And we thought Paul Morrison’s downfall was spectacular.
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer held a press conference Monday to address reports that he was involved in a high-priced prostitution ring. He apologized to his family and the public.
“I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself,†he said. “I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family.â€
Better block out some time for that. This sounds like a career-ender for Spitzer, especially given his past high-profile crusades as attorney general against public corruption and scandal, including a 2004 case against, um, a prostitution ring.
What makes otherwise smart politicians think they can get away with these shenanigans?
139 Comments
Very little about his politics that I agreed with, but what a shame for his family. I had respect for his diligence in fighting crime. He seemed to have a very nice wife. I feel sorry for his wife and daughters.
Guess they don’t think they’ll be targeted by govt. wiretaps, and if they’re Republican, they’re probably right.
You burn as many rich influential people as Spitzer has, you’d better watch your P’s and Q’s.
Wait it out Govenor!
Republican Larry Craig solicited anonymous sex in a bathroom in an airport. He waited it out and is still in the US Senate. Hell this is nothing.
Heard last night that the Mann (sp) law (involving crossing state lines) is virtually never applied to Johns. But I seem to recall that perjury was virtually never applied in civil cases. The exception seems to be if one is Democrat, so Spitzer is in deep doo doo.
The hooker was receiving over 1000 dollars an hour! Who’s the victim? Spitzer should say he was conducting an undercover operation!
“Who’s the victim?”
Wife and three daughters.
The guy broke the law. That makes him a criminal. End of story.
That is $31,000.oo a night and $3100.oo an hour. This is $51.66 a minute. Phone sex is $2.99 too $5.99 a minute. $31,000.oo a night and most people complain they only get 3 minutes of sex from their spouse. At $51.66 a minute that is $154.98 for normal spousal sex time. He really knows how to Budget. $6000.oo for toilet seats, $5000.00 for pencils and $154.98 for normal spousal time sex. Someone needs to put a “Governor Control Device” on the Governor. Herbert West III, west.herb@yahoo.com
When you have a politician who is as hard line on crime and others and makes no friends in high places he will be roasted over an open flame. We don’t tolerate a hypocrit for long.
He felt he was above the law as so many of our elected officials seem to think. When you have one set of laws for citizens and another set for the officials and their cronies you will have a lack of justice. This is true in National politics and in local politics. The good old boy network broke down on him. He must not have done enough favors for someone.
He certainly did no favors for his wife and children.
No, sorry guys, there’s something about transferring $7000 in campaign funds to pay the whore.
Now, this would be an interesting scenario.
From CNN:
“If Spitzer resigns, Lt. Gov. David Paterson would complete his term in accordance with the New York state constitution. Paterson, 53, is the highest-ranking African-American elected official in New York state.
Paterson, who is legally blind, is a leading advocate for the visually and physically impaired.”
Wonder who Patterson is for in the Presidential race?
Shades of J.Edgar Hoover, Batman!
I thought that banks were not obligated to report cash withdraws under 10 grand, was an exception made in this case?
No one falls harder than a crusader who doesn’t live up to the standards he holds for everyone else.
He should resign or be impeached. Law breaking hypocrites should not be allowed to continue as governor. He has no integrity whatsoever.
If the people of New York choose to look the other way in the face of corruption at the highest level, they’ll get what they deserve (more corruption).
My understanding of the wiretap that led to the outing of Gov. Spitzer is that the same was a part of an IRS investigation into the provider of the services.
Sad story of an ambitious man who made his rep and political career putting the bad guys away, including a high profile prostitution ring. But his inner demons lured him into the arms of that which he was pledged to eliminate; and he is ruined.
Spitzer was always a publicity hound.
Ironic.
I’ve read that Spitzer was reported to the IRS for suspicious withdrawls of money. So this may be the money laundering investigation that the FBI commenced.
At 1000 bucks an hour, you can’t actually classify her as a whore!
“I thought that banks were not obligated to report cash withdraws under 10 grand, was an exception made in this case?”
Banks are required to report cash transactions of 10K or more; however, they are also required to report any suspicious tranactions of any amount.
I am still unsure just what law Spitzer is suspected of breaking.
Campaign funds? We wouldn’t be embellishing,now, would we?
Spitzer was caught because Spitzer was doing business with a criminal enterprise, a prostitution ring.
That prostitution ring was under investigation, it seems, PRIOR to Spitzer getting caught in the act of negotiating for illegal services.
Spitzer, it is said, is “Client #9″ it seems:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/10/AR2008031002724_pf.html
“Love Potion #9??”
A certain gentleman inquired of a lady whether she would be willing to sleep with him for 50,000 pounds. After some hesitation, the lady replied that she supposed she would, in consideration of the magnitude of the offer. Then he asked whether she would sleep with him for twopence.
“Certainly not,” she responded with indignation. “Just what kind of lady do you think I am?”
“Madam, I believe we have already established that,” he remarked calmly. “Now we are just haggling over the price.”
“Wait it out Govenor!
