbers were taken generating losses around $130 MILLION in New Jersey. Massive theft is unlikely to occur without the cooperation of some N.J. authorities and police. Is this ethical, Mr. Rabner? ("Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics.")
It is suggested that some of these culprits and their friends may have been involved in computer attacks against my sites and NYPL computers. It also appears that some of these culprits may support Mr. Menendez and other officials in New Jersey. ("Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" and "Is Menendez For Sale?")
"Two of the Defendants Vladimir Drinerman, 37, and Dimitri Spilianetz, 29, both of Moscow, were arrested at the request of the United States while travelling in the Netherlands in June, 2012. Drinerman, an alleged hacker, who specialized in penetrating network security to gain access to the victims' [information] systems, is awaiting extradition to the United States."
These men are said to be part of an international organization that promotes the interests of Russian Jews. It cannot be confirmed whether TERRY TUCHIN, a G.O.P. operative and supporter of Governor Christie, is a member (official or unofficial) of the organization. ("So Black and So Blue in Prison" and "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
Among the other defendants, Aleksander Kalinin, 26, of St. Petersburg; Roman Kotov, 32, of Moscow; and Michail Kytikov, 26, of Odessa, Ukraine; are fugitives. [Perhaps they will travel to New Jersey?] Connections between these individuals and others who remain un-named in Israel [and America] cannot be confirmed. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "Cement is Gold.")
Do you speak to me of "ethis," New Jersey? ("New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics" and "New Jersey's Disgraced Judiciary" then "New Jersey's Unethical Judges.")
Sources:
New York & the World:
"Names of the Dead," The New York Times, August 14, 2013, p. A8. (2,245 dead Americans; about 15,000 wounded in Afghanistan; civilian and military casualties of American war efforts in Pakistan and Yemen are not listed.)
"Smarter Sentencing: Attorney general's call to reduce the prison population is a critical and overdue step," (Editorial) The New York Times, August 14, 2013, p. A22. (Nothing will happen to reduce inmate numbers as long as there is big money to be made for the incarceration industry by keeping millions in prison.)
Piper Kerman, "For Women, A Second Sentence," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, August 14, 2013, p. A23. ("It's devastating to move inmates far from their families." Is MARILYN STRAUS housed in the continental United States of America?)
Gina Kolata, "Scientists Fabricate Rudimentary Human Livers," The New York Times, July 4, 2013, p. A3. (Synthetic and organic replacements for body parts and organs are here: "'Elysium': A Movie Review.")
William Neuman & Allison Small, "Barring of Bolivia Plane Infuriates Latin America as Snowden Case Widens," The New York Times, July 4, 2013, p. A6. (Evo Morales incident's p.r. disaster makes U.S. look incompetent and bigoted.)
Mathew Rosenberg, "Despite Goals, Leader of U.S. Forces In Afghanistan Says U.S. Troops Must Stay," The New York Times, July 20, 2013, p. A7. (Obama says: "We're leaving!" Boehner says: "The president has a fund raiser to attend, so we'll handle security issues!")
Charlie Savage & Daniel E. Sanger, "Senate Panel Presses N.S.A. On Phone Logs," The New York Times, August 1, 2013, p. A1. (NSA is spying on Senate members.)
Steven Lee Meyers & Andrew Kramer, "Defiant Russia Grants Snowden Year's Asylum," The New York Times, August 2, 2013, p. A1. (U.S. is "infuriated" by Russia's, I think, correct decision to grant Mr. Snowden one year to make his way to safety, or establish his residency in Russia: "Psychological Torture in the American Legal System" and "American Doctors and Torture.")
"More Fog From Spy Agencies," (Editorial) The New York Times, August 1, 2013, p. A20. (No boundaries on N.S.A. surveillance.)
"Breaking Through Limits On Spying," (Editorial) The New York Times, August 9, 2013, p. A18. (NSA scans "EVERY overseas message from America" in clear violation of U.S. privacy laws affecting all international industries, travellers, guests of the country.)
New Jersey's Foul Absurdity:
Jason Grant, "Computer Whiz Gets 15 Year Sentence For Child Porn," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 6. (New center of cyber-child-porn and -prostitution in New Jersey as larger investigation draws to completion in August, 2013. RONALD OSHRIN of Budd Lake, New Jersey is cooperating with the authorities on an international investigation, allegedly. Names of New Jersey "persons" on this man's computer have not been disclosed.)
Christopher Baxter, "Trooper Gets Probation in High-Speed Cop Escort," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 17. (N.J. State Trooper playing high speed games endangering the public at 100 m.p.h. on the Turnpike. This seems to occur regularly with New Jersey State Troopers who also issue summonses to drivers for "speeding.")
Joe Morsynski, "Ex-Guard at Nursing Home Gets 7 Years For Sex Assault," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 21. (Joshua Murch, 30, took time off from alleged child molestation to sexually assault a senior citizen while being PAID by the taxpayers to ensure her safety in New Jersey, allegedly. Your tax dollars at work.)
Ron Zeitlinger, "North Bergen: Contractor -- 'I Bribed a Bank Officer'," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 21. (Rolando Cibeiro, 49, bribed officials to get government contracts and financing, something which could not be done without the knowledge and/or assistance of lawyers for both sides. "North Bergen, New Jersey is the Home of La Cosa Nostra.")
Sue Epstein, "Teacher Loses His Conviction Appeal," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 21. (Another child molesting teacher Franklin Jack Pur, 67, going nowhere on appeal, suggests child abuse is far more pervasive in America's "Child Porn Capitol" than people suppose.)
A.P. "Ex-Teacher Admits to Abuse of a Boy," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 28. (RABBI YOSEF KOLKO entered pleas to child abuse in Tom's River, allegedly, and he is connected to Mr. Rabner and Terry Tuchin, perhaps. "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?")
Denisa R. Superville & Jeff Green, "Parish Protesters Face-Off Over Cleric: Nutley Pastor Says He Won't Resign," The Record, May 13, 2013, p. L-1. (Monsignor Joseph Bonicchio won't resign over alleged inadequate supervision of accused child molesting priest, Michael Fugee.)
Colleen Long, "'Massive' Heist For the 21st Century: Global ATM Hack Nets $45 MILLION," The Record, May 10, 2013, p. A-1. (Much of the money "disappearing" came from N.J. accounts. New inquiries into Mr. Norcross's Bank of America may be related to this curious incident. In August, 2013 the investigation of the thefts seems to include more NEW JERSEY BANKS.)
Richard Cowen, "Blanco Finances Under Fire: Campaign Reimbursed Mayor $5,585," The Record, May 10, 2013, p. L-1. (Passaic Mayor Alex D. Blanco is under renewed investigation for financial irregularities even as he may serve on the Bar Association's Ethics Committee.)
Harvey Lipman, "Vendor Agrees to pay back $290,000: Street Sweeper Company OVERCHARGED Towns," The Record, May 10, 2013, p. L-3. (Allegedly, overcharged funds were coming back to politicians under-the-table. Curiously, Bob Menendez's street in Hoboken was among the first to be "swept," allegedly. Politicians from Bergen, Passaic and Morris County were affected. Alleged mafia affiliations are denied and remain under investigation. "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics.")
Peter J. Sampson, "5 Indicted in Massive Theft of Credit Data: 'Staggering' Losses Over the Years," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-1. (Israeli, Russian, Miami and New Jersey Internet mob destroyed.)
Hugh R, Morley, "N.J. Settles Case Over On-Line Ads: Planting 'Cookies' Costs Firm $1 MILLION," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-1. (More on-line scams.)
Abbott Koloff, "Priest Charged With Sex Case: Authorities Alerted to Girl's Initial Report," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-1. (Incidents of child molestation covered-up for years in New Jersey.)
Leslie Brody, "Ex-Parsippany Schools Chief Must Repay Salary Over Cap," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-8. (Compensation "under the table" that is received by New Jersey public officials is rarely reimbursed.)
AP, "Halliburton Admits to Destroying Evidence," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. A-11. (John McGill of the OAE may have done the same. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
Denise R. Superville, "East Orange Man Charged With $50,000 Identity Theft Scam: Allegedly Tapped Co-Workers' 401(K) Funds," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. L-2. (Maurice Golden, 33, allegedly linked to Essex County politicians, arrested. Are Mr. Codey and Mr. Booker among his friends?)
AP, "Man Found With Missing R.I. Girl, 13," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. L-3. (Another N.J. man in child molesting incident and/or network. "Daniel Berger" charged with transporting a minor for purposes of sexual activity. New Jersey's child molesting network is connected to on-line organized crime: "New Jersey Welcomes Child Molesters" and "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry.")
Jim Norman, "Arrest Made in Clifton Storage-Unit Burglaries: Garfield Man Eyed in Two-Dozen Thefts," The Record, July 26, 2013, p. L-3. (Kurt Bilin, 28, may have been bailed-out by persons affiliated with, or who "know" Diana Lisa Riccioli, allegedly.)
Organized computer crime is the cutting edge of highly lucrative financial crimes committed by sophisticated units, often made up of persons with law enforcement or intelligence backgrounds.
New Jersey's conservative Russian Jewish community that was so prominent in the Solomon Dwek matter enjoys the protection of many Right-wing politicians and may include Stuart Rabner among its "friends." ("Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?" and "Solomon Dwek May Become a Rabbi.")
A mob partnership with Miami's anti-Castro Cubans has created a genuine menace to Internet commerce for Americans and the world. ("Time to End the Embargo Against Cuba.")
The investigation by Paul Fishman -- New Jersey's U.S. Attorney and Stuart Rabner's friend -- began, allegedly, with information provided by Albert Gonzales, 32, of Miami, Florida. Mr. Gonzales is serving a 20-year sentence for computer crime and theft. Mr. Gonzales is very "successful," according to the denizens of South Beach, Miami.
Mr. Gonzales is rumored to be a "supporter" of Marco Rubio and Iliana Ros-Leghtinen as well as the Cuban American National Foundation. Affiliations between Senator Menendez and Mr. Gonzales cannot be confirmed. ("Cubanazos Pose a Threat to National Security" and "Cubanoids Protest Against Peace!")
"The alleged leaders of an international ring of computer hackers were charged Thursday in New Jersey with stealing at least 160 MILLION credit and debit card numbers and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in losses in what U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman called the largest scheme of its kind ever prosecuted in the United States."
In a single hacking incident dating from December, 2007 more than 130 million credit card numbers were taken generating losses around $130 MILLION in New Jersey. Massive theft is unlikely to occur without the cooperation of some N.J. authorities and police. Is this ethical, Mr. Rabner? ("Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics.")
It is suggested that some of these culprits and their friends may have been involved in computer attacks against my sites and NYPL computers. It also appears that some of these culprits may support Mr. Menendez and other officials in New Jersey. ("Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" and "Is Menendez For Sale?")
"Two of the Defendants Vladimir Drinerman, 37, and Dimitri Spilianetz, 29, both of Moscow, were arrested at the request of the United States while travelling in the Netherlands in June, 2012. Drinerman, an alleged hacker, who specialized in penetrating network security to gain access to the victims' [information] systems, is awaiting extradition to the United States."
These men are said to be part of an international organization that promotes the interests of Russian Jews. It cannot be confirmed whether TERRY TUCHIN, a G.O.P. operative and supporter of Governor Christie, is a member (official or unofficial) of the organization. ("So Black and So Blue in Prison" and "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")
Among the other defendants, Aleksander Kalinin, 26, of St. Petersburg; Roman Kotov, 32, of Moscow; and Michail Kytikov, 26, of Odessa, Ukraine; are fugitives. [Perhaps they will travel to New Jersey?] Connections between these individuals and others who remain un-named in Israel [and America] cannot be confirmed. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "Cement is Gold.")
Do you speak to me of "ethis," New Jersey? ("New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics" and "New Jersey's Disgraced Judiciary" then "New Jersey's Unethical Judges.")
Sources:
New York & the World:
"Names of the Dead," The New York Times, August 14, 2013, p. A8. (2,245 dead Americans; about 15,000 wounded in Afghanistan; civilian and military casualties of American war efforts in Pakistan and Yemen are not listed.)
"Smarter Sentencing: Attorney general's call to reduce the prison population is a critical and overdue step," (Editorial) The New York Times, August 14, 2013, p. A22. (Nothing will happen to reduce inmate numbers as long as there is big money to be made for the incarceration industry by keeping millions in prison.)
Piper Kerman, "For Women, A Second Sentence," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, August 14, 2013, p. A23. ("It's devastating to move inmates far from their families." Is MARILYN STRAUS housed in the continental United States of America?)
