Who does this jack-o-lantern remind you of?
Happy Halloween!
Wishing each of you a safe and Happy Halloween
Who does this jack-o-lantern remind you of?
Who does this jack-o-lantern remind you of?
Europe industry Insurance Sectors
Europe industry Insurance Sectors
This report updates the report of the European insurance act, a focus on markets in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.The current environment - what is important.- European insurance sector growth in the second half of 2007 was the opening of new markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with assets invested in Western Europe is growing steadily.- This market is still weak in many areas with tighter margins and pressure on profitability and growth.- European equity markets saw volatile trading range over the past six months as concerns about the impact of U.S. subprime mortgage crisis continued to dominate sentiment.- DJ STOXX index of European insurers fell nearly 10% from June to December, underperforming the FTSE insurance by almost 6%.In Europe, the insurance giant's stock prices to their lowest level in more than risky subprime fear of them.- Europe's move into a new era of faster, more complex and competitive, and the sun was in the midst of globalization, the increasing movement of investors and the rapid growth of private companies.Details and Industry - Critical Issues.- The insurance industry in Europe, the largest insurance market in the world with very impressive growth in Eastern Europe and strong growth in the economy at large, more mature in Western Europe.- Premium income for the European insurance market grew by 4.8% in 2006, the superior -1,000,000,000,000 (U.S. $ 1.48 trillion) mark for the first time, according to CEA.Life Insurance Life insurance is more effective than its impressive growth rate of 5.3%.- Europe's auto insurance market is slowing in most of the large number of auto insurance in the continental margin squeeze.In 2006, the inflation adjusted premium collected by insurance totaled car. -128.9 Billion. (U.S. $ 190.59 billion), a fall of 1%, despite an increase in the number of vehicles on the market.- No need to create a single market for insurance, retail trade in the European Union (EU) is growing due to hedging contracts covering the EU and is covered by the insurer that is controlled by the European Union. conflict of law rules laid down in the European Union to the insurance.Market Trends and Outlook - Key Points.- Implementation of II dissolved in 2012, should put the EU at the forefront of the world of insurance regulation.Melt II will allow insurers to acknowledge the risk and will need to hold different amounts of risk.- European captive insurance market continues to grow, although not as fast as experienced in the late 1990s, and also the way to go before truly have effective risk management.- The Takaful or Islamic insurance in Europe is still in its infancy, and in cooperation with the U.S., accounting for only 1% of the revenue from the global Takaful.Takaful or Islamic insurance, but has great potential in Europe.- The insurance industry in Europe is expected to face challenges in 2008, a technical analyst would see a recession in the U.S. is going to be more realistic.- In Western Europe, more regulation and tastes change, the more severe conditions for the insurance sector; However, this should be partly offset by growth in Eastern Europe.
This report updates the report of the European insurance act, a focus on markets in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.The current environment - what is important.- European insurance sector growth in the second half of 2007 was the opening of new markets in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), with assets invested in Western Europe is growing steadily.- This market is still weak in many areas with tighter margins and pressure on profitability and growth.- European equity markets saw volatile trading range over the past six months as concerns about the impact of U.S. subprime mortgage crisis continued to dominate sentiment.- DJ STOXX index of European insurers fell nearly 10% from June to December, underperforming the FTSE insurance by almost 6%.In Europe, the insurance giant's stock prices to their lowest level in more than risky subprime fear of them.- Europe's move into a new era of faster, more complex and competitive, and the sun was in the midst of globalization, the increasing movement of investors and the rapid growth of private companies.Details and Industry - Critical Issues.- The insurance industry in Europe, the largest insurance market in the world with very impressive growth in Eastern Europe and strong growth in the economy at large, more mature in Western Europe.- Premium income for the European insurance market grew by 4.8% in 2006, the superior -1,000,000,000,000 (U.S. $ 1.48 trillion) mark for the first time, according to CEA.Life Insurance Life insurance is more effective than its impressive growth rate of 5.3%.- Europe's auto insurance market is slowing in most of the large number of auto insurance in the continental margin squeeze.In 2006, the inflation adjusted premium collected by insurance totaled car. -128.9 Billion. (U.S. $ 190.59 billion), a fall of 1%, despite an increase in the number of vehicles on the market.- No need to create a single market for insurance, retail trade in the European Union (EU) is growing due to hedging contracts covering the EU and is covered by the insurer that is controlled by the European Union. conflict of law rules laid down in the European Union to the insurance.Market Trends and Outlook - Key Points.- Implementation of II dissolved in 2012, should put the EU at the forefront of the world of insurance regulation.Melt II will allow insurers to acknowledge the risk and will need to hold different amounts of risk.- European captive insurance market continues to grow, although not as fast as experienced in the late 1990s, and also the way to go before truly have effective risk management.- The Takaful or Islamic insurance in Europe is still in its infancy, and in cooperation with the U.S., accounting for only 1% of the revenue from the global Takaful.Takaful or Islamic insurance, but has great potential in Europe.- The insurance industry in Europe is expected to face challenges in 2008, a technical analyst would see a recession in the U.S. is going to be more realistic.- In Western Europe, more regulation and tastes change, the more severe conditions for the insurance sector; However, this should be partly offset by growth in Eastern Europe.
The latest post from Shailey Tripp
From Shailey's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
No, I didn't run out and buy personalized license plates. But a new story has been brought to my attention. Someone claiming they work inside the Alaska DMV system and are reporting that Todd Palin purchased personalized license plates with the name Tripp on it in March of 2008. Now what was going on in March of 2008? Well this is the month I beleive I gave Sarah Palin a massage, this is also the month in which Sarah Palin announced she was pregnant. Also in March of 2008 I saw Todd and Bristol Palin supposedly got impregnanted. So there are no babies out there to go buying license plates for as a grandparent or proud Dad. March of 2008 is kind of early to buy plates for unborn children, especially since at this point Bristol still had 8 or 9 months left to go and Sarah had 1 or 2 months to go. Kind of weird don't you think?
You can read more at: http://thepalinplace.blogspot.com/
Please comment and provide more perspectives, and any insights, or references to more solid information regarding this topic.
No, I didn't run out and buy personalized license plates. But a new story has been brought to my attention. Someone claiming they work inside the Alaska DMV system and are reporting that Todd Palin purchased personalized license plates with the name Tripp on it in March of 2008. Now what was going on in March of 2008? Well this is the month I beleive I gave Sarah Palin a massage, this is also the month in which Sarah Palin announced she was pregnant. Also in March of 2008 I saw Todd and Bristol Palin supposedly got impregnanted. So there are no babies out there to go buying license plates for as a grandparent or proud Dad. March of 2008 is kind of early to buy plates for unborn children, especially since at this point Bristol still had 8 or 9 months left to go and Sarah had 1 or 2 months to go. Kind of weird don't you think?
You can read more at: http://thepalinplace.blogspot.com/
Please comment and provide more perspectives, and any insights, or references to more solid information regarding this topic.
Troll comments for week of Oct 23-29
Good news, there are none to post!
Zero!
Zilch!
Nada!
Goose egg!
Guess SarahPac is broke and can't pay the trolls to come over here anymore.
Zero!
Zilch!
Nada!
Goose egg!
Guess SarahPac is broke and can't pay the trolls to come over here anymore.
As of this very moment Shailey Tripp still has not got her stuff back
From Malia Litman's blog
Shailey Tripp has been waiting since March 2010 to have a cell phone and lap top computer returned by the Anchorage Police Department. They were confiscated when she was arrested and charged with running a house of prostitution. She pled no contest to the charges on June 13, 2010, and she was given a probated sentence. The Judge ordered that her property would be returned upon the completion of her probation. The date set to determine if she had fulfilled the terms of her probation was June 15, 2011. The case became famous when there was a story in the National Enquirer connecting Todd Palin and Shailey Tripp.
Any connection between Shailey Tripp and Todd Palin was thought to be unfounded when the Anchorage Police Department issued a press release indicating that none of the evidence in their possession, THAT THEY EXAMINED, connected Shailey and Todd. The APD said:
“None of the physical evidence examined by police showed any connection to Wasilla resident Todd Palin and his name did not appear in any of the records seized by the APD.”
“Bloggers have had no access to the evidence seized so their linking of evidence in police custody to any other person in incorrect.”
To date Todd Palin has never denied the allegations of Shailey Tripp. It was only AFTER the statement of the APD that Sarah Palin denied the allegation that Todd had paid for sex with Shailey Tripp. What she really said was that all we had to do was ask Todd, “Hey Todd you been hanging out with hookers lately?” I asked. I’ve gotten no response.
Shailey Tripp agreed to give an interview, so we talked last February. While she confirmed in that interview that she had been paid for sex by Todd Palin, she was careful about the extent of information she would provide, for many reasons, not the least of which was that she was still on probation.
On Monday, Oct. 24, I received an e-mail from Shailey which reported the following:
“So here is an outline of what has happened.
June 15, 2011 my court date, I complied with the terms of the plea, and my case was dismissed.
also the judge did say i could have all my possessions returned to me.
June 17, 2011 I phoned the city prosecutor’s office and left a message
June 17, 2011 my call was returned and the y left me a message stating that they would try to expedite returning my property to me
The following week I followed up and spoke person to person and was told the same thing, they would try to expedite it.
This goes on for 2 months. In the meantime I make calls to APD evidence, they place everything on the fact they need paperwork from city prosecutor. Finally at the 2 month mark city prosecutor tells me that APD has had the paperwork for sometime and that this is an APD issues. I confronted the APD, yes they do have the correct paperwork but there is a problem. They will not tell me the problem.
Finally after a few more weeks, someone tells me that Det. McKinnon has been put in charge of my property.
I leave a message for Det. Mckinnon. Finally he returns my call and lets me know that 4 months ago his superiors made him aware that my property was problem for the APD and needed to be handled with care and that there may be some incriminating information on it against “other” people. He then asked me that the APD has never gone through my cell phones or computer. He assured me all my property would be returned to me . I signed over power of attorney to my mother. My mother made an appointment to retrieve my property. the APD then sent me a letter showing what items would be returned. Many things were not returned. I handed the matter over to my attorney.”
**********************************************
This report by Ms. Tripp was consistent with what I knew, including the court date of June 15, 2011, which was reported by the NY Daily News last January. Given the willingness of the APD to help the Palins by issuing a press release to the National Enquirer, it wasn’t too surprising that the “evidence seized” had not been returned. However in an attempt to give the APD an opportunity to “refudiate” this report, I contacted the APD. Initially I left two messages for Officer McKinnon. They were never returned. I left several messages with the Anchorage Police Department Evidence Department, but those calls were not returned. When I finally reached someone after repeated calls, I was instructed that Officer Dave Parker, the officer I spoke with last February, would be the one with whom I should speak.
Officer Parker indicated he did not appreciate the fact that I had been reporting information on this blog, and asked that I communicate by e-mail. The following is the e-mail exchange we have had:
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 1:43 PM
To: Parker, David
Subject: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Officer Parker,
I am confirming that I would like a list of the items seized when Shailey Tripp was arrested and pled guilty of running a house of prostitution, what evidence was returned to her or her representative at any time, including on 9-12-11, and a list of items that you indicated that were “obviously” not returned, and why. I would also appreciate confirmation as to who currently has possession of the items that were NOT returned. In particular, it is my understanding that a cell phone and lap top were seized but not returned. Thank you.
