Menendez Goes to Bat For Crony.

February 11, 2013 at 1:20 P.M. The parcel sent to Mr. Vance was returned to me because no one was able to find Mr. Vance in the New York District Attorney's office. I will retain a copy of the envelope indicating this fact. I will also send the package, again, and this time by certified mail with return receipt requested. I believe that it is still a crime to interfere with the mails, Mr. Menendez.

Raymond Hernandez & Robert Pear, "Investigators say Menendez Intervened On a Friend's Behalf," in The New York Times, February 7, 2013, at p. A20.

Colin Moynahan, "Court Urged to Reverse Ruling On Terror," in The New York Times, February 7, 2013, at p. A16.

"Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey intervened with federal health officials in an effort to help a close friend in a billing dispute with Medicare, federal investigators said Wednesday."

Responsible observers suggest that Senator Menendez was bribed to make calls for donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen, and that N.J.'s junior senator was promised a kickback for his services, provided that Mr. Menendez managed to get the government to pay the doctor's inflated fees. ("Is Senator Menendez 'For' Human Rights?")

This sordid series of events has emerged after Menendez accepted a plane ride and Dr. Melgen's "hospitality" in the Dominican Republic that, allegedly, included the services of prostitutes with underage women among them. Mr. Menendez repaid the costs of the ride only after he was caught accepting this generosity. ("Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?")

Menendez's conduct does not interest New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) or Stuart Rabner, whose comments concerning my ethics I can only regard as absurd. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "What did you know, Mr. Rabner, and when did you know it?")

It is possible that the words "hypocrisy" and "lies," or "double standards" and "cover-ups," have no meaning or have lost what little significance they once had in Trenton, New Jersey. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")

Mr. Menendez's friend is accused of diluting drugs given to his patients (at great risk to them) in order to charge more money for smaller dosages:

"Thus, for example, Medicare might allow doctors to bill $2,000 for a vial [of the alleged medication at issue,] but the doctor [Melgen] sometimes filed claims for as much as $8,000."

Mr. Menendez received some of the proceeds of such transactions under the table in cash, allegedly, from Dr. Melgen, for whom the Senator continued to go to bat.

One feels not only disapprobation, but disgust and rage at such loathsome conduct. ("Is Menendez For Sale?" and "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry.")

Do you speak to me of "ethics," gentlemen?

Sources:

New York & the World:

Jeremy W. Peters, "G.O.P. Blocks Vote On Hagel In the Senate," in The New York Times, February 15, 2013, at p. A1. (As of February 25, 2013 there are still conflicting signals on this nomination for Defense Secretary. I lost 6 minutes attempting to access these blogs today -- February 25, 2013 -- at computer number #3, Morningside Heights, NYPL.)

Jennifer Medina, "Ex-Mayor of San Diego Confronts $1 BILLION Gambling Problem," in The New York Times, February 15, 2013, at p. A1. (This is normal in New Jersey. Mr. Ginarte? Still like Atlantic City, Jose?)

Rick Gladstone, "Report Sees Journalists Increasingly Under Attack," in The New York Times, February 15, 2013, at p. A10. (Hundreds of attacks and defacements of these writings have been chronicled: "What is it like to be censored in America?" and "How censorship works in America.")

"Rabbi Is Charged in Internet Sex Sting," in The New York Times, February 15, 2013, at p. A25. (Nathan David Rabinovich, 59, charged with attempting sexual encounters with 14 year-old. "New Jersey Rabbi Charged With Child Molestation" and "So Black and So Blue in Prison." Do you worry about this, Terry Tuchin? Mr. Rabner?)

"A Defense Secretary Blocked by Politics: Republicans Use Filibuster To Deny Vote to Cabinet Nominee," (Editorial) in The New York Times, February 15, 2013, at p. A26. (Collegiality and civility seem to be gone with the wind.)

Russ Bultner, "Lies to Win British Post Earn Conviction in New York," in The New York Times, February 15, 2013, at p. A17. ("SOMA SANGUPTA," who resides in New Jersey, accused of lying about her history and age as a lawyer. She will face charges in New York and may work for the OAE in Trenton.)

Morsi Secret, "Lawsuit Against Prosecutor to Proceed," in The New York Times, February 16, 2013, at p. A17. (A federal judge allows lawsuit by a fraudulently convicted man to proceed to trial against Mr. Hynes' office. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")

Michael D. Shear & Scott Shane, "Congress to Get Classified Memo," in The New York Times, February 7, 2013, at p. A1. (The White House rationale for drone killings is deemed "imprecise.")

AP, "Ex-Yeshiva Leader Gets 25-Year Term," in The New York Times, February 8, 2013, at p. A24. (Former principal of a Brooklyn Yeshiva, EMMANUEL YEGUTKIN, convicted of abusing 3 boys will receive 55-year term. "Solomon Dwek Gets 6 Years in Prison" and "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?")

"A Long Overdue Discussion: C.I.A. Nominee Gives Unsatisfactory Answers on Targeted Killings of American Citizens," in The New York Times, February 8, 2013, at p. A26. (The discussion of drones and targeted killings was a love-fest.)

New Jersey's Spectacle of Corruption:

Karen Rouse, "Agency Paid for Super Trip: NJ Transit Viewed How New Orleans Handled Game Day," in The Record, February 15, 2013, at p. A-1. (NJ Transit employees went to Superbowl on taxpayers' tab: $7,800 for hotels; $5,241 for airfare; $425 for miscellaneous expenses. T-shirts?)

John Reitmeyer, "State to Track Sandy Funds in Approved Charity," in The Record, February 15, 2013, at p. A-7. (Fears of Sandy Fund THEFTS have led to the creation of a site for tracking funds. Another site may be created to monitor fraud on the original site.)

Peter J. Sampson, "Witness Says Bergrin Paid Him to Deliver Cocaine to Buyers," in The Record, February 15, 2013, at p. L-2. (More troubles for former colleague of Stuart Rabner at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Paul Bergrin, Esq., as he goes on trial yet again. Stuart will receive no more freebies from Paul's friends.)

Mary Jo Layton, "Medicaid Fraud Unit Gets $45 MILLION From Drug Makers," in The Record, February 7, 2013, at p. A-4. (N.J. drug companies seek to scam millions from taxpayers. Will they go to the Superbowl for free?)

Carol D. Leonning & Jerry Mahon, "Menendez Aided Donor in Dispute Over Medicare," in The Record, February 7, 2013, at p. A-8. (Big Bob goes to bat for "VITREO RETINAL CONSULTANTS" which seems to be involved in unusual activities for a medical firm.)

John Pojidenic, "Timing of Menendez Disclosures at Issue," in The Record, February 6, 2013, at p. A-10. (" ... the Department of Homeland Security has delayed the arrest of an intern in Menendez's office for failing to register as a sex offender and violating federal immigration laws ..." Santo Domingo, here we come?)

Kibret Marcos, "Accuser Defends Account at Trial: Reality TV Figure Facing Sex Charges," in The Record, February 7, 2013, at p. L-1. (Child sex parties in Lodi, New Jersey. Was Senator Bob a guest at these parties?)

Peter J. Sampson, "Drug Kingpin Says Bergrin Advised Him to Kill Partner," in The Record, February 7, 2013, at p. L-3. (That's what I call a lawyer's advice. OAE?)

STAFF & NEWS SERVICE REPORTS, "Menendez Inquired Into Port Equipment: Staff E-Mails Appear, Effort to Aid Donor," in The Record, February 12, 2013, at p. A-3. (Menendez staff may include persons who would provide the security for the Dominican Republic under Melgen's contract, directly or indirectly, and more affiliates of the Cuban American National Foundation. PEDRO PABLO PEGUY? LUIS POSADA CARRILES is a friend, Mr. Peguy?)

Justo Bautista, "Woman Gets 4 Years in Real Estate Scam: Ex-Ridgewood Resident Swindled $2 MILLION From Friends," in The Record, February 12, 2013, at p. L-1. (Ridgewood, N.J. resident, TAYA ROMANO, 36, scammed $4.7 MILLION, but will NOT go to prison. "Jay Romano and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey." Ms. Kriko? Ms. Munoz? Stay away from Ridgewood, New Jersey.)

Menendez and Former Aide Come Under Suspicion.

February 15, 2013 at 1:25 P.M. Evidence of cybercrimes, bogus threatening letters collecting on fraudulent debts, as well as of many other crimes detailed in these blog posts over more than a decade have been forwarded to several prosecutors' offices in addition to the Massachusetts' Prosecutor's Office:

Cyrus R. Vance, Esq.
New York District Attorney
One Hogan Place
New York, N.Y. 10013
(212) 335-9000

New York City Department of Consumer Affairs
42 Broadway 9th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10004
http://www.NYC.gov/consumers 


Frances Robles, "Port Deal Pushed by Menendez Could Benefit Former Aide, Not Just Major Donor," in The New York Times, February 5, 2013, at p. A17.