Republican Larry Craig solicited anonymous sex in a bathroom in an airport. He waited it out and is still in the US Senate. Hell this is nothing.”
Are you serious? You need to understand what comes along with prostitution rings. Blackmail and organized crime! Not sure if that is something the people of New York want interacting with their highest elected official. I do think that Larry Craig should have resigned as well though.
You can not transfer or transport funds across state lines for illegal purposes.
You can not use the telephone, internet or any electronic device, to conspire to commit a crime, across state lines.
At least it’s a distraction from record high gas prices!
Spitzer is a jerk.
Look, I often have sympathy for puplic officials caught in a scandal —
Not Spitzer!
Let me tell you a story:
Years ago Putnam Mutual Funds approached then Attorney General Spitzer. Spitzer, of course, had jurisdiction over many financial matters, as the A.G. of New York, which includes the NY Stock Exchange.
Putnam came to Spitzer, and asked advice on how Putnam might best deal with a problem account.
It seems that the the Pipefitters Union or the Boilermakers Union (Sorry, forget the name of the Labor Union) was doing something unusual.
That Union Pension Fund manager was engaging in very aggrerssive “market timing” — which was not fair to other share holders.
The pension fund in question was very large, and the huge movements of money between cash, bonds and stocks, on such a frequent basis, was causing higher costs to the mutual fund.
Those costs were due to the fact that stocks or bonds often had to be “sold” one day, only to be “bought” the next day, due to the money moving back and forth so rapidly.
Also, a higher cash position had to be kept, in order to cushion against such market-timeing. This, of course, was hurting performance.
Spitzer said, in effect, “This is YOUR problem, YOU deal with it.”
Well, actually, Putnam did TRY to deal with it. They tried by going to the AG of New York, for advice.
You see, the problem is, the entire issue of aggressive market timing by large pension fund managers was rather new. Nothing had been written into the prospectus, or the rules of the Mutual Funds, to prevent it. This was true of all Mutual Fund companies. Putnam wanted a standard, a rule to go by, so that Putnam would not be accused of changing contracts that were already in force, and so that Putnam would not be at a competitive disadvantage, with other Mutual Funds.
Spitzer, again, declined to help at all.
Several months later, Spitzer took Putnam Funds to court, for “Market Timing” — or for charging regular customers for the abuses of a few customers!
Spitzer used the information that Putnam brought to his attention, in the first place!
Even worse, Spitzer brought this action against Putnam at the same time that Spitzer was bringing action, against other firms, for the much more serious offense of “after hours trading” — However, Spitzer made no effort to explain that Putnam’s problem was far less serious, or that Putnam had approached law enforcement, first, with this entire issue.
Spitzer is a jerk. Spitzer’s actions caused hundreds of millions of dollars to be wasted on legal fees. Spitzer ruined careers and lives of good, honest people who were trying to do the right thing.
It is very hard to feel sorry for Spitzer!
I’m not sure anyone feels sorry for Spitzer Econ. Personally, it just floors me that people in such high profile and powerful positions think they will not get caught when they engage in affairs such as this. It just doesn’t make sense.
Some called Eliot Spitzer “untouchable” like Eliot Ness.
The difference is, Ness KNEW he would make enemies, and so he specifically avoided doing anything to compromise himself. Ness also recruited “squeeky clean” agents to help him clean up organized crime.
Spitzer? He thought he was above the law.
The problem with officials getting involved in illegal activity is NOT just limited to the activity, itself.
You then have problems with black mail and compromised officials, who are at the mercy of gangsters and criminals.
That is what Al Capone tried to do to Eliot Ness!
They say he was involved in a prostitution ring, what the hell are they talking about? Do they mean he solicited a prostitute for sex, or he is a Pimp running a prostitution ring. They need to clear things up, because I know I can go solicite a prostitue for sex and that makes me no way involved in a ring of prostitutes.
Having much interest in the report of over 500 international scientists that gathered in New York last week to discuss the effect people have on “global warming”, I have been waiting to get the report from media who very quickly report how everyone must change and are responsible for global warming. The opposing viewpoints with just as much research by very learned climatologists do not get reported. Why would that be? Is it because a group wish to dictate how each of us are to live and conform to a plan without our present energy driven economy?
Please go to http://www.citizenlink and hear another viewpoint. What a concept! Pro and con information in a free society, for now?
Buck
He is, currently, the top elected official in the State of New York.
He was, previously, the top law enforcement official in the State of New York.
He violated several state and federal laws.
You can NOT transmit funds across state lines for illegal purposes.
And YES, he was involved!
“Hey Gov, this is “Ginger” at the Mayflower Hotel, remember me? — well, my friend, “Babyface” just got convicted and sent to prison. I think he needs a full pardon, what do you think, Govey baby?”
Involved up to his neck! The above, or something very similar, might already have happened!
Thanks, Econ.
It’s nice to know that you think Vitter and Larry Craig deserve no pity either.
We’re on the same page.