Gina Kolata, "Scientists Fabricate Rudimentary Human Livers," The New York Times, July 4, 2013, p. A3. (Synthetic and organic replacements for body parts and organs are here: "'Elysium': A Movie Review.")
William Neuman & Allison Small, "Barring of Bolivia Plane Infuriates Latin America as Snowden Case Widens," The New York Times, July 4, 2013, p. A6. (Evo Morales incident's p.r. disaster makes U.S. look incompetent and bigoted.)
Mathew Rosenberg, "Despite Goals, Leader of U.S. Forces In Afghanistan Says U.S. Troops Must Stay," The New York Times, July 20, 2013, p. A7. (Obama says: "We're leaving!" Boehner says: "The president has a fund raiser to attend, so we'll handle security issues!")
Charlie Savage & Daniel E. Sanger, "Senate Panel Presses N.S.A. On Phone Logs," The New York Times, August 1, 2013, p. A1. (NSA is spying on Senate members.)
Steven Lee Meyers & Andrew Kramer, "Defiant Russia Grants Snowden Year's Asylum," The New York Times, August 2, 2013, p. A1. (U.S. is "infuriated" by Russia's, I think, correct decision to grant Mr. Snowden one year to make his way to safety, or establish his residency in Russia: "Psychological Torture in the American Legal System" and "American Doctors and Torture.")
"More Fog From Spy Agencies," (Editorial) The New York Times, August 1, 2013, p. A20. (No boundaries on N.S.A. surveillance.)
"Breaking Through Limits On Spying," (Editorial) The New York Times, August 9, 2013, p. A18. (NSA scans "EVERY overseas message from America" in clear violation of U.S. privacy laws affecting all international industries, travellers, guests of the country.)
New Jersey's Foul Absurdity:
Jason Grant, "Computer Whiz Gets 15 Year Sentence For Child Porn," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 6. (New center of cyber-child-porn and -prostitution in New Jersey as larger investigation draws to completion in August, 2013. RONALD OSHRIN of Budd Lake, New Jersey is cooperating with the authorities on an international investigation, allegedly. Names of New Jersey "persons" on this man's computer have not been disclosed.)
Christopher Baxter, "Trooper Gets Probation in High-Speed Cop Escort," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 17. (N.J. State Trooper playing high speed games endangering the public at 100 m.p.h. on the Turnpike. This seems to occur regularly with New Jersey State Troopers who also issue summonses to drivers for "speeding.")
Joe Morsynski, "Ex-Guard at Nursing Home Gets 7 Years For Sex Assault," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 21. (Joshua Murch, 30, took time off from alleged child molestation to sexually assault a senior citizen while being PAID by the taxpayers to ensure her safety in New Jersey, allegedly. Your tax dollars at work.)
Ron Zeitlinger, "North Bergen: Contractor -- 'I Bribed a Bank Officer'," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 21. (Rolando Cibeiro, 49, bribed officials to get government contracts and financing, something which could not be done without the knowledge and/or assistance of lawyers for both sides. "North Bergen, New Jersey is the Home of La Cosa Nostra.")
Sue Epstein, "Teacher Loses His Conviction Appeal," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 21. (Another child molesting teacher Franklin Jack Pur, 67, going nowhere on appeal, suggests child abuse is far more pervasive in America's "Child Porn Capitol" than people suppose.)
A.P. "Ex-Teacher Admits to Abuse of a Boy," The Star Ledger, May 14, 2013, p. 28. (RABBI YOSEF KOLKO entered pleas to child abuse in Tom's River, allegedly, and he is connected to Mr. Rabner and Terry Tuchin, perhaps. "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?")
Denisa R. Superville & Jeff Green, "Parish Protesters Face-Off Over Cleric: Nutley Pastor Says He Won't Resign," The Record, May 13, 2013, p. L-1. (Monsignor Joseph Bonicchio won't resign over alleged inadequate supervision of accused child molesting priest, Michael Fugee.)
Colleen Long, "'Massive' Heist For the 21st Century: Global ATM Hack Nets $45 MILLION," The Record, May 10, 2013, p. A-1. (Much of the money "disappearing" came from N.J. accounts. New inquiries into Mr. Norcross's Bank of America may be related to this curious incident. In August, 2013 the investigation of the thefts seems to include more NEW JERSEY BANKS.)
Richard Cowen, "Blanco Finances Under Fire: Campaign Reimbursed Mayor $5,585," The Record, May 10, 2013, p. L-1. (Passaic Mayor Alex D. Blanco is under renewed investigation for financial irregularities even as he may serve on the Bar Association's Ethics Committee.)
Harvey Lipman, "Vendor Agrees to pay back $290,000: Street Sweeper Company OVERCHARGED Towns," The Record, May 10, 2013, p. L-3. (Allegedly, overcharged funds were coming back to politicians under-the-table. Curiously, Bob Menendez's street in Hoboken was among the first to be "swept," allegedly. Politicians from Bergen, Passaic and Morris County were affected. Alleged mafia affiliations are denied and remain under investigation. "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics.")
Saturday, July 27, 2013
America's Surveillance State
July 24, 2013 at 1:39 P.M. Certified mail, return receipts indicate packages to which I have alluded in previous posts have been received by Mr. Mintz (#7012-3460-0002-8380-9614) and Mr. Di Blasio (#7012-3460-0002-8380-9607). I will post the numbers of such receipts for packages sent to the FBI, IRS, and Mr. Vance in addition to the previously sent packages. The size of lettering and spacing may be altered by government hackers.
Will New Jersey ever learn?
Richard Cowen, "School Chief to Make $200,000: Signs 5-Year Deal to Move to Passaic," The Record, July 24, 2013, p. L-1. (PABLO MUNOZ, alleged Menendez supporter, signs a deal that guarantees him $200,000 per year. This is one of the poorest districts in the state.)
Joe Malinconico, "Principal Removed From Job: Gave Scalped Thanksgiving Speech," The Record, July 24, 2013, p. L-1. (Are school administrators worth every penny?)
Peter J. Sampson, "5 Arrested in $2.5 MILLION Tax Refund Scam," The Record, July 24, 2013, p. L-3. (Allegedly, politicians in the state -- perhaps including school administrators? -- were sharing in the scam money.)
Charlie Savage, "Roberts' Picks Reshaping Secret Surveillance Court: 10 of Its 11 Judges Are GOP Appointees -- Critics Fear Deference On Spying," The New York Times, July 26, 2013, p. A1. (Secret court with NO accountability and Right-wing bias is not reassuring to civil libertarians.)
Scott Shane, "Spy Agencies Under Heaviest Scrutiny Since Abuse Scandal of the '70s," The New York Times, July 26, 2013, p. A15. (Reservations about the national security state are growing.)
Charlie Savage, "In Closing Arguments, Prosecutor Casts Soldier as 'Anarchist' for Leaking Archives," The New York Times, July 26, 2013, p. A14. (Disclosures by Snowden, Manning and the activism of young persons -- like Aaron Schwartz -- have helped to awaken Americans to the threat to liberty posed by our own government. "Aaron Schwartz, Freedom, and American Law.")
Jonathan Weisman, "House's Attempt to Reign In N.S.A. [sic.] Narrowly Fails: Surveillance at Issue," The New York Times, July 25, 2013, p. A1. (No "reigning-in" of security agencies. The italics in the newspaper title were altered by hackers. I have tried to correct the problem. Apparently, someone connected to this newspaper does not wish for its errors to be seen.)
"A Bipartisan Warning On Surveillance: The Administration can no longer ignore the growing discomfort with broad spying powers," (Editorial) The New York Times, July 26, 2013, p. A22.
"In one of the most unusual votes in years, the House on Wednesday barely defeated an Amendment to curtail the National Security Agency's collection of every phone record, limiting it to records of people targeted in investigations. The vote was 205 to 217, and what was particularly remarkable was that 94 Republicans supported the limits, along with 111 Democrats who stood up to intense lobbying by the White House and its lobbyists."
Americans now realize that it is one thing to give the government extra powers in an "emergency," it is quite another to get those powers back from the government after the emergency has passed.
The emergency will never pass, the so-called "War on Terror" will never be won or lost, the need for special monitoring will never end. ("Perpetual War For Perpetual Peace.")
"Power is a hungry beast," as the Framers feared, that will always seek more of our liberties to devour. ("Manifesto For the Unfinished American Revolution.")
The people currently subject to monitoring (I am probably one of them) will not necessarily be persons suspected of committing any crimes, much less of planning terrorist actions of any kind. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
The persons subjected to surveillance and control -- often by the use of what are called "psychological methods" -- also to illegal searches, entries into our homes, moronic threatening letters, alterations, plagiarisms, theft or censorship of Constitutionally-protected writings will be dissidents or "unruly" intellectuals. (I know, you will "deny me all publication opportunities and starve me of all income and assets.")
People who think differently (or at all), persons who hold "controversial" as opposed to "P.C." or Conservative views -- depending on your preferences -- will draw government scrutiny, probably at the expense of the people who should be subject to scrutiny. ("What is it like to be plagiarized?" and "'Brideshead Revisited': A Movie Review" then "How censorship works in America.")
My offense may have been to provide irrefutable proof of the stupidity and ignorance of some politicians and judges who are not accustomed to being exhibited as fools. ("Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" and "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks.")
Among the dangers of power feared by the Framers of the Constitution is excessive or overweening pride. Abuse of authority, when power is made unaccountable to the people, is not merely "likely"; rather, such abuse becomes a certainty when powerful officials escape the boundaries of law:
"The arguments for unlimited record-keeping were remarkably thin. A White House spokesperson said the amendment was not 'the product of an informed, open, or deliberative process' -- a laughable assertion considering how uninformed the Administration wants the public to be about the loss of privacy. The Chairman [Chairperson?] of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Mike Rodgers of Michigan, said supporters seemed to have forgotten Sept. 11."
Knee-jerk reactions to the 9/11 flag will no longer suffice to halt inquiries into the use of secret power by state officials.
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel," according to Dr. Samuel Johnson. Patriotism is certainly the first recourse for proponents of government intrusions into all of our lives -- provided that THEY get to define patriotism. To insist on privacy rights, evidently, somehow makes us unpatriotic.
We must continue to struggle for our endangered freedom to think and speak "differently" or freely. We must hold on to the shrinking territory where we are permitted to be autonomous: homosexual acts, rightly, are protected by law. Perhaps consensual sexual acts among all adults will someday also be protected as beyond the reach of state surveillance, monitoring, and control. ("Skinny People Dressed in Black.")
Ironically, spying on Americans in their bedrooms is defended by politicians who claim to be against pornography, even as the nation spends more than $10 billion per year on erotica.
What we read -- if we are among the few Americans, proportionately, who do read -- is not and should not be the government's business.
What we write, even in our blogs, should also not be subject to regulation by the state. First Amendment rights are always in the interest of society, especially when we oppose government policy.
Some day -- I know that this is idealistic -- the values we impart to our children, belief in any values for that matter, respect for unpopular or minority views based on a commitment to the non-relative truth of liberty and diversity of opinions will once again be the American way. ("John Finnis and Ethical Cognitivism" and "Why I am not an ethical relativist.")
Perhaps this long-sought day will only come with the arrival of a new Administration in Washington, D.C.
As one of Mr. Obama's supporters and defenders, I must say that my disappointment is growing -- and yet, I am still hopeful that President Obama will fulfill the promises of his campaign by helping to make us a stronger and better people.
Will New Jersey ever learn?
Richard Cowen, "School Chief to Make $200,000: Signs 5-Year Deal to Move to Passaic," The Record, July 24, 2013, p. L-1. (PABLO MUNOZ, alleged Menendez supporter, signs a deal that guarantees him $200,000 per year. This is one of the poorest districts in the state.)
Joe Malinconico, "Principal Removed From Job: Gave Scalped Thanksgiving Speech," The Record, July 24, 2013, p. L-1. (Are school administrators worth every penny?)
Peter J. Sampson, "5 Arrested in $2.5 MILLION Tax Refund Scam," The Record, July 24, 2013, p. L-3. (Allegedly, politicians in the state -- perhaps including school administrators? -- were sharing in the scam money.)
Charlie Savage, "Roberts' Picks Reshaping Secret Surveillance Court: 10 of Its 11 Judges Are GOP Appointees -- Critics Fear Deference On Spying," The New York Times, July 26, 2013, p. A1. (Secret court with NO accountability and Right-wing bias is not reassuring to civil libertarians.)
Scott Shane, "Spy Agencies Under Heaviest Scrutiny Since Abuse Scandal of the '70s," The New York Times, July 26, 2013, p. A15. (Reservations about the national security state are growing.)