Herb Jackson, "Menendez Blasts 'Smears,' Ethics Questions: Calls Prostitutes Reports Baseless," in The Record, February 5, 2013, at p. A-1.

Charlie Savage & Scott Shane, "Legal Basis Cited to Kill Americans in Al Qaeda," in The New York Times, February 5, 2013, at p. A6.

"Mr. Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, has pushed United States government officials to help enforce a contract that a company owned in part by one of his major donors, Dr. Salomon Melgen, has with the Dominican government, which has refused to honor it."

The amounts that may be generated by this contract, allegedly, could well have resulted in hefty kickbacks to Menendez. The Dominican government is right to doubt the competence of Dr. Melgen on security issues and the exploitative nature of the terms at issue. ("Menendez Loves Xanadu!")

The usual suspects in the matter are close to the Senator and typical of the persons used as so-called "fronts" or associated with the Senator's various "collection efforts" in the past. ("Menendez Was Not Indicted Today" and "More Problems For Menendez -- Tapes!")

"A top executive at Dr. Melgen's security company will be PEDRO PABLO PEGUY, a former national security advisor [alleged ex-C.I.A. or other intelligence "dirty tricks" guy] and senior legislative aide to Mr. Menendez, according to a cousin of Dr. Melgen. Mr. Peguy's ties to the senator go back at least 20 years."

I wonder whether Mr. Peguy is or has been involved in computer crime or other "dirty tricks" aimed against me? ("Censorship Again?") 

There are reports that Mr. Peguy has used several different names in the past. I can neither confirm nor deny that Mr. Peguy is responsible for the suppression of my books at "Lulu."

Is Mr. Peguy also Andres Openheimer? John-Paul Rathbone? Manohla Dargis? ("What is it like to be censored in America?" and "What is it like to be plagiarized?")

It appears that this individual is very well-known to Cuban intelligence and, perhaps, Interpol. ("Manohla Dargis Strikes Again!") 

"TRICIA ENRIGHT, a spokeswoman for Mr. Menendez" -- who may have visited my sites with Mr. Peguy -- "said the senator had no knowledge of Mr. Peguy's involvement in Dr. Melgen's company [really?] until the New York Times [sic.] raised a question on Monday."

Mr. Peguy has been "linked," unofficially, to a number of anti-Castro organizations and is a well-known figure in Miami and New Jersey Right-wing circles. ("Cubanazos Pose a Threat to National Security" and "Miami's Cubanoids Protest Against Peace!")

Mr. Peguy is a "person of interest" for F.B.I. and Justice Department officials as well, allegedly, and may be under investigation on "unrelated matters." ("American Hypocrisy and Luis Posada Carriles.") 

It is possible that Mr. Peguy has been involved in efforts to "target" me, personally and professionally. ("Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture" then "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey.")

Mr. Menendez states that he "did not know that Dr. Melgen gave $700,000 to a 'Super-PAC' last year that spent nearly $600,000 to support Menendez's reelection."

Do you believe that any experienced American politician would be "unaware" of such a fact? Was Mr. Menendez "deceived" yet again? ("Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" and "Is Senator Menendez a Suspect in Mafia-Political Murder in New Jersey?" then"Illegal Payments to Bob Menendez" and "Crooked Broker Paid-Off Menendez.")

"About $300,000 given to the PAC came after Menendez asked the State Department at a hearing in July to intervene with the Dominican Republic and help a company Melgen partly owned settle a contract dispute." (emphasis added!) 

Coincidence? Or quid pro cuo? ("Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Is Menendez For Sale?")

Sources:

New York & the World:

"To Kill An American: A New Document Underscores the Administration's Chilling Analysis of Executive Power," (Editorial) in The New York Times, February 6, 2013, at p. A24. (" ... an American citizen has Constitutional rights that a judge must insure [sic.] are being respected." The test for illicit murders is: 1. an informed "high-level official" decides the victim-target is a "senior operational leader of Al Qaeda or an associated force" -- like the ACLU? -- and 2. presents an "imminent threat of violent attack.")

Robert F. Waters, el als., "Hazards of Drone Strikes Face Rare Public Scrutiny: Hearing On C.I.A. Pick, Architect of Attack That Killed Militants and Civilians," in The New York Times, February 6, 2013, at p. A1. (Mr. Brennan's role in drone killings and torture is seen as a plus.)

Scott Shane & Charlie Savage, "Report On Targeted Killing Whets Appetite for Less Killing," in The New York Times, February 6, 2013, at p. A11. (It's O.K. when Obama does it.)

Russ Bultner, "Top Judge Says Bail in New York Isn't Safe or Fair," in The New York Times, February 6, 2013, at p. A1. (This is what legal systems and judges should do, Mr. Rabner.)

Scott Shane, "Portrayal of C.I.A. Torture in Bin Laden Film Reopens Debate," in The New York Times, December 13, 2013, at p. A1. (Torture had little or nothing to do with finding Bin Laden. Take a bow, Mr. Brennan.)

"Global Internet Diplomacy," (Editorial) in The New York Times, December 13, 2013, at p. A34. (General fear that U.S. torture policies and targeted strikes will be transferred to the Internet.)

Nicholas Kulish, "Judge Finds Rights Violation in C.I.A. Rendition Case," in The New York Times, December 14, 2013, at p. A12. (Khalid al-Mashri, tortured and raped under C.I.A. rendition, wins before the European Human Rights Tribunal. U.S. will ignore the judgment. "Why U.S. Courts Must Not Ignore Torture.")

Colin Moynahan, "Spy Suit Against Army Workers Is Cleared: Court Says War Protesters' Case Citing Surveillance Can Continue," in The New York Times, December 19, 2013, at p. A21. (Activists were harassed, detained illegally, falsely arrested.)

Joseph Goldstein & Kirk Semple, "Law Firms Are Accused of Aiding False Asylum Claims for Chinese," in The New York Times, December 19, 2013, at p. A28. (26 persons -- including 6 lawyers -- arrested for fabricating immigration papers. Mr. Garcia? How's the immigration practice?)

Ethan Bonner, "Robert H. Bork 1927-2012: A Conservative Whose Supreme Court Bid Set the Senate Afire," in The New York Times, December 20, 2012, at p. A1. (The coarsening of the appointment process for justices may be traced to this episode in American political history.)

New Jersey's Legal Sewer:

Kibret Marcos, "Hip-Hop Reality TV Star's Child Sex Trial Getting Under Way: Acts Allegedly Occurred in Lodi Home," in The Record, January 10, 2013, at p. L-3. (Sex parties involving children, some allegedly attended by politicians, are not an unusual occurrence in New Jersey. Right, Senator Bob?)

Melissa Hayes & John Reitmeyer, "Sandy Contract Drawing Scrutiny: Christie Promises Tough Oversight of Florida Firm Tangled in Katrina Suits," in The Record, February 6, 2013, at p. A-3. (Questions are already being raised in New Jersey about sanctioned theft from emergency funds. If 50% of the federal money reaches intended beneficiaries, it will be a miracle in the "Soprano State." The choice to use an already tainted and politically-connected firm should tell you something.)

Harvey Lipman, "$5 MILLION in Grants Awaits Worthy Town Healing Projects," in The Record, February 6, 2013, at p. A-3. ("We want it to be transparent." Chris Christie is quoted as saying: "We want everybody to see where the money is going." At the moment, fears of theft and waste of money is freezing distribution of federal money that is desperately needed.)

Chris Harris, "Underlying Council Tension Boils to the Surface: Members Trade Accusations," in The Record, February 6, 2013, at p. L-3. (In a hotbed of political radicalism -- Ridgewood, New Jersey -- personal attacks and THREATS among council members Bernadette Walsh and Mayor Albert -- "Little Al" -- Pucciarelli, who denies mafia affiliations, and said: "I'm going to do something, I don't know what!")

Hannan Adeley, "Assault Charges Denied: Hackensack School Trustee ARRESTED," in The Record, February 6, 2013, at p. L-3. (School Board Trustee, KEVON LARKINS, refused to play nicely with others by assaulting an elderly lady.)

John C. Ensslin, "Politics Makes Familiar Foes in Bergen: Times of Internal Warfare," in The Record, December 31, 2012, at p. L-7. (Divided Bergen County "moves on" from Zisa-era corruption to a new era of corruption and mob influence on courts and politics.)