Malia Litman
malialitman.wordpress.com
*************************************************
From: Parker, David
Wed, Oct 26, 2011 9:45 am
Subject: RE: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Ms. Litman,
I checked with Capt. Kris Miller of the Detective Division. We do not release lists of items seized which you have requested. I can however tell you that the property belonging to Ms. Tripp was returned to her attorney-in-fact, Ms. Lawes on 9-12-11 according to the Property Section disposition form. If Ms. Tripp would like further clarification regarding her case or the property returned she may contact me and I will direct her to the person who can assist her.
The property which was not returned to Ms. Tripp either belonged to the other defendant in the case or they were disposable items such as condoms.
Lt. Parker
Lt. Dave Parker
Anchorage Police Department
Public Information Officer
4501 Elmore Road Desk (907) 786-8724
Anchorage, AK 99507 Cell (907) 351-1949
*********************************************
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 2:49 PM
To: Parker, David
Subject: Re: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Officer Parker,
It is my understanding that a cell phone and a laptop computer were among the “items seized” and that was reflected in the APD records. Ms. Tripp has advised me that those items were NOT returned. I would like clarification is you are saying they were not among the “items seized” or are you taking the position that they were in fact returned? Malia Litman
*******************
From: Parker, David
Wed, Oct 26, 2011 2:58 pm
Subject: RE: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Ms. Litman,
As I wrote previously, if Ms. Tripp needs assistance please have her contact me and I will direct her to the person who can assist her. We do not have any document listing you as her legal representative.
Lt. Parker
**********************************************
To: DParker
Sent: Wed, Oct 26, 2011 4:34 pm
Subject: Re: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Officer Parker,
I am not Ms. Tripp’s legal representative, and I have never indicated to you that I was . I simply thought that because the Anchorage Police Department chose to issue a statement to the National Enquirer, that you were obviously willing to release information regarding the Shailey Tripp arrest. Because the APD , and you in particular, indicated to the NY Daily News that there was not “one scintilla” of evidence connecting Todd Palin to Shailey Tripp, it seems reasonable that you could, at a minimum, answer a simple question regarding a cell phone and lap top computer that were confiscated, according to your own records, and which Ms. Tripp has indicated to me were not released to her. Ms. Tripp has further indicated to me that Det. McKinnon told her that ” 4 months ago his superiors made him aware that her property was a problem for the APD and that the items seized needed to be handled with care, and that there may be some incriminating information on it against other people.” Ms. Tripp has indicated she has repeatedly tried to obtain these items and the APD has not returned them. I am giving the APD, and you in particular, an opportunity to respond before I publish the story. Where are the cell phone and lap top computer of Ms. Tripp? Are you going to return them to her in the condition that they were in when the APD confiscated them? Malia Litman
******************************************************
October 27th
Dear Officer Parker,
In reviewing records this morning, I draw your attention to my letter last February 22nd, of this year. I specifically put you on notice that the “items seized” had taken on even greater importance to the public because the APD commented on the evidence in your possession regarding Todd Palin. Here is the excerpt:
Given the “office documents, computers, office machines, calendars and books and photographs” that were seized, I am assuming the APD made additional arrests based on this evidence. I assume these arrests would also be a matter of public record, so you would not be disclosing confidential information. Please identify who was arrested based upon this evidence seized. I assume you still have the “evidence seized” in your possession and I hereby put the APD on notice that because the APD has issued the statement that “none of the physical evidence examined by police showed any connection to Wasilla resident Todd Palin and his name did not appear on any of the records seized by APD” it is important in the interest of full disclosure for the public to know exactly what evidence that you seized was “examined.” If his name was not on the list, who’s name was , and what if any arrests have been made or charges filed?
Shailey Tripp has indicated in more than one statement that there was evidence of Todd Palin’s meetings with her that existed in the evidence seized by the Anchorage Police Department. Even if his name did not appear in the evidence examined, perhaps his name appeared in evidence that was seized but not “examined.” Because cell phones were seized, did the police check all the phone records to determine the identity of callers to Ms. Thomas and to Ms. Tripp?
http://malialitman.wordpress.com/category/anchorage-police-department/page/3/
It is because the APD interjected itself into this controversy that it is important that the APD be accountable for identifying what items were returned to Shailey Tripp. If the item was not returned, or if its condition was altered, the public is entitled to know why.
Malia Litman
Update:
Officer Parker sent this e-mail on Thursday Oct 27th at 11:37 Dallas time.
Ms. Litman,
As I have already explained, Ms. Tripp’s items were returned to her attorney-in-fact, Ms. Lawes on 9-12-11 according to the Property Section disposition form. If Ms. Tripp would like further clarification regarding her case or the property returned she may contact me and I will direct her to the person who can assist her. Obviously that would apply to anyone she appoints as her legal representative as well.
Lt. Parker
Obviously there is NO reference to the cell phone or lap top computer which Shailey Tripp explains have not been returned.
Shameful that the corruption in AK is still rampant even with Sarah out of office and only living in the state part time. Alaska makes Illinois, New Jersey, and Louisiana look like choir boys in comparison.
Shailey Tripp has been waiting since March 2010 to have a cell phone and lap top computer returned by the Anchorage Police Department. They were confiscated when she was arrested and charged with running a house of prostitution. She pled no contest to the charges on June 13, 2010, and she was given a probated sentence. The Judge ordered that her property would be returned upon the completion of her probation. The date set to determine if she had fulfilled the terms of her probation was June 15, 2011. The case became famous when there was a story in the National Enquirer connecting Todd Palin and Shailey Tripp.
Any connection between Shailey Tripp and Todd Palin was thought to be unfounded when the Anchorage Police Department issued a press release indicating that none of the evidence in their possession, THAT THEY EXAMINED, connected Shailey and Todd. The APD said:
“None of the physical evidence examined by police showed any connection to Wasilla resident Todd Palin and his name did not appear in any of the records seized by the APD.”
“Bloggers have had no access to the evidence seized so their linking of evidence in police custody to any other person in incorrect.”
To date Todd Palin has never denied the allegations of Shailey Tripp. It was only AFTER the statement of the APD that Sarah Palin denied the allegation that Todd had paid for sex with Shailey Tripp. What she really said was that all we had to do was ask Todd, “Hey Todd you been hanging out with hookers lately?” I asked. I’ve gotten no response.
Shailey Tripp agreed to give an interview, so we talked last February. While she confirmed in that interview that she had been paid for sex by Todd Palin, she was careful about the extent of information she would provide, for many reasons, not the least of which was that she was still on probation.
On Monday, Oct. 24, I received an e-mail from Shailey which reported the following:
“So here is an outline of what has happened.
June 15, 2011 my court date, I complied with the terms of the plea, and my case was dismissed.
also the judge did say i could have all my possessions returned to me.
June 17, 2011 I phoned the city prosecutor’s office and left a message
June 17, 2011 my call was returned and the y left me a message stating that they would try to expedite returning my property to me
The following week I followed up and spoke person to person and was told the same thing, they would try to expedite it.
This goes on for 2 months. In the meantime I make calls to APD evidence, they place everything on the fact they need paperwork from city prosecutor. Finally at the 2 month mark city prosecutor tells me that APD has had the paperwork for sometime and that this is an APD issues. I confronted the APD, yes they do have the correct paperwork but there is a problem. They will not tell me the problem.
Finally after a few more weeks, someone tells me that Det. McKinnon has been put in charge of my property.
I leave a message for Det. Mckinnon. Finally he returns my call and lets me know that 4 months ago his superiors made him aware that my property was problem for the APD and needed to be handled with care and that there may be some incriminating information on it against “other” people. He then asked me that the APD has never gone through my cell phones or computer. He assured me all my property would be returned to me . I signed over power of attorney to my mother. My mother made an appointment to retrieve my property. the APD then sent me a letter showing what items would be returned. Many things were not returned. I handed the matter over to my attorney.”
**********************************************
This report by Ms. Tripp was consistent with what I knew, including the court date of June 15, 2011, which was reported by the NY Daily News last January. Given the willingness of the APD to help the Palins by issuing a press release to the National Enquirer, it wasn’t too surprising that the “evidence seized” had not been returned. However in an attempt to give the APD an opportunity to “refudiate” this report, I contacted the APD. Initially I left two messages for Officer McKinnon. They were never returned. I left several messages with the Anchorage Police Department Evidence Department, but those calls were not returned. When I finally reached someone after repeated calls, I was instructed that Officer Dave Parker, the officer I spoke with last February, would be the one with whom I should speak.
Officer Parker indicated he did not appreciate the fact that I had been reporting information on this blog, and asked that I communicate by e-mail. The following is the e-mail exchange we have had:
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 1:43 PM
To: Parker, David
Subject: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Officer Parker,
I am confirming that I would like a list of the items seized when Shailey Tripp was arrested and pled guilty of running a house of prostitution, what evidence was returned to her or her representative at any time, including on 9-12-11, and a list of items that you indicated that were “obviously” not returned, and why. I would also appreciate confirmation as to who currently has possession of the items that were NOT returned. In particular, it is my understanding that a cell phone and lap top were seized but not returned. Thank you.
Malia Litman
malialitman.wordpress.com
*************************************************
From: Parker, David
Wed, Oct 26, 2011 9:45 am
Subject: RE: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Ms. Litman,
I checked with Capt. Kris Miller of the Detective Division. We do not release lists of items seized which you have requested. I can however tell you that the property belonging to Ms. Tripp was returned to her attorney-in-fact, Ms. Lawes on 9-12-11 according to the Property Section disposition form. If Ms. Tripp would like further clarification regarding her case or the property returned she may contact me and I will direct her to the person who can assist her.
The property which was not returned to Ms. Tripp either belonged to the other defendant in the case or they were disposable items such as condoms.
Lt. Parker
Lt. Dave Parker
Anchorage Police Department
Public Information Officer
4501 Elmore Road Desk (907) 786-8724
Anchorage, AK 99507 Cell (907) 351-1949
*********************************************
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 2:49 PM
To: Parker, David
Subject: Re: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Officer Parker,
It is my understanding that a cell phone and a laptop computer were among the “items seized” and that was reflected in the APD records. Ms. Tripp has advised me that those items were NOT returned. I would like clarification is you are saying they were not among the “items seized” or are you taking the position that they were in fact returned? Malia Litman
*******************
From: Parker, David
Wed, Oct 26, 2011 2:58 pm
Subject: RE: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Ms. Litman,
As I wrote previously, if Ms. Tripp needs assistance please have her contact me and I will direct her to the person who can assist her. We do not have any document listing you as her legal representative.