The case started when banks noticed the frequent transfers from several accounts and filed suspicious activity reports with the Internal Revenue Service, the law enforcement official told the AP. The accounts were traced back to Spitzer, prompting public corruption investigators to open an inquiry.
Talk about dirty politicians!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080311/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_airbus;_ylt=Ai7w9HfSC58Nm_PJvhaIe6Ks0NUE
Phantom
We do not have all of the facts yet.
However, it is entirely possible that SEVERAL investigations were going on, from different angles, from different branches of government, at the same time.
This was a multistate ring that advertised on the internet, for Heaven’s sake.
If Spitzer triggered the investigation, solely through his own actions?
Well, that would be kinda weird, since Spitzer is listed as “Client #9″ — I think he might rank a higher number, if he was really the FIRST suspected “John” don’t you?
“Love Potion #9″
Love Potion #9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSy5I3zsAA
AP – The NY governor’s role in a prostitution scandal was reportedly uncovered after he moved large amounts of cash from several bank accounts to one operated by a call-girl ring.
I smell another abuse of the AG’s office. The article said Mckausey’s was notified earlier of the investigation. Bet it’s another Rove ordered investigation.
Econ, I don’t know the relevance of “client #9″ to the case. What seems clear from various reports read (see cnn.com for one) is that the inter-account transfer of funds by Gov. Spitzer (or at his request?) caused the bank to notify IRS. IRS, after becoming aware of the matter, made a referral to FBI for a corruption investigation, which apparently led to the criminal investigation of the enterprise. So, Gov. Spitzer seems to not be the sole client; the first client; but the client whose activities resulted in the investigations that bring us to where we are now.
Phantom, with respect, I rather think this began as an IRS inquiry after the bank reported transfers. As noted above, IRS made a referral to FBI (which I would think would be standard procedure when a government official is involved) for a corruption investigation. Given the status of the target of the investigation, I do not find it unusual for the AG to be informed. In fact, I’d find it remarkable if the AG was not informed.
Regular – interesting scenario …
If you think he had to pay for those flings…I’ve a bridge to sell you. These were comp’d for favors. Again, you don’t get into power w/o something to hang over you. Obviously he didn’t want to play ball in a game they wanted to play.
If he was into little boys and not beautiful women, he’d a been alright.
Read something, somewhere, that the NY Lt. Governor right now is a party to an employment action involving the firing of a white photographer who was replaced by an African-American. Could present a real succession problem in New York, if the current Lt. Governor was impeached or forced to resign….
And, if those transfers were below the 10000 level that triggers reporting, I’d be very suspicious about the motive for notifying the IRS.
Earlier reporting had suggested Spitzer was just swept up in a larger investigation, but it’s sounding like his accounts were the impetus for the investigation.
Ah, crap – just one word for Spitzer – resign.
Just do it and get it over with. Ya’ screwed (pun intended) up, just like Morrison, so it’s time to wave bye-bye, see ya’, wouldn’t wanna be ya’, etc.
Latest I could find on the situation in New York:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/11/spitzer.money/index.html
Econ 101’s earlier post pointed out why Spitzer cannot survive. By dealing with a criminal enterprise Spitzer exposed himself (no pun intended) to blackmail.
Anyone with that poor judgment should not be serving in high office.
Phantom, the reporting level for “suspicious” transactions is $5,000, not $10,000.
VT
With all due respect, and not in direct disagreement, at all, to what you have posted:
The final destination of funds was suspicious, WHY?
Law enforcement agencies always have many organizations on their “watch lists” even if they do not have evidence, or resources, to prosecute every organization that is on their “radar screen” all at once.
There are several laws, as you know, that might trigger a referal by a financial firm:
Patriot Act
Money Laundering Laws
RICO Laws
IRS Regulations
The Drug Enforcement Administration used to be the organization that told us what to do, and provided training on “money laundering” — now we all take Patriot Act classes all the time.
I am just making the case that, somehow, someone KNEW that the “final destination” of these funds was suspect.
If Spitzer had NEVER dealt with this prostitution ring, I am sure, eventually, that the ring would have been busted, through other investigations.
It is not as if prostitution rings only get busted when they have high profile clients.
After all, Spitzer himself busted up a few prostitution rings, as AG, did he not?
Econ, the final destination of the funds, per media reports, was the “prostitution ring” account(s). I’m not clear on whether the bank knew this, or if it was the totality of the conduct in the transfers that caused the same to be reported initially. I have read that the transfers appeared to someone (identity unknown) as being intended to hide money.
Gov. Spitzer should resign. Period.
I agree that it doesn’t take a high profile client to bust a prostitution operation, it just takes a high profile client for the bust to hit the news.
The government is corrupt and needs to be cleaned-up from top to bottom.
Obama is the man for the job.
Hubris – It never fails. Those old Greeks had a great insight to human nature.
Agreed, outlander.
And I also agree with your implicit call for the resignation of David Vitter and Larry Craig on the same grounds.
One Blue state Gov for two Purple Senators.