Antony Campisi, "Democrats Settle Robo-Calls Case in '09 Race for $42,000," in The Record, January 3, 2013, at p. A-3. (Harassing and/or threatening calls made from dummy numbers -- "Jazmin" at Time/Warner? -- illegally, will cost thousands of dollars to New Jersey Democrats. It all adds to the damages, fellas.)

Richard Cowen, "Closed Hearing For Mayor: Councilman Barred From Generator Probe," in The Record, January 3, 2013, at p. L-1. (Mayor Randy George abused his authority to take care of himself before worrying about the citizens of his town. This is normal behavior for Bob Menendez.)

John Reitmeyer, "State's Budget Shortfall Grows to $705 MILLION: Tax Relief, Pension Payment in Jeapordy," in The Record, January 4, 2013, at p. A-1. (Chris Christie's budget is like something from Neverland as projected tax income declines.)

Peter J. Sampson, "Feds Detail $1.3 MILLION Fraud Case: Banker Testifies He was Fleeced by Aide," in The Record, January 10, 2013, at p. L-1. (Karen R. Febles, 48, embezzled $1.3 million from a wealthy investment banker's estate/assets with the assistance of lawyers and others looking the other way. Gilberto Garcia? Ray Gonzales? Lilian Munoz? Trust account problems?)

Allison Pries, "Mahwah Mayor in Court Today: DPW Worker Says He Was Harassed," in The Record, January 10, 2013, at p. L-2. (Mayor uses authority to harass political opponents. This sounds like Bob Menendez.)

Menendez Consorts With Under-Age Prostitutes.

February 5, 2013 at 1:30 P.M. I experienced some difficulties logging-on from computer number #3 at Morningside Heights, NYPL. There is always a danger that I will be prevented from writing on-line. I will struggle to continue writing from some public computer every day. (The usual distractions -- including fire alarms going off yesterday in the Inwood branch and noise today -- accompany my writing efforts.) 

February 4, 2013 at 1:20 P.M. I was unable to complete corrections of this text on February 2, 2013 at Inwood, NYPL #3 because the computer was frozen several times as I worked at this text. I will attempt to make the necessary corrections on Monday, the 4th, at the same computer. On February 2, 2013 at 11:30 A.M. I received a call from 516-656-4117 FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE.  

February 1, 2013 at 1:51 P.M. Allegations against N.J.'s junior senator and continuing expressions of anxiety about the honesty of the state's lawyers (expressed, publicly, by Chief Justice Rabner!) are expected in the days and weeks ahead.

The allegations concerning Mr. Menendez do not come exclusively from Right-wing bloggers. I am not a Right-wing blogger. Nor am I the source for these multiple allegations with variable sources that are made to law enforcement officials for whom these sources, I am sure, are not anonymous.

These accusations will hardly come as a shock to experienced or veteran Hudson County lawyers who are honest about the ugly history of their territory in New Jersey's sordid legal archives. Mr Menendez's rise to power was not a stroll through a flower-filled garden.

Is it true that Dr. Melgen has visited my sites at any time? Did Mr. Menendez and/or persons on his behalf engage in argument or debate and/or cybercrime directed against me at any time?

Raymond Hernandez & Frances Robles, "Senator Has Long Ties to Donor Under Scrutiny," in The New York Times, February 1, 2013, at p. A1. (Quid pro cuo for Menendez's help with exploitative contracts with the Dominican Republic for his "trusted friend" Dr. Melgen who, allegedly, kicksback to Menendez. Raymond Hernandez may "belong to Albio Sires" or Mr. Menendez anyway. Is Mr. Hernandez also Manohla Dargis? Has Mr. Hernandez visited my sites?)

Herb Jackson, "Ethics Group Says Senator Violated Rules: Menendez Waited Years Before Paying for Flights," in The Record, February 1, 2013, at p. A-1. (Delay alone is grounds for ethics action in Senate and disbarment, unless a lawyer is Bob Menendez. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")

At this time, there is no ethics grievance or charge against Mr. Menendez before the U.S. Senate nor in New Jersey before the legal ethics committee. However, Mr. Menendez is not now and may never be Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S. Senate. If Menendez becomes Chairperson of that committee, I doubt that foreign leaders will take him very seriously on ethics issues. ("More Problems For Menendez -- Tapes!" and "Senator Bob Loves Xanadu!")

Frances Robles, "Federal Agents Raid Offices of a Florida Donor Linked to Menendez," in The New York Times, January 31, 2013, at p. A18. (Cuban American National Foundation and/or organized crime is alleged to be "connected" to this donor who is "linked" to Menendez. So many drug dealers in Southern Florida, allegedly, have their own planes.)

Kate Zernike, "New Jersey Asks For Help to Halt Fraud by Guardians," in The New York Times, January 31, 2013, at p. A18. (Stuart Rabner ADMITS massive thefts by lawyers as guardians, but needs members of the public to help monitor guardianships because he cannot trust lawyers to keep things on the up-and-up. This is unique in American jurisprudence. Mr. Rabner's concerns should certainly include Lowenstein, Sadler, allegedly, his own former firm. Garcia & Kriko? Ray Gonzales? Mr. Ginarte? Have they all been disbarred or made to face ethics actions?)

Morsi Secret, "Ex-Legislator Pleads Guilty in Fraud Case," in The New York Times, January 31, 2013, at p. A19. ("Former state senator pleading guilty on Wednesday to funneling over $87,000 in taxpayer money through a non-profit agency ... to cover 'shopping' for himself and relatives." In New Jersey, this is "business as usual.")

Matt Friedman & Ted Sherman, "Friend's Crisis Lands Menendez in the Spotlight: Senator Denies Anonymous Allegations of Trysts With Prostitutes," in The Star Ledger, January 31, 2013, at p. 1. (Allegations of consorting with UNDERAGE PROSTITUTES, possibly of both sexes, as well as financial irregularities shadow Mr. Menendez and his supporter, Salomon Melgen, eye doctor and possible front-man for Cuban-American organized crime. Cuban-American gangsters are alleged to be heavily involved in drugs, prostitution, and child-pornography and child-prostitution: "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry.")

Several of the young women identifying Mr. Menendez as a "client" have been videotaped and recorded. They may be seen and heard on-line at several Conservative blogs.

Herb Jackson, "F.B.I. Raids Office of Menendez Donor: Puts Spotlight On Lurid Allegations," in The Record, January 31, 2013, at p. A-1. (Allegations of consorting with prostitutes probably emanate from law enforcement sources and should not surprise veteran lawyers in New Jersey. It may be that many persons will be intimidated in testifying against or about Mr. Menendez. I am not one of them.)

"The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday raided the offices of a prominent South Florida eye surgeon who is a wealthy Democratic Party donor" -- Dr. Melgen may also have contributed to Republicans, possibly seeking protection from both parties' officials -- "with close ties to Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey." (Times, p. A18.)

Additional allegations and/or charges against Mr. Menendez may be forthcoming from the F.B.I. ("Bribery in Union City, New Jersey.")

Dr. Salomon Melgen owes the IRS about $10 MILLION (Times) earned by performing several hundred thousand eye surgeries last year, perhaps, out of two offices in West Palm Beach. Was Dr. Melgen also receiving payments for overtime work at the Port Authority? ("Herbert Klitzner, Esq.'s Greed and New Jersey's Hypocrisy" and "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit" then "Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics.") 

This person may also be an alleged front-person for Cuban-American "organizations" of various kinds. I suspect that there may well be money laundering allegations in Dr. Melgen's future.  ("Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" and "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks.")

The issue now is not whether Senator Menendez was "deceived" about Dr. Melgen's contributions or whether it was "O.K." to fly in a private plane for free to the D.R. for a little "party," but whether the main reason for the trip was that ...

" ... Mr. Menendez and Dr. Melgen frequented under-age prostitutes in the Dominican Republic." (Times, p. A18.) (emphasis added!)

Mr. Menendez is a member of the N.J. Bar Association which should frown upon indulging in the services of under-age and over-age prostitutes! -- unless the New Jersey attorney receives a professional discount -- but no legal ethics action concerning this matter has yet been brought against Mr. Menendez, to my knowledge. ("Menendez Gets Over On the Feds!" and "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?") 

Mr. Menendez has reimbursed Dr. Melgen, belatedly, for the plane ride and says all of this is a "mischaracterization." ("Illegal Payments to Bob Menendez" and "Crooked Broker Paid-Off Menendez!" then "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry" and "Is Menendez For Sale?")

Is Mr. Menendez the best choice for Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S. Senate? ("Is Senator Menendez 'For' Human Rights?")

I will attempt to post a list of sources of corruption and further incompetence as well as cybercrime and censorship from New Jersey's legal system if I am able to access my blogs in the days and weeks ahead.