Charlie Savage, "In Closing Arguments, Prosecutor Casts Soldier as 'Anarchist' for Leaking Archives," The New York Times, July 26, 2013, p. A14. (Disclosures by Snowden, Manning and the activism of young persons -- like Aaron Schwartz -- have helped to awaken Americans to the threat to liberty posed by our own government. "Aaron Schwartz, Freedom, and American Law.")
Jonathan Weisman, "House's Attempt to Reign In N.S.A. [sic.] Narrowly Fails: Surveillance at Issue," The New York Times, July 25, 2013, p. A1. (No "reigning-in" of security agencies. The italics in the newspaper title were altered by hackers. I have tried to correct the problem. Apparently, someone connected to this newspaper does not wish for its errors to be seen.)
"A Bipartisan Warning On Surveillance: The Administration can no longer ignore the growing discomfort with broad spying powers," (Editorial) The New York Times, July 26, 2013, p. A22.
"In one of the most unusual votes in years, the House on Wednesday barely defeated an Amendment to curtail the National Security Agency's collection of every phone record, limiting it to records of people targeted in investigations. The vote was 205 to 217, and what was particularly remarkable was that 94 Republicans supported the limits, along with 111 Democrats who stood up to intense lobbying by the White House and its lobbyists."
Americans now realize that it is one thing to give the government extra powers in an "emergency," it is quite another to get those powers back from the government after the emergency has passed.
The emergency will never pass, the so-called "War on Terror" will never be won or lost, the need for special monitoring will never end. ("Perpetual War For Perpetual Peace.")
"Power is a hungry beast," as the Framers feared, that will always seek more of our liberties to devour. ("Manifesto For the Unfinished American Revolution.")
The people currently subject to monitoring (I am probably one of them) will not necessarily be persons suspected of committing any crimes, much less of planning terrorist actions of any kind. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
The persons subjected to surveillance and control -- often by the use of what are called "psychological methods" -- also to illegal searches, entries into our homes, moronic threatening letters, alterations, plagiarisms, theft or censorship of Constitutionally-protected writings will be dissidents or "unruly" intellectuals. (I know, you will "deny me all publication opportunities and starve me of all income and assets.")
People who think differently (or at all), persons who hold "controversial" as opposed to "P.C." or Conservative views -- depending on your preferences -- will draw government scrutiny, probably at the expense of the people who should be subject to scrutiny. ("What is it like to be plagiarized?" and "'Brideshead Revisited': A Movie Review" then "How censorship works in America.")
My offense may have been to provide irrefutable proof of the stupidity and ignorance of some politicians and judges who are not accustomed to being exhibited as fools. ("Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" and "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks.")
Among the dangers of power feared by the Framers of the Constitution is excessive or overweening pride. Abuse of authority, when power is made unaccountable to the people, is not merely "likely"; rather, such abuse becomes a certainty when powerful officials escape the boundaries of law:
"The arguments for unlimited record-keeping were remarkably thin. A White House spokesperson said the amendment was not 'the product of an informed, open, or deliberative process' -- a laughable assertion considering how uninformed the Administration wants the public to be about the loss of privacy. The Chairman [Chairperson?] of the House Intelligence Committee, Representative Mike Rodgers of Michigan, said supporters seemed to have forgotten Sept. 11."
Knee-jerk reactions to the 9/11 flag will no longer suffice to halt inquiries into the use of secret power by state officials.
"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel," according to Dr. Samuel Johnson. Patriotism is certainly the first recourse for proponents of government intrusions into all of our lives -- provided that THEY get to define patriotism. To insist on privacy rights, evidently, somehow makes us unpatriotic.
We must continue to struggle for our endangered freedom to think and speak "differently" or freely. We must hold on to the shrinking territory where we are permitted to be autonomous: homosexual acts, rightly, are protected by law. Perhaps consensual sexual acts among all adults will someday also be protected as beyond the reach of state surveillance, monitoring, and control. ("Skinny People Dressed in Black.")
Ironically, spying on Americans in their bedrooms is defended by politicians who claim to be against pornography, even as the nation spends more than $10 billion per year on erotica.
What we read -- if we are among the few Americans, proportionately, who do read -- is not and should not be the government's business.
What we write, even in our blogs, should also not be subject to regulation by the state. First Amendment rights are always in the interest of society, especially when we oppose government policy.
Some day -- I know that this is idealistic -- the values we impart to our children, belief in any values for that matter, respect for unpopular or minority views based on a commitment to the non-relative truth of liberty and diversity of opinions will once again be the American way. ("John Finnis and Ethical Cognitivism" and "Why I am not an ethical relativist.")
Perhaps this long-sought day will only come with the arrival of a new Administration in Washington, D.C.
As one of Mr. Obama's supporters and defenders, I must say that my disappointment is growing -- and yet, I am still hopeful that President Obama will fulfill the promises of his campaign by helping to make us a stronger and better people.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Questions Over N.J. Lawyer's Suicide.
July 24, 2013 at 2:02 P.M. The usual harassments as I write at NYPL, Morningside Heights. More good stuff about N.J. corruption is coming soon.
James G. Carr, "A Better Secret Court," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, July 23, 2013, p. A21. (There can be no such thing as a "good" secret court.)
Joe Nocera, "Guantanamo Rulings Change Little," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, July 23, 2013, p. A21. (There are no justifications for what we have done to the men at Guantanamo.)
Abbott Koloff, "Chiropractor Facing New Insurance Charges: Allegedly Paid 'Runners' to Refer Patients to Him," The Record, July 18, 2013, p. L-1. (Attorneys alleged to be connected to such dirty chiropractors and runners may include Jose Ginarte, Edgar Navarrete, Armando Hernandez. I never had a runner, but Mr. Ginarte thought that was foolish and "bad business.")
Jim Norman, "Paterson Psychiatrist Admits He Took Bribes: 2 Others Plead Guilty in Lab Case," The Record, July 18, 2013, p. L-1. (There is nothing new here. For years there have been allegations that so-called "therapists" TERRY TUCHIN of Ridgewood, New Jersey and DIANA LISA RICCIOLI of Clifton, New Jersey falsified their credentials to receive state money for drugging and subjecting victims to interrogational hypnosis. This cannot be confirmed or denied at this time: What did you do to Marilyn Straus, Diana? "Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!" and "Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")
Abbot Koloff, et als., "Lawyer Found Shot to Death: Ex-Prosecutor Killed Himself, Police Say," The Record, July 18, 2013, p. A-1.
"Former Bergen County Prosecutor John J. Fahy, a prominent attorney who made frequent television appearances as a legal analyst, apparently shot himself to death with a handgun Wednesday on a sidewalk along Route 17 South in East Rutherford after walking there from his Rutherford home, authorities said."
Mr. Fahy is someone I knew, slightly, as I knew Brian Neri. I also recall sharing calendar calls in Hackensack with Jack Ford, now a CBS reporter. As a former Bergen County insider, Mr. Ford may have an opinion on the Fahy death.
John Molinelli, current Bergen County Prosecutor and alleged organized crime-affiliated official, is vowing to investigate this matter thoroughly. ("John Molinelli's Ethics Problem.")
Rumors are that Mr. Fahy served as a "middle man" and cover-up specialist who may have been seeking to protect Bergen County insiders from an upcoming scandal. I wonder what that scandal could be? Among the possible candidates for this "protection" are persons like Sybil R. Moses, former Superior Court Judge in Bergen County. ("Sybil R. Moses and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "The Zisa Family Goes to the Matresses.")
It is also said that there was an OAE investigation (fixable?) of trust account records, which often may be used in Bergen County for money-laundering purposes. Much the same is true in Hudson County, right Gilberto Garcia? Ms. Kriko? Ramon Gonzales? ("Herbert Klitzner, Esq.'s Greed and New Jersey's Hypocrisy" and "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?")
Mr. Fahy has been embroiled in controversy "over the use of forfeiture funds -- money seized from criminals that is supposed to be used for law enforcement purposes. A report for the Record [sic.] showed that he used forfeiture money to stockpile a $5 MILLION surplus in the Prosecutor's Office and donated more than $100,000 to outside groups, [not all moneys are accounted for?] including about $29,000 for youth and educational programs sponsored by his alma maters, [sic.] Fairleigh Dickinson and Seton Hall."
There may be money "missing" from other accounts. Mr. Fahy was said to have served on the Bar Association's Ethics Committee in connection with my matters.
Whether some of this missing money also "went south," as John McGill would say, is impossible to determine at this time. Perhaps the OAE will share its opinion on this matter with the rest of us? ("Sexual Favors For New Jersey Judges" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" then "New Jersey Supreme Court's Implosion" and "New Jersey's Unethical Judiciary" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
James G. Carr, "A Better Secret Court," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, July 23, 2013, p. A21. (There can be no such thing as a "good" secret court.)
Joe Nocera, "Guantanamo Rulings Change Little," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, July 23, 2013, p. A21. (There are no justifications for what we have done to the men at Guantanamo.)
Abbott Koloff, "Chiropractor Facing New Insurance Charges: Allegedly Paid 'Runners' to Refer Patients to Him," The Record, July 18, 2013, p. L-1. (Attorneys alleged to be connected to such dirty chiropractors and runners may include Jose Ginarte, Edgar Navarrete, Armando Hernandez. I never had a runner, but Mr. Ginarte thought that was foolish and "bad business.")
Jim Norman, "Paterson Psychiatrist Admits He Took Bribes: 2 Others Plead Guilty in Lab Case," The Record, July 18, 2013, p. L-1. (There is nothing new here. For years there have been allegations that so-called "therapists" TERRY TUCHIN of Ridgewood, New Jersey and DIANA LISA RICCIOLI of Clifton, New Jersey falsified their credentials to receive state money for drugging and subjecting victims to interrogational hypnosis. This cannot be confirmed or denied at this time: What did you do to Marilyn Straus, Diana? "Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!" and "Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")
Abbot Koloff, et als., "Lawyer Found Shot to Death: Ex-Prosecutor Killed Himself, Police Say," The Record, July 18, 2013, p. A-1.
"Former Bergen County Prosecutor John J. Fahy, a prominent attorney who made frequent television appearances as a legal analyst, apparently shot himself to death with a handgun Wednesday on a sidewalk along Route 17 South in East Rutherford after walking there from his Rutherford home, authorities said."
Mr. Fahy is someone I knew, slightly, as I knew Brian Neri. I also recall sharing calendar calls in Hackensack with Jack Ford, now a CBS reporter. As a former Bergen County insider, Mr. Ford may have an opinion on the Fahy death.
John Molinelli, current Bergen County Prosecutor and alleged organized crime-affiliated official, is vowing to investigate this matter thoroughly. ("John Molinelli's Ethics Problem.")
Rumors are that Mr. Fahy served as a "middle man" and cover-up specialist who may have been seeking to protect Bergen County insiders from an upcoming scandal. I wonder what that scandal could be? Among the possible candidates for this "protection" are persons like Sybil R. Moses, former Superior Court Judge in Bergen County. ("Sybil R. Moses and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "The Zisa Family Goes to the Matresses.")
It is also said that there was an OAE investigation (fixable?) of trust account records, which often may be used in Bergen County for money-laundering purposes. Much the same is true in Hudson County, right Gilberto Garcia? Ms. Kriko? Ramon Gonzales? ("Herbert Klitzner, Esq.'s Greed and New Jersey's Hypocrisy" and "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?")
Mr. Fahy has been embroiled in controversy "over the use of forfeiture funds -- money seized from criminals that is supposed to be used for law enforcement purposes. A report for the Record [sic.] showed that he used forfeiture money to stockpile a $5 MILLION surplus in the Prosecutor's Office and donated more than $100,000 to outside groups, [not all moneys are accounted for?] including about $29,000 for youth and educational programs sponsored by his alma maters, [sic.] Fairleigh Dickinson and Seton Hall."
There may be money "missing" from other accounts. Mr. Fahy was said to have served on the Bar Association's Ethics Committee in connection with my matters.
Whether some of this missing money also "went south," as John McGill would say, is impossible to determine at this time. Perhaps the OAE will share its opinion on this matter with the rest of us? ("Sexual Favors For New Jersey Judges" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" then "New Jersey Supreme Court's Implosion" and "New Jersey's Unethical Judiciary" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Repeating the Lie Will Not Make it True.
I recently received a privately-printed card from what purports to be Fors Marsh Group, IRS Wage and Investment Customer Satisfaction Survey, Accounts Management/Adjustment, P.O. Box 42048, Arlington, VA 22204-9048. The signature on this card, allegedly, is "BRIAN K. GRIEPENTROG, PH.D., Director of Research, Fors Marsh Group LLC." (No "Order of the Coif" this time, "Malbus"?)