Lt. Parker
**********************************************
To: DParker
Sent: Wed, Oct 26, 2011 4:34 pm
Subject: Re: Evidence in Shay Tripp matter
Officer Parker,
I am not Ms. Tripp’s legal representative, and I have never indicated to you that I was . I simply thought that because the Anchorage Police Department chose to issue a statement to the National Enquirer, that you were obviously willing to release information regarding the Shailey Tripp arrest. Because the APD , and you in particular, indicated to the NY Daily News that there was not “one scintilla” of evidence connecting Todd Palin to Shailey Tripp, it seems reasonable that you could, at a minimum, answer a simple question regarding a cell phone and lap top computer that were confiscated, according to your own records, and which Ms. Tripp has indicated to me were not released to her. Ms. Tripp has further indicated to me that Det. McKinnon told her that ” 4 months ago his superiors made him aware that her property was a problem for the APD and that the items seized needed to be handled with care, and that there may be some incriminating information on it against other people.” Ms. Tripp has indicated she has repeatedly tried to obtain these items and the APD has not returned them. I am giving the APD, and you in particular, an opportunity to respond before I publish the story. Where are the cell phone and lap top computer of Ms. Tripp? Are you going to return them to her in the condition that they were in when the APD confiscated them? Malia Litman
******************************************************
October 27th
Dear Officer Parker,
In reviewing records this morning, I draw your attention to my letter last February 22nd, of this year. I specifically put you on notice that the “items seized” had taken on even greater importance to the public because the APD commented on the evidence in your possession regarding Todd Palin. Here is the excerpt:
Given the “office documents, computers, office machines, calendars and books and photographs” that were seized, I am assuming the APD made additional arrests based on this evidence. I assume these arrests would also be a matter of public record, so you would not be disclosing confidential information. Please identify who was arrested based upon this evidence seized. I assume you still have the “evidence seized” in your possession and I hereby put the APD on notice that because the APD has issued the statement that “none of the physical evidence examined by police showed any connection to Wasilla resident Todd Palin and his name did not appear on any of the records seized by APD” it is important in the interest of full disclosure for the public to know exactly what evidence that you seized was “examined.” If his name was not on the list, who’s name was , and what if any arrests have been made or charges filed?
Shailey Tripp has indicated in more than one statement that there was evidence of Todd Palin’s meetings with her that existed in the evidence seized by the Anchorage Police Department. Even if his name did not appear in the evidence examined, perhaps his name appeared in evidence that was seized but not “examined.” Because cell phones were seized, did the police check all the phone records to determine the identity of callers to Ms. Thomas and to Ms. Tripp?
http://malialitman.wordpress.com/category/anchorage-police-department/page/3/
It is because the APD interjected itself into this controversy that it is important that the APD be accountable for identifying what items were returned to Shailey Tripp. If the item was not returned, or if its condition was altered, the public is entitled to know why.
Malia Litman
Update:
Officer Parker sent this e-mail on Thursday Oct 27th at 11:37 Dallas time.
Ms. Litman,
As I have already explained, Ms. Tripp’s items were returned to her attorney-in-fact, Ms. Lawes on 9-12-11 according to the Property Section disposition form. If Ms. Tripp would like further clarification regarding her case or the property returned she may contact me and I will direct her to the person who can assist her. Obviously that would apply to anyone she appoints as her legal representative as well.
Lt. Parker
Obviously there is NO reference to the cell phone or lap top computer which Shailey Tripp explains have not been returned.
Shameful that the corruption in AK is still rampant even with Sarah out of office and only living in the state part time. Alaska makes Illinois, New Jersey, and Louisiana look like choir boys in comparison.
NFL week #8 picks
SUN, OCT 30
Indianapolis at Tennessee
New Orleans at St. Louis
Miami at NY Giants
Minnesota at Carolina
Arizona at Baltimore
Jacksonville at Houston
Washington at Buffalo
Detroit at Denver
New England at Pittsburgh
Cleveland at San Francisco
Cincinnati at Seattle
Dallas at Philadelphia
MON, OCT 31
San Diego at Kansas City
Indianapolis at Tennessee
New Orleans at St. Louis
Miami at NY Giants
Minnesota at Carolina
Arizona at Baltimore
Jacksonville at Houston
Washington at Buffalo
Detroit at Denver
New England at Pittsburgh
Cleveland at San Francisco
Cincinnati at Seattle
Dallas at Philadelphia
MON, OCT 31
San Diego at Kansas City
Sarah Palin is a psychopath
From Huffington Post
All psychopaths might not be the same, but they share similar speech patterns when they recount their crimes, new research shows.
Researchers at Cornell University found that psychopaths lack emotion and speak in terms of cause-and-effect when describing their crimes, LiveScience explains.
Psychopaths also tend to focus "their attention on basic needs, such as food, drink and money" rather than social needs, LiveScience reported, such as family or religion. In fact, many psychopaths recounted what they ate the day of their crime during the interview.
Researchers determined the results by using software to analyze the speech patterns of 52 convicted murders -- 14 who qualified as psychopaths -- as they detailed their crimes. All 14 psychopaths shared the same speech qualities, according to the study.
Compared to the 38 convicted murderers in the sample, the psychopaths tended to use words such as "because" or "so that," to imply that their crime was a goal that needed to be achieved, the Deccan Herald points out.
Psychopaths also used more "ums" and "uhs", which researchers say indicate attempts to imply that retelling their crimes is difficult.
The results suggest that psychopaths "operate on a primitive but rational level," researchers wrote in the study.
One researcher recalls how psychopaths make for interesting interview subjects because of their "cunning and manipulative nature."
"It is unbelievable. ... You can spend two or three hours and come out feeling like you are hypnotized," Michael Woodworth, study co-author and psychology professor specializing in psychopathy, told LiveScience.
Results of the study, "Hungry Like The Wolf: A Word-Pattern Analysis Of The Language Of Psychopaths," were published in the September issue of Legal and Criminological Psychology.
Psychopathy is often confused for other personality disorders. Scientific American reports how psychopathy is determined, and the characteristics of the disorder:
The best-established measure of psychopathy, the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), developed by University of British Columbia psychologist Robert D. Hare, requires a standardized interview with subjects and an examination of their file records, such as their criminal and educational histories. Analyses of the PCL-R reveal that it comprises at least three overlapping, but separable, constellations of traits: interpersonal deficits (such as grandiosity, arrogance and deceitfulness), affective deficits (lack of guilt and empathy, for instance), and impulsive and criminal behaviors (including sexual promiscuity and stealing).
Recently, a small study showed that bosses are four times more likely to be psychopaths than the general population. The finding was reported in the book Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work. However, the number of psychopaths among business bosses is still low -- comprising 4 percent of them, in the study -- while 1percent of the general population have psychopathic tendencies.
Nice that someone finally confirms that Sarah Palin is pyscho.
All psychopaths might not be the same, but they share similar speech patterns when they recount their crimes, new research shows.
Researchers at Cornell University found that psychopaths lack emotion and speak in terms of cause-and-effect when describing their crimes, LiveScience explains.
Psychopaths also tend to focus "their attention on basic needs, such as food, drink and money" rather than social needs, LiveScience reported, such as family or religion. In fact, many psychopaths recounted what they ate the day of their crime during the interview.
Researchers determined the results by using software to analyze the speech patterns of 52 convicted murders -- 14 who qualified as psychopaths -- as they detailed their crimes. All 14 psychopaths shared the same speech qualities, according to the study.
Compared to the 38 convicted murderers in the sample, the psychopaths tended to use words such as "because" or "so that," to imply that their crime was a goal that needed to be achieved, the Deccan Herald points out.
Psychopaths also used more "ums" and "uhs", which researchers say indicate attempts to imply that retelling their crimes is difficult.
The results suggest that psychopaths "operate on a primitive but rational level," researchers wrote in the study.
One researcher recalls how psychopaths make for interesting interview subjects because of their "cunning and manipulative nature."
"It is unbelievable. ... You can spend two or three hours and come out feeling like you are hypnotized," Michael Woodworth, study co-author and psychology professor specializing in psychopathy, told LiveScience.
Results of the study, "Hungry Like The Wolf: A Word-Pattern Analysis Of The Language Of Psychopaths," were published in the September issue of Legal and Criminological Psychology.
Psychopathy is often confused for other personality disorders. Scientific American reports how psychopathy is determined, and the characteristics of the disorder:
The best-established measure of psychopathy, the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), developed by University of British Columbia psychologist Robert D. Hare, requires a standardized interview with subjects and an examination of their file records, such as their criminal and educational histories. Analyses of the PCL-R reveal that it comprises at least three overlapping, but separable, constellations of traits: interpersonal deficits (such as grandiosity, arrogance and deceitfulness), affective deficits (lack of guilt and empathy, for instance), and impulsive and criminal behaviors (including sexual promiscuity and stealing).
Recently, a small study showed that bosses are four times more likely to be psychopaths than the general population. The finding was reported in the book Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work. However, the number of psychopaths among business bosses is still low -- comprising 4 percent of them, in the study -- while 1percent of the general population have psychopathic tendencies.
Nice that someone finally confirms that Sarah Palin is pyscho.
Herman Cain: Jesus was a Republican
From Redstate
He was not born into a royal family, but He left a royal impression on the world.
For 30 years, He learned the ways of the world without becoming of the world. He then changed the world for the better.
He led without a mandate. He taught without a script. His common sense parables filled people with promise and compassion, His words forever inspiring.
He never condemned what others believed – just sin, evil and corruption.
He helped the poor without one government program. He healed the sick without a government health care system. He feed the hungry without food stamps. And everywhere He went, it turned into a rally, attracting large crowds, and giving them hope, encouragement and inspiration.
For three years He was unemployed, and never collected an unemployment check. Nevertheless, he completed all the work He needed to get done. He didn’t travel by private jet. He walked and sailed, and sometimes traveled on a donkey.
But they made Him walk when He was arrested and taken to jail, and no, He was not read any Miranda Rights. He was arrested for just being who He was and doing nothing wrong. And when they tried Him in court, He never said a mumbling word.
He didn’t have a lawyer, nor did He care about who judged Him.
His judge was a higher power.
The liberal court found Him guilty of false offences and sentenced Him to death, all because He changed the hearts and minds of men with an army of 12.
His death reset the clock of time.
Never before and not since has there ever been such a perfect conservative.
For over 2,000 years the world has tried hard to erase the memory of the perfect conservative, and His principles of compassion, caring and common sense.
His followers are now millions and millions the world over, as those who resent Him have intensified their attacks on who He was and what His followers believe.
The attacks are disguised as political correctness, or a misunderstanding of the First Amendment to the Constitution. Separation of Church and State does not mean Separation of Church from State. The State cannot impose Church on the people, but the people can display and say as much Church in the public square as they desire.
Our Founders recognized that distinction, which helped to inspire the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the founding of this nation – The United States of America!
We must be the Defending Fathers and the defenders of the perfect conservative.
That’s why I proudly wish one and all a very Merry Christmas!
Oh good grief! Jesus was neither a liberal or a conservative. In fact Jesus would be taking Herman to task over his love of money.
There was no health insurance during biblical times. Or food stamps. Or social security.
In the book of Luke 21:1-4 the widow placed two small pennies in the collection plate while wealthier men poured bags of gold into it. Jesus tells the rich folk that she gave more than all of them put together because she gave all she had while they gave what was leftover.
That is what is going on today. The lower classes are sacrificing while the wealthy are pocketing and not giving anything. Jesus would not be happy.
He was not born into a royal family, but He left a royal impression on the world.
For 30 years, He learned the ways of the world without becoming of the world. He then changed the world for the better.
He led without a mandate. He taught without a script. His common sense parables filled people with promise and compassion, His words forever inspiring.
He never condemned what others believed – just sin, evil and corruption.
He helped the poor without one government program. He healed the sick without a government health care system. He feed the hungry without food stamps. And everywhere He went, it turned into a rally, attracting large crowds, and giving them hope, encouragement and inspiration.