Sources:

New York & the World:

David E. Sanger & Thom Shanker, "Broad Powers Seen for Obama in Cybercrimes: SECRET Review of Rules," in The New York Times, February 4, 2013, at p. A1. (U.S. claims the power to attack the cybersystems of any and/or all other nations for SECRET reasons that need never be explained to their targets or the public. "Secrecy," Louis Brandeis said, "is the enemy of freedom.") 

Ismail Khan & Salman Masood, "Suicide Attack in Northwest Pakistan Kills at Least 21," in The New York Times, February 2, 2013 at p. A7. (The crisis in the region cannot be contained. Iraq heats-up. Afghanistan disintegrates. Iran is celebrating. "A Commencement Address by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham-Clinton.")

Richard Perez-Pena, "Students Disciplined in Harvard Scandal," in The New York Times, February 2, 2013, at p. A13. ("What is it like to be plagiarized?" and "'Brideshead Revisited': A Movie Review.")

Motoko Rich, "In a Memphis Cheating Ring, the Teachers Are the Accused," in The New York Times, February 2, 2013, at p. A13. (Ethical crisis in American institutions continues. Will cheating students and teachers enter politics? "Bribery in Union City, New Jersey.")

Jennifer Steinhauer, "In Senate, Traditional Decorum Gives Way to New Discord," in The New York Times, February 2, 2013, at p. A12. (Is this how the U.S. Senate sets an example?)

Elisabeth Bumiller, "Hagel Has Rough Outing Before Ex-Colleagues," in The New York Times, February 1, 2013, at p. A1. (Shocking hostility in exchanges between Republican senators and nominee, who is a former senator himself and member of their party.)

Alan Cowell, "Iran is Said to Be Set to Accelerate Uranium Enrichment," in The New York Times, February 1, 2013, at p. A6. (Side-effect of Iraq's implosion is the rise of Iran.)

Fares Akram, "Fire in Gaza Kills Family and Stirs Rage Against Power Company," in The New York Times, February 1, 2013, at p. A8. (Israeli policies in Gaza continue to generate debate.)

Michael R. Gordon, "Clinton Sees Signs of More Aid to Syria," in The New York Times, February 1, 2013, at p. A12. (Further indication of the void created by a devastated Iraq.)

Chris Savage, "Judge Stops Censorship in Sept. 11 Case," in The New York Times, February 1, 2013, at p. A16. (Offstage censors -- similar to those preventing me from writing -- were advised to "cease and desist" from criminal censorship efforts. New Jersey?)

"A Confirmation Ordeal: Republicans Lodge Complaints When Mr. Hagel Should be Approved as Pentagon Chief," (Editorial) in The New York Times, February 1, 2013, at p. A26. (More heat than light in the Hagel hearings.)

New Jersey's Unseemly and Horrifying Collapse:

Mathew McGrath, "Guilty Plea in Internet Wagering: Based in 2 Cafes in Morris County," in The Record, February 1, 2013, at p. L-1. (New Jersey is home base for a great amount of cybercrime done through public computers together with the greatest source of child porn disseminated throughout the country.)

Peter J. Sampson, "Judge Shows Frustration  With Bergrin: Worries His Trial Will Last Too Long," in The Record, February 1, 2013, at p. L-3. (Paul Bergrin, Esq., alleged murderer of witnesses and pimp, goes on trial for second time. The OAE engages in tampering with witnesses and obstruction of justice. However, to my knowledge, no member of that disgraced office is being tried for these crimes. "Is Paul W. Bergrin, Esq. an Ethical New Jersey Attorney?" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")

Melissa Harris & Harry Lipman, "Charity Raising Eyebrows: Critics Say Christie Should Pull Back From Sandy Fund," in The Record, February 4, 2013, at p. A-1. (Governor's wife presides over Sandy fund where distribution may be subject to political favoritism.)

Abbott-Koloff, "Man Guilty of Fraud in Charity Scheme," in The Record, February 1, 2013, at p. L-3. (GREGORY CICCONE, 36, pleaded guilty to one count each of wire fraud and filing a false tax return in federal court. ...")

Hannan Adeley, "Cops May be Spared Jail in Coverup Case: Would Have to Leave Hackensack," in The Record, January 31, 2013, at p. L-1. (Hackensack police covering for Zisa "get away with it.")

Allison Pries, "Ind. Man Charged With Sex Assault of Mahwah Girl, 15," in The Record, January 31, 2013, at p. L-3. (Alleged Menendez supporter and convicted sex offender, allegedly, JOSHUA ELKINS, 28, of Fort Wayne, Ind. and now of Mahwah, New Jersey is charged with Internet-induced sexual encounters with 15 year-old girl.)

Jason Grant, "Legislation Would Make N.J. Child Porn Laws Among Nation's Toughest," in County News, The Star Ledger, January 31, 2013, at p. 13. (Irony? Too Little, too late -- especially given the corruption in N.J. that allows this activity to flourish.)

Ryan Hutchins, "New Trial Ordered in Bias Intimidation Case: Court Says Employee Wrongly Convicted," in The Star Ledger, January 31, 2013, at p. 21. (N.J. being N.J.)

Susan K. Livio, "Volunteers to Monitor Legal Guardians For the Elderly, Disabled," in The Star Ledger, January 31, 2013, at p. 21. (Mr. Rabner needs volunteers to keep an eye on lawyers' trust accounts, except for his friends at Lowenstein, Sadler who may do as they like.)

Jenna Portnoy, "Republicans Call For Investigation Into Buono's Campaign Spending," in The Star Ledger, January 31, 2013, at p. 24. (Ms. Buono used campaign money to pay for a website and Menendez-like travel, no prostitutes have been mentioned in her matter: "Diana's Friend Goes to Prison" and "Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!" then "Jennifer Velez is a Dyke Magnet!")

Peter J. Sampson, "North Bergen Official Guilty of Extortion: Admits Receiving Cash Payments From Contractor's Workers," in The Record, December 21, 2012, at p. L-3. (Please keep this article in mind as additional North Bergen officials may be facing indictment soon. "North Bergen, New Jersey is the Home of La Cosa Nostra.")

The OAE and DRB back down!

February 1, 2013 at 1:40 P.M. "Errors" inserted overnight will now be corrected.

January 31, 2012 at 1:10 P.M. "Errors" inserted in the text will now be corrected. I will try to defend these posts from future alterations to the best of my ability. At any time I may be prevented from writing further at these blogs or they may be destroyed by hackers protected by New Jersey officials. ("How censorship works in America" and "Censorship and Cruelty in New Jersey.")

I wish that I could say that I am surprised by accusations that Senator Menendez "consorted with prostitutes" -- some underage protitutes, allegedly -- and that F.B.I. seizures of financial records from big "donors" in Florida are only the beginning of the next scandal in Mr. Menendez's career. I will be writing about this matter in the days ahead. Efforts to prevent me from doing so will also escalate. ("Is Menendez For Sale?" and "New Jersey's Child Sex Industry" then "Crooked Broker Paid-Off Menendez!" and "Bribery in Union City, New Jersey.")

January 30, 2013 at 12:23 P.M. I am in receipt of a letter that purports to come from something called "EOS CCA, 700 Longworth Drive, Norwell, MA 02061."

I am reminded of "Publish America" for some reason. ("How censorship works in America" and "A Letter From the DRB in New Jersey" and "Another Letter From the DRB in New Jersey.")

Phone numbers are provided for this "entity," allegedly, which is probably a front or p.o. box: 781-681-4300; 800-455-8026; (FAX) 781-4340. The envelope in which the letter was sent bears postage meter number: #041L1124737.

The letter was posted on January 24, 2013 and was received by me in Manhattan on the next business day. This suggests that the letter was actually sent from within New York city or New Jersey, not from any place in Massachusetts.

The return address is stamped on this envelope. Anyone may purchase or create a stamp bearing any address. The envelope is addressed by hand, so that the person sending this communication should be easy to identify. (Lourdes Santiago? Alexandra Ramirez?)

This letter seeks to perpetuate the original fraud and lies in the threatening letter sent to me, previously, to which I have responded. ("Psychological Torture in the American Legal System" and "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, Terry Tuchin and Diana Lisa Riccioli" then "Another Warm Letter From the DRB.")

Do you speak to me of "ethics," Mr. Rabner? ("Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?" and "What did you know, Mr. Rabner, and when did you know it?")

The origin of this letter, I believe, is identified with the source of the harassing phone calls to my home from numbers that I have posted and cybercrimes as well as censorship that I struggle against every day. These calls alone constitute stalking and criminal harassment. ("Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.") 