Interestingly, at the bottom right-hand corner of this card is the following code number: "L3_13257-F." (N.J.'s Law Division? OAE?)
Perhaps I have been unclear in previous comments on this matter. The IRS is required to comply with confidentiality provisions of the law. Private information concerning the assets and income, if any, of "tax payers" (the IRS does not have "customers") is not and cannot be disclosed to private parties, such as management consultants. Incidentally, it is "Ph.D." and not "PH.D."
The IRS was astonished to learn of this claim by "Fors Management Group" (CIA front? Or is this latest communication yet more unethical nonsense from New Jersey's OAE morons?) that is designed to obtain information from me about my family's finances. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
The "docket number" appearing over my name and my wife's name is: "#ADJWIXXXX1305522275201305." ("ADJ" usually refers to Appellate Division Judge or judiciary in New Jersey. The "X" may suggest top secret designation.)
I am embarrassed for whoever sent this card. Repeating this transparent lie will not help, even if the IRS can be persuaded to lie for Mr. Rabner, the OAE, or Bob Menendez. This level of incompetence in "covert operations" will get Americans killed in many places in the world.
I seem to be dealing with the "F-Troop" of intelligence or government agencies. At the risk of stating the obvious, I should point out that I am the victim of crimes rather than the criminal(s) in this matter.
I love the United States of America. I can only hope that the security of this great country does not depend on the person(s) responsible for sending these idiotic letters to me or on others like them. By the way, the letters have no postmark. Dodi? Joe? Is someone in my building being told to place such items in my mailbox?
Paul Lauritzen, The Ethics of Interrogation: Professional Responsibility in an Age of Terror (Georgetown: Georgetown U. Press, 2013).
Michael B. Mukasey, "Torture and Terror," First Things, August/September, 2013, pp. 60-63.
Supplemental Works:
David Cole, The Torture Memos (New York: The New Press, 2009).
Mark Danner, ed., Abu Ghraib: The Politics of Torture (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2004).
Mark Danner, ed., Torture and Truth, America, Abu Ghraib, and the War On Terror (New York: NYRB, 2004).
Ronald Dworkin, Justice in Robes (Cambridge: Harvard U. Press, 2006).
Charles Fried, Right and Wrong (Cambridge: Harvard U. Press, 1978).
Maria Pia Lara, ed., Rethinking Evil: Contemporary Perspectives (Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2001).
Derek Parfit, Reasons and Persons (Oxford: Oxford U. Press, 1986). (Part IV, pp. 351-502.)
I.
Michael Mukasey's recent review of a book by theologian Paul Lauritzen is clear and well-written. I plan to read the book by Professor Lauritzen with whom I expect to agree on a great deal since, I believe, that Mr. Lauritzen is essentially correct on the torture issue and concerning the warnings he offers to members of the legal profession and therapeutic communities regarding ethical limitations on what they may do in interrogating suspects.
Mr. Mukasey served as a District Court Judge from 1998 to 2006, then as Attorney General of the United States from 2007 to 2009 under President George W. Bush.
I suspect, although this is not explicitly stated, that Mr. Mukasey has intelligence and/or law enforcement experience, either with the C.I.A. or F.B.I. I further detect some level of military experience since battlefield metaphors and reasoning surfaces with alarming regularity in Mr. Mukasey's otherwise good, solid, and unpretentious prose.
Mr. Mukasey wishes readers to know that he is a plain-spoken man from a good middle-class background. This commendable persona may be part of the problem in his analysis.
Lawyers often seek to simplify and get to the "bottom-line," as it were, in controversies. However, there are situations in which the complexities simply cannot be "refined" away.
The complexities surrounding the discussion of America's interrogation and/or torture policies after 9/11 cannot be ignored or placed beyond the analysis of legal issues bearing on the "criminality" of the nation's practices in the so-called "War on Terror."
We cannot define away the issues nor deploy, say, the concept of "relevance" as against "prejudicial effect" in evidence law to dismantle the crux of the problem as regards torture. Hideousness and moral outrage at the reality of torture -- what we have done -- is precisely what must be confronted and dealt with, or resolved somehow.
It may help to focus on what, I believe, is a serious logical or philosophical error in this review of which Mr. Mukasey, whose good faith and sharp intellect I do not question, may be unaware:
"If even those who refuse to adhere to the rules get the benefit of the rules, who would voluntarily adhere to the rules?" (p. 60.)
Mr. Mukasey inserts a hidden philosophical premise that has multiple aspects and complexities: 1). compliance with international legal provisions is assumed to be exclusively based on the "rational self-interest of states and individuals," whether in the case of terrorists or those who capture them, both of whom are, allegedly, motivated exclusively by rational self-interest at all times; 2). "rational" self-interest is understood in narrow material and externalistic as well as behaviorist terms; and 3). "benefit" of compliance with human rights laws is also assumed to be based, on a game theory analogy, on reciprocity exclusively. ("John Rawls and Justice.")
All of these assumptions are false from the perspective of many scholarly and legal experts on these matters. I am sure that Professor Lauritzen was drawing on these sources which are not seen by Mr. Mukasey. Accordingly, Mr. Mukasey -- two pages after the above quote -- drives the final nail in his own coffin when he concludes:
"On 9/11, after two planes hit the World Trade Center and one hit the Pentagon, those in the White House were confronted with the decision of whether the order should be given to shoot down the fourth plane, even though the crew and all passengers, except the hijackers, were innocent. That order was in fact given. Was that the right decision? Why?" (p. 62.)
Mr. Mukasey's consequentialist and numerical basis for ethical reciprocity along with jurisprudential validity of decision-making is obvious, except to the author of this review, who feels no need to defend the positivist, utilitarian, and "numerate" philosophical commitments postulated or implicit in what he is saying.
In a publication entitled First Things it may be useful to define key terms and identify the philosophical options which cannot be avoided whatever decision is made in "hard cases." Hard cases do indeed make bad law because general principles are difficult to formulate from uniquely challenging scenarios that are usually about exceptions to general principles and rules.
II.
The reason to adhere to human rights laws that prohibit torture and to respect the dignity of persons -- including the most heinous criminals such as terrorists -- is first and foremost our own sense of self as Americans, as individuals and as a great nation. This has nothing to do with what we expect in return from such evil persons. ("Manifesto For Unfinished American Revolution" and "Ronald Dworkin's Jurisprudence of Interpretation.")
In addition to consequentialist and, specifically, utilitarian considerations, there are deontological factors having to do with the dignity of persons and OUR duty, regardless of what others do or fail to do, to respect that dignity despite the consequences of doing so in terms of unpopularity or risks of non-reciprocity. ("Zero Dark Thirty.")
If the decision is made to sacrifice the lives of 200 persons on a hijacked plane -- a plane which may be flown into a building killing several thousand more persons, or (equally likely) landed with the hijackers arrested -- then the 200 murders become the responsibility of the official ordering the plane to be shot down, if it is shot down, no longer the sole fault of the hijackers. This responsibility cannot remain a secret, but must be acknowledged and defended, publicly, in a democracy. No secret court's decision in such a matter is valid or worthy of respect in a democracy. ("America's Star Chamber" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
Several classic novels and works of philosophy have explored these scenarios pitting numerical considerations against choices at the level of principle. An entire issue of Philosophy and Public Affairs was devoted to this question (Volume #3, as I recall) which certainly interests me. Dramatic illustrations of these issues may be found, specifically, in novels by William Styron and John Fowles as well as many others, like Anthony Burgess. Mr. Mukasey failed to recognize the entire controversy in law and ethics dealing with these issues.
Ethics, right and wrong, is not exclusively about numbers. Ethics is about more than good and bad outcomes. Ethics and law are also about right and wrong choices, together with assigning responsibility for actions to particular agents, whatever the outcomes or consequences of such choices may be. Derek Parfit's work is centrally concerned with precisely these questions. ("Derek Parfit's Ethics" and "What is Enlightenment?")
Charles Fried has written extensively about these technical issues in law and metaethics. Professor Fried served as Solicitor General of the United States under President Reagan.
Actions are indeed measured by their consequences or effects, to be sure, but also by their motives and the range of alternatives available at any given time in light of "probable" as well as "possible" outcomes.
The killing of thousands of persons that results from a plane being flown into a building is the terrorist's evil. It is not the evil of a public official or nation unable to prevent this horror which may bear a much lesser degree of fault, or no fault for tragic events and actions that sometimes occur.
The world contains and will always confront us with evil, but it cannot present us with predetermined ethically or legally correct responses to such evils. We will be forced to interpret and choose among options, with no guarantees about outcomes, and should try to do so with some sense of fairness following general principles, like the categorical imperative and basic notions of justice:
"Standing behind the emphasis on right and wrong and on personal efficacy is a commitment to the moral situation of the individual. Individualism is often seen as a selfish doctrine allowing individuals to ignore the interests of others. Right and wrong, however, emphasize NOT the individual's selfish concerns [rational self-interest understood narrowly,] but his moral integrity, [or the integrity of law in Ronald Dworkin's term, the conscience of a free people,] and in this we come closer to the historic heart of individualism. If deontology, the theory of right and wrong, is solicitous of the individual, it is primarily solicitous of his claim to preserve his moral integrity, to refrain from being the agent of wrong, even if such fastidiousness means foregoing the opportunity to promote great good or to prevent great harm." (Fried, p. 2.)
I direct the reader to Justice Kennedy's opinion for the majority in United States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. ___, pp. 25-26 (2013), (slip opinion). (Use of terms "dignity," "demean," "disrespect.")
To suggest or endorse the proposition that "detainees [in America's concentration camps] were more likely to suffer injury from playing soccer or volleyball during recreational periods" (p. 62) is to insult the intelligence of readers of this publication. Worse is to say with a straight face that "there was no interrogation at Abu Ghraib." (p. 61.)
Mr. Danner's comments and evidence make such claims about Abu Ghraib absurd. There was interrogation and deliberate psychological torture of inmates at Abu Ghraib. Evil has a tendency to make even good men and women dissemble and evade the truth. (Mr. Rabner?)
We must stare evil in the face and be honest about what we, as a society, have done and will remain responsible for in terms of torture. As America's first African-American president, Mr. Obama may well be judged even more harshly than President George W. Bush for these sins.
III.
America's legal profession and therapists have failed, ethically, in this crisis of conscience concerning torture. Professor Lauritzen is correct to note we have eroded "society's trust in [both professions] by allowing for [the use of specialized learning] for a narrow political end" and to bring about great evil. (p. 61.)
Therapists have assisted in the actual infliction of torments on persons not charged with any offenses; lawyers have fashioned causistic and mendacious arguments, or ostensibly truthful reasoning (as in this review), to justify and defend what can only be called "evil." ("Is America's Legal Ethics A Lie?" and "Legal Ethics and Torture" then "American Doctors and Torture.")
The same sad conclusion applies to the New Jersey Supreme Court and legal establishment's efforts to lie and cover-up crimes committed against me and so many others. America has been stained and diminished by torture, drones, and other targeted assassinations. It is time to tell the truth to Americans and the world in order to make necessary amends.
Interestingly, at the bottom right-hand corner of this card is the following code number: "L3_13257-F." (N.J.'s Law Division? OAE?)
Perhaps I have been unclear in previous comments on this matter. The IRS is required to comply with confidentiality provisions of the law. Private information concerning the assets and income, if any, of "tax payers" (the IRS does not have "customers") is not and cannot be disclosed to private parties, such as management consultants. Incidentally, it is "Ph.D." and not "PH.D."
The IRS was astonished to learn of this claim by "Fors Management Group" (CIA front? Or is this latest communication yet more unethical nonsense from New Jersey's OAE morons?) that is designed to obtain information from me about my family's finances. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
The "docket number" appearing over my name and my wife's name is: "#ADJWIXXXX1305522275201305." ("ADJ" usually refers to Appellate Division Judge or judiciary in New Jersey. The "X" may suggest top secret designation.)
I am embarrassed for whoever sent this card. Repeating this transparent lie will not help, even if the IRS can be persuaded to lie for Mr. Rabner, the OAE, or Bob Menendez. This level of incompetence in "covert operations" will get Americans killed in many places in the world.
I seem to be dealing with the "F-Troop" of intelligence or government agencies. At the risk of stating the obvious, I should point out that I am the victim of crimes rather than the criminal(s) in this matter.
I love the United States of America. I can only hope that the security of this great country does not depend on the person(s) responsible for sending these idiotic letters to me or on others like them. By the way, the letters have no postmark. Dodi? Joe? Is someone in my building being told to place such items in my mailbox?