For three years He was unemployed, and never collected an unemployment check. Nevertheless, he completed all the work He needed to get done. He didn’t travel by private jet. He walked and sailed, and sometimes traveled on a donkey.
But they made Him walk when He was arrested and taken to jail, and no, He was not read any Miranda Rights. He was arrested for just being who He was and doing nothing wrong. And when they tried Him in court, He never said a mumbling word.
He didn’t have a lawyer, nor did He care about who judged Him.
His judge was a higher power.
The liberal court found Him guilty of false offences and sentenced Him to death, all because He changed the hearts and minds of men with an army of 12.
His death reset the clock of time.
Never before and not since has there ever been such a perfect conservative.
For over 2,000 years the world has tried hard to erase the memory of the perfect conservative, and His principles of compassion, caring and common sense.
His followers are now millions and millions the world over, as those who resent Him have intensified their attacks on who He was and what His followers believe.
The attacks are disguised as political correctness, or a misunderstanding of the First Amendment to the Constitution. Separation of Church and State does not mean Separation of Church from State. The State cannot impose Church on the people, but the people can display and say as much Church in the public square as they desire.
Our Founders recognized that distinction, which helped to inspire the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the founding of this nation – The United States of America!
We must be the Defending Fathers and the defenders of the perfect conservative.
That’s why I proudly wish one and all a very Merry Christmas!
Oh good grief! Jesus was neither a liberal or a conservative. In fact Jesus would be taking Herman to task over his love of money.
There was no health insurance during biblical times. Or food stamps. Or social security.
In the book of Luke 21:1-4 the widow placed two small pennies in the collection plate while wealthier men poured bags of gold into it. Jesus tells the rich folk that she gave more than all of them put together because she gave all she had while they gave what was leftover.
That is what is going on today. The lower classes are sacrificing while the wealthy are pocketing and not giving anything. Jesus would not be happy.
Sarah and her siblings
Sarah has two sisters, Heather Bruce and Molly Wooten McCann, and one older brother Chuck Jr.
Sarah's relationship with them is pretty unclear. You hardly ever hear about Heather, but I do know that Bristol stayed with her during the winter 2007-08 and that she has an autistic son.
Sister Molly was involved in the Troopergate scandal involving her ex-husband Mike Wooten and it was her dorm room that Sarah had her one night stand with Glen Rice in. Molly has been married at least three times, was pregnant when she married Mike. Sarah did make a comment that she was embarrassed by Molly having so many husbands.
Chuck Jr appeared in an episode of Sarah Palin's Alaska and he came to her defense after Joe's book came out, but that is it.
I know at one point they were close, as evident by this picture:
Sarah's relationship with them is pretty unclear. You hardly ever hear about Heather, but I do know that Bristol stayed with her during the winter 2007-08 and that she has an autistic son.
Sister Molly was involved in the Troopergate scandal involving her ex-husband Mike Wooten and it was her dorm room that Sarah had her one night stand with Glen Rice in. Molly has been married at least three times, was pregnant when she married Mike. Sarah did make a comment that she was embarrassed by Molly having so many husbands.
Chuck Jr appeared in an episode of Sarah Palin's Alaska and he came to her defense after Joe's book came out, but that is it.
I know at one point they were close, as evident by this picture:
General Insurance Industry in Australia
General Insurance Industry in Australia
Insurance market report, research, industry analysts and key industry statistics, market size, measure, analyze industry trends in the present and future and shows the market share for the company's largest industry, IBISWorld publishes collections. The largest of the industry report, so you can see the supply chain of major economic and industrial buyers and the market.Industry analysis and industry trends.Industrial insurance in Australia generally provide coverage for people in households and businesses from financial losses related to events such as car accidents, floods, destruction - ins and medical malpractice insurance companies generally offer this coverage in The loss of the potential risk of spread. Industry revenue from the sale of insurance policies. (The premium) and the investment of premium reserves to buy bonds, stocks and other assets (investment income).Industry Report - A product.The size of the product depends on the premium received by underwriting public and private sector directly in Australia and is calculated as a weighted average based on the premium IBISWorld estimates of insurance companies in the sector. Private for 73.4% of net income, premiums, generally, with the public accounting for 26.6% of Australia's security, public two classes of general insurance: third party compulsory (CTP) motor vehicle insurance and liability insurance. the employer. Public insurance account for almost half of the CTP motor vehicle insurance premiums, this is because the laws of the state monopoly in all markets except the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland Welsh.What is the general insurance industry?This standard covers the insurance and reinsurance general insurance company that guarantees a general insurance policy to protect individuals and businesses from financial losses related to property damages and other risks underwriters involved in the pre. Assuming that the risk premium and determination. All or part of the insurance risks associated with existing insurance policies underwritten by other insurance companies
Insurance market report, research, industry analysts and key industry statistics, market size, measure, analyze industry trends in the present and future and shows the market share for the company's largest industry, IBISWorld publishes collections. The largest of the industry report, so you can see the supply chain of major economic and industrial buyers and the market.Industry analysis and industry trends.Industrial insurance in Australia generally provide coverage for people in households and businesses from financial losses related to events such as car accidents, floods, destruction - ins and medical malpractice insurance companies generally offer this coverage in The loss of the potential risk of spread. Industry revenue from the sale of insurance policies. (The premium) and the investment of premium reserves to buy bonds, stocks and other assets (investment income).Industry Report - A product.The size of the product depends on the premium received by underwriting public and private sector directly in Australia and is calculated as a weighted average based on the premium IBISWorld estimates of insurance companies in the sector. Private for 73.4% of net income, premiums, generally, with the public accounting for 26.6% of Australia's security, public two classes of general insurance: third party compulsory (CTP) motor vehicle insurance and liability insurance. the employer. Public insurance account for almost half of the CTP motor vehicle insurance premiums, this is because the laws of the state monopoly in all markets except the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Queensland Welsh.What is the general insurance industry?This standard covers the insurance and reinsurance general insurance company that guarantees a general insurance policy to protect individuals and businesses from financial losses related to property damages and other risks underwriters involved in the pre. Assuming that the risk premium and determination. All or part of the insurance risks associated with existing insurance policies underwritten by other insurance companies
Rick Perry and all his corruption
From Malia Litman's blog:
This is First in a Series of posts dedicated to revealing the truth behind the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. The breadth of the corruption facilitated by Rick Perry is so extensive that multiple articles will be necessary.
I. INTRODUCTION
“The Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2005 at the urging of Gov. Perry to provide Texas with an unparalleled advantage in the research, development, and commercialization of emerging technologies.”
TETF grants are awarded in the following three areas:
• Research Superiority Acquisition — funds for Texas higher education institutions to recruit the best research talent in the world.
• Commercialization Awards — funds to help companies take ideas from concept to development to ready for the marketplace.
• Matching Awards — funds create public-private partnerships which leverage the unique strengths of universities, federal government grant programs, and industry.
In order to receive a TETF payment, the first step is to contact one of seven Regional Centers of Innovation and Commercialization (RCIC). RCICs receive applications for TETF awards each calendar quarter from companies within their regions and help guide companies through the application process.Applications are reviewed quarterly and TETF awards are granted throughout the year. Companies across the state have won TETF awards.
During the three fiscal years from Sept 1, 2007 through August 31, 2010 the TETF made 113 awards in the total amount of $259, 543,000.00. During the same time period, while Texas was giving away over $259,000,000 to companies employing supporters and donors of and to Rick Perry, Texas received $6.4 Billion Dollars in Federal Funds from the Recovery Act money allowing Texas to retain $9.1 Billion dollars in its Rainy Day fund. During this same time period Rick Perry advocated secession of Texas from the U.S. He also advocates less involvement of the federal government in state affairs, unless of course he is asking for money. Texas was the state that depended the most on the stimulus funds to plug nearly 97% of its shortfall for fiscal 2010, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. On the very same day Governor Perry asked for the funds, he set up a petition titled “No Government Bailouts.”
During that same period, Texas was also unable to financially sustain many of its volunteer fire departments. During the same time frame Texas was ravaged by 21,000 deadly and devastating wild fires which have burned 3.6 million acres.
II. MAKE UP OF THE TETF
Section 490 of the Government Code of Texas establishes the method for appointment to the TETF Committee. Section 490.051 provides that a committee of 17 people will be appointed by the GOVERNOR. The Governor appoints the presiding member of the committee. (Sec. 490.053). The length of service for each member is at the “pleasure of the governor.” (Sec. 490.540). The Committee only makes recommendations ( 490.056). The final approval of any money to be paid from the fund is made by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sec. 490.056)
III. EQUITY POSITION OF TEXAS
Texas Government Code Section 490.005 requires the Governor to provide “a brief description of the equity position that the Governor, on behalf of the state, may take in companies receiving awards…” It was obvious that each of the companies receiving the award of money from the TETF would not be successful. The majority of new businesses fail in the first four years. However the express provisions of Section 490.000 contemplate the sharing of profit if it should occur, and repayment of the monies awarded by the state, creating the relationship between the state and recipient, of an investor in a business enterprise. If other investors realize profit from the company, then the state of Texas should likewise be a beneficiary of the success of that company. The TETF was clearly formulated with the expectation that the fund would be used to support companies that had a very promising future, and would likely result in a return on investment to Texas. Section 490.203 expressly states:
“An entity receiving funding or another incentive under this subchapter shall guarantee by contract with the governor’s office that the entity will perform specific actions that are expected to provide benefits to this state.”
“If an entity fails to perform an action guaranteed by contract under Subsection (a) before a time specified by the contract, the entity shall return the funding received by the entity under this subchapter.’
No company in the history of the fund has ever returned the money given by the state, and the state has never demanded the refund of any funds.
IV. ONLY ONE COMPANY, CARDIOSPECTRA, INC. HAS RETURNED ANY MONEY TO TEXAS.
The January 2011 Annual Report to the Texas Legislature covers a period of three years. This report identifies 120 different companies that received millions of dollars from the TETF. The amount of money awarded to the 120 different companies varied between $500,000 to $ 50,000,000 which was awarded to TAMU. The average amount awarded was $1,000,000. The total amount of all awards was $259,543,000.00.
For each of the 120 companies identified in the Annual Report there is a reference to the “Intended Outcome,” and the “Actual Outcome.” Of all the companies listed that received money from the TETF only one company is reported to have paid any money back to the State of Texas. At pg 26 of the report, “CardioSpectra, Inc.” is reported to have been bought by another company for $25,000,000 in cash, and a promise to pay an additional $38 million upon the achievement of certain milestones. The state of Texas was paid $2,277,792 in cash upon the sale, and stock “valued at $1,984,749.” Thus the State of Texas received only 9% of the proceeds from the sale of CardioSpectra Inc. More importantly, less than 1%, or .008% of the companies funded by the State of Texas paid back ANY of the monies given to them. This would be an indication of, at best, gross incompetence on the part of Texas employees running the TETF, or more likely, corruption.
V. LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FROM THE TETF FUND
The TETF identifies itself as having 7 employees. They are:
1. Jonathan W. Taylor, Director
2. Yvette Sanchez-Ramirez, Executive Assistant
3. Patrick Boswell, Investments Manager
4. Bryan Poe, Investment Analyst
5. Ashley Randall, Investment Analyst
6. Emily Vorlant, Investment Analyst
7. Laurie Rich, Special Advisor
On Oct. 6th, 2011 I called each of these people. The purpose of the call was to simply confirm that Cardio Spectra Inc., is the ONLY company that received money from the TETF to ever pay any money back to the State of Texas. I spoke with Jonathan Taylor and he said he didn’t know the answer. I asked him as the Director of the fund, who would be in a better position to know. He responded by defiantly saying that any such information would have to come from the press office. When I asked him if that wasn’t part of his job description, he hung up the phone on me. I have spoken to two different people in the press office for the Governor’s officem “ Lucy”, and “Veronica”, and each explained that they didn’t know the information and would get back to me. I then followed up with Ms. Ramirez, Mr. Boswell, and Mr. Poe to ask the same question, and each were unwilling to discuss the matter with me. I left voice mail messages for Ms. Randall, Ms. Vorlant, and Ms. Rich, none of which have been returned three days later. I have sent an e-mail to each of the people listed above, setting out my request for confirmation that CardioSpectra Inc. is the only company in the history of the TETF to return any money to the state. The only response I have received to those simple e-mail requests http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifis to advise me to talk with the Governor’s press office.
The inevitable conclusion is that there is only one company in the history of the TETF to pay any money back to the state in the history of the fund, In the span of over 5 years only one company returning money on the state’s investment is pathetic. In articles that will follow, there is clear lack of accountability of the TETF for over $200,000,000.00 of tax payer money that has been given away. It is criminal that at a time when the State of Texas is in desperate need of funds for public education and basic services, like fire fighting, that the state of Texas, under the guidance of Rick Perry is GIVING away money. Later posts will also establish that the TETF has been used to give money to companies associated with donations to Rick Perry. The obvious conflict of interest and corruption is transparent, blatant, and inexcusable.
Wait! There's more
This is the second in the series of articles on the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. The background of this fund is set out in this article. The entirety of the following post is based on the report from John Keel, CPA, of the State of Texas State Auditor’s Office. It was completed April 2011, and is know as “An Audit Report on The Emerging Technology Fund” Report No. 11-029. This report was compiled by a Certified Public Accountant from the State Auditor’s Office. It was not the result of a political adversary of Rick Perry, but an official state audit of a fund promoted and “overseen” by Rick Perry. The following are the Overall Conclusions of the Auditor:
“The Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) should make significant improvements to promote greater transparency and accountability.
Issues in a number of areas impair the ability to administer the ETF in the best interests of the State. It is important to hold recipients of funds accountable. Auditors identified the following weaknesses:
Decision making related to the ETF and recipients of funds is not open to the public.
The ETF conducts limited monitoring of recipient’s performance and expenditures of funds.
The Office of the Governor does not report the value of the State’s investments through the ETF on its financial statements.
The ETF does not administer its contracts with the seven Regional Centers for Innovation Commercialization (RCICS) and the Texas Life Science Center for Innovation and Commercialization…”
As of Aug. 31, 2010 a total of 153 grants and awards totaling $342,336,567 had been awarded to recipients.
The ETF application is considered confidential while an application for an award or grant. Ten other states with similar programs that auditors surveyed allowed significantly more public access to meetings and documents related to the award of public funds. (pg. ii)
The code of ethics policy for the Advisory Committee does not prohibit Advisory Committee members from accepting compensation from or investing in ETF recipients. (pg iii) ( This means that a person on the Advisory committee who recommends a company receive millions of dollars from the EMT could be the CEO of the company.)
The majority of annual reports required in 2007, 2008, and 2009 were NOT submitted.(pg iii)
The office of the Governor did not report the value of all investments held by the ETF on its annual financial report or on its annual report to the Legislature; the only investment that was reported was from the single award from which the ETF has profited. (pg. iii)
The ETF has not developed substantive criteria for the RCICs and the Texas Life Science Center to use when receiving and evaluating applications. (pg 3)(This means there are no standards to determine which companies receive grants, or any guidelines to determine how much money will be awarded.)
Because there is a lack of consistent documentation of votes and recusals, it can’t be determined whether board members appropriately addressed conflicts of interest. (pg. 3) (This means that there is no way to determine if the very people considering an application had a financial interest in the approval of the grant.)
RCICS and Texas Life Science Center do not follow consistent processes for evaluating and receiving applications. (pg 5)(This means that there is no uniformity in how an application is evaluated.)
Meetings of the Advisory Committee of the ETF are not open to the public, and the Advisory Committee does not even document its decisions in meeting minutes.
The Advisory Committee has been inconsistent in terms of which applications it will accept for review. (pg 7)
There is no documentation of how members voted, which members recused themselves, or any disclosures made. (pg 8)(This means that there can be no accountability for any action taken.)
The advisory committee has no written policies and procedures for how it receives, reviews, or recommends funding. (pg9)
While others may nominate people to serve on the Advisory Committee, it is the Governor who make the final determination regarding all appointments to the Advisory Committee.(pg 11)
There are no policies for the ETF application process. This has led to uncertainty in various areas. (pg 13)
The ETF doesn’t perform a credit check on award recipients, or a criminal background check. (pg 13)
Auditors were unable to determine from the documents available for the 21 applications tested whether the ETF Office performed any due diligence or independently verified the information provided by the applicant, such as intellectual property or financial information. (pg 15)
The ETF has not ensured that ETF recipients comply with requirements to submit reports. (pg 18) (This means there is no accountability by the recipients of the millions of dollare given by Texas.)
Three recipients declared bankruptcy or ceased operations in 2010 but failed to submit even one annual report. (Pg. 18)
In 2007 60% of recipients didn’t submit reports due.
In 2008 67% of recipients didn’t submit reports due.
In 2009 59% of recipients didn’t submit reports due.(pg 18)
The ETF does not require recipients to submit (1) financial information in their annual reports or (2) supporting documentation for expenditure of funds. Thus the ETF can’t verify whether recipients make expenditures only for authorized purposes. (pg 20)
The Office of the Governor is not reporting the value of the ETF investments as assets, and it is not reporting the net increase or decrease in the value of these investments on its annual financial reports.
One RCIC reported to the ETF that it spent $59,731 on “Meals and Entertainment” in fiscal year 2010. RCIC is not required to separate funds for the ETF and its operating funds. (pg 28).
Several conclusions are evident from this audit:
1. There is no criteria for the award of money from the ETF, and therefore Rick Perry is able to give state money to any company he chooses.
2. There is no documentation of any value received by Texas for any of the companies who received state money through the ETF, with the exception of a single company.
3. There is no attempt to independently assess the financial viability of a company receiving an award from the ETF, and thus a shell company could receive a gift of money from the ETF and immediately declare bankruptcy after the funds from the state are disbursed. Supporters of Rick Perry could be in a position to receive payment directly from the award of money by the state to their company through the ETF with the only benefit to the individual and/or Rick Perry, and the State of Texas might not realize any benefit!
4. There is no accounting required of a recipient of ETF funds, and thus any misuse of state money would likely never be reported.
5. Members of the Advisory Committee which recommend approval of an award may be financially connected to the applicant company and they are not required to disclose or report the conflict.
6. Rick Perry has ultimate control over any and all funds awarded by the ETF.
7. There is no expectation by the ETF that any funds will ever be paid back to the State of Texas.
8. Because Rick Perry is given the power to appoint every member of the Advisory Committee, “at his pleasure” Rick Perry controls the recommendations of the Advisory Committee “at his pleasure.”
9. There is a complete lack of accounting to the citizens of Texas, and the country, for the monies given to companies.
10. While Texans are deprived of basic services of Government, including education and fire fighting services, the State of Texas is giving away millions of dollars to Rick Perry supporters. This year alone Texas cut funding for public schools in Texas by 2 Billion Dollars. Dallas alone will suffer cuts to its education budget of 87 Million Dollars, which is less than half of the funds given away to Rick Perry supporters through the ETF.
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
It is no wonder that Rick Perry is serving in his tenth year as governor and is the longest-serving chief executive in Texas history. Given the financial backing Perry has achieved using taxpayer money, he will likely continue to be re-elected for as long as he desires. Now the entire country is saddled with the effects of Rick Perry’s corruption.
He is among the top political fund-raisers in the country through his “vast network of wealthy supporters eager to bankroll his presidential ambitions.” In three campaigns for governor, Mr. Perry has raised $102 million, including more than $39 million during his successful 2010 bid for re-election. The Republican Governors Association, of which Mr. Perry is chairman, raised a record $22.1 million during the first half of this year. If allowed to occupy the White House, imagine the wealth he could transfer to his supporters at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.
Last but not least
This article is Part III of the discussion of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund(TETF). The previous articles are here. In these articles the unequivocal facts indicate that Rick Perry, through the Texas Technology Fund has diverted tax payer money to his supporters. The State has produced virtually no accounting, and state auditors have cited over 20 infractions of common accounting practices regarding the fund. The Governor’s office hung up on me when I tried to get basic information relating to any revenue paid to the state by recipients of millions of dollars in state funds. E-mails were not returned. It has been one week since I made phone calls and placed e-mail inquiries to the Office of the Governor, the Emerging Technology Fund, and to the Governor’s press office. No information has been provided, no return calls have been placed, no return e-mails have been forthcoming.
This final article documents just a few of the outrageous payments of money to specific donors of Rick Perry. Undoubtedly there are many more examples, but it is difficult to connect the donors and recipients of the money, as the recipients are companies, and it is difficult or impossible to determine the identity of all the people associated with the recipients of the millions of dollars given out by the Texas Emerging Technology fund.
1. Charles Tate has donated a total of $424,000 to Perry. Tate had investments in ThromboVision, which was awarded $1.5 million from ETF on 4/20/07. ThromboVision declared bankruptcy on 9/2/10. Shortly before the declaration of bankruptcy, Charles Tate donated $100,000 to Perry’s campaign on 5-25-10. ETF did not know about bankruptcy filing until it was reported in the news. .
Tate also had investments in OrthoAccel Technologies, which was awarded $750,000 on 2/2008 from the ETF.
Mr. Tate also started the Texas Life Sciences Center for Innovation and Commercialization which vets applicants for ETF. Hence Mr. Tate himself, has become an integral part of the process of approving companies who are awarded millions of dollars of tax payer monies. Perhaps Governor Perry thought it would be convenient to consolidate the process of applying for state money and the awarding of state money in the same person to limit the expense associated with reviewing an application. After all, who better to know whether Mr. Tate’s companies should be awarded tax dollars, than Mr. Tate himself?
2. Charles Miller has donated $125,000 to Perry and also had investments in ThromboVision.
3. Phil Adams has donated $315,000 to Perry. Adams also went to Texas A&M with Perry. Adams had investments in Terrabon, which was awarded $2.75 million from ETF on 7/30/10.
Adams has also employed Perry’s children, given Perry Big 12 tickets, and provided transportation and lodging for games.
4. James Leininger has donated $265,000 to Perry and is investor in Gradalis, which was awarded $1.75 million from ETF on 2/2009.
Leininger has also taken Perry on hunting trips, paid for Perry’s airfare, room and board and given Perry tickets to Spurs game.
5. John McHale has donated $50,000 to Perry and is an investor in Gradalis.
6. Joe Aragona, general partner at Austin Ventures, donated $80,000 to Perry. His donations included the $25,000.00 award of 6/29/2006.
