It's an outrage that it's happening, but the Obama Justice Department has agreed to let Judge Thomas Durkin, a long-time campaign supporter of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, to preside over the criminal case federal prosecutors have brought against him. Durkin's brother, James Durkin, is the Illinois House Republican leader. Judge Durkin publicly disclosed his conflict of interest at Hastert's arraignment hearing on Tuesday and offered to recuse himself from the case unless otherwise instructed by the parties.
Judge Durkin acknowledged $1,500 in campaign contributions he made to Hastert's past campaigns, as well as the fact he also worked as a partner at Meyer Brown, the same law firm where Hastert's son, Ethan, is also a partner. Durkin told lawyers in the case he believed he could still be an impartial judge in the case and gave them until today to waive his offer to disqualify himself from the case, which they acted upon today. It's probably no accident the case wound up in Judge Durkin's courtroom in the first place.
Someone asked me today why the feds would be going after Hastert all these years later after he was no longer a member of Congress. The answer is very clear to me. Whenever the Clintons' backs are against the wall, terrible things start happening to members of the Republican Party. During the Clinton impeachment process, successive Republican members of Congress were hit with allegations of infidelity, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rep. Bob Livingston, Rep. Henry Hyde, and Rep. Dan Burton. Gingrich and Livingston were both forced to resign from Congress, while Clinton survived impeachment despite the fact that he obstructed justice and lied under oath to cover up an inappropriate relationship he had with a White House intern. Hyde's and Burton's infidelity charges dated back many decades earlier when they served as state lawmakers in their respective states of Illinois and Indiana.
A recent Florida civil case brought by a woman who claims to have been a victim of sexual abuse by billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, a close friend and political supporter of the Clintons, was proving to be quite embarrassing to the Clintons and the Obama administration. The Obama Justice Department covered up evidence that Epstein had been exploiting underage girls in a sex trafficking ring he allegedly ran for many years, and that many prominent politicians and businessmen participated in sex orgies with these underage girls at Epstein's expansive island retreats and on his luxury jet, including Bill Clinton and Prince Andrew, among others. This nasty problem was in addition to the problems plaguing Hillary Clinton's controversial tenure at the State Department, including the exploitation of the office to benefit financial supporters of the Clinton Foundation, the Benghazi debacle and the use of a private e-mail account for official business in violation of State Department rules.
Rumors about Hastert's sexual abuse of young boys while he was a teacher and wrestling coach at Yorkville High School have been around for decades, notwithstanding the media's pretense of being shocked about the nearly four decade-old allegations. Investigative reporter Wayne Madsen wrote about it extensively nearly a decade ago during the House page scandal when members of Congress were accused of sexually exploiting underage congressional pages, charges that surfaced right before a contentious mid-year election. Madsen's reporting was immediately met with scorn and derision by other members of the media. The same media folks reacted similarly when Madsen reported on long-rumored stories in Chicago circles that both Rahm Emanuel and Barack Obama had a history of engaging in sex with men on the down low while putting on a public pretense of being straight, married men. The Secret Service even raided a Chicago bathhouse frequented by gay men, Man's Country, after Madsen reported that both Emanuel and Obama had purchased life-time memberships at the club as a warning to the club's owners to keep quiet if they knew what was good for them.
It's my belief that many members of Congress, including House Speaker John Boehner, have been and are being blackmailed by the Obama White House. Hastert's unusual prosecution for charges unrelated to the underlying allegations of child sex abuse is meant to serve as a warning of what compromised members of Congress will face if they don't capitulate to Obama's demands on matters that Republican members should be viewing skeptically, particular the controversial Trans Pacific Trade Agreement. The secrecy surrounding key provisions of the agreement President Obama negotiated calls into question whether the Republic established under the U.S. Constitution even exists anymore. U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's suggestion that members should pass it and wait to find out what's in it until after it becomes law was too reminiscent of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's infamous words at the time of the passage of the Affordable Care Act. All indications are that the trade pact will be at least as devastating to American workers as virtually every other major trade pact enacted over the past 50 years has been.