Paul Lauritzen, The Ethics of Interrogation: Professional Responsibility in an Age of Terror (Georgetown: Georgetown U. Press, 2013).
Michael B. Mukasey, "Torture and Terror," First Things, August/September, 2013, pp. 60-63.
Supplemental Works:
David Cole, The Torture Memos (New York: The New Press, 2009).
Mark Danner, ed., Abu Ghraib: The Politics of Torture (Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2004).
Mark Danner, ed., Torture and Truth, America, Abu Ghraib, and the War On Terror (New York: NYRB, 2004).
Ronald Dworkin, Justice in Robes (Cambridge: Harvard U. Press, 2006).
Charles Fried, Right and Wrong (Cambridge: Harvard U. Press, 1978).
Maria Pia Lara, ed., Rethinking Evil: Contemporary Perspectives (Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2001).
Derek Parfit, Reasons and Persons (Oxford: Oxford U. Press, 1986). (Part IV, pp. 351-502.)
I.
Michael Mukasey's recent review of a book by theologian Paul Lauritzen is clear and well-written. I plan to read the book by Professor Lauritzen with whom I expect to agree on a great deal since, I believe, that Mr. Lauritzen is essentially correct on the torture issue and concerning the warnings he offers to members of the legal profession and therapeutic communities regarding ethical limitations on what they may do in interrogating suspects.
Mr. Mukasey served as a District Court Judge from 1998 to 2006, then as Attorney General of the United States from 2007 to 2009 under President George W. Bush.
I suspect, although this is not explicitly stated, that Mr. Mukasey has intelligence and/or law enforcement experience, either with the C.I.A. or F.B.I. I further detect some level of military experience since battlefield metaphors and reasoning surfaces with alarming regularity in Mr. Mukasey's otherwise good, solid, and unpretentious prose.
Mr. Mukasey wishes readers to know that he is a plain-spoken man from a good middle-class background. This commendable persona may be part of the problem in his analysis.
Lawyers often seek to simplify and get to the "bottom-line," as it were, in controversies. However, there are situations in which the complexities simply cannot be "refined" away.
The complexities surrounding the discussion of America's interrogation and/or torture policies after 9/11 cannot be ignored or placed beyond the analysis of legal issues bearing on the "criminality" of the nation's practices in the so-called "War on Terror."
We cannot define away the issues nor deploy, say, the concept of "relevance" as against "prejudicial effect" in evidence law to dismantle the crux of the problem as regards torture. Hideousness and moral outrage at the reality of torture -- what we have done -- is precisely what must be confronted and dealt with, or resolved somehow.
It may help to focus on what, I believe, is a serious logical or philosophical error in this review of which Mr. Mukasey, whose good faith and sharp intellect I do not question, may be unaware:
"If even those who refuse to adhere to the rules get the benefit of the rules, who would voluntarily adhere to the rules?" (p. 60.)
Mr. Mukasey inserts a hidden philosophical premise that has multiple aspects and complexities: 1). compliance with international legal provisions is assumed to be exclusively based on the "rational self-interest of states and individuals," whether in the case of terrorists or those who capture them, both of whom are, allegedly, motivated exclusively by rational self-interest at all times; 2). "rational" self-interest is understood in narrow material and externalistic as well as behaviorist terms; and 3). "benefit" of compliance with human rights laws is also assumed to be based, on a game theory analogy, on reciprocity exclusively. ("John Rawls and Justice.")
All of these assumptions are false from the perspective of many scholarly and legal experts on these matters. I am sure that Professor Lauritzen was drawing on these sources which are not seen by Mr. Mukasey. Accordingly, Mr. Mukasey -- two pages after the above quote -- drives the final nail in his own coffin when he concludes:
"On 9/11, after two planes hit the World Trade Center and one hit the Pentagon, those in the White House were confronted with the decision of whether the order should be given to shoot down the fourth plane, even though the crew and all passengers, except the hijackers, were innocent. That order was in fact given. Was that the right decision? Why?" (p. 62.)
Mr. Mukasey's consequentialist and numerical basis for ethical reciprocity along with jurisprudential validity of decision-making is obvious, except to the author of this review, who feels no need to defend the positivist, utilitarian, and "numerate" philosophical commitments postulated or implicit in what he is saying.
In a publication entitled First Things it may be useful to define key terms and identify the philosophical options which cannot be avoided whatever decision is made in "hard cases." Hard cases do indeed make bad law because general principles are difficult to formulate from uniquely challenging scenarios that are usually about exceptions to general principles and rules.
II.
The reason to adhere to human rights laws that prohibit torture and to respect the dignity of persons -- including the most heinous criminals such as terrorists -- is first and foremost our own sense of self as Americans, as individuals and as a great nation. This has nothing to do with what we expect in return from such evil persons. ("Manifesto For Unfinished American Revolution" and "Ronald Dworkin's Jurisprudence of Interpretation.")
In addition to consequentialist and, specifically, utilitarian considerations, there are deontological factors having to do with the dignity of persons and OUR duty, regardless of what others do or fail to do, to respect that dignity despite the consequences of doing so in terms of unpopularity or risks of non-reciprocity. ("Zero Dark Thirty.")
If the decision is made to sacrifice the lives of 200 persons on a hijacked plane -- a plane which may be flown into a building killing several thousand more persons, or (equally likely) landed with the hijackers arrested -- then the 200 murders become the responsibility of the official ordering the plane to be shot down, if it is shot down, no longer the sole fault of the hijackers. This responsibility cannot remain a secret, but must be acknowledged and defended, publicly, in a democracy. No secret court's decision in such a matter is valid or worthy of respect in a democracy. ("America's Star Chamber" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")
Several classic novels and works of philosophy have explored these scenarios pitting numerical considerations against choices at the level of principle. An entire issue of Philosophy and Public Affairs was devoted to this question (Volume #3, as I recall) which certainly interests me. Dramatic illustrations of these issues may be found, specifically, in novels by William Styron and John Fowles as well as many others, like Anthony Burgess. Mr. Mukasey failed to recognize the entire controversy in law and ethics dealing with these issues.
Ethics, right and wrong, is not exclusively about numbers. Ethics is about more than good and bad outcomes. Ethics and law are also about right and wrong choices, together with assigning responsibility for actions to particular agents, whatever the outcomes or consequences of such choices may be. Derek Parfit's work is centrally concerned with precisely these questions. ("Derek Parfit's Ethics" and "What is Enlightenment?")
Charles Fried has written extensively about these technical issues in law and metaethics. Professor Fried served as Solicitor General of the United States under President Reagan.
Actions are indeed measured by their consequences or effects, to be sure, but also by their motives and the range of alternatives available at any given time in light of "probable" as well as "possible" outcomes.
The killing of thousands of persons that results from a plane being flown into a building is the terrorist's evil. It is not the evil of a public official or nation unable to prevent this horror which may bear a much lesser degree of fault, or no fault for tragic events and actions that sometimes occur.
The world contains and will always confront us with evil, but it cannot present us with predetermined ethically or legally correct responses to such evils. We will be forced to interpret and choose among options, with no guarantees about outcomes, and should try to do so with some sense of fairness following general principles, like the categorical imperative and basic notions of justice:
"Standing behind the emphasis on right and wrong and on personal efficacy is a commitment to the moral situation of the individual. Individualism is often seen as a selfish doctrine allowing individuals to ignore the interests of others. Right and wrong, however, emphasize NOT the individual's selfish concerns [rational self-interest understood narrowly,] but his moral integrity, [or the integrity of law in Ronald Dworkin's term, the conscience of a free people,] and in this we come closer to the historic heart of individualism. If deontology, the theory of right and wrong, is solicitous of the individual, it is primarily solicitous of his claim to preserve his moral integrity, to refrain from being the agent of wrong, even if such fastidiousness means foregoing the opportunity to promote great good or to prevent great harm." (Fried, p. 2.)
I direct the reader to Justice Kennedy's opinion for the majority in United States v. Windsor, 570 U.S. ___, pp. 25-26 (2013), (slip opinion). (Use of terms "dignity," "demean," "disrespect.")
To suggest or endorse the proposition that "detainees [in America's concentration camps] were more likely to suffer injury from playing soccer or volleyball during recreational periods" (p. 62) is to insult the intelligence of readers of this publication. Worse is to say with a straight face that "there was no interrogation at Abu Ghraib." (p. 61.)
Mr. Danner's comments and evidence make such claims about Abu Ghraib absurd. There was interrogation and deliberate psychological torture of inmates at Abu Ghraib. Evil has a tendency to make even good men and women dissemble and evade the truth. (Mr. Rabner?)
We must stare evil in the face and be honest about what we, as a society, have done and will remain responsible for in terms of torture. As America's first African-American president, Mr. Obama may well be judged even more harshly than President George W. Bush for these sins.
III.
America's legal profession and therapists have failed, ethically, in this crisis of conscience concerning torture. Professor Lauritzen is correct to note we have eroded "society's trust in [both professions] by allowing for [the use of specialized learning] for a narrow political end" and to bring about great evil. (p. 61.)
Therapists have assisted in the actual infliction of torments on persons not charged with any offenses; lawyers have fashioned causistic and mendacious arguments, or ostensibly truthful reasoning (as in this review), to justify and defend what can only be called "evil." ("Is America's Legal Ethics A Lie?" and "Legal Ethics and Torture" then "American Doctors and Torture.")
The same sad conclusion applies to the New Jersey Supreme Court and legal establishment's efforts to lie and cover-up crimes committed against me and so many others. America has been stained and diminished by torture, drones, and other targeted assassinations. It is time to tell the truth to Americans and the world in order to make necessary amends.
Friday, July 19, 2013
U.S. Drone Murders of Americans.
July 19, 2013 at 3:41 P.M. Continuing cybercrime and censorship may prevent me from writing at any time. I will continue to struggle to write on-line from some location. Corrections were made at NYPL, Inwood branch.
Monica Davey & Mary Williams Walsh, "Billions in Debt, Detroit Tumbles Into Insolvency," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A1. (Detroit's dilemma symbolizes, for many racists, the plight of America under President Obama: If African-Americans come to power, according to Right-wingers, then you can be sure that the result will be bankruptcy for your state or the nation.)
Kate Zernike, "Court Restricts Police Searches of Phone Data," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A1. (Hypocrisy and lies continue to characterize the N.J. court authorizing violations of privacy, censorship and cybercrime. What they say, publicly, is different from what they authorize, privately: "Peter G. Verniero and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")
Elizabeth Malkin, "Ex-Employee of C.I.A. Held In Abduction," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A4. (C.I.A. operative wanted in Italy for kidnapping and torture, possible murders, arrested in Panama after the seizure of a Cuban vessel. Did Fidel say "hello"? Or is this only a coincidence?)
Erin Banco, "Judge Upholds Charge Against Manning," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A16. (Bradley Manning's whistle-blowing is held to constitute "aiding the enemy." Private Manning is seen as a hero in many countries, including parts of the United States.)
David E. Sanger & Eric Schmidt, "N.S.A. Imposes Rules to Protect Secret Data Stored on its Networks," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A16. (N.S.A. "agents" have your life on file. Feel safer?)
Nasser al-Awlaki, "The Drone That Killed My Grandson," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A23.
If someone had suggested during the eighties and nineties when I was a law student and graduate student, or during my years of law practice, that the United States government would condone and practice torture; claim the right to assassinate Americans and anyone from any country who happens to be near the secretly targeted person who may be located anywhere in the world; or that the government would monitor, secretly, and intercept the communications and records of persons from all over the world, without warrant or notice, I would have regarded such claims as absurd and impossible.
These claims of absolutist or totalitarian power for American governments (from both parties now) make a mockery of the nation's Constitutional system of checks and balances with limited powers for government, where concern for human dignity requires recognition of zones of entitlement to "life, liberty, property" and "privacy" and/or the "pursuit of happiness" that may not be encroached by the state -- except under provisions of law that are highly specific and detailed, also subject to judicial review.
The Obama Administration's basic response is "don't worry, be happy." Mr. Holder's Justice Department and White House staff lawyers assure us that, as they are not Mr. Cheney or President George W. Bush, their violations of human rights -- that include killing people -- are nothing to worry about.
Last time I heard something similar was when Bill Clinton passed the Defense of Marriage Act that was recently struck down, in part, by the Supreme Court because it is "offensive" to the human dignity protected under privacy doctrine, due process, and equal protection principles.
It seems to me that killing people outside the boundaries of law, without notice or explanation, may be unconstitutional. Is the difference that, for the most part, persons killed by drones are brown-skinned Muslims -- even when they are Americans -- who are seen as subhuman in America?