Austin Ventures was invested in, and had board members on, NanoCoolers, which received $3 million on 3/2009 from ETF. The company closed 8 months later on 11/2009.
7. William McMinn has donated $152,000 to Rick Perry. McMinn had investments in Carbon Nanotechnologies, which was awarded $975,000 from ETF.
8. David Nance has donated $80,000 to Rick Perry. Mr. Nance had only $1,000 of his own money invested in Convergen, it received $4.5 million from ETF in 2009.
The regional panel that reviewed Convergen’s application turned down the company’s $4.5 million request when it presented its proposal on Oct. 7, 2009. But Mr. Nance appealed that decision directly to a statewide advisory committee (of which Mr. Nance was once a member) appointed by Mr. Perry. Just eight days later, on Oct. 15, a subcommittee unanimously recommended approval by the full statewide committee. On Oct. 29, the full advisory committee unanimously recommended the approval of Convergen’s application. When asked why the advisory committee felt comfortable recommending Convergen’s grant, Lucy Nashed, a spokesperson for Mr. Perry, said that the committee “thoroughly vetted the company.” “Lucy” was one of the people in Governor Perry’s office that did not return my calls or e-mails, even though the Director of the ETF sent me an e-mail confirming that she would be calling me back.
9. Charles Amato has donated $32,000 to Perry. He had investments in Seno Medical Instruments, which received $2 million in ETF money.
10. Young Turks cites others.
This detailed analysis demonstrates a pattern or routine of Rick Perry and the Texas Emerging Technology Fund of giving away taxpayer money to supporters of Rick Perry. Thus Rick Perry used tax payer money to support his campaign for Governor, and now President. No wonder Rick Perry has so much money for his campaign. No wonder Rick Perry has been elected Governor of Texas for three terms. In Texas we have the best government that money can buy, and that’s a pathetic government.
As applicants to the Texas Emerging Technology Fund present their applications to Rick Perry, they likely feel like they are watching an excerpt of Jerry McGuire.
This is First in a Series of posts dedicated to revealing the truth behind the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. The breadth of the corruption facilitated by Rick Perry is so extensive that multiple articles will be necessary.
I. INTRODUCTION
“The Emerging Technology Fund (TETF) was created by the Texas Legislature in 2005 at the urging of Gov. Perry to provide Texas with an unparalleled advantage in the research, development, and commercialization of emerging technologies.”
TETF grants are awarded in the following three areas:
• Research Superiority Acquisition — funds for Texas higher education institutions to recruit the best research talent in the world.
• Commercialization Awards — funds to help companies take ideas from concept to development to ready for the marketplace.
• Matching Awards — funds create public-private partnerships which leverage the unique strengths of universities, federal government grant programs, and industry.
In order to receive a TETF payment, the first step is to contact one of seven Regional Centers of Innovation and Commercialization (RCIC). RCICs receive applications for TETF awards each calendar quarter from companies within their regions and help guide companies through the application process.Applications are reviewed quarterly and TETF awards are granted throughout the year. Companies across the state have won TETF awards.
During the three fiscal years from Sept 1, 2007 through August 31, 2010 the TETF made 113 awards in the total amount of $259, 543,000.00. During the same time period, while Texas was giving away over $259,000,000 to companies employing supporters and donors of and to Rick Perry, Texas received $6.4 Billion Dollars in Federal Funds from the Recovery Act money allowing Texas to retain $9.1 Billion dollars in its Rainy Day fund. During this same time period Rick Perry advocated secession of Texas from the U.S. He also advocates less involvement of the federal government in state affairs, unless of course he is asking for money. Texas was the state that depended the most on the stimulus funds to plug nearly 97% of its shortfall for fiscal 2010, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. On the very same day Governor Perry asked for the funds, he set up a petition titled “No Government Bailouts.”
During that same period, Texas was also unable to financially sustain many of its volunteer fire departments. During the same time frame Texas was ravaged by 21,000 deadly and devastating wild fires which have burned 3.6 million acres.
II. MAKE UP OF THE TETF
Section 490 of the Government Code of Texas establishes the method for appointment to the TETF Committee. Section 490.051 provides that a committee of 17 people will be appointed by the GOVERNOR. The Governor appoints the presiding member of the committee. (Sec. 490.053). The length of service for each member is at the “pleasure of the governor.” (Sec. 490.540). The Committee only makes recommendations ( 490.056). The final approval of any money to be paid from the fund is made by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sec. 490.056)
III. EQUITY POSITION OF TEXAS
Texas Government Code Section 490.005 requires the Governor to provide “a brief description of the equity position that the Governor, on behalf of the state, may take in companies receiving awards…” It was obvious that each of the companies receiving the award of money from the TETF would not be successful. The majority of new businesses fail in the first four years. However the express provisions of Section 490.000 contemplate the sharing of profit if it should occur, and repayment of the monies awarded by the state, creating the relationship between the state and recipient, of an investor in a business enterprise. If other investors realize profit from the company, then the state of Texas should likewise be a beneficiary of the success of that company. The TETF was clearly formulated with the expectation that the fund would be used to support companies that had a very promising future, and would likely result in a return on investment to Texas. Section 490.203 expressly states:
“An entity receiving funding or another incentive under this subchapter shall guarantee by contract with the governor’s office that the entity will perform specific actions that are expected to provide benefits to this state.”
“If an entity fails to perform an action guaranteed by contract under Subsection (a) before a time specified by the contract, the entity shall return the funding received by the entity under this subchapter.’
No company in the history of the fund has ever returned the money given by the state, and the state has never demanded the refund of any funds.
IV. ONLY ONE COMPANY, CARDIOSPECTRA, INC. HAS RETURNED ANY MONEY TO TEXAS.
The January 2011 Annual Report to the Texas Legislature covers a period of three years. This report identifies 120 different companies that received millions of dollars from the TETF. The amount of money awarded to the 120 different companies varied between $500,000 to $ 50,000,000 which was awarded to TAMU. The average amount awarded was $1,000,000. The total amount of all awards was $259,543,000.00.
For each of the 120 companies identified in the Annual Report there is a reference to the “Intended Outcome,” and the “Actual Outcome.” Of all the companies listed that received money from the TETF only one company is reported to have paid any money back to the State of Texas. At pg 26 of the report, “CardioSpectra, Inc.” is reported to have been bought by another company for $25,000,000 in cash, and a promise to pay an additional $38 million upon the achievement of certain milestones. The state of Texas was paid $2,277,792 in cash upon the sale, and stock “valued at $1,984,749.” Thus the State of Texas received only 9% of the proceeds from the sale of CardioSpectra Inc. More importantly, less than 1%, or .008% of the companies funded by the State of Texas paid back ANY of the monies given to them. This would be an indication of, at best, gross incompetence on the part of Texas employees running the TETF, or more likely, corruption.
V. LACK OF TRANSPARENCY FROM THE TETF FUND
The TETF identifies itself as having 7 employees. They are:
1. Jonathan W. Taylor, Director
2. Yvette Sanchez-Ramirez, Executive Assistant
3. Patrick Boswell, Investments Manager
4. Bryan Poe, Investment Analyst
5. Ashley Randall, Investment Analyst
6. Emily Vorlant, Investment Analyst
7. Laurie Rich, Special Advisor
On Oct. 6th, 2011 I called each of these people. The purpose of the call was to simply confirm that Cardio Spectra Inc., is the ONLY company that received money from the TETF to ever pay any money back to the State of Texas. I spoke with Jonathan Taylor and he said he didn’t know the answer. I asked him as the Director of the fund, who would be in a better position to know. He responded by defiantly saying that any such information would have to come from the press office. When I asked him if that wasn’t part of his job description, he hung up the phone on me. I have spoken to two different people in the press office for the Governor’s officem “ Lucy”, and “Veronica”, and each explained that they didn’t know the information and would get back to me. I then followed up with Ms. Ramirez, Mr. Boswell, and Mr. Poe to ask the same question, and each were unwilling to discuss the matter with me. I left voice mail messages for Ms. Randall, Ms. Vorlant, and Ms. Rich, none of which have been returned three days later. I have sent an e-mail to each of the people listed above, setting out my request for confirmation that CardioSpectra Inc. is the only company in the history of the TETF to return any money to the state. The only response I have received to those simple e-mail requests http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifis to advise me to talk with the Governor’s press office.
The inevitable conclusion is that there is only one company in the history of the TETF to pay any money back to the state in the history of the fund, In the span of over 5 years only one company returning money on the state’s investment is pathetic. In articles that will follow, there is clear lack of accountability of the TETF for over $200,000,000.00 of tax payer money that has been given away. It is criminal that at a time when the State of Texas is in desperate need of funds for public education and basic services, like fire fighting, that the state of Texas, under the guidance of Rick Perry is GIVING away money. Later posts will also establish that the TETF has been used to give money to companies associated with donations to Rick Perry. The obvious conflict of interest and corruption is transparent, blatant, and inexcusable.
Wait! There's more
This is the second in the series of articles on the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. The background of this fund is set out in this article. The entirety of the following post is based on the report from John Keel, CPA, of the State of Texas State Auditor’s Office. It was completed April 2011, and is know as “An Audit Report on The Emerging Technology Fund” Report No. 11-029. This report was compiled by a Certified Public Accountant from the State Auditor’s Office. It was not the result of a political adversary of Rick Perry, but an official state audit of a fund promoted and “overseen” by Rick Perry. The following are the Overall Conclusions of the Auditor:
“The Emerging Technology Fund (ETF) should make significant improvements to promote greater transparency and accountability.
Issues in a number of areas impair the ability to administer the ETF in the best interests of the State. It is important to hold recipients of funds accountable. Auditors identified the following weaknesses:
Decision making related to the ETF and recipients of funds is not open to the public.
The ETF conducts limited monitoring of recipient’s performance and expenditures of funds.
The Office of the Governor does not report the value of the State’s investments through the ETF on its financial statements.
The ETF does not administer its contracts with the seven Regional Centers for Innovation Commercialization (RCICS) and the Texas Life Science Center for Innovation and Commercialization…”
As of Aug. 31, 2010 a total of 153 grants and awards totaling $342,336,567 had been awarded to recipients.
The ETF application is considered confidential while an application for an award or grant. Ten other states with similar programs that auditors surveyed allowed significantly more public access to meetings and documents related to the award of public funds. (pg. ii)
The code of ethics policy for the Advisory Committee does not prohibit Advisory Committee members from accepting compensation from or investing in ETF recipients. (pg iii) ( This means that a person on the Advisory committee who recommends a company receive millions of dollars from the EMT could be the CEO of the company.)
The majority of annual reports required in 2007, 2008, and 2009 were NOT submitted.(pg iii)
The office of the Governor did not report the value of all investments held by the ETF on its annual financial report or on its annual report to the Legislature; the only investment that was reported was from the single award from which the ETF has profited. (pg. iii)
The ETF has not developed substantive criteria for the RCICs and the Texas Life Science Center to use when receiving and evaluating applications. (pg 3)(This means there are no standards to determine which companies receive grants, or any guidelines to determine how much money will be awarded.)
Because there is a lack of consistent documentation of votes and recusals, it can’t be determined whether board members appropriately addressed conflicts of interest. (pg. 3) (This means that there is no way to determine if the very people considering an application had a financial interest in the approval of the grant.)