Members of Congress who should be viewing the trade pact with healthy skepticism seem way too anxious to get it passed and behind them with little concern about how badly average Americans will be harmed by its provisions. The timing of Hastert's indictment just as Congress took up consideration of the controversial trade bill is suspect. Hastert will likely spend little, if any, time in jail, assuming things go as planned. The government will likely reach a favorable plea agreement with Hastert, whose reputation will forever be left in tatters. Hastert will have at least avoided the embarrassment of a public trial and, more importantly, escaped the criminal consequences for his more serious crimes. The Clintons will, once again, come out on top because compromised Republican leaders in Washington will get the message and lie low about what they really know about the Clintons' long-running criminal enterprise.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Another IMPD Officer Under Investigation
A 7-year veteran IMPD officer, Joseph Taylor, is under investigation for allegedly beating his wife Tuesday morning. WRTV says Taylor has been placed on paid administrative leave after his wife was hospitalized on Tuesday to treat a facial fracture, internal bleeding and bruises she said she suffered during the assault. Taylor's gun, badge and police car were taken from him when he reported for duty at the Southeast District on Tuesday night. No arrest of the officer has been made yet.
Sex Slave Partner Of IMPD Officer Died From Chloroform Inhalation Coroner's Report Says
The death of Aaron Barnes, the 34-year old man found dead inside the home of IMPD Officer Gregory Slaven, has been ruled an accidental death according to a Marion Co. Coroner's report obtained by the Indianapolis Star. The autopsy report says Barnes died from inhalation of concentrated chloroform. Slaven was later found dead in that same home on May 25. His death is still under investigation.
Police sources contacted Advance Indiana soon after Barnes' death, raising concerns of a police cover up of Barnes' death, which was not reported on by the media until Officer Slaven's death. Sources told Advance Indiana that Barnes had been discovered in the home bound and wearing a chloroform mask. A police report released to others in the media, which IMPD refused to release to Advance Indiana, said police recovered used duct tape, chloroform and an unknown liquid substance from the home as part of the investigation.
IMPD Chief Rick Hite told the Indianapolis Star prior to Officer Slaven's death that he was not under investigation concerning Barnes' death. That story changed following his death when IMPD acknowledged he he had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Only Advance Indiana reported that Officer Slaven had complained on social media that he had been required to be drug tested three days after Barnes' body was recovered from his home. Police sources wondered why the department waited three days to test Slaven.
Voluminous social media posts of the two men depicted Barnes, who also went by "Aaron Slaven" as being in a slave-like relationship with Officer Slaven. Police sources complained to Advance Indiana that many of the sexually provocative photos and material posted on the Internet violated IMPD's code of conduct. In one post, Slaven shared an image of a penis cake he suggested sending to Gov. Mike Pence in protest of the governor's decision to sign Indiana's RFRA legislation into law. At least one other man, who used the name "Steve Slaven," claimed on social media a similar relationship with Officer Slaven.
Police sources contacted Advance Indiana soon after Barnes' death, raising concerns of a police cover up of Barnes' death, which was not reported on by the media until Officer Slaven's death. Sources told Advance Indiana that Barnes had been discovered in the home bound and wearing a chloroform mask. A police report released to others in the media, which IMPD refused to release to Advance Indiana, said police recovered used duct tape, chloroform and an unknown liquid substance from the home as part of the investigation.
IMPD Chief Rick Hite told the Indianapolis Star prior to Officer Slaven's death that he was not under investigation concerning Barnes' death. That story changed following his death when IMPD acknowledged he he had been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation. Only Advance Indiana reported that Officer Slaven had complained on social media that he had been required to be drug tested three days after Barnes' body was recovered from his home. Police sources wondered why the department waited three days to test Slaven.
Voluminous social media posts of the two men depicted Barnes, who also went by "Aaron Slaven" as being in a slave-like relationship with Officer Slaven. Police sources complained to Advance Indiana that many of the sexually provocative photos and material posted on the Internet violated IMPD's code of conduct. In one post, Slaven shared an image of a penis cake he suggested sending to Gov. Mike Pence in protest of the governor's decision to sign Indiana's RFRA legislation into law. At least one other man, who used the name "Steve Slaven," claimed on social media a similar relationship with Officer Slaven.