It could be that good-old racism is rearing its ugly head again, but this time under the administration of America's first African-American president: Guantanamo is still open for business; we still kill our people, illegally, and are killing innocents from many countries with drones; and the government is spying on you, illegally.
Nasser al-Awlaki, who earned his doctorte in America, comments that his 16-year-old grandson and Amerian citizen Abdulrahman al-Awlaki was killed by a drone missile on October 14, 2011:
"The missile killed him, his teenage cousin and at least five other civilians ... while the boys were eating dinner at an open-air restaurant in southern Yemen."
It is important to remember that Trayvon Martin is not the only dark-skinned child murdered in our world. Each of these "little brown" lives, in accordance with the moral and legal tradition I celebrate, is entitled to respect and the concern of fellow citizens as well as legal institutions before it can be taken by state action. ("Little Brown Men Are Only Objects For Us" and "John Rawls and Justice.")
To target a person without informing him or her of the reason for the use of state power to harm or kill that person; and without allowing the victim to explain or defend him- or herself is dictatorship. ("Manifesto For the Unfinished American Revolution.")
Such criminal use of state power is deeply offensive to the Constitution's guarantee of liberty and equality for ALL persons. This contradiction and paradox in America's practice (as opposed to its rhetoric) is greeted with apathy and inaction by public officials, lawyers, judges, academics as well as ordinary citizens:
"The Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., said only that Abdulrahman was 'not specifically targeted,' raising more questions than he answered.' ..."
No apologies were offered to the boy's family, nor to the other deceased innocent persons' families, nor to the Yemeni government for the violation of its territorial integrity.
Murdered human beings were relegated to the status of "road kill" on the highway. If the lives of U.S. citizens and other persons do not merit any recognition from public officials taking those lives, for unstated reasons, then it is simply impossible to believe that the U.S. government adheres to the fundamental jurisprudential commitment that defines this society: the inviolability of rights to liberty and equality of persons before the law and against the power of the state.
"A country that believes it does not even need to answer for KILLING its own people is not the America I once knew." (emphasis added!)
These words were written by the victim's grandfather -- who has now lost a son and grandson to drone murders -- and who was denied standing to argue his case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The same Supreme Court, correctly, found standing in the gay marriage case for the begrieved living spouse of a woman denied equal dignity at her death. Mr. al-Awlaki must resort to expressing his outrage and pain before the court of public opinion.
Like me, Mr. al-Awlaki is denied the dignity of recognition for heinous injuries done by government. We are non-persons; we do not matter; no one cares about us. We are told that we are nothing. "We" now includes billions of persons who do not count; they may be injured by the U.S. government without redress.
"The very idea of a fundamental right of personhood rests on the conviction that, even though one's identity is constantly and profoundly shaped by the rewards and penalties, the exhortations and scarcities and constraints of one's social environment, the 'personhood' resulting from the process is sufficiently 'one's own' to be deemed fundamental in confrontation with the one entity that retains a monopoly over legitimate violence -- the government. Thus active coercion by government" -- or killing persons! -- "to alter a person's being, or deliberate neglect by government which permits a being to SUFFER, [Marilyn Straus?] are conceived as qualitatively different from the passive, incremental coercion that shapes all of life and for which no one bears responsibility."
Laurence Tribe, American Constitutional Law (New York: The Foundation Press, 1988), pp. 1305-1306 and all subsequent editions (emphasis added).
Monica Davey & Mary Williams Walsh, "Billions in Debt, Detroit Tumbles Into Insolvency," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A1. (Detroit's dilemma symbolizes, for many racists, the plight of America under President Obama: If African-Americans come to power, according to Right-wingers, then you can be sure that the result will be bankruptcy for your state or the nation.)
Kate Zernike, "Court Restricts Police Searches of Phone Data," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A1. (Hypocrisy and lies continue to characterize the N.J. court authorizing violations of privacy, censorship and cybercrime. What they say, publicly, is different from what they authorize, privately: "Peter G. Verniero and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")
Elizabeth Malkin, "Ex-Employee of C.I.A. Held In Abduction," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A4. (C.I.A. operative wanted in Italy for kidnapping and torture, possible murders, arrested in Panama after the seizure of a Cuban vessel. Did Fidel say "hello"? Or is this only a coincidence?)
Erin Banco, "Judge Upholds Charge Against Manning," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A16. (Bradley Manning's whistle-blowing is held to constitute "aiding the enemy." Private Manning is seen as a hero in many countries, including parts of the United States.)
David E. Sanger & Eric Schmidt, "N.S.A. Imposes Rules to Protect Secret Data Stored on its Networks," The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A16. (N.S.A. "agents" have your life on file. Feel safer?)
Nasser al-Awlaki, "The Drone That Killed My Grandson," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, July 19, 2013, p. A23.
If someone had suggested during the eighties and nineties when I was a law student and graduate student, or during my years of law practice, that the United States government would condone and practice torture; claim the right to assassinate Americans and anyone from any country who happens to be near the secretly targeted person who may be located anywhere in the world; or that the government would monitor, secretly, and intercept the communications and records of persons from all over the world, without warrant or notice, I would have regarded such claims as absurd and impossible.
These claims of absolutist or totalitarian power for American governments (from both parties now) make a mockery of the nation's Constitutional system of checks and balances with limited powers for government, where concern for human dignity requires recognition of zones of entitlement to "life, liberty, property" and "privacy" and/or the "pursuit of happiness" that may not be encroached by the state -- except under provisions of law that are highly specific and detailed, also subject to judicial review.
The Obama Administration's basic response is "don't worry, be happy." Mr. Holder's Justice Department and White House staff lawyers assure us that, as they are not Mr. Cheney or President George W. Bush, their violations of human rights -- that include killing people -- are nothing to worry about.
Last time I heard something similar was when Bill Clinton passed the Defense of Marriage Act that was recently struck down, in part, by the Supreme Court because it is "offensive" to the human dignity protected under privacy doctrine, due process, and equal protection principles.
It seems to me that killing people outside the boundaries of law, without notice or explanation, may be unconstitutional. Is the difference that, for the most part, persons killed by drones are brown-skinned Muslims -- even when they are Americans -- who are seen as subhuman in America?
It could be that good-old racism is rearing its ugly head again, but this time under the administration of America's first African-American president: Guantanamo is still open for business; we still kill our people, illegally, and are killing innocents from many countries with drones; and the government is spying on you, illegally.
Nasser al-Awlaki, who earned his doctorte in America, comments that his 16-year-old grandson and Amerian citizen Abdulrahman al-Awlaki was killed by a drone missile on October 14, 2011:
"The missile killed him, his teenage cousin and at least five other civilians ... while the boys were eating dinner at an open-air restaurant in southern Yemen."
It is important to remember that Trayvon Martin is not the only dark-skinned child murdered in our world. Each of these "little brown" lives, in accordance with the moral and legal tradition I celebrate, is entitled to respect and the concern of fellow citizens as well as legal institutions before it can be taken by state action. ("Little Brown Men Are Only Objects For Us" and "John Rawls and Justice.")
To target a person without informing him or her of the reason for the use of state power to harm or kill that person; and without allowing the victim to explain or defend him- or herself is dictatorship. ("Manifesto For the Unfinished American Revolution.")
Such criminal use of state power is deeply offensive to the Constitution's guarantee of liberty and equality for ALL persons. This contradiction and paradox in America's practice (as opposed to its rhetoric) is greeted with apathy and inaction by public officials, lawyers, judges, academics as well as ordinary citizens:
"The Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., said only that Abdulrahman was 'not specifically targeted,' raising more questions than he answered.' ..."
No apologies were offered to the boy's family, nor to the other deceased innocent persons' families, nor to the Yemeni government for the violation of its territorial integrity.
Murdered human beings were relegated to the status of "road kill" on the highway. If the lives of U.S. citizens and other persons do not merit any recognition from public officials taking those lives, for unstated reasons, then it is simply impossible to believe that the U.S. government adheres to the fundamental jurisprudential commitment that defines this society: the inviolability of rights to liberty and equality of persons before the law and against the power of the state.
"A country that believes it does not even need to answer for KILLING its own people is not the America I once knew." (emphasis added!)
These words were written by the victim's grandfather -- who has now lost a son and grandson to drone murders -- and who was denied standing to argue his case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
The same Supreme Court, correctly, found standing in the gay marriage case for the begrieved living spouse of a woman denied equal dignity at her death. Mr. al-Awlaki must resort to expressing his outrage and pain before the court of public opinion.
Like me, Mr. al-Awlaki is denied the dignity of recognition for heinous injuries done by government. We are non-persons; we do not matter; no one cares about us. We are told that we are nothing. "We" now includes billions of persons who do not count; they may be injured by the U.S. government without redress.
"The very idea of a fundamental right of personhood rests on the conviction that, even though one's identity is constantly and profoundly shaped by the rewards and penalties, the exhortations and scarcities and constraints of one's social environment, the 'personhood' resulting from the process is sufficiently 'one's own' to be deemed fundamental in confrontation with the one entity that retains a monopoly over legitimate violence -- the government. Thus active coercion by government" -- or killing persons! -- "to alter a person's being, or deliberate neglect by government which permits a being to SUFFER, [Marilyn Straus?] are conceived as qualitatively different from the passive, incremental coercion that shapes all of life and for which no one bears responsibility."
Laurence Tribe, American Constitutional Law (New York: The Foundation Press, 1988), pp. 1305-1306 and all subsequent editions (emphasis added).
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
New Jersey Tax Returns Obstructed.
July 17, 2013 at 2:24 P.M. No hot water for a shower today. Ice cold water helped cool me off. Harassment prevented me from writing at home. Maybe I'll try again later.
John Reitmeyer, "Computer System Delays N.J. Tax Returns: Thousands May Wait All Summer for Checks," The Record, July 12, 2013, p. A-1.
It appears that computer sabotage or incompetence -- possibly, also, "missing funds" and an unwillingness to admit to the shortfall -- explains the delays in New Jersey issuing much-needed refund checks to millions of residents of the state's fetid swamps and industrial parks.
" ... 'We gave them $1,300 that didn't belong to them,' said Sharon Patula, a former Hawthorn resident who now lives in South Carolina. 'I'm very frustrated.' ..."
For many poor persons suffering in the stifling heat near Trenton the lack of concern from public officials at this governmental incompetence, dishonesty, corruption and (perhaps) criminality from biased judges and politicians can only be called disgusting.
It is simply shameful how unconcerned are officials, like Stuart Rabner or Richard J. Codey and Stephen Sweeney, or Senator Menendez, about the hardships to which New Jersey's most afflicted families will be put by this delay. ("New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead" and "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" then "New Jersey's Legal System is a Whorehouse.")
For New Jersey's tainted Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) to judge the ethics of anyone is sheer hypocrisy and farce. People need their money, Mr. Christie:
"Patula is not alone, according to the State Department of the Treasury. Nearly three full months after the deadline for taxpayers to provide their income tax returns to the Treasury's Division of Taxation, the agency said it is still working to process nearly 185,000 refunds."
Some returns may be delayed until the end of August or September. Others may be "lost" or simply disappear (like Mr. Corzine's clients' money thanks to his pricey lawyers), but whatever happens, someone has enjoyed the illicit use of the residents' money and made interest accumulated during the months of delay -- without ANY consequences for the culprits -- who may split that accumulated interest when attention has drifted away from this matter. ("New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court" and "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")
This sort of "irregularity" in providing cash returns to residents has happened before:
"Christie himself apologized to [tax] filers on his monthly radio show after a screening program designed to prevent tax fraud was found to be flagging returns too aggressively, causing unwarranted delays for thousands of filers."
Rumors are that N.J. has fabricated allegations of computer trouble because they simply do not have the money to fulfill their obligations. New Jersey may have trouble with pension payments as well. This should concern John McGill of the OAE. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
Law firms sign-off on the "solvency" of New Jersey's financial structure, including pension plans they KNOW to be underfunded. ("Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" and "No Charges For Child Molester in New Jersey Assembly.")
" ... roughly 4 percent of the 4.7 million returns the Division of Taxation received this year have yet to be processed as the state transitions to the new computer system."
Compounding the difficulties for N.J. residents are fears that a grant from the federal government aimed at easing the burdens on aging veterans may be stolen by politicians desperate for money to cover "gaps" in New Jersey income as against obligations.
Perhaps politicians, state lawyers, judges will "dip into" funds held in trust for residents, such as the disabled. ("No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!")
I never stole a cent from trust funds for clients. Refraining from thievery and being the victim of thefts is "unethical" in New Jersey.