I have retained copies of hundreds of pages revealing cybercrime at my blogs and sites. Admitting that the original letter was false or a lie (or an "error") is irrelevant to the criminal issues which have arisen in this matter. Accordingly, I believe a criminal investigation should proceed in this matter to its conclusion.

What follows is the text of the letter allegedly from "STACEY WELLESLEY" of "EOS CCA."

"Dear Mr. Menendez:

After reviewing our files, I have determined that Mr. Menendez was contacted in error by our collection department, while trying to locate another consumer.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Any phone numbers and/or addresses mentioned in the compliant [sic.] have been removed and will not receive further contact from us.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office at 800-886-9177 ext 14250.

Sincerely,

Stacey Wellesley (s)

STACEY
(Processing Services)"

Manohla Dargis? Allison Gopnick? This obviously bogus letter and fictional signature is an embarassing lie for the person and/or agency creating it. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")

If Trenton's government agencies are reduced to such transparent frauds, New Jersey's incompetence has reached a new low. Even the mafia is usually smarter than this letter-writer. Does all of this lead back to Mr. Menendez? Or the OAE? Both? ("Is Senator Menendez 'For' Human Rights?" and "Does Senator Menendez have mafia friends?" then, again, "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")

Congratulations, Mr. Menendez, on your prospective appointment to the Chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Is it really a "done deal"? ("Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Illegal Payments to Bob Menendez" then "Is Menendez For Sale?")

In response to a letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, Martha Coakley, Attorney General, c/o Brittany Kaminski, Mediator, Public Inquiry and Assistance Center, Boston, MA, 02018, I am sending copies of all I have received, together with a complaint form that I have completed which should or may result in criminal charges in several states -- charges that will, perhaps, be heard in a federal forum.

I have yet to hear from Mr. Vance's office. I am also enclosing copies of on-line writings pertaining to these matters.

"Dear Ms. Kaminski:

Thank you for your response to my original communication with your office.

I enclose with this letter copies of additional letters and materials which are self-explanatory together with your duly-executed complaint.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss this matter at your convenience.

Very truly yours,

Juan Galis-Menendez (s)
JUAN GALIS-MENENDEZ

cc: Cyrus R. Vance, New York District Attorney (w/encls.)"

Brittany Kaminski, Mediator
Public Inquiry & Assistance Center
Martha Coakley, Attorney General
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-2200
(617) 727-4765 TTY
http://www.mass.gov/ago

Please feel free to inquire about and follow-up on the progress of this matter as members of the public. After all, it is a free country and these are public proceedings. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead.")

I am grateful for the support of many persons in several countries in the world. If I am able to continue writing and posting texts on-line -- at these blogs -- then you may expect periodic progress reports in these matters to see whether accusations mysteriously disappear or are dismissed without a hearing or an explanation.

If I am injured or incapacitated and unable to testify, I believe that these matters should -- and will -- still be investigated and pursued to a legal conclusion.  

Will he walk the walk?

"Beyond Selma-to-Stonewall," (Editorial) in The New York Times, January 28, 2013, at p. A16.

"By including gay rights in the arc of the struggle for civil rights --'the road through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall' -- President Obama linked his presidency to ending anti-gay discrimination and underscored the legal wrong of denying gay people the freedom to marry."

Many of us attending to President Obama's inspiring Inauguration speech were struck by the forthright and brave manner in which Mr. Obama, correctly, embraced the struggle for equal rights of gay and lesbian as well as transexual and transgendered persons. ("Manifesto For the Unfinished American Revolution" and "America's Holocaust.")

Mr. Obama understands that the struggle for equality of our brothers and sisters in these communities today is incorporated into the continuing civil rights struggle because all of our rights are implicated or threatened by the violation of any one person's (or community's) rights. ("Presidential Debates" and "Republicans Unplugged.")

What is at issue in creating lesser or separate legal rights for any despised minority group, or person, is the diminution of everyone's rights as a cost of generalized dehumanization. ("Dehumanization" and "Is there a gay marriage right?" then "John Finnis and Ethical Cognitivism" and "Judith Butler and Gender Theory.")

If the history of the twentieth century has taught us anything, then it must be that dehumanization is a very slippery slope. It becomes progressively easier to encroach on the civil rights of all persons in the state when precedents are created for such encroachments upon the legal protections of disfavored persons in society.

Those we dislike -- or who are different and/or unpopular because of that difference -- are usually first to be denied their rights. ("Freedom For Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Justice For Mumia Abu-Jamal" then "So Black and So Blue in Prison.")

"Now that Mr. Obama has declared that he believes denying gay people the right to wed is not only unfair and morally wrong but legally unsupportable, the urgent question is how he will translate his words into action. [emphasis added] To start he should have his Solicitor General file a brief in the Proposition 8 case being argued before the Supreme Court in March, saying that California's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional."

Mr. Obama has been criticized by opponents for making great speeches while failing to act on his rhetoric. The same critics who do their best to undermine every White House initiative complain that Mr. Obama is not accomplishing much. ("Boehner's Disgrace.")

It must be said in response to this accusation that it is unprecedented for the President of the United States of America to make such an explicit declaration about LGBT rights.

It is likely that Mr. Obama's words will be echoed in international law and conventions on human rights involving many more nations in this effort at equality for everyone. President Obama has ALREADY changed the discussion in America and the world based on this crucial speech.

By shifting the discussion of LGBT rights to the level of Bill of Rights protections, which may be anti-majoritarian without being undemocratic -- since these protections emanate from the Constitution enacted by "We the People" as our most fundamental law -- he makes the protection of individuals' and especially minorities' fundamental rights primary over the "transitory will of majorities" as the Framers intended.

If a majority of voters approved the restoration of slavery for African-Americans, the courts would strike down such a law or mandate in any state, or for the nation, because that propspective law is prohibited by the 13th and 14th Amendments.

Denial of fundamental rights to LGBT persons is likened by many persons (myself included) to denigration of such persons or their reduction to a subhuman status. This goes way beyond the definition of marriage. (Again: "Is there a gay marriage right?")

Mr. Obama has placed concern for the rights of LGBT persons on the same level with the rights of African-Americans, women, and other traditionally disempowered groups or all persons confronted by the power of the state. Even the national government in an age of terrorism must obey the law.

I urge the president to direct the Solicitor General to file an amicus brief in the Proposition 8 case, to seek qualified candidates for the federal judiciary -- including the Supreme Court if a vacancy becomes available -- from the LGBT community (which is OUR community). 

I also suggest that we continue to devote resources to the struggle for equal rights of which President Obama is now a global symbol. In Mr. Obama's words:

"Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like everyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well." (emphasis added!)

"Nice Babies" and Bad Psychologists.

February 7, 2013 at 1:52 P.M. I experienced additional obstacles to accessing these sites today. I hope to continue writing from multiple branches of the NYPL. So far, no fire alarms have gone off.  

January 28, 2013 at 1:25 P.M. The article commented upon in this essay demands some kind of response from readers. Is this article typical of American social science or the ethics of U.S. journalists today? I hope not.

The following strange calls have been received by me: January 18, 2013 at 7:16 P.M. 516-656-4112, C4C FOP, NY; January 18, 2013 at 10:22 P.M. 516-490-8826 HICKSVILLE, NY; January 17, 2013 at 12:53 P.M. 973-273-7847 NEWARK, N.J. I am sure that there is a rational explanation for these mysterious calls.

Abigail Tucker, "Born to be Mild: Are we born knowing right from wrong?," in Smithsonian, January, 2013, at pp. 34-76. http://www.smithsonian.com (Isn't right and wrong all "relative"?)

Margaret Westheim, "Many Hands Make Fractals Tactile," in The New York Times, January 23, 2013, at p. D3. ("Science Times.")

Richard Lewontin, "Let DNA Fit the Crime," in The New York Review of Books, February 23, 2012, at p. 28.

Richard Lewontin, The Doctrine of DNA: Biology as Ideology (New York & London: Harper/Collins, 1992), pp. 39-59. ("Causes and Their Effects.")

Mary Midgley, Science and Poetry (London & New York: Routledge, 2001), pp. 79-155. ("Mind and Body: The End of Apartheid.")

John L. Carti, The Cambridge Quintet: A Work of Scientific Speculation (Canada: Helix Books, 2012).

Jerry Fodor, The Mind Doesn't Work That Way: The Scope and Limits of Computational Psychology (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2001).

Robert Coles, The Mind's Fate: A Psychiatrist Looks at His Profession (New York: Little, Brown & Co., 1995). (Summarizes and updates findings in Dr. Coles' Pulitzer Prize-winning trilogy focusing on the Moral Life, Spiritual Life, Political Life of Children. Notice the discussion of Piaget's work in relation to the great psychoanalysts and phenomenologists, like Professor Coles, whose books on Walker Percy and Simone Weil are highly recommended.)