Good deal.
VT
Your $5,000.00 figure is correct, however, I would add:
If “Aggregated funds under the control of a single person” are involved, or, if it appears that multiple transactions of under $5,000.00 are involved, with a possible intention of avoiding the reporting limits, regarless of how those funds are held or titled —
Well, then I would not want to subject myself to any penalty. I would refuse the transaction, ask for a written explanation, or advise that I would be required to make a report.
Generally, if a person wants to proceed under that scenario, I would guess that it was legit, I would proceed, and then make a report to my firm, and let them figure it out.
Also, CASH “folding money” transactions are covered by stricter laws than electronic funds or checks.
Obama is a member of the CFR, he’s bought and paid for as well.
When he gets inaugurated, he’ll be shown the film of Kennedy being shot (from a different angle) as well.
Whomever get’s it, there will be an inaugural “9-11″ attack for him/her so’s we can all gather ’round the heroic leader.
N.Y. Gov. Spitzer in sex scandal; pimp said to hold Israel passport
By The Associated Press
Tags: Eliot Spitzer
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, touted in the past as the first potential Jewish U.S. president, found his political career on the brink of collapse Monday after he was accused of paying for a romp with a high-priced call girl, in a prostitution ring allegedly led by a man found with an Israeli passport at his home.
The Associated Press reported that U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael H. Dolinger ordered Mark Brener, 62, of Cliffside Park, N.J., to be held without bail after the passport and $600,000 in cash were found in his apartment.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/963139.html
Pleefer
That hat, is it Reynolds or a generic store brand?
Study money laundering rules folks. The financial institutions involved probably had no choice but to do what they did:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_laundering
Econ 101, you’ve proved time and time again, like all of you idiot “smart guys” that you’re continuosly wrong. Prove (one time) that I am.
continuously
I was only half joking about the Kennedy thing.
What do you expect? The Gov’s a democrat.
I’m ready to laugh in your “Econ 101″ face when you find that your rediculous paper stocks are worth nil in the next year or so. I’m gonna laugh so damned hard at you…I can’t wait.
This is such a tragedy. If it were Republican, we would understand it as that is just typical GOP behavior.
But a Democrat (who is supposed to be above hypocrisy), it strikes real blow. A Democrat of all people should be better than the hypocrite Spitzer has been revealed to be. What a shame. Of all people being a hypocrite, a Democrat! Oh my, I can hardly believe it.
At least the Democrats aren’t cheating on their wives with little boys.
Pleefer
Ok, if I am ever “wrong” I was “just joking” — Or “just half joking” —
“Pleefer
Posted March 11, 2008 at 11:29 am | Permalink
I was only half joking about the Kennedy thing”
Pleefer
HUH?
Every large charity holds stock certificates.
Every pension fund invests in the stock market.
Yes, some of my income comes from stocks.
A lot of it also comes from bonds and insurance.
There are little old ladies out there, who pay their bills with stock dividends.
There are many pension funds that will have to cut their benefits, or go broke, if the stock market fails.
Why would anyone wish that kind of suffering on the world?
Brainwashed, left/right, democrat/republican, slow, teevee watching, lost sheep.
Dick Cheney likes this place.
Go drink some “medicated” water, you need it.
Agree ECON.
There is a population of posters on the WEBLOG who cannot fathom the fact that nearly 57 million US households and 100 million individual investors own equities directly or through mutual funds/401K’s.
That is over half of US households. There is a large segment of our senior citizens living off the income generated from their life time investments.
Any decline in the markets will hurt most Americans, just from an ownership perspective.
That is funny to some posters?
Not the world, just you. The rest of the world is waking up, but for “smart guys” like you who like to f**k with folks. I hope you get a hard life lesson. Wanna give me tin-foil hat wearing shit…I can play the game as well. You want to act like you know so much about economics with your nic, I’m testing to see if you have half a clue. You repeatedly stand up to bs Bush policies at the rest of our expense…I’m looking forward to YOU feeling everyone else’s pain. You (the economics genius) should be helping other folks by telling them to get prepared. But no, you want everyone else to keep charging the cliff, whilst types like you fill their own pockets back in the back in order to land on the soft bodies. I’ve an neo-con friend EXACTLY like you. He ain’t much of a friend.
The CFR? I do not agree with everything they do, but their purpose is to promote dialogue.
The “Knights Templars” were involved in international trade, during the Crusades. The King of France did them in, because he owed them money. However, international trade has always been important.
Columbus sailed to find a cheaper route to the East. Why? To open up new trade routes!
International trade was an issue, back when we fought the Barbary Pirates. Our commercial ships were being threatened.
We will ALWAYS have international trade.
What in the world is wrong with organizations that talk about such trade?
Neo-con’s want us all to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic, while they run to the boats.
Why in the world would anyone not want to admit being a director if it was such a benign organization? When it has the major media meeting with major business, it becomes a little more than just a place to promote global trade. Those media people aren’t there just to “cover” the meetings. Hell, Limbaugh, a few years ago, denied the friggin’ organization existed.