I wonder whether Mr. McGill was sharing in the money or clients stolen from my office? I guess the "cash goes south," eh, Mr. McGill? ("Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?" and "New Jersey is Lucky Luciano's Havana.")
The federal government is already sufficiently concerned to place special "precautions" on funds sent to New Jersey. Mathew McGrath, "Grant Could Help New Jersey Veterans: $2 MILLION to Prevent Homelessness," The Record, July 12, 2013, p. L-2.
John Reitmeyer, "Computer System Delays N.J. Tax Returns: Thousands May Wait All Summer for Checks," The Record, July 12, 2013, p. A-1.
It appears that computer sabotage or incompetence -- possibly, also, "missing funds" and an unwillingness to admit to the shortfall -- explains the delays in New Jersey issuing much-needed refund checks to millions of residents of the state's fetid swamps and industrial parks.
" ... 'We gave them $1,300 that didn't belong to them,' said Sharon Patula, a former Hawthorn resident who now lives in South Carolina. 'I'm very frustrated.' ..."
For many poor persons suffering in the stifling heat near Trenton the lack of concern from public officials at this governmental incompetence, dishonesty, corruption and (perhaps) criminality from biased judges and politicians can only be called disgusting.
It is simply shameful how unconcerned are officials, like Stuart Rabner or Richard J. Codey and Stephen Sweeney, or Senator Menendez, about the hardships to which New Jersey's most afflicted families will be put by this delay. ("New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead" and "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" then "New Jersey's Legal System is a Whorehouse.")
For New Jersey's tainted Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) to judge the ethics of anyone is sheer hypocrisy and farce. People need their money, Mr. Christie:
"Patula is not alone, according to the State Department of the Treasury. Nearly three full months after the deadline for taxpayers to provide their income tax returns to the Treasury's Division of Taxation, the agency said it is still working to process nearly 185,000 refunds."
Some returns may be delayed until the end of August or September. Others may be "lost" or simply disappear (like Mr. Corzine's clients' money thanks to his pricey lawyers), but whatever happens, someone has enjoyed the illicit use of the residents' money and made interest accumulated during the months of delay -- without ANY consequences for the culprits -- who may split that accumulated interest when attention has drifted away from this matter. ("New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court" and "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")
This sort of "irregularity" in providing cash returns to residents has happened before:
"Christie himself apologized to [tax] filers on his monthly radio show after a screening program designed to prevent tax fraud was found to be flagging returns too aggressively, causing unwarranted delays for thousands of filers."
Rumors are that N.J. has fabricated allegations of computer trouble because they simply do not have the money to fulfill their obligations. New Jersey may have trouble with pension payments as well. This should concern John McGill of the OAE. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")
Law firms sign-off on the "solvency" of New Jersey's financial structure, including pension plans they KNOW to be underfunded. ("Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" and "No Charges For Child Molester in New Jersey Assembly.")
" ... roughly 4 percent of the 4.7 million returns the Division of Taxation received this year have yet to be processed as the state transitions to the new computer system."
Compounding the difficulties for N.J. residents are fears that a grant from the federal government aimed at easing the burdens on aging veterans may be stolen by politicians desperate for money to cover "gaps" in New Jersey income as against obligations.
Perhaps politicians, state lawyers, judges will "dip into" funds held in trust for residents, such as the disabled. ("No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!")
I never stole a cent from trust funds for clients. Refraining from thievery and being the victim of thefts is "unethical" in New Jersey.
I wonder whether Mr. McGill was sharing in the money or clients stolen from my office? I guess the "cash goes south," eh, Mr. McGill? ("Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?" and "New Jersey is Lucky Luciano's Havana.")
The federal government is already sufficiently concerned to place special "precautions" on funds sent to New Jersey. Mathew McGrath, "Grant Could Help New Jersey Veterans: $2 MILLION to Prevent Homelessness," The Record, July 12, 2013, p. L-2.
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Verdict in Florida.
July 17, 2013 at 10:18 A.M. Alterations in spacing and other attempts to deface this text emanating from New Jersey government computers cannot be prevented. I am wearing a hoody as I type these words.
Lizette Alvarez, "Zimmerman Is Acquitted In Trayvon Martin Killing: Florida Jury Finds Him Not Guilty On All Counts in a Racially Charged [sic.] Trial," The New York Times, July 14, 2013, p. A1. (Ms. Alvarez represents the Rubio/Ros-Leghtinen Republicans in South Florida who favor Mr. Zimmerman.)
Carl Dix, "How Long Will This System Continue to Get Away With Murder?," Revolution, July 13, 2013, http://www.revcom.us (Mr. Dix represents President Obama's supporters and most of us of all colors and ethnicities outraged by this verdict.)
Ekow N. Yankow, "The Truth About Trayvon," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, July 16, 2013, p. A23. (Worthy of Bob Menendez: "On the one hand, but on the other hand.")
Martin Luther King, Jr., Why We Can't Wait (New York: Signet, 2000), pp. 64-85.
The long-awaited decision in the Trayvon Martin case finally arrived. Young Mr. Martin's killer, George Zimmerman, was acquitted.
I wish I could say that I am surprised or shocked by this outcome. Sadly, it is all-too expected and likely a decision in America's legal system where such murders of young African-Americans are an almost daily phenomenon.
Persons who know my writings are aware that racism in American society and its deeply-flawed legal system are matters of passionate concern for me. ("Trayvon Martin is Another Murdered Child," "So Black and So Blue in Prison," "Justice For Mumia Abu-Jamal," then "Foucault, Rose, Davis, and the Meanings of Prison" and "America's Holocaust.")
By commenting on this verdict, I am aware that I risk even more sabotage against these sites and death threats against me, if not my family members -- I hope. The reality revealed in this controversy is sufficiently important that risks must be taken and trouble had better be got into if we are to deal with racism for once.
What this verdict has taught us, yet again, is that millions of Americans live with exactly such lethal threats, tacit and explicit, on a daily basis merely by virtue of their skin color. Millions of African-Americans are threatened by George Zimmerman-types and the culture that excuses and even rewards love of violence and guns in the hands of some of our "sicker white friends," to paraphrase Dr. King.
The Trayvon Martin story will never become the George Zimmerman narrative, despite this acquittal, because there are still so many Trayvon Martins out there -- 1 out of 3 African-American young men will be killed or sent to prison in this country -- which is a situation that can only be described as a Holocaust. ("An Unpleasant Encounter With New Jersey's State Police" and "Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism.")
It is crucial to remember that this "story" follows upon several centuries of slavery and its legacy, massacres and tortures. The Atlantic ocean contains more than one million Trayvon Martin-like young Africans who never made it to Florida. It is time to speak some of the truths that America refuses to face or acknowledge: We are a profoundly racist society.
The mere fact of dark skin constitutes a crippling injury and deprivation, or the near certainty of murder, or a diminished life in terms of educational, economic, cultural and political opportunities. This truth is overcome in some cases by unusually gifted and fortunate persons (Barack Obama) who are typically well-aware that they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
Race simply cannot be removed from the facts in this tragic story. The Florida prosecutors were highly competent and professional attorneys who did a good job of proving their case. Defense counsel were also competent, if less professional and impressive (to me). This verdict was not about the lawyers.
If there was an error by the state in this trial, however, it was the attempt to exclude race from the central issues -- for understandable reasons -- which simply could not be done. Race (not a block of cement) became the elephant in the courtroom which only grew in size by not being mentioned.
Jurors may have felt that they were being manipulated or treated in a condescending manner by lawyers not touching the race issue which is the only way the entire situation makes any sense.
There is simply no other prism through which to view these "events" so as to render them into meaningful "actions" except in terms of race. What occurred on that rainy night of February 26, 2012 in a dark street in Florida is only the latest chapter in America's long racial odyssey. ("The FBI Wants Assata Shakur.")
Here are some undisputed facts not emphasized by commentators I have read on this verdict: 1). On the night in question, Mr. Zimmerman is an adult carrying a concealed firearm; hence, he is held to a higher standard of responsibility under the law and also in reason, where he owes a higher duty of care, in terms of assessing moral blame for what occurred; 2). Trayvon Martin is a child to whom a duty of care is owed by any adult in his proximity in an area within a "reasonable distance" from his home, a child behaving normally, and -- except for his skin color -- one who in no way creates any "reasonable grounds for suspicion of criminal wrongdoing" in the interpretation of a "reasonably objective third-party" observing Trayvon's movements and actions; 3) despite being told by the police not to do so, Mr. Zimmerman chose to follow Trayvon Martin in a manner that the young man, Mr. Martin, could only deem "suspicious."
It follows, logically, that the altercation that took place was INITIATED by Mr. Zimmerman, the armed adult, who must be held responsible for the irrevocable result, as the lead prosecutor argued, the death of a child who was innocent of any crime.
Mr. Zimmerman set out to confront (or shoot) an African-American young man who, in Mr. Zimmerman's own words on the night of the murder, "gets away with things." Mr. Zimmerman had never met Trayvon Martin and he did not have any basis for such a statement: By virtue of being African-American, however, Trayvon Martin simply was "one of those persons" who "gets away" with things for George Zimmerman.
Would Mr. Zimmerman say the same of Justice Clarence Thomas? Does Justice Thomas "get away with things"? It was Mr. Zimmerman's mission that night to ensure -- BEFORE speaking to the young man or figuring out what, if anything, was going on -- that, on this night, Trayvon Martin would not "get away." ("Freedom For Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Unconstitutionality of the Death Penalty.")
Mr. Zimmerman explained during interviews that he was going to "punish him for it" without explaining what he was punishing or why Mr. Martin should be the recipient of this "punishment." These irrational and bizarre prejudices are obviously shared by many of Mr. Zimmerman's fellow Floridians, some of whom were on his jury.
These words by Mr. Zimmerman that are now part of the record in this matter, I believe, establish premeditation, intent, malice aforethought whether Mr. Zimmerman was consciously aware of his deeper motivations is a separate question.
I suggest that these words, together with the interview granted to Fox News (mistake!), will come back to haunt Mr. Zimmerman in a federal civil rights action alleging deliberate and wilfull violation of Trayvon Martin's civil rights.
Please remember that Mr. Zimmerman will continue carrying a gun. He will continue "patrolling" the streets of "his" community regardless of what the police ask him NOT to do. I am sure that there will be further incidents in Mr. Zimmerman's life similar to the Martin killing.
The number of young men lost to such murders, to self-destruction through the lingering and sometimes subtle effects of racism and cultural dehumanization for young women and men -- dehumanization that serves to reinforce as well as support existing and seemingly invisible hierarchies of power in our society -- is growing by the day. ("Is Western Philosophy Racist?")
Generations of children are being lost to this plague or social pathology -- racism. The verdict for Mr. Zimmerman is a verdict against America's Constitutional vision which makes it undeniable that a large portion of our society today likes and will hang-on to its racism:
"The real question in this trial was not murder or 'self-defense.' It was whether the Trayvon Martins of this world have a right to survive, flourish, and to get justice if they're attacked -- or whether the Zimmermans of this world have a supposed right to murder them with impunity. The system has given its answer."
In his Letter From a Birmingham Jail, Dr. King spoke of the dehumanization that is racism's objectification of persons and he warned, as I am warning now, that all reduction of persons to the status of "things" that are to be controlled or manipulated by self-proclaimed "superiors" is simply evil:
"[Racism] to use the terminology of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, substitutes an 'I-it' relationship for an 'I-Thou' relationship and ends up relegating persons to the status of things. Hence, [racism] is not only politically, economically and sociologically unsound, it is morally wrong and sinful. Paul Tillich has said that sin is separation." (King, p. 71.)
Ultimately, this "separation" is from oneself, as a person, as or "in" the Other. The separation to which this existential theological tradition refers is a falling away from one's own humanity. ("Dehumanization" and "Immanuel Kant and the Narrative of Freedom.")
Mr. Martin was a stranger to Mr. Zimmerman on the night when the boy was murdered. Mr. Zimmerman "set out" to kill the shadow in himself projected on to the dark-skinned "Other" who happened to be Trayvon Martin.
Mr. Zimmerman will continue to project his shadow-self on to African-American strangers strolling about in the evenings and, therefore, "suspicious" to him. Another day will come, soon, when Mr. Zimmerman -- like the section of America that he represents -- will find (once again) in a vulnerable child, the embodiment of irrational fears and imagined threats posed by the vaguely defined "criminals" found in cinema and the evening news that continue to be associated with African-American young people everywhere in this country.
More children will die unless something is done to deal with our racism, hypocrisy, and inequalities in this country and in the world.