More Hoosier Medical Records Breached In Computer Hacking Incident
A computer hacker successfully breached medical records maintained by a Fort Wayne medical software company last month, exposing the personal information of the patients of all of its medical provider clients. Medical Informatics Engineering says the hack incident began on May 7 but wasn't detected until May 26. The exposed information included names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and health records. The firm's clients included Indianapolis' Franciscan St. Francis Health, Fort Wayne Neurological Center and Gynecology Center, Inc. of Fort Wayne. The software company tells the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette the number of affected patients has not yet been determined. The FBI is investigating the incident.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Judicial Nominating Commission Sends Three Candidates To Governor For Court Of Appeals Vacancy
The Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission interviewed eight candidates today to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of long-time Second District Court of Appeals Judge Ezra Friedlander. Following today's interview, the commission members met and selected three candidates to forward to Gov. Mike Pence from which he will make his choice. Those candidates include Marion Co. Superior Court Judge Robert Altice, Jr., Wabash Superior Court Judge Christopher Goff and Patricia McMath of the Marion Co. Public Defender Agency. Candidates interviewed but not recommended to the Governor by the Commission included: Marion Co. Superior Court Judge Gary Miller, Indianapolis attorneys Bryan Ciyou and David Pippen, Deputy Attorney General Steven Creason and IU-Indy law professor Joel Schumm
On What Planet Does Matt Tully Reside?
One has to be prepared to suspend disbelief when enduring the arduous task of reading one of Indianapolis Star political columnist Matt Tully's columns. Tully has a small collection of local political types with whom he enjoys sharing coffee. As sure as the sun rises, a column will soon follow heaping praise and adoration on that person. I derisively refer to his cadre of political friends as his circle jerk club because I can think of no better analogy.
Tully's latest column follows a sit down with one of his favorites, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ben Hunter, whom Tully describes as "one of the most thoughtful local politicians" who "crosses political lines from time to time without worrying about the consequences." That more aptly describes Hunter's fellow colleague, Christine Scales, whom he and his fellow caucus members booted from the caucus because of her independence and outspoken criticism of corrupt and flawed policies coming out of her party's administration of the city. Hunter the partisan wouldn't even vote fellow police officer Lincoln Plowman out of the caucus after he was indicted for taking a bribe from an undercover FBI agent. Scales isn't one of the cool kids so Tully has nothing but derision for her, which pretty much sums up his thought process in judging a public officials' worthiness. Not once has Tully taken Hunter to the woodshed for the key role he played in the costly mess known as the Regional Operations Center ("ROC").
Hunter's first idea that Tully is so crazy about is for the Republican import from Chicago, Chuck Brewer, and the consummate politician nominated by the Democrats, Joe Hogsett, to each appoint a senior adviser who will "step away from the mayoral campaign and focus on the issues that will face the new mayor." The premise of the suggestion underscores the reality that there is no real difference between Republican and Democratic candidates for office in Indianapolis. Those who understand the system know the same puppet masters pull the strings of most of those produced by the two political parties, particularly our mayors. The incestuous relationships between their key backers couldn't be worse.
Hunter's second idea is based on the premise that Mayor Ballard has solidified a legacy of "putting policy and progress ahead of politics." The reality is that every major policy initiative advanced by Mayor Ballard amounted to little more than a scheme to line the pockets of his political cronies at the expense of the taxpaying public, whether it was the sale of the water company that quadrupled water rates, the use of most of the "proceeds" from that sale for repaving streets which needed repaved following the first harsh winter, the sale of our parking meter assets, the ROC, the illegal and costly Vision Fleet contract or his ill-fated plan to auction off administration of the criminal justice system lock, stock and barrel, just to name a few. But you can't mention pay-to-play because the Gannett-owned Indianapolis Star long ago decreed no such thing exists, which is understandable given that's how the newspaper decides what does and doesn't get reported.