Lipstick on a pig.
Columbus sailed to find Mayan gold. It just depends on which history book you read. They tried telling my friend, a Kiowa Indian, that Columbus discovered America too.
Pleefer
The sky is not falling.
There are always bulls.
There are always bears.
The “Bears” have predicted 12 of the last 3 recessions, as it is said.
My nic? First, I took it to avoid the trolls making false statements, above my real name.
Second, I took it, to remind MYSELF that I first got involved in politics over ECONOMIC issues, not social issues.
Third? I took it, in all modesty, because I realize that there is no such thing as an economic expert that is always right on everything.
I am not the “one armed economist” that President Truman asked for.
I always realize that, “on the other hand” something might happen to upset any projection.
Finally, though my posts are not perfect, by any means (I dont get paid to do this, and I must admit, I do make some mistakes, even when I am paid for my work!) — it is very obvious that many of the posters here lack even the most basic economic training.
I do not claim to be an “expert” at all things.
This is a Blog, a debate forum, if you will.
Sorry, waiving the conspiracy stuff, the John Birch, CFR, Rockefeller, One World Government stuff does not cut it with me.
No, I am no fan of Rockefeller or the United Nations, but Conspiracy Kooks actually make it MORE difficult to argue, on the merits, against bad ideas.
Use facts and history and tone down the obvious bias, ok?
Most of what happens, in the world, is due to dumb luck and human error.
There is no way that any secret group of people have ever had any real control over world affairs for any length of time.
Pleefer
Columbus knew nothing about the Mayans, prior to his first voyage! He thought he was sailing to India, hence the name “Indians” for Native Americans.
And the point is:
Are you AGAINST trade?
Trade between peoples and tribes and governments has been a part of human history from the stone age!
Like Columbus’s “foreign trade”, ie; claiming land and gold that wasn’t his for Spain, so Bush does with Iraq. Some thing’s never change.
We all know it’s a Democratic scandal.
It involves sex with a girl.
but Conspiracy Kooks actually make it MORE difficult to argue, on the merits, against bad ideas.
good post econ.
Pleefer, being a headless chicken makes for an easy meal.
You don’t think stories of other lands and peoples surfaced from the voyages of Leif Ericsson? Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland began construction in 1456, a few years before Columbus’ excursion. There are bas-reliefs of the maize plant (native of North America) carved into the chapel walls.
“It involves sex with a girl.”
Which is perfectly legitimate for the democratic party and not a crime.
Just ask Bill Clinton about all the women he abused.
Just ask Larry Craig about the boys in airports he’s abused.
Are you serious? There are probably a few people that have been able to save gold a lot longer than you. You believe there is NO chance that these people couldn’t go back a few generations longer than…even America? Wow, what a rediculous notion.
You two, by all means, go on believing in your Wall Street religion.
And yes it’s true Buck, there is no arguing with me.
I’m the headless chicken, you’re the chicken shit.
Pleefer
The point is, in a free society, nobody would allow any grand “secret” to survive.
Our political system is adversarial.
Our legal system is adversarial.
Even the financial markets are adversarial, Buyers and Sellers, Bulls and Bears, Stocks vs Bonds vs Cash!
There is no way that any one group can ever be in “control” for long.
There is every reason for someone who was once “part” of your grand “conspiracy” to come forward, after the fact.
The average political campaign has trouble getting 50 volunteers together, to do a yard sign campaign or a literature drop, without someone in the Media, or the other candidate, finding out about it.
YOU are talking about life and death, power issues, and Billions of dollars!
Every conspiracy is constrained by human nature.
Pride, envy and human error will doom the longevity of any “master plan” —
They are all very short lived!
“There is no way that any one group can ever be in “control” for long.”
Meet the fed Econ…
Back to Hillary Clinton’s “Super Delegate” Spitzer -
Spitzer was one heavy tool for Hillary to use, in her search for Super Delegate support.
This is a HUGE blow to Hillary!
(Can’t Hillary’s men stay out of trouble?)
“Just ask Bill Clinton about all the women he abused.”
Which women did he abuse?
Gennifer Flowers? Consensual.
Elizabeth Gracen Ward? Consensual.
Monica Lewinsky? Consensual.
Juanita Broaddrick? Didn’t happen.
Paula “Look at My Booty” Jones? Didn’t happen.
Where is the abuse?
Econ,
Members of the dirty boy club don’t fade away when out of office. It pays to keep quite.
http://www.hereinreality.com/carlyle.html
Pleefer: There are Norse sites in Newfoudland going back to the 11th century which was called Vineland in Viking sagas to encourage settlement. The Portugese also had settlements for rendering cod to ship home long before Columbus. Chinese artifacts were found along the eastern seabord of North America being responsible for the Royal Navy to assume there was a northwest passage to the orient. They spend a lot of money, ships and men to find it and being the major military in the world at the time, would not have invested the effort in a pipe dream.