Konrad Lorenz, On Aggression (New York: HBJ, 1963).

Stanley Milgram, Obedience to Authority (New York: Harper, 1974).

"Nice Babies" and Bad Psychologists.

An article in Smithsonian magazine by "Abigail Tucker," whose style is amazingly similar to the golden prose of "Jerry Adler" in Scientific American, raises more questions than it answers. ("Erasing Painful Memories" and "The Galatea Scenario and the Mind/Body Problem.")

The article is occasionally suggestive and interesting, if marred by a tendency to anounce with a drum roll the proverbial reinvention of the wheel by offering conclusions that can best be described as banal and, sometimes, absurd.

Strangely, the classic works in the field of infant studies are not mentioned (or recognized) by the author or the so-called scientists interviewed by the author. I suspect that at least some of these scientists and their studies may be fictional.

Journalistic ethics requires that this publication apologize to readers if, in fact, some or all of this article is based on lies. Echoing the work of discredited Harvard researcher, Mr. Hauser, this journalist focuses on alleged experiments with infants (12 to 16 months in ages) concerned with the question of whether moral behavior is innate or learned through social interaction.

At the outset of this article several philosophers and scientists are mentioned without being quoted who have, clearly, also not been read by this author: Thomas Hobbes is contrasted with Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Noam Chomsky is mentioned along with Jean Piaget. Tell us why they are important, Ms. Tucker, if you know. 

More worrisome is the possibility that none of the scientists involved in this curious research seem to have read these thinkers or classic sources on the origins of human moral faculties.

The scientists have completed "fascinating research" which suggests (to them) conclusions that are already known to readers who have read the sources and to philosophers and psychologists working in this field today. Incidentally, Schopenhauer and Freud -- neither of whom are mentioned or quoted -- observed and commented upon the behavior of infants.

As we "spin our wheels" -- to quote Ms. Tucker who is (or was) a  lawyer in New Jersey, perhaps -- thinking about these matters, a few reservations become especially important: 1) methodological problems arise surrounding the integrity of the process by which these conclusions were reached, allegedly, exclusively from pristine observations of "nice babies"; 2) ethical concerns focusing on the scope and limits of the alleged "consent" obtained by researchers, manipulations, comparisons and equating of these babies with adult apes on the basis of knowledge and capacity to acquire knowledge that are said to be "the same" for adult apes in relation to, or compared with, human infants.

I find this claim about babies and apes ludicrous because it is unsupported by any evidence cited in this article and defies common sense. 

Human babies are admitted to possess a priori linguistic and social capacities that allow for moral life. This is what thinkers describe as "innate knowledge." I have yet to see or read of an ape that is equally well endowed, intellectually or emotionally. 

It does not seem to occur to this writer -- who cannot have heard of, or read, structuralist psychologists -- that the "structural" facility for absorbing social-linguistic skills and/or moral dispositions ("disposition" is not a word or concept that is defined or used appropriately in this article) is also a kind of "knowledge" that permits "understanding" to emerge, moral and aesthetic understandings very much included. (Chomsky, Coles, Piaget and others agree on this much.)

Such deeply-ingrained knowledge and knowledge-capacity has been "known" to be BOTH inherent and socially developed by philosophers and psychologists for generations. 

What is new is recent discoveries suggesting a similar "ingrained" mathematical knowledge in persons that is likened to an aesthetic faculty in all humans. Fusions of realism in the philosophy of mathematics with hermeneutics in philosophy seems promising as a future direction for students in these fields as well as in quantum physics. ("Dialectics, Entanglements, and Special Relativity" and, soon, "Let's be realistic about Realism.")

The implications of this so-called "new" research for scientists seeking to model human consciousness and intelligence, mathematically, in order to produce consciousness in computers, is not recognized nor can it be discussed by this author. ("Mind and Machine" and "Consciousness and Computers.")

Methodology.

No discussion is offered concerning the selection process for these infants, or so-called "nice babies," that make up the base group studied, nor are we told whether a control group was created to correct for any bias in the base group or distorting influences created by scientists themselves.

Social scientists tend to observe and discover exactly what they decide to find before examining the evidence, very much like judges. After telling us of the importance of culture, to take one example, the author of this article fails to comment on the academic and so-called scientific culture among social science researchers that tends to mirror the culture of the people participating in this research and of their "nice" babies.

A great deal has been learned by infants in the first year of life long before they get to these researchers. Not surprisingly, the base group of nice babies is likely to be mostly, one infers, white, middle to upper-middle class, as determined from the observations of a handful of "scientists" (I use the word loosely) of similar backgrounds to the subjects.

How different they (nice people) must be from the persons who, we are told, assaulted one of the scientists interested in researching "goodness." 

Generalizations are made about all human infants and, indeed, about chimpanzees on the basis of this tainted and selective group of "nice" babies. I have yet to find a group of "not-nice babies."

Speaking of "cultural" issues, for example, in most places in the world there would be shock at parents willing to lend themselves and their infants to such so-called scientists' manipulations that may well be extremely harmful to the healthy emotional development of their babies' lives.

Anxiety resulting from concern that a scientists' "stuffed animals" have been taken or harmed could be a serious problem for babies, if not (perhaps) for adult apes. I doubt that the scientists doing this alleged experimentation -- if they exist -- are "nice scientists." These scientists may need a little time out:

" ... researchers outfit them [babies] with miniature wire skullcaps to monitor brain waves, scrutinize them like shoplifters through wall cameras and two-way mirrors, and conduct exceedingly clever and tightly-controlled experiments, which a good portion of their subjects will refuse to sit through anyway. Even well-behaved babies are notoriously hard to read: their most meditative expressions are often the sign of an impending bowel movement." (pp. 35-36.)

I suspect that the babies, by defecating, are making an eloquent comment on the scientists' experiments. I concur.

This research is said to point to natural capacity or a priori "dispositions" toward moral behavior as opposed to learned behavior. The greatest mistake may be to think of an opposition between these kinds of explanations and theories, nature or nurture, when it is clearly nature and nurture that matters to "niceness."

This author and these scientists seem -- and, indeed, they are -- thoroughly confused about these matters.

"It's all relative!"

Locating goodness in human nature -- at least when discussing nice babies -- rather than the nasty criminals who participate in "gang initiations" by beating up scientists -- may involve racist assumptions and generalizations. This is to fail to appreciate, again, the very concept mentioned as important to all findings "culture."

The very same nice babies admired by the author and scientists, if placed in an environment in which survival requires development of the capacity for violence, will become criminals capable of assaulting researchers. The discussion of human potentialities is more subtle and complex than this article's author supposes.

Capacity for ethical concern or awareness, apparently, is not relative at all. Capacity for moral life, inherent goodness -- like the capacity to acquire a language -- is a feature of human cerebral functioning and, only then, subject to social development that is not reducible to Darwinian dismissals, nor to "self-interest" or "advantage," either for individuals or groups of individuals. Regrettably, the statements of the author (or authors) of this article, as we will see, are self-contradictory on these issues.

Ms./Mr. Tucker first dismisses ethical dispositions in humans as Darwinian adaptations or a matter of "self-interest" (survival?) then self-interest is specifically rejected as an explanation for ethical behavior:

"Natural selection has operated as much or more on social behavior" -- Does behavior evolve? Or do persons evolve? -- "as are more basic things like perception." Is perception distinguishable from social behavior? Does some experience take place outside of behavior? Emotions? You can observe behavior, but not necessarily experience. ("R.D. Laing and Evil" and "John Finnis and Ethical Cognitivism.")

"In our evolution survival and reproduction depend more and more on social competence as you went from basic mamals [sic.] to primates to human ancestors to humans." (p. 37, emphasis added.)

Human ancestors are humans by definition even if they are also something else. This section of the article is reminiscent of Richard Dawkins' "selfish genes" and memes. It is the kind of talk that will delight Richard Posner and adherents of law and economics. Immediately after this statement, however, we are told:

" ... a child arrives in the world provisioned with rich, broadly pro-social tendencies and seem ["seems"?] predisposed [what's that?] to care about other people. Children can tell, to an extent, what is good and bad, [It's not all relative?] and often act in an altruistic manner." (p. 37.)

This goodness in infants is found even when there is inconvenience to the child and no reward is offered or given for the altruism displayed. (pp. 37-38.)

Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, Kant and Jefferson agreed with this observation and said as much about humanity -- even accounting for Kant's skepticism about the "crooked timber of humanity" -- because of human reason and natural rational CAPACITIES and DISPOSITIONS towards goodness.