This column was as bad as another one he recently wrote about a supposed "overshadowed gem" enacted by the legislature this year where he discussed with Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, whose working desperately to catch up with Carmel Mayor James Brainard in seeking how much government debt he can saddle future generations in a quest to reward his campaign contributors with one government boondoggle after another. Tully was talking about the Regional Cities Initiative pushed by Gov. Pence, which he now hopes will be used to fund a regional mass transit system boondoggle. It's funny how Tully has not once criticized the use of taxpayer dollars to build privately-owned parking garages developed by political cronies of Mayor Ballard and Mayor Brainaird to encourage the motoring public to stay in their cars while remaining steadfast in his belief that a multi-billion dollar public transit system is just what the region needs. Don't try to think logically when grasping Tully's meanderings. You will only drive yourself crazy.
Tully's latest column follows a sit down with one of his favorites, Indianapolis City-County Councilor Ben Hunter, whom Tully describes as "one of the most thoughtful local politicians" who "crosses political lines from time to time without worrying about the consequences." That more aptly describes Hunter's fellow colleague, Christine Scales, whom he and his fellow caucus members booted from the caucus because of her independence and outspoken criticism of corrupt and flawed policies coming out of her party's administration of the city. Hunter the partisan wouldn't even vote fellow police officer Lincoln Plowman out of the caucus after he was indicted for taking a bribe from an undercover FBI agent. Scales isn't one of the cool kids so Tully has nothing but derision for her, which pretty much sums up his thought process in judging a public officials' worthiness. Not once has Tully taken Hunter to the woodshed for the key role he played in the costly mess known as the Regional Operations Center ("ROC").
Hunter's first idea that Tully is so crazy about is for the Republican import from Chicago, Chuck Brewer, and the consummate politician nominated by the Democrats, Joe Hogsett, to each appoint a senior adviser who will "step away from the mayoral campaign and focus on the issues that will face the new mayor." The premise of the suggestion underscores the reality that there is no real difference between Republican and Democratic candidates for office in Indianapolis. Those who understand the system know the same puppet masters pull the strings of most of those produced by the two political parties, particularly our mayors. The incestuous relationships between their key backers couldn't be worse.
Hunter's second idea is based on the premise that Mayor Ballard has solidified a legacy of "putting policy and progress ahead of politics." The reality is that every major policy initiative advanced by Mayor Ballard amounted to little more than a scheme to line the pockets of his political cronies at the expense of the taxpaying public, whether it was the sale of the water company that quadrupled water rates, the use of most of the "proceeds" from that sale for repaving streets which needed repaved following the first harsh winter, the sale of our parking meter assets, the ROC, the illegal and costly Vision Fleet contract or his ill-fated plan to auction off administration of the criminal justice system lock, stock and barrel, just to name a few. But you can't mention pay-to-play because the Gannett-owned Indianapolis Star long ago decreed no such thing exists, which is understandable given that's how the newspaper decides what does and doesn't get reported.
This column was as bad as another one he recently wrote about a supposed "overshadowed gem" enacted by the legislature this year where he discussed with Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, whose working desperately to catch up with Carmel Mayor James Brainard in seeking how much government debt he can saddle future generations in a quest to reward his campaign contributors with one government boondoggle after another. Tully was talking about the Regional Cities Initiative pushed by Gov. Pence, which he now hopes will be used to fund a regional mass transit system boondoggle. It's funny how Tully has not once criticized the use of taxpayer dollars to build privately-owned parking garages developed by political cronies of Mayor Ballard and Mayor Brainaird to encourage the motoring public to stay in their cars while remaining steadfast in his belief that a multi-billion dollar public transit system is just what the region needs. Don't try to think logically when grasping Tully's meanderings. You will only drive yourself crazy.
Tuesday, June 09, 2015
Big Media's Feeding Frenzing Over Birth Of Bill Levin's First Church Of Cannabis Reaches Israel
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| Bill Levin (Photo/CJ Parker) |
These characters like Levin don't appear on the scene by accident. Our country seems to have a long history of producing agent provocateurs used by their hidden puppet masters to exploit feeble-minded and non-discerning Americans. The anti-Vietnam, anti-government protesters of the 1960s, such as Bill Ayers and the infamous Chicago 8 crowd, including Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and Tom Hayden, have all been exposed by historical researchers as paid agents of U.S. government intelligence agencies. The renowned, leftist feminist Gloria Steinem was financed by the CIA's Cord Meyer. Even their go-to civil rights attorney, William Kunstler, got his start as a spy for the OSS. There's a common thread to these folks' background if you bother to check it out.