There are also Polynesian artifacts that have been found on the West Coast, indicating that they also “discovered” the New World – in this case – thousands of years before Columbus.
“Every conspiracy is constrained by human nature.”
Econ, that assumes the conspiracy actually IS of a human nature… :-)
Have any of you heard of, or seen the picture of Jesus with the baby dinosaur? I heard that the dino’s name was tops – apparently dino’s are dyslexic. :-)
Chas
Of course I meant human conspiracy.
There is a devil, of course.
“conspiracy actually IS of a human nature”
???
I guess the squirrels are going to rise up????
BTW, there was a terrific special on History Channel recently on the Templars. And those drawings/paintings at Rosslyn Chapel of maize plants are most interesting, since, as noted above, the paintings pre-date the Columbus story by a good number of years.
It is obvious that there is much more to human history than what is printed in the text books.
Econ says: “There is a devil, of course.”
And there could well be EBE’s as well, Econ!
My point, of course, was that humans have ALWAYS been involved in trade.
Without the desire for trade, Ships would never have been constructed in the first place!
Anyway, History Channel also had an interesting piece on Eurpeans possibly following the ice, from the ice ages, to America.
The logic being that the seals and sea life, along the shore, would have been very similar, from Europe all the way to the American Continent.
The shapes of projective points, in the “Paleo” era, and the “notch” made to help secure the point to the spear or arrow, is a rather European idea. It was also an ADVANCE in weapons technology.
That “advance” disappeared, with the later, Asian enfluence, according to some historians.
Yes, it is all theory, but very intersting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesoamerican_chronology
Also, Liberals, the thought is that lower sea levels, during the ice age, would mean that most of the boats and ships and docks would be under water, today, as sea levels are now higher. In other words, evidence was destroyed by rising sea levels.
Also, the Great Lakes figure in, the melting glaciers at first drained through the Mississippi basin, into the Gulf of Mexico, giving the water time to warm.
Later, the water drained into the St.Lawrence Seaway, putting COLD salt-free water into the Northern Atlantic, which caused ANOTHER ice age, due to ocean currents being altered — and due to the introduction of FRESH water —-
In other words, if the glaciers DO melt, how do we know that fresh water will not help cool the oceans, and alter sea currents?
Global Warming theory is at least as complicated as economic theory —
“on the other hand” Truman would say —-
shapes of projectile points: “arrowheads”
Other questions have to be asked concerning this case. First off, it’s not unusual for a multi-millionaire to be making large financial transactions. So how that tipped anyone off is a surprise.
The second is the wiretap issue. The Bush regime has been doing warantless wiretaps since 2000. The targets are unknown because the Supreme Court (headed by a Bush appointee) won’t grant anyone standing.
When Nixon taps lines illegally his target was political opponents in the Democratic party. The current Republican regime has already been caught hacking into Ted Kennedy’s computer. So why should we assume that Spitzer wasn’t part of a hunt by Republicans to find dirt to blackmail him with, kinda like Kline and his search of abortion records.
Makes you wonder how many wiretaps Sebelius has been hit with.
Doug
Give it a rest.
There was obvious “probable cause” for any judge to sign a warrant.
Do you KNOW if there was a warrant issued?
Unusual financial transactions, alone, without any other evidence, can provide “probable cause” for a wire tap.
Gee, I hope I dont win the lottery, and need to make a huge deposit in my bank accounts LOL
Chas., not to worry, so long as it is done EFT or with a check, and not in cash. :-)
Plus, Chas., the required forms, etc., don’t take more than an hour or so to complete…..
Whew!! Now I feel better!!
Chas., forgot to add, that if you were to “win the lottery”, there would be income taxes withheld thereon, and in January of the next year, there would be this really nice form W-2G appearing in your mailbox.
Actually, large transactions are usually easy to explain.
Sold a house.
Bought a house.
Rollover of a pension plan or IRA.
On the other hand, $4,999.00 today, followed by $4,999.00 tomorrow, followed by $4,999.00 next week? All in cash or cash equivalents, like money orders, cashiers checks or travelers checks?
That is not so easy.
Also, the authorities look for “layering” or multiple transfers of the same money, or combinations of funds, from different sources, in like amounts, that don’t appear to have any legit purpose. — Especially if authority for various trusts, businesses and enterprises all rests with the same person.
Yep, Econ, that’s true. Not that I or any client have any direct experience with this, I hasten to add. I base my thoughts on the continuing ed I’ve attended, etc., and a reading (when I have the time) of the regs, statutes, etc. Of course, if the recipient has accounts with multiple entities, it becomes a bit easier, perhaps, to avoid the reporting, but again, if there doesn’t seem to be a legit source…
Won’t be long and you’ll not be able to withdraw over 100 without the feds tracking you.
Phantom
Actually, law enforcement can not handle all of the reports they get, now.
I don’t like the headaches and the “big brother” aspects of financial reporting, either.
However, the laws are there not just to help the IRS, but to combat crime and terrorism.