Lizette Alvarez, "Zimmerman Is Acquitted In Trayvon Martin Killing: Florida Jury Finds Him Not Guilty On All Counts in a Racially Charged [sic.] Trial," The New York Times, July 14, 2013, p. A1. (Ms. Alvarez represents the Rubio/Ros-Leghtinen Republicans in South Florida who favor Mr. Zimmerman.)
Carl Dix, "How Long Will This System Continue to Get Away With Murder?," Revolution, July 13, 2013, http://www.revcom.us (Mr. Dix represents President Obama's supporters and most of us of all colors and ethnicities outraged by this verdict.)
Ekow N. Yankow, "The Truth About Trayvon," (Op-Ed) The New York Times, July 16, 2013, p. A23. (Worthy of Bob Menendez: "On the one hand, but on the other hand.")
Martin Luther King, Jr., Why We Can't Wait (New York: Signet, 2000), pp. 64-85.
The long-awaited decision in the Trayvon Martin case finally arrived. Young Mr. Martin's killer, George Zimmerman, was acquitted.
I wish I could say that I am surprised or shocked by this outcome. Sadly, it is all-too expected and likely a decision in America's legal system where such murders of young African-Americans are an almost daily phenomenon.
Persons who know my writings are aware that racism in American society and its deeply-flawed legal system are matters of passionate concern for me. ("Trayvon Martin is Another Murdered Child," "So Black and So Blue in Prison," "Justice For Mumia Abu-Jamal," then "Foucault, Rose, Davis, and the Meanings of Prison" and "America's Holocaust.")
By commenting on this verdict, I am aware that I risk even more sabotage against these sites and death threats against me, if not my family members -- I hope. The reality revealed in this controversy is sufficiently important that risks must be taken and trouble had better be got into if we are to deal with racism for once.
What this verdict has taught us, yet again, is that millions of Americans live with exactly such lethal threats, tacit and explicit, on a daily basis merely by virtue of their skin color. Millions of African-Americans are threatened by George Zimmerman-types and the culture that excuses and even rewards love of violence and guns in the hands of some of our "sicker white friends," to paraphrase Dr. King.
The Trayvon Martin story will never become the George Zimmerman narrative, despite this acquittal, because there are still so many Trayvon Martins out there -- 1 out of 3 African-American young men will be killed or sent to prison in this country -- which is a situation that can only be described as a Holocaust. ("An Unpleasant Encounter With New Jersey's State Police" and "Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism.")
It is crucial to remember that this "story" follows upon several centuries of slavery and its legacy, massacres and tortures. The Atlantic ocean contains more than one million Trayvon Martin-like young Africans who never made it to Florida. It is time to speak some of the truths that America refuses to face or acknowledge: We are a profoundly racist society.
The mere fact of dark skin constitutes a crippling injury and deprivation, or the near certainty of murder, or a diminished life in terms of educational, economic, cultural and political opportunities. This truth is overcome in some cases by unusually gifted and fortunate persons (Barack Obama) who are typically well-aware that they are the exceptions that prove the rule.
Race simply cannot be removed from the facts in this tragic story. The Florida prosecutors were highly competent and professional attorneys who did a good job of proving their case. Defense counsel were also competent, if less professional and impressive (to me). This verdict was not about the lawyers.
If there was an error by the state in this trial, however, it was the attempt to exclude race from the central issues -- for understandable reasons -- which simply could not be done. Race (not a block of cement) became the elephant in the courtroom which only grew in size by not being mentioned.
Jurors may have felt that they were being manipulated or treated in a condescending manner by lawyers not touching the race issue which is the only way the entire situation makes any sense.
There is simply no other prism through which to view these "events" so as to render them into meaningful "actions" except in terms of race. What occurred on that rainy night of February 26, 2012 in a dark street in Florida is only the latest chapter in America's long racial odyssey. ("The FBI Wants Assata Shakur.")
Here are some undisputed facts not emphasized by commentators I have read on this verdict: 1). On the night in question, Mr. Zimmerman is an adult carrying a concealed firearm; hence, he is held to a higher standard of responsibility under the law and also in reason, where he owes a higher duty of care, in terms of assessing moral blame for what occurred; 2). Trayvon Martin is a child to whom a duty of care is owed by any adult in his proximity in an area within a "reasonable distance" from his home, a child behaving normally, and -- except for his skin color -- one who in no way creates any "reasonable grounds for suspicion of criminal wrongdoing" in the interpretation of a "reasonably objective third-party" observing Trayvon's movements and actions; 3) despite being told by the police not to do so, Mr. Zimmerman chose to follow Trayvon Martin in a manner that the young man, Mr. Martin, could only deem "suspicious."
It follows, logically, that the altercation that took place was INITIATED by Mr. Zimmerman, the armed adult, who must be held responsible for the irrevocable result, as the lead prosecutor argued, the death of a child who was innocent of any crime.
Mr. Zimmerman set out to confront (or shoot) an African-American young man who, in Mr. Zimmerman's own words on the night of the murder, "gets away with things." Mr. Zimmerman had never met Trayvon Martin and he did not have any basis for such a statement: By virtue of being African-American, however, Trayvon Martin simply was "one of those persons" who "gets away" with things for George Zimmerman.
Would Mr. Zimmerman say the same of Justice Clarence Thomas? Does Justice Thomas "get away with things"? It was Mr. Zimmerman's mission that night to ensure -- BEFORE speaking to the young man or figuring out what, if anything, was going on -- that, on this night, Trayvon Martin would not "get away." ("Freedom For Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Mumia Abu-Jamal and the Unconstitutionality of the Death Penalty.")
Mr. Zimmerman explained during interviews that he was going to "punish him for it" without explaining what he was punishing or why Mr. Martin should be the recipient of this "punishment." These irrational and bizarre prejudices are obviously shared by many of Mr. Zimmerman's fellow Floridians, some of whom were on his jury.
These words by Mr. Zimmerman that are now part of the record in this matter, I believe, establish premeditation, intent, malice aforethought whether Mr. Zimmerman was consciously aware of his deeper motivations is a separate question.
I suggest that these words, together with the interview granted to Fox News (mistake!), will come back to haunt Mr. Zimmerman in a federal civil rights action alleging deliberate and wilfull violation of Trayvon Martin's civil rights.
Please remember that Mr. Zimmerman will continue carrying a gun. He will continue "patrolling" the streets of "his" community regardless of what the police ask him NOT to do. I am sure that there will be further incidents in Mr. Zimmerman's life similar to the Martin killing.
The number of young men lost to such murders, to self-destruction through the lingering and sometimes subtle effects of racism and cultural dehumanization for young women and men -- dehumanization that serves to reinforce as well as support existing and seemingly invisible hierarchies of power in our society -- is growing by the day. ("Is Western Philosophy Racist?")
Generations of children are being lost to this plague or social pathology -- racism. The verdict for Mr. Zimmerman is a verdict against America's Constitutional vision which makes it undeniable that a large portion of our society today likes and will hang-on to its racism:
"The real question in this trial was not murder or 'self-defense.' It was whether the Trayvon Martins of this world have a right to survive, flourish, and to get justice if they're attacked -- or whether the Zimmermans of this world have a supposed right to murder them with impunity. The system has given its answer."
In his Letter From a Birmingham Jail, Dr. King spoke of the dehumanization that is racism's objectification of persons and he warned, as I am warning now, that all reduction of persons to the status of "things" that are to be controlled or manipulated by self-proclaimed "superiors" is simply evil:
"[Racism] to use the terminology of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber, substitutes an 'I-it' relationship for an 'I-Thou' relationship and ends up relegating persons to the status of things. Hence, [racism] is not only politically, economically and sociologically unsound, it is morally wrong and sinful. Paul Tillich has said that sin is separation." (King, p. 71.)
Ultimately, this "separation" is from oneself, as a person, as or "in" the Other. The separation to which this existential theological tradition refers is a falling away from one's own humanity. ("Dehumanization" and "Immanuel Kant and the Narrative of Freedom.")
Mr. Martin was a stranger to Mr. Zimmerman on the night when the boy was murdered. Mr. Zimmerman "set out" to kill the shadow in himself projected on to the dark-skinned "Other" who happened to be Trayvon Martin.
Mr. Zimmerman will continue to project his shadow-self on to African-American strangers strolling about in the evenings and, therefore, "suspicious" to him. Another day will come, soon, when Mr. Zimmerman -- like the section of America that he represents -- will find (once again) in a vulnerable child, the embodiment of irrational fears and imagined threats posed by the vaguely defined "criminals" found in cinema and the evening news that continue to be associated with African-American young people everywhere in this country.
More children will die unless something is done to deal with our racism, hypocrisy, and inequalities in this country and in the world.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Another Bizarre Letter in My Mailbox!
Via Certified Mail, R.R. (w/encls.)
& Online
Jonathan Mintz, Commissioner
NYC Department of Consumer Affairs
42 Broadway
9th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10004
Re: CD-500134247
Dear Mr. Mintz:
Attached with this letter is a copy of my correspondence with Mr. Di Blasio pertaining to what purports to be a communication from "NICHOLAS GATTO" of the Public Advocate's Office, who is also (I am sure) "KIMBERLY ZALASAR" of your office.
In other words, both letters are obviously fraudulent and may be traced to CCA-EOS.
I also enclose what purports to be a letter from "IVY S. MCHESNEY," who claims to be "Director of Management, Wage & Investment Division" at FORS MARSCH GROUP, "hired" by the IRS, I am told, to conduct a "customer survey" of American taxpayers.
All of these entities, mysteriously, use the word processors of New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics. This is very curious.
At the bottom left-hand corner of the letter from Mr./Ms. "Ivy S. McChesney" is the following number: L1_13257-F. This may identify the author of the letter and refer to the "Law Division" or "Office of Attorney Ethics" in Trenton, New Jersey.
The envelope does not bear a postmark. This suggests that the letter was placed in my mailbox by someone living in my building. The envelope bears the legend: "Presorted First Class Mail, Postage and Fees Paid, Internal Revenue Service, Permit No. G-48."
I suspect that this letter is also fraudulent and connected to CCA-EOS.
The IRS does not conduct "customer surveys." The IRS does not authorize private companies to obtain confidential financial information from taxpayers. It may be that such letters are sent to persons with a demand for payment.
It is a crime to claim to be an IRS agent, if you are not such an agent. Accordingly, I am enclosing a copy of this letter to the IRS.
I will post my letter in response to "Mr./Ms. McChesney" online to ensure transparency. Copies will also be sent to Mr. Vance and the FBI. I will retain this so-called "survey" for the NYPD, if necessary.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I await your response.
Very truly yours,
Juan Galis-Menendez
cc: IRS (w/encls.)
FBI (w/encls.)
Mr. Vance (w/encls.)
& Online
Jonathan Mintz, Commissioner
NYC Department of Consumer Affairs
42 Broadway
9th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10004
Re: CD-500134247
Dear Mr. Mintz:
Attached with this letter is a copy of my correspondence with Mr. Di Blasio pertaining to what purports to be a communication from "NICHOLAS GATTO" of the Public Advocate's Office, who is also (I am sure) "KIMBERLY ZALASAR" of your office.
In other words, both letters are obviously fraudulent and may be traced to CCA-EOS.
I also enclose what purports to be a letter from "IVY S. MCHESNEY," who claims to be "Director of Management, Wage & Investment Division" at FORS MARSCH GROUP, "hired" by the IRS, I am told, to conduct a "customer survey" of American taxpayers.
All of these entities, mysteriously, use the word processors of New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics. This is very curious.
At the bottom left-hand corner of the letter from Mr./Ms. "Ivy S. McChesney" is the following number: L1_13257-F. This may identify the author of the letter and refer to the "Law Division" or "Office of Attorney Ethics" in Trenton, New Jersey.
The envelope does not bear a postmark. This suggests that the letter was placed in my mailbox by someone living in my building. The envelope bears the legend: "Presorted First Class Mail, Postage and Fees Paid, Internal Revenue Service, Permit No. G-48."
I suspect that this letter is also fraudulent and connected to CCA-EOS.
The IRS does not conduct "customer surveys." The IRS does not authorize private companies to obtain confidential financial information from taxpayers. It may be that such letters are sent to persons with a demand for payment.
It is a crime to claim to be an IRS agent, if you are not such an agent. Accordingly, I am enclosing a copy of this letter to the IRS.
I will post my letter in response to "Mr./Ms. McChesney" online to ensure transparency. Copies will also be sent to Mr. Vance and the FBI. I will retain this so-called "survey" for the NYPD, if necessary.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I await your response.
Very truly yours,
Juan Galis-Menendez
cc: IRS (w/encls.)
FBI (w/encls.)
Mr. Vance (w/encls.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)