Today, the Times of Israel has a big feature story on Levin titled, "Meet the Jewish Grand Poobah of the First Church Of Cannabis." Levin tells the Times of Israel that he grew up attending the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, which donated to the infamous cult leader, Rev. Jim Jones, its former synagogue near downtown for his People's Temple cult. Respected researchers have confirmed Jones' work for the CIA. Jones, who made a mockery of the Christian faith, was recruited into the CIA by another fellow Hoosier, Dan Mitrione. The land where Jones' cult members met their fate in a CIA-run, human mind control experiment in Guyana had originally been leased by the CIA to train guerrilla fighters for its operations in Angola referred to as "Shalom Project." Levin tells the Times of Israel he'll be serving as Minister of Love at his First Church of Cannabis.
. . . The Times of Israel caught Levin in a phone conversation in his new premises on the south side of Indianapolis. The area, known for tattoo parlors and head shops, is home to a 150-seat sanctuary that has been used as a church for the past several decades.
Levin, a 59-year-old reluctant carpenter/head shop clerk, and his team of volunteers were in the midst of taking down all the crosses in the building.
“We’re nondenominational. We don’t want the responsibility of saying who, what, where and why God is,” said Levin. To the Cannabiterians, God is love, “and we celebrate love in our life’s great adventure.”
He said the church is basically “teaching the same things that JC and all the other good Jewish rabbis taught, but without the burden of the magic books.” In his church, there is no guilt, and no sin.
There are other revolutionary anomalies: Church dues are minimal. The 700 or so members have paid some $50 for a year. And grand poobah Levin doesn’t draw a salary.
At this point in my life, I don’t need money… I don’t need more stuff in my life… I have clothes that have gone in and out of fashion three times,” said the hipster father of five daughters — and grandfather to a three-year-old.
To free up weekends, services will be held on Wednesdays. (“We don’t want to take away business from the other guys,” laughed Levin.) Instead of a confessional, the sanctuary will have a “life podium,” upon which church members will celebrate lessons they learned in seven categories — live, love, laugh, learn, create, grow, and teach — one for each day of the week.
Instead of a Ten Commandments, the church offers a Deity Dozen, including: Don’t be an asshole; the day starts with your smile every morning; never start a fight, only finish them; and laugh often, share humor . . .It looks like Levin will be kicking off his church with potentially one less member of his faux church congregation. Levin's good friend, 37-year old Chaz Bennington, was found shot to death a little more than a week ago in his apartment. IMPD arrested a 24-year old woman, Ashley Daker, whom Bennington apparently met through an online ad soliciting adult services. "He had a wonderful adventure in life, and it has been cut short by some random insanity," Levin told the Indianapolis Star. "He was a loving father and son that always grasped every day of life by the hand for its great exploration. "His love will go on forever in the hearts of his friends and families. We will all miss him so."
It's too bad Levin's timing wasn't a little better so he could get an even better ride out of this staged production. How can he compete with the media histrionics Caitlyn Jenner has stirred up for the cause of switching genders? If it feels good, do it. Right? About one in four Americans are already hooked on psychotropic drugs administered by Big Pharma to make them feel better. What harm could come from getting more Americans to get their daily stone on from toking and calling it a religion?
I should have mentioned Bill Levin's new church was a featured story in The Daily Mail (a/k/a The Daily Pill) across the pond as well. Apparently, Levin is crediting the infamous disinformer, radio talk show host Abdul-Hakim Shabazz, with inspiring him to create the First Church of Cannabis.
Cannabis church founder Bill Levin credits @AttyAbdul with the inspiration to form the church, and Abdul wasn't there....
— Vic Ryckaert (@VicRyc) June 10, 2015
Levin pretends that his ability to form his First Church of Cannabis was only made possible by the passage of Indiana's RFRA law, which is an absolute lie. His constitutional right to the free exercise of his religion was bolstered when President Bill Clinton signed the federal version into law nearly two decades ago. The fact he only decided after the passage of Indiana's law to make this statement is a clear indication to me that this is part of a much bigger agenda on the part of people higher up the food chain who are pulling Levin's strings. He's an actor, folks, who has always longed to make a living on a stage entertaining folks.