My goodness this is a slow day on the Blog… amazing!!
“May God intervene to stop Governor Spitzer from succeeding in this evil ambition to make abortion a “fundamental right” in New York! May pro-life New Yorkers somehow prevail, even as they did when he pursued Crisis Pregnancy Centers in 2002! May New Yorkers arise and stir their neighbors to understand the consequences of pursuing this course, and may this bill be defeated!”
. . . Family Research Council prayer of February 28, concerning Gov. Spitzer and his bill to enforce a post-Roe “civil right” to unrestricted abortion
. . .
Disgraced NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer had favored partial birth abortions, attempting to liberalize late-term abortions in New York, and had attempted, as a puppet of NARAL and Planned Parenthood while AG, to shut down pro-life pregnancy centers, claiming they gave out false information [unlike his favorite greed-crazed abortion mills].
[Will there perhaps be more holy light shone on whorehouses and sticky fingers?]
Speaking of pro-lifers, Michigan officials have found parts of unborn children, medical waste and patient records in a dumpster outside a Lathrup Village, MI abortion mill. The potentially illegal dumping occurred outside the Womancare abortion mill on Southfield Road and the contents are believed to be from the abortion mill. Local police, tipped off by vigilant pro-lifers, will investigate the improper and negligent disposal of medical records, as well as the improper disposal of hazardous medical waste and human body parts from mangled, dismembered, poisoned, and beheaded babies.
In previous scandals, Womancare’s notorious abortionist quack Alberto Hodari, accused in two botched abortion deaths, told medical students at Wayne State University in December that his privileged status as abortionist quack gives him license to lie to vulnerable mothers, and that he doesn’t bother washing his hands between abortions. Tamia Russell, 15, died from an illegal, botched, post-viable abortion at Womancare abortion mill in 2004, in violation of parental notification and consent, having been prodded into the filthy, unsafe abortion mill by her 24-year-old rapist’s sister. The medical board took no action in the death, because occasional deaths from sepsis are expected in high-risk post-viable abortions.
There have been 23 lawsuits in the past 20 years against WomanCare facilities and Alberto Hodari, for abortion injuries including complications resuting on hysterectomies on 19, 22, and 23-year-old women. All were dismissed, with many referring to undisclosed settlements.
- – -
Thanks to decades of condoms and contraceptives promotions, and safe sex messages in public schools, and billions in taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood, today at least one in four teenage girls nationwide has a sexually transmitted disease, shown in a CDC study of 2003-2004. Nearly half of black teenage girls had at least one venereal disease. The most common infection is HPV (18%), followed by Chlamydia (4%), trichomoniasis (2.5%), and herpes simplex virus (2%).
But pro-abortion leftists will still try to tell you that abstinence education will not work.
The CDC, as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, is recommending the dangerous, expensive, and painful series of HPV injections for girls as young as 11, since they are presumed unlikely to be abstinent, as well as confidential screening, so that parents won’t know about their daughters’ dangerous infections and sexual victimizations.
Parkay — Why dont you just do a “bullet” listing of all of your agenda items, and then we can pick it apart all at one time, instead of your hit and run style of one or two at a time??
Sure would save a lot of typing!!
Looney Parkay has entered into the fray.
Oh no, I sold a bunch of stock and put it into my checking account then quickly withdrew it to make a financial transaction. I guess that means I may have been under investigation for criminal activity. Because, buying a car is a sign of criminal behavior.
I suppose the FBI was busy going after the “real” terrorists that’s why they had to investigate Spitzer. O.J. probably aided while he was looking for the “real” killers.
So why is David Vitter still in office if prostitution is such a federal crime? He went across state lines and had sex with a prostitute but where are the wiretaps, the calls for his resignation, the arrests? Oh yeah, it’s because he’s a Republican and Republicans are just happy that he wasn’t diddling a little boy.
Doug
Posted March 11, 2008 at 4:54 pm | Permalink
Oh no, I sold a bunch of stock and put it into my checking account then quickly withdrew it to make a financial transaction. I guess that means I may have been under investigation for criminal activity. Because, buying a car is a sign of criminal behavior.”
—————————
Nothing to worry about. It is usually the recipient of the monies getting investigated. If your cash wire showed up on Margo’s Escort Service and that Service was under investigation, then, so would you.
I’ll believe it’s not a political investigation, just as soon as I hear they are prosecuting John 1-8, and 10 thru infinity. There have to be some big fish clients to afford those rates!
Econ shows us once more that no one understands the law as well as a currently or formerly indicted/accused criminal.
Steven
My malpractice, or Errors and Omissions Insurance carrier would NOT cover me, if I had any criminal record at all.
Must you make personal attacks?
By the way, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has used every law enforcement method available to ruin lives and punish those who tried to stop him
Spitzer is a tyrant.
It is amazing how you liberals jump to his defense.
Do you have ANY idea, at all, how arrogant and brazen this man was, when he set out to destroy his enemies?
Spitzer does not give a damn about anyone but himself and his power.