Rationalism is vindicated in much of this research as a viable and important contributor to "our" understanding of the human mind.

Schopenhauer and Freud expressed reservations about "innate" capacities for aggression. Konrad Lorenz deserves a mention as devil's advocate. What about Milgram and Zimbardo? ("Drawing Room Comedy: A Philosophical Essay in the Form of a Film Script" and "The Wanderer and His Shadow.")

Several obviously fictional scientists quoted ("Allison Gopnick"?) were astonished to discover that "nice babies" will persist in compassionate behavior out of affection or empathy ...

" ... even at a cost to themselves, growing concerned if someone shreds another person's artwork" -- Or inserts "errors" in the on-line creative works of others? -- "and divying-up [sic.] earnings after a shared task, whether the spoils take the form of detested rye bread or precious Gummy Bears." (p. 37.) 

This sounds like socialism. ("Hansel and Gretl.") 

All of this research leads to the bafflement of leading scientist "Allison Gopnick" of Berkeley University. Again, I doubt that such a person exists at the Berkeley campus of the University of California:

"There isn't a moral module that is there [where?] innately. But the elements that underpin morality -- altruism, sympathy for others, the understanding of other people's goals -- are in place much earlier than we thought and clearly in place before children turn 2." (p. 38.)

A full human language is not "in" the brain, but the unique capacity to absorb a language is an innate, a priori human faculty. Similarly, a full set of ethical principles and rules for ethical life are not "in" the brain at birth, but a capacity for reasoning about right and wrong, together with empathetic identification leading to attraction to goodness and revulsion at evil (or hatred of wickedness) may well be present at birth in healthy persons. ("Why I am not an ethical relativist" and "Nihilists in Disneyworld.")

Healthy individuals may develop in an ethical direction provided that a number of other factors are also available: culture, environment, nutrition, and many other external factors not controlled by infants, like equal access to education and safety from violence. 

Culture Vultures.

Here is where the selection issue concerning methodology arises: Babies raised by nice parents who are loving and protective tend to be nice babies. There needs no ghost come from "Berkeley University" to tell us this. ("Richard A. Posner on Voluntary Actions and Criminal Responsibility.") 

Where innate capacities for learning and developing moral dispositions are encouraged as well as naturally evolve, anti-social behavior is minimized. This capacity for moral behavior or "disposition toward the good" (Aristotle) -- not mere behavior -- is part of what we mean by consciousness or human nature. ("Immanuel Kant and the Narrative of Freedom.")

This leads to the great difficulties with efforts to create artificial intelligence in computers ("A.I.") in order to achieve machine consciousness. Human intelligence is never entirely amoral or non-valuing. Consciousness is always consciousness "of" something. ("Mind and Machine" then "Consciousness and Computers" and "The Entanglements Are Primary.")

Ethical capacity or quasi-linguistic features of human minds may be the very "moral modules" that allow us to become persons in the fullness of time, if we are lucky. ("Ape and Essence" and "Primates and Personhood.")

A few persons -- possibly for pathological reasons -- will be unable to develop normally whatever circumstances they are in. Fortunately, such persons are a tiny minority of any human society.

An article in the "Science Times" section of the New York Times, develops insights from Spinoza and Kant, neither of whom may be well-known to the author, concerning innate mathematical intuitions and realism or the metaphysical reality of numbers examined by Godel, Penrose, Putnam and Salmon.

Not surprisingly, Immanuel Kant suggested an analogy between mathematical intuition of pattern and form and the rational groundwork of ethical-social life. I will conclude with Times reporter Margaret Westheim's words echoing Noam Chomsky:

"Human beings are born with an innate capacity to learn languages. Yet while mathematics is the language of pattern and form, many people struggle to acquire even its basic grammar." 

Ethics and love are the languages of personhood. Notice the insight from aesthetics and hermeneutics analogizing mathematical talent developed by doing math to love by loving, goodness by being good, justice by being just:

"But what if we could experience language by speaking it."

Hansel and Gretl.

" ... You will see fearful shapes in darkness, and wicked voices will whisper in your ear, but they will not harm you, for against the purity of a little child the powers of hell cannot prevail."

Oscar Wilde, "The Canterville Ghost," in Lord Saville's Crime and Other Stories (New York: Penguin, 1954), p. 54.

It was a windy, dark and icy Halloween night. Hansel Finkelstein decided that, as he had just turned twelve, a final "trick-or-treat" adventure was in order before the arrival of adolescent confusions and grim adult responsibilities.

Among strangers, of course, Hansel would have affected an ironic distance from childish pleasures on the ground that the world's troubles preclude any concern with such frivolities.

"Oh, to see the privileged class enjoying its privileges," Fitzgerald writes, "is one of life's great pleasures."

Hansel felt far too "privileged" in a city that offered daily opportunities to witness devastated lives to enjoy his good fortune without a pang of guilt that nourished his keen sense of social justice. Being a "lucky kid" can be a burden for New York children. 

Hansel's dad worked in the movie business. Hansel often met famous people and super-rich people, but his dad explained that they were like everybody else -- except a little sillier. Airplanes and fancy cars did not mean much to Hansel.

"Money is important in life," Hansel's dad said, "but spirituality and goodness are more important concerns." 

Hansel loved to read. He used his New York Public Library card, every day, right before Hebrew lessons. Standing before the mirror now, flexing the iron-like muscles of his 95 pound frame, Hansel rose to his full height of a proud 4 feet, 11 inches.

Placing his thick black spectacles on the tip of his nose, Hansel tried to look like Kato on the Green Hornet t.v. show that he saw in reruns on "T.V. Land" as he peered into his father's wall-length mirror.

Hansel had a way with the ladies in his sixth-grade class. As an international man of mystery, he tossed an over-the-shoulder smile at any vixens wandering by, donned his elegant and casual ensemble from Eddie Bauer, while offering a wry remark. Women can't resist "devil-may-care" insousiance. 

Hansel picked-up his costume and prepared to encounter his best friend and future girlfriend, Gretl Straus -- who was unaware of her good fortune just yet because Hansel was terrified and embarassed to say anything romantic to an actual, real-life "empowered female person" as distinct from a "girl" -- in order to indulge in a shared, if highly ironic, candy-gathering expedition.

Just this once, in exchange for a tiny peck on the cheek, Hansel would divide his bubble-gum pop with Gretl, even the one with the Batman wrapping. Too much indulgence in such generosity was not a good thing. Women are easily spoiled.  

What a lucky girl -- I mean female person -- was the not-so-rich Gretl Straus. Gretl lived with her mom on the lower east side. Hansel lived in a huge condo at the Apthorp, Broadway and 79th Street, about a block from his favorite Chinese restaurant. 

Gretl was already modelling for The New York Times magazine, Cosmo, and other glossy publications (even though she was politically opposed to capitalism) because her mother needed the money.

Gretl looked like a blond goddess-type in a Tommy Hilfinger advertisement, but she was not stuck-up or snotty, nor a shiksa. In fact, Gretl was really nice and strangely insecure, rarely allowing people to see her wearing the thick glasses that she preferred to contacts.

Gretl was totally hostile to religion. Hansel felt that religion was helpful for parents and other adults dealing with issues. 

Gretl agreed to come over around 5:30 P.M. for their expedition. Right on cue the doorbell rang. Hansel buzzed Gretl into the building. He stood at the open door with a look of boredom and "whatever-style" ease to indicate that he really liked this girl. Eagerness would send the opposite of his intended message in the Age of Irony. 

Gretl strolled out of the elevator, towards Hansel's apartment, with a big smile on her face (permissible for girls, that is, female persons) and wearing a comfortable Irish-knit sweater under a denim jacket and old jeans.

Gretl looked like she had stepped out of one those nice catalogues sent out for the holidays. She held a big bag from one of the pricey stores she modelled for that contained her costume.

This meant that Gretl would change in Hansel's room, which would be O.K. with his mom, except that Hansel had not engaged in the usual "girl-is-coming-over" decorations that included leaving his Noam Chomsky books scattered over his bed and putting up his "Inception" poster.

Gretl wore a big bunny rabitt costume; Hansel wore a "Rudy-the-Red-Nosed-Raindeer" costume. They each selected a big bag to fill with candy to be obtained from the stores on Broadway, then they'd take out a lot of the candy -- so the bags would appear mostly empty -- when they went to neighbors in their building and in other ritzy buildings who would feel sorry for them and give them lots more candy.

Hansel had considered a career in entertainment law. They had a really nice time making out like bandits -- especially Hansel! -- when they decided to cross the park at 79th Street, emerging right by the Metropolitan Museum.