RCICS and Texas Life Science Center do not follow consistent processes for evaluating and receiving applications. (pg 5)(This means that there is no uniformity in how an application is evaluated.)
Meetings of the Advisory Committee of the ETF are not open to the public, and the Advisory Committee does not even document its decisions in meeting minutes.
The Advisory Committee has been inconsistent in terms of which applications it will accept for review. (pg 7)
There is no documentation of how members voted, which members recused themselves, or any disclosures made. (pg 8)(This means that there can be no accountability for any action taken.)
The advisory committee has no written policies and procedures for how it receives, reviews, or recommends funding. (pg9)
While others may nominate people to serve on the Advisory Committee, it is the Governor who make the final determination regarding all appointments to the Advisory Committee.(pg 11)
There are no policies for the ETF application process. This has led to uncertainty in various areas. (pg 13)
The ETF doesn’t perform a credit check on award recipients, or a criminal background check. (pg 13)
Auditors were unable to determine from the documents available for the 21 applications tested whether the ETF Office performed any due diligence or independently verified the information provided by the applicant, such as intellectual property or financial information. (pg 15)
The ETF has not ensured that ETF recipients comply with requirements to submit reports. (pg 18) (This means there is no accountability by the recipients of the millions of dollare given by Texas.)
Three recipients declared bankruptcy or ceased operations in 2010 but failed to submit even one annual report. (Pg. 18)
In 2007 60% of recipients didn’t submit reports due.
In 2008 67% of recipients didn’t submit reports due.
In 2009 59% of recipients didn’t submit reports due.(pg 18)
The ETF does not require recipients to submit (1) financial information in their annual reports or (2) supporting documentation for expenditure of funds. Thus the ETF can’t verify whether recipients make expenditures only for authorized purposes. (pg 20)
The Office of the Governor is not reporting the value of the ETF investments as assets, and it is not reporting the net increase or decrease in the value of these investments on its annual financial reports.
One RCIC reported to the ETF that it spent $59,731 on “Meals and Entertainment” in fiscal year 2010. RCIC is not required to separate funds for the ETF and its operating funds. (pg 28).
Several conclusions are evident from this audit:
1. There is no criteria for the award of money from the ETF, and therefore Rick Perry is able to give state money to any company he chooses.
2. There is no documentation of any value received by Texas for any of the companies who received state money through the ETF, with the exception of a single company.
3. There is no attempt to independently assess the financial viability of a company receiving an award from the ETF, and thus a shell company could receive a gift of money from the ETF and immediately declare bankruptcy after the funds from the state are disbursed. Supporters of Rick Perry could be in a position to receive payment directly from the award of money by the state to their company through the ETF with the only benefit to the individual and/or Rick Perry, and the State of Texas might not realize any benefit!
4. There is no accounting required of a recipient of ETF funds, and thus any misuse of state money would likely never be reported.
5. Members of the Advisory Committee which recommend approval of an award may be financially connected to the applicant company and they are not required to disclose or report the conflict.
6. Rick Perry has ultimate control over any and all funds awarded by the ETF.
7. There is no expectation by the ETF that any funds will ever be paid back to the State of Texas.
8. Because Rick Perry is given the power to appoint every member of the Advisory Committee, “at his pleasure” Rick Perry controls the recommendations of the Advisory Committee “at his pleasure.”
9. There is a complete lack of accounting to the citizens of Texas, and the country, for the monies given to companies.
10. While Texans are deprived of basic services of Government, including education and fire fighting services, the State of Texas is giving away millions of dollars to Rick Perry supporters. This year alone Texas cut funding for public schools in Texas by 2 Billion Dollars. Dallas alone will suffer cuts to its education budget of 87 Million Dollars, which is less than half of the funds given away to Rick Perry supporters through the ETF.
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It is no wonder that Rick Perry is serving in his tenth year as governor and is the longest-serving chief executive in Texas history. Given the financial backing Perry has achieved using taxpayer money, he will likely continue to be re-elected for as long as he desires. Now the entire country is saddled with the effects of Rick Perry’s corruption.
He is among the top political fund-raisers in the country through his “vast network of wealthy supporters eager to bankroll his presidential ambitions.” In three campaigns for governor, Mr. Perry has raised $102 million, including more than $39 million during his successful 2010 bid for re-election. The Republican Governors Association, of which Mr. Perry is chairman, raised a record $22.1 million during the first half of this year. If allowed to occupy the White House, imagine the wealth he could transfer to his supporters at the expense of U.S. taxpayers.
Last but not least
This article is Part III of the discussion of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund(TETF). The previous articles are here. In these articles the unequivocal facts indicate that Rick Perry, through the Texas Technology Fund has diverted tax payer money to his supporters. The State has produced virtually no accounting, and state auditors have cited over 20 infractions of common accounting practices regarding the fund. The Governor’s office hung up on me when I tried to get basic information relating to any revenue paid to the state by recipients of millions of dollars in state funds. E-mails were not returned. It has been one week since I made phone calls and placed e-mail inquiries to the Office of the Governor, the Emerging Technology Fund, and to the Governor’s press office. No information has been provided, no return calls have been placed, no return e-mails have been forthcoming.
This final article documents just a few of the outrageous payments of money to specific donors of Rick Perry. Undoubtedly there are many more examples, but it is difficult to connect the donors and recipients of the money, as the recipients are companies, and it is difficult or impossible to determine the identity of all the people associated with the recipients of the millions of dollars given out by the Texas Emerging Technology fund.
1. Charles Tate has donated a total of $424,000 to Perry. Tate had investments in ThromboVision, which was awarded $1.5 million from ETF on 4/20/07. ThromboVision declared bankruptcy on 9/2/10. Shortly before the declaration of bankruptcy, Charles Tate donated $100,000 to Perry’s campaign on 5-25-10. ETF did not know about bankruptcy filing until it was reported in the news. .
Tate also had investments in OrthoAccel Technologies, which was awarded $750,000 on 2/2008 from the ETF.
Mr. Tate also started the Texas Life Sciences Center for Innovation and Commercialization which vets applicants for ETF. Hence Mr. Tate himself, has become an integral part of the process of approving companies who are awarded millions of dollars of tax payer monies. Perhaps Governor Perry thought it would be convenient to consolidate the process of applying for state money and the awarding of state money in the same person to limit the expense associated with reviewing an application. After all, who better to know whether Mr. Tate’s companies should be awarded tax dollars, than Mr. Tate himself?
2. Charles Miller has donated $125,000 to Perry and also had investments in ThromboVision.
3. Phil Adams has donated $315,000 to Perry. Adams also went to Texas A&M with Perry. Adams had investments in Terrabon, which was awarded $2.75 million from ETF on 7/30/10.
Adams has also employed Perry’s children, given Perry Big 12 tickets, and provided transportation and lodging for games.
4. James Leininger has donated $265,000 to Perry and is investor in Gradalis, which was awarded $1.75 million from ETF on 2/2009.
Leininger has also taken Perry on hunting trips, paid for Perry’s airfare, room and board and given Perry tickets to Spurs game.
5. John McHale has donated $50,000 to Perry and is an investor in Gradalis.
6. Joe Aragona, general partner at Austin Ventures, donated $80,000 to Perry. His donations included the $25,000.00 award of 6/29/2006.
Austin Ventures was invested in, and had board members on, NanoCoolers, which received $3 million on 3/2009 from ETF. The company closed 8 months later on 11/2009.
7. William McMinn has donated $152,000 to Rick Perry. McMinn had investments in Carbon Nanotechnologies, which was awarded $975,000 from ETF.
8. David Nance has donated $80,000 to Rick Perry. Mr. Nance had only $1,000 of his own money invested in Convergen, it received $4.5 million from ETF in 2009.
The regional panel that reviewed Convergen’s application turned down the company’s $4.5 million request when it presented its proposal on Oct. 7, 2009. But Mr. Nance appealed that decision directly to a statewide advisory committee (of which Mr. Nance was once a member) appointed by Mr. Perry. Just eight days later, on Oct. 15, a subcommittee unanimously recommended approval by the full statewide committee. On Oct. 29, the full advisory committee unanimously recommended the approval of Convergen’s application. When asked why the advisory committee felt comfortable recommending Convergen’s grant, Lucy Nashed, a spokesperson for Mr. Perry, said that the committee “thoroughly vetted the company.” “Lucy” was one of the people in Governor Perry’s office that did not return my calls or e-mails, even though the Director of the ETF sent me an e-mail confirming that she would be calling me back.
9. Charles Amato has donated $32,000 to Perry. He had investments in Seno Medical Instruments, which received $2 million in ETF money.
10. Young Turks cites others.
This detailed analysis demonstrates a pattern or routine of Rick Perry and the Texas Emerging Technology Fund of giving away taxpayer money to supporters of Rick Perry. Thus Rick Perry used tax payer money to support his campaign for Governor, and now President. No wonder Rick Perry has so much money for his campaign. No wonder Rick Perry has been elected Governor of Texas for three terms. In Texas we have the best government that money can buy, and that’s a pathetic government.
As applicants to the Texas Emerging Technology Fund present their applications to Rick Perry, they likely feel like they are watching an excerpt of Jerry McGuire.
Sarah and Sally Heath
I don't see a mother-daughter bond between Sarah and her mother Sally Heath. In Joe's book he said that when Sarah was 12 Sally became a born-again Christian and basically abandoned her parental duties, spending more time at church than with her children. Older sister Heather had to step in and become a mother to Sarah.
No wonder Sarah is a bad mother, with a mother like Sally Heath.
No wonder Sarah is a bad mother, with a mother like Sally Heath.
Sarah and Chuck Heath
Sarah's relationship with her father Chuck Heath is bizarre to say the least.
Chuck seems to be a hard, demanding man. He would not pay for his kid's college educations because he believed they should pay their own way, which is why Sarah entered beauty pageants. According to Geoffrey Dunn, Chuck was a win at all costs coach who was especially hard on Chuck Jr. In Joe's book Sarah's first love was basketball but only ran cross country and track to please Chuck.
I don't see any real closeness to them. Maybe Sarah harbors some deep resentment against him. Earlier I wrote a post discussing the possibility that Sarah was a sexual abuse victim and if Chuck was the abuser. Chuck has made bizarre comments about kids losing their underwear and he once wore a shirt that said Coldest State Hottest Governor. Also during the hunting episode of SPA Chuck called her "baby".
Chuck seems to be a hard, demanding man. He would not pay for his kid's college educations because he believed they should pay their own way, which is why Sarah entered beauty pageants. According to Geoffrey Dunn, Chuck was a win at all costs coach who was especially hard on Chuck Jr. In Joe's book Sarah's first love was basketball but only ran cross country and track to please Chuck.
I don't see any real closeness to them. Maybe Sarah harbors some deep resentment against him. Earlier I wrote a post discussing the possibility that Sarah was a sexual abuse victim and if Chuck was the abuser. Chuck has made bizarre comments about kids losing their underwear and he once wore a shirt that said Coldest State Hottest Governor. Also during the hunting episode of SPA Chuck called her "baby".
Mitt Romney abuses dogs
From Time
The reporter intended the anecdote that opened part four of the Boston Globe's profile of Mitt Romney to illustrate, as the story said, "emotion-free crisis management": Father deals with minor — but gross — incident during a 1983 family vacation, and saves the day. But the details of the event are more than unseemly — they may, in fact, be illegal.