Spitzer abused the powers of his political office time and time again.
Now, you liberals worry that HIS rights were “violated”?
Spitzer forced people to quit their jobs, with no charges ever being filed.
Spitzer intimidated anyone who spoke or wrote against him.
Spitzer is an ass.
Econ — Can you post even ONE link of a democrat on the Blog who has defended Spitzer? Can you show such a link?
Econ, can you provide some kind of link for the following statements?
“Do you have ANY idea, at all, how arrogant and brazen this man was, when he set out to destroy his enemies?
Spitzer does not give a damn about anyone but himself and his power.
Spitzer abused the powers of his political office time and time again.
Now, you liberals worry that HIS rights were “violated”?
Spitzer forced people to quit their jobs, with no charges ever being filed.
Spitzer intimidated anyone who spoke or wrote against him.”
If you cant, then you are just Flaming!
four dots in a square
— YOU seem to be sticking up for Spitzer, right now, right?
And, if you scroll up thread, you will see several people worried about wire taps and civil rights issues.
::
Look, all you have to do is study Spitzer and the cases he worked on, as AG.
He intimidated and bullied everyone.
Cheers went up, on the NYSE, when news of Spitzer’s problems hit the wires.
Spitzer is hated by everyone in the financial services industry, because nobody trusts him.
I gave you such a story, on this very thread.
Do your homework.
Spitzer is a bully and a jerk.
The Daily Show take on this has been just great.
Try this:
http://www.nationalreview.com/nrof_comment/comment-reynolds010303.asp
Spitzer, as New York AG, USED WIRETAPS
Spitzer, as New York AG, BUSTED PROSTITUTION RINGS
Spitzer must go!
Again, here is the Spitzer theme song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSy5I3zsAA
“Spitzer, as New York AG, BUSTED PROSTITUTION RINGS”
And that really pissed the Republicans off.
Gov. Spitzer has canceled his speaking engagement in Albany, NY at the Family Planning Advocates’ 31st Annual Conference, declining at this time to celebrate legalized infanticide in America with over a thousand other Planned Parenthood supporters.
“Prostitution is illegal in most U.S. states, but clients of prostitutes are rarely charged. This case is in the hands of federal, not state, authorities.”
Looks like the Feds wanted this one.
OK, someone stole MY idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJUTuDG8XGA
Eliot “Mess” Spitzer is the 21st Century Alexander Portnoy.
I don’t think any of us ordinary people can even imagine the perks of power. And the arrogance of power knows no political affiliation.
Spitzer earned some powerful enemies on Wall Street, the same kinds of people who can pay four-grand an hour for a hooker.
I’ve wondered since the beginning about the wording of the scandal. “Linked to a prostitution ring,” sounds a lot more alarmist than, “hired hookers.” “Linked to…” conjures up images of Eliot Spitzer in a pimp hat and a gold-trimmed Cadillac in the south Bronx.
And all the self-righteous proclamations “If he’d break his marriage vows, what other promises would he break?” make you wonder about when John Sidney McCain the Third was committing adultery as he was wooing the sainted Cindy (the one with the money and the Arizona political connections).
Frankly, paying even a hot woman $4,000 for an hour of sex seems excessive. (Okay, this is just me and I’m admitting my inadequacies, but what’s the girl gonna do with the other 25 minutes?! Maybe balance my checkbook or something?)
Charlie Sheen or someone said it best: “You don’t pay a hooker to come over to your place, you pay her to leave.”
The “Emperor Club” charged very rich, very powerful men, for leaving. And staying quiet.
Why the FBI and IRS found this particular “prostitution ring” important enough to investigate (aren’t there terrorists out there who want to fuc# us in an entirely different way?) tells me Spitzer made some serious enemies.
Other than as titular head of the NY Democratic Party, Spitzer’s fall doesn’t have a lot to do with presidential candidates. He is/was a Clinton SuperDelegate; not likely to be an Obama running-mate (and prevented, by law, from being the “executive experience” a Clinton veep selection might be). If Clinton became President, the Governor of NY might be able to select the replacement. And Wall Street really didn’t want a *Senator* Spitzer.
Another good story on Spitzer and how Spitzer used wire taps and financial transactions to nail people, as AG:
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8VBF6OO0&show_article=1
Spitzer went after white collar criminals and now their chomping at the bit to get some revenge. No matter, the Lt. Governor is awesome as well.
I would be highly amused if Clinton wins the Presidency and Spitzer is chosen by the governor to take over her seat. Wouldn’t that really rile the neo-CONS.
Well, once again, Econ failed to provide a link for the claim he made earlier… BTW, I did NOT support Spitzer…. NO way!! And you havent shown ONE instance of anybody on the left that DID support him!!
Chas = ::
Chas, it was you that asked me the question, as four dots.
Now, as Chas, you tell me I did not answer!
NO, Econ… You didnt answer Square Peg… Then I asked you to answer Square Peg’s question… I swear, you really cant read, or follow the discussion!!
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