Many of the nice brownstones on 5th Avenue and further down on Madison were known to be candy gold mines rarely visited by unadventurous kids from the west side. 

As Hansel and Gretl were making their way across the park, texting their parents not to worry, listening to their favorite music while enjoying a heated conversation concerning the merits of their respective laptops, they suddenly came upon a person in the best wolf costume either of them had ever seen. 

This amazingly life-like wolf -- eyes glittering, saliva sparkling on white fangs and pointed front teeth -- was wearing a black Channel suit, together with a button that said "Vote for Me For City Council." 

"Why, hello there!" Said the wolf in a beguiling and very husky female voice. 

"Hey," Hansel responded.

Gretl reached for her I-phone and took the wolf's picture sending it, instantly, to her mom for protection as she had been taught to do. 

"There's no need to be concerned." Said the wolf.

She smiled a wolfish smile, while lighting a very expensive cigarette placed in a long holder; she wore long black gloves over her suit sleeve as required from female evil wolves, leaned towards them and with a silken intonation whispered: "I am originally from New Jersey."

The wolf came even closer to them speaking these words in a menacing pianissimo, "I've decided to move to the city in order to enter politics in the Big Apple, where the money is best and one can have ... eh, the greatest impact."

"We're trick-or-treating." Gretl was cautious.

"I'd be only too happy to hold on to your candy and keep it safe for you."

The wolf said this while drawing yet closer to Gretl, filling the girl's nostrils with a whiff of cheap perfume and cigarette smoke, also something much worse.

"Perhaps you'd like to leave a trail of candy that you could follow in order to get home later, when it's dark?" The wolf suggested, helpfully.

"Well, duh. We've got GPS on our I-Phones!" Gretl said. 

Gretl placed her arms at her hips then tilted her head with disapproval at the wolf's ignorance of technology.

"No thank you." Hansel responded politely, as his father had taught him to do, even when dealing with someone unpleasant or from New Jersey, which may amount to the same thing. 

The wolf then lowered her glove to reveal at least six Rolex watches, each available for $60.00.

Hansel had been offered the real thing (a gold-and-silver Rolex), but he'd turned it down because his I-Phone also had a time feature or "app." Hansel didn't need anything so fancy. 

Hansel declined the wolf's invitation to hold their candy "in trust" pending completion of a fact-finding investigation of the candy's sensitivity to political issues, or whether the companies making the candy employed a sufficient number of minorities and female persons adopting alternative lifestyles.  

Making their excuses the kids strolled past the wolf, heading to the east side, following what appeared to be the yellow bricks of a glittering wet cobblestone road straight through the park.

They failed to realize, however, that this particular wolf sensed a candy windfall in the making and had decided to follow Hansel and Gretl at a discreet distance.  

As the children began knocking on doors, they were greeted by friendly strangers along with other kids who compared notes on their pirate booty.

Along with some new friends their age, they came to a white marble townhouse that was decorated with beautiful Halloween stuff: a strawman sat on a rocking chair at the entrance to the property; a doorman smiled and greeted the children dressed as Superman; music and laughter could be heard all the way in the street.

A masked ball was taking place inside this beautiful home owned by a tall man with dark curly hair dressed in green velvet breeches resembling the style of Oscar Wilde. Others glimpsed behind him looked like the authors and characters that Hansel and Gretl loved most -- William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Frankenstein and Mary Shelley, J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter were dancing in the living room, Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle were chatting with Robin Hood.

"Please come in," Oscar Wilde said.

As Hansel and Gretl entered the premises they were dazzled by the beauty of the rooms and impressed by the sparkling conversations of the various guests.

The children had never before experienced such a sense of peace and belonging. Ice cream was available on command, offered by persons also in costume willing to play with the other children in the room.

Pre-Raphaelite canvases and some seemingly genuine impressionist works decorated walls painted in stunning and exquisite colors: Hansel recognized Millais' "Death of Ophelia" and Burne-Jones' "The Death of Merlin," both great favorites of Oscar's youth. There were also Whistler prints and a small Botticelli copy of the Florentine painter's Primavera in Florence. 

The children were invited by Oscar to fill their bags with candy savoring all of the tasty treats on silver trays placed throughout his home that came from everywhere in the world.

"I can resist everything," Oscar said, "except temptation."

"These rooms are like yourselves, my darling children, glittering with the charm, innocence, and beauty of youth. I have decorated them myself, in accordance with the advice and suggestions of friends -- like Mr. Pater who is conversing with Lewis Carroll in that far corner of this gracious space."

Oscar pointed to a bald and mustached man chatting with a smaller man in a black suit holding the hand of a girl called "Alice." 

"Take my hands, each of you. We will wander through these rooms commenting harshly on all we see. At the conclusion of our perambulations, you may each take one toy (or other item) with you to remember this evening and our little chat."

Oscar lifted a chocolate strawberry then placed it in his mouth with great solemnity.

"A man should be judged," Oscar said, "by how well he eats a strawberry."

Gretl was astonished to see a woman disguised as her favorite author, Louisa May Alcott, who was accompanied by three girls about her own age dressed in nineteenth century costumes.

"That's Joe!" Gretl said. "She writes stories."

Hansel hoped to write stories someday, like Oscar did for his children. As if reading her mind, Oscar whispered:

"You have a wonderful personality. Develop it. Be yourself. Don't imagine that your perfection lies in accumulating or possessing external things. Your perfection is inside you. If only you could realize that, you would not want to be rich. Ordinary rishes can be stolen from a man [or woman.] Real riches cannot. In the treasury house of your soul, there are infinitely precious things, that may not be taken from you. And so, try to so shape your life that external things will not harm you. And try also to get rid of personal property. It involves sordid preoccupation, endless industry, continual wrong. ..."

"The Soul of Man Under Socialism," in De Profundis and Other Writings (New York & London: Penguin, 1954), p. 28 (emphasis added).

They sat together on the floor. Oscar explained what he meant and hoped for them, as if he knew of Hansel's questions about injustice and Gretl's doubts about her beauty:

" ... One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes the wicked have committed," -- wickedness is the only true horror! -- "but by the punishments the good have inflicted; and a community is infinitely more brutalized by the habitual employment of punishments than it is by the occasional occurrence of crime." (p. 31.) 

Hansel was reminded of sadistic and cruel persons who relish power as he saw the wolf enter this beautiful room, approaching them with a feline suppleness ...

"My little gems," said the wolf, with an insincere intonation and equally false smile, "I am so pleased to see you both again."

Oscar bid them farewell as he drifted off to greet new arrivals -- a man dressed as Sam Spade and a woman disguised as "The Maltese Falcon." 

The wolf placed her long arms on the children's shoulders and they felt a chill enter their bones at her touch. Also, a terrible anxiety and sense of dread was instantly felt in the room.

A smell of something old and fetid accompanied this wolf. The wolf eyed the children's bags of goodies with a kind of lust, salivating at the life that pulsed in Hansel and Gretl.

The three of them emerged into the night, exiting the white marble townhouse, strolling towards Central Park. Oscar waved to the small group from the entrance to his home -- a home that would remain available and open to Hansel and Gretl forever.

As they came to the Metropolitan Museum, Hansel glimpsed a banner anouncing an exhibit of Leonardo's drawings and paintings borrowed from the Louvre featuring Marie Cassat's and Madame Vigee-LeBrun's greatest works. Hansel turned to the wolf and said:

"I'd like to share some of my candy with you."

Gretl agreed and offered some of her own treats. Hansel dipped into his bag providing some of his favorite candy to a stunned wolf who released the children, briefly, as she marvelled at her sudden good fortune.

Hansel and Gretl ran immediately towards the park that embraced them, laughing and waving at the frozen wolf.

New York strollers glanced at the wolf and shared in the laughter. This wolf that wore Prada was not accustomed to being subjected to ridicule. A child's laughter is simply one of the greatest weapons against evil.

The wolf's Manolo Blanik shoes were not made for running. She saw her opportunity to capture the children slipping away, being forced to ponder the reality of her grim and solitary existence in the darkness of her single bedroom apartment, together with the putridness of her inner life.

The wolf dropped the candy she had lusted for on the ground, slithering away, slowly, to her squalid hiding place for one more night.

"Dante described the soul of man as coming from the hand of God 'weeping and laughing like a little child,' and Christ also saw that the soul of each one should be a guisa di fanciulla che piangendo e ridendo porgaloggia. He felt that life was dangerous, fluid, active, and that to allow it to be stereotyped into any form was death. He saw that people should not be too serious over material, common interests; that to be unpractical was to be a great thing: that one should not trouble over affairs. The birds didn't, why should man? ..." (De Profundis, p. 176.)