Hastert Greeted By Mob Of Reporters At Arraignment In Chicago
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert arrived at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago today to a throng of reporters, hoping to catch a glimpse of, if not a brief word with, the latest in a long line of prominent Illinois politicians to face an indictment for federal criminal charges. Hastert ignored reporters' questions as he appeared with his attorney for a perfunctory initial hearing on charges he sought to evade federal currency reporting requirements and lied to federal agents about the purpose of those withdrawals--namely to pay hush money to an alleged sexual abuse victim dating back decades ago when Hastert worked as a teacher and wrestling coach at Yorkville High School before entering politics. Hastert entered a not guilty plea to the two charges. Notably, his wife of more than four decades didn't accompany him to court today. Hastert is represented by Thomas Green, a white-collar criminal defense attorney with the law firm of Sidley & Austin.
Monday, June 08, 2015
Council Votes To Sue Ballard Administration To Void Vision Fleet Contract
UPDATED: On a bipartisan vote, the Indianapolis City-County Council voted 23-6 tonight for a proposal authorizing the council's attorney to file a lawsuit against the Ballard administration seeking to declare the 7-year, $32 million no-bid contract with Vision Fleet to lease more than 400 electrical and hybrid cars void. The council's attorney, Fred Biesecker, determined that the administration had broken no fewer than five state and local laws in executing the contract, including the circumvention of public bidding requirements required for purchasing the cars.
The administration initially entered into a no-bid lease agreement with Vision Fleet but later entered into a second agreement masked as a services agreement with the company after it realized the original lease agreement could not be characterized as a services agreement exempt from public bidding laws. City officials backdated contract documents to make it appear the second contract had been entered into months earlier than it actually had been entered. In so doing, it failed to revoke the original contract. The Marion Co. Auditor's Office also learned that the administration had illegally tapped storm water funds to pay for some of the costs associated with the contract.
Mayor Greg Ballard remained defiant following last night's council vote, insisting his administration broke no laws in entering into yet another one-sided contract intended to benefit political cronies at the expense of the taxpaying public:
The six council members who voted against bringing a lawsuit to void the contract, including Ginny Cain (R), Jose Evans (R), Will Gooden (R), Mike McQuillen (R), Marilyn Pfisterer (R) and Jefferson Shreve (R).
UPDATE: It looks like Vision Fleet has beaten the council to court. Fox 59 News is reporting the company filed an action in Marion Superior Court late yesterday asking a five-judge panel to review its contract with the City of Indianapolis.
The administration initially entered into a no-bid lease agreement with Vision Fleet but later entered into a second agreement masked as a services agreement with the company after it realized the original lease agreement could not be characterized as a services agreement exempt from public bidding laws. City officials backdated contract documents to make it appear the second contract had been entered into months earlier than it actually had been entered. In so doing, it failed to revoke the original contract. The Marion Co. Auditor's Office also learned that the administration had illegally tapped storm water funds to pay for some of the costs associated with the contract.
Mayor Greg Ballard remained defiant following last night's council vote, insisting his administration broke no laws in entering into yet another one-sided contract intended to benefit political cronies at the expense of the taxpaying public:
“The Council voted to fully fund Freedom Fleet in 2014. And in 2015b – after the program has operated successfully for a year – a group of councillors who have refused to talk through concerns about the program are instead working to dismantle it through costly litigation. This evening’s vote to sue the administration in an attempt to halt Freedom Fleet is irresponsible and misguided. When one branch of government sues another, taxpayers are harmed. We believe we have a legal contract and intend to continue fleet operations without interruption.”Given that attorneys and other senior members of his administration disagree with that statement, it will be interesting to see who exits his administration in an effort to keep their reputations intact.
The six council members who voted against bringing a lawsuit to void the contract, including Ginny Cain (R), Jose Evans (R), Will Gooden (R), Mike McQuillen (R), Marilyn Pfisterer (R) and Jefferson Shreve (R).
UPDATE: It looks like Vision Fleet has beaten the council to court. Fox 59 News is reporting the company filed an action in Marion Superior Court late yesterday asking a five-judge panel to review its contract with the City of Indianapolis.
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