The incident: dog excrement found on the roof and windows of the Romney station wagon. How it got there: Romney strapped a dog carrier — with the family dog Seamus, an Irish Setter, in it — to the roof of the family station wagon for a twelve hour drive from Boston to Ontario, which the family apparently completed, despite Seamus's rather visceral protest.
Massachusetts's animal cruelty laws specifically prohibit anyone from carrying an animal "in or upon a vehicle, or otherwise, in an unnecessarily cruel or inhuman manner or in a way and manner which might endanger the animal carried thereon." An officer for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to a description of the situation saying "it's definitely something I'd want to check out." The officer, Nadia Branca, declined to give a definitive opinion on whether Romney broke the law but did note that it's against state law to have a dog in an open bed of a pick-up truck, and "if the dog was being carried in a way that endangers it, that would be illegal." And while it appears that the statute of limitations has probably passed, Stacey Wolf, attorney and legislative director for the ASPCA, said "even if it turns out to not be against the law at the time, in the district, we'd hope that people would use common sense...Any manner of transporting a dog that places the animal in serious danger is something that we'd think is inappropriate...I can't speak to the accuracy of the case, but it raises concerns about the judgment used in this particular situation."
Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was less circumspect. PETA does not have a position on Romney's candidacy per se, but Newkirk called the incident "a lesson in cruelty that was ... wrong for [his children] to witness...Thinking of the wind, the weather, the speed, the vulnerability, the isolation on the roof, it is commonsense that any dog who's under extreme stress might show that stress by losing control of his bowels: that alone should have been sufficient indication that the dog was, basically, being tortured." Romney, of course, has expressed support for the use of "enhanced interrogation" techniques when it comes to terrorists; his campaign refused to comment about the treatment of his dog.
As organizer of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games, Romney came under fire from some animal welfare groups for including a rodeo exhibition as part of the Games' festivities. At the time, he told protesters, "We are working hard to make this as safe a rodeo for cowboys and animals as is humanly possible."
Anyone who has that little regard or care for a family pet should not be president. If Mitt doesn't care about his dog, you think he's gonna care about the troops? Or the poor?
The reporter intended the anecdote that opened part four of the Boston Globe's profile of Mitt Romney to illustrate, as the story said, "emotion-free crisis management": Father deals with minor — but gross — incident during a 1983 family vacation, and saves the day. But the details of the event are more than unseemly — they may, in fact, be illegal.
The incident: dog excrement found on the roof and windows of the Romney station wagon. How it got there: Romney strapped a dog carrier — with the family dog Seamus, an Irish Setter, in it — to the roof of the family station wagon for a twelve hour drive from Boston to Ontario, which the family apparently completed, despite Seamus's rather visceral protest.
Massachusetts's animal cruelty laws specifically prohibit anyone from carrying an animal "in or upon a vehicle, or otherwise, in an unnecessarily cruel or inhuman manner or in a way and manner which might endanger the animal carried thereon." An officer for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals responded to a description of the situation saying "it's definitely something I'd want to check out." The officer, Nadia Branca, declined to give a definitive opinion on whether Romney broke the law but did note that it's against state law to have a dog in an open bed of a pick-up truck, and "if the dog was being carried in a way that endangers it, that would be illegal." And while it appears that the statute of limitations has probably passed, Stacey Wolf, attorney and legislative director for the ASPCA, said "even if it turns out to not be against the law at the time, in the district, we'd hope that people would use common sense...Any manner of transporting a dog that places the animal in serious danger is something that we'd think is inappropriate...I can't speak to the accuracy of the case, but it raises concerns about the judgment used in this particular situation."
Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was less circumspect. PETA does not have a position on Romney's candidacy per se, but Newkirk called the incident "a lesson in cruelty that was ... wrong for [his children] to witness...Thinking of the wind, the weather, the speed, the vulnerability, the isolation on the roof, it is commonsense that any dog who's under extreme stress might show that stress by losing control of his bowels: that alone should have been sufficient indication that the dog was, basically, being tortured." Romney, of course, has expressed support for the use of "enhanced interrogation" techniques when it comes to terrorists; his campaign refused to comment about the treatment of his dog.
As organizer of the Salt Lake City Olympic Games, Romney came under fire from some animal welfare groups for including a rodeo exhibition as part of the Games' festivities. At the time, he told protesters, "We are working hard to make this as safe a rodeo for cowboys and animals as is humanly possible."
Anyone who has that little regard or care for a family pet should not be president. If Mitt doesn't care about his dog, you think he's gonna care about the troops? Or the poor?
Is Sarah still planning to run for president?
On her Facebook page she changed her political party from Republican to Conservative.
She is still hitting up her followers for money.
She requested the judge in her stalking case against Shawn Christy to extend the restraining order.
She is still slamming the other GOP candidates.
She still attacks President Obama
While in South Korea she said the US is ready for a woman president.
She is unconventional.
And don't forget she did that bus tour and the flop of the Undefeated.
Troll comments week of Oct 16-22
Love the immaturity. Try not to show so much disdain for life in general. just because your life sucks doesn't make you "awesome dude" for trashing others. It's a pity that a once respected author like Joe M had to join ranks with immature amateurs and pen a fictitious piece of crap.
By Anonymous on What Bristol plans to do on her 21st birthday on 10/18/11
By Anonymous on What Bristol plans to do on her 21st birthday on 10/18/11
Sarah Palin is a sociopath
From McAfee
Profile of the Sociopath
This website summarizes some of the common features of descriptions of the behavior of sociopaths.
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Sarah uses her charm to get what she wants, including push up bras.
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Sarah has used many people on her way to the top, including her own family.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Sarah thought she was the run running for president, not John McCain and that Barack Obama stole the election from her.
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Sarah committed perjury, lied about the Bridge to Nowhere, and Troopergate
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Sarah is a criminal, uses people, and does not care.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Sarah treats her children like props.
Incapacity for Love
Sarah only loves herself, shows no real affection to her kids.
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
She throws things at Todd, swears at him, the kids, and her staff. She sleeps around.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
When the village of Emmonak was going through their fuel crisis, she ignored them for a long time, and when she finally showed up, she gave them cookies.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Verbally abused city employees, one so bad that they moved out of state. When as mayor she said she could do whatever she wanted until the courts said she couldn't.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
She bounced from college to college, while in high slept naked on school trips.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
The AK legislature was wearing "Where's Sarah" buttons after the 2008 Presidential Election.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Cheated on Todd, may have been an abuse victim herself.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Sarah had to hire a city manager to help her as mayor, only worked half days as governor
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
Troopergate, Travelgate, committed perjury during the e-mail hacking trial.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Related Qualities:
Contemptuous of those who seek to understand them
Does not perceive that anything is wrong with them (she thought she had to the right to get her brother in law fired from his job)
Authoritarian
Secretive (kept three blackberries, used private e-mail accounts for state business)
Paranoid (demands to know who is talking about her)
Only rarely in difficulty with the law, but seeks out situations where their tyrannical behavior will be tolerated, condoned, or admired
Conventional appearance (many of her misdeeds have been covered up)
Goal of enslavement of their victim(s)
Exercises despotic control over every aspect of the victim's life
Has an emotional need to justify their crimes and therefore needs their victim's affirmation (respect, gratitude and love)
Ultimate goal is the creation of a willing victim
Incapable of real human attachment to another (befriends people, then dumps them after they are no longer useful to her)
Unable to feel remorse or guilt (
Extreme narcissism and grandiose (she fits all the symptoms of NPD)
May state readily that their goal is to rule the world (when running for mayor she said she wanted to be president)
Yep that's our dear Sarah
NFL week #7 picks
SUN, OCT 23 TIME (ET)
Seattle at Cleveland 1:00 PM
Atlanta at Detroit 1:00 PM
Houston at Tennessee 1:00 PM
Denver at Miami 1:00 PM
San Diego at NY Jets 1:00 PM
Chicago at Tampa Bay 1:00 PM
Washington at Carolina 1:00 PM
Pittsburgh at Arizona 4:05 PM
Kansas City at Oakland 4:05 PM
Green Bay at Minnesota 4:15 PM (Even I have to be realistic here)
St. Louis at Dallas 4:15 PM
Indianapolis at New Orleans 8:20 PM
MON, OCT 24 TIME (ET)
Baltimore at Jacksonville
Seattle at Cleveland 1:00 PM
Atlanta at Detroit 1:00 PM
Houston at Tennessee 1:00 PM
Denver at Miami 1:00 PM
San Diego at NY Jets 1:00 PM
Chicago at Tampa Bay 1:00 PM
Washington at Carolina 1:00 PM
Pittsburgh at Arizona 4:05 PM
Kansas City at Oakland 4:05 PM
Green Bay at Minnesota 4:15 PM (Even I have to be realistic here)
St. Louis at Dallas 4:15 PM
Indianapolis at New Orleans 8:20 PM
MON, OCT 24 TIME (ET)
Baltimore at Jacksonville
The world is supposed to end today
From MSNBC
The world is about to end. Again.
Oct. 21 is the next in a long line of supposed apocalypses, stretching back thousands of years. This time, the prophet of doom is Harold Camping, a radio preacher who received international media attention in May when he predicted that Judgment Day would fall on May 21, followed by months of torment on Earth and an end to everything in autumn.
Judgment Day didn't bring the promised earthquakes and Rapture, but Camping now says May 21 marked a spiritual Judgment Day and that the world will still end "quietly" on Friday.
It may seem odd that Camping's faith remains strong, but apocalypse experts say that doomsday prophets have often built their entire lives around their end-of-the-world views, and that worldview is hard to shake. For an elderly preacher like Camping, who suffered a stroke in June, apocalypse beliefs may also reflect his struggle with his own mortality.
"I would not be surprised to discover that Mr. Camping sees this prediction as his life's work, the culmination of decades of intensive Bible study, filtered through the sieve of faith," said Lorenzo DiTommaso, a professor of religion at Concordia University in Montreal. "If this is correct, then perhaps he sees in the world a reflection of his self."
Doomsday predictions, whether secular or religious, often attract those who feel the world is unsalvageable. Sometimes the world-ending catastrophe is nuclear winter; sometimes it’s the Mayan apocalypse. But religious doomsday groups often draw on mainstream faith, said Stephen Kent, a sociologist at the University of Alberta.
"Almost all apocalyptic beliefs show Christian influence," Kent told LiveScience.
That's because a central tenant of the faith is that Jesus will return — although many mainstream Christians point to the Bible verse Matthew 24:36 to condemn doomsday prophets such as Camping. That verse says that no one knows the day or hour of the end, "not even the angels in heaven."
Those who try to predict when doomsday will occur often focus on the world's sin. Camping, for example, has said that God left all churches in 1988, leaving Satan to rule those institutions. Famous 1800s doomsday prophet William Miller, who predicted that the end would come on Oct. 22, 1844, was "disillusioned with humanity," Kent said. [Read: Oops! 11 Failed Doomsday Predictions ]
"He read a considerable amount of history and came to see humans as brutes," Kent said.
With this worldview, the end of the world is a welcome way to wipe Earth clean.
"Despite fire, death and destruction, the god of apocalypticism is a god of order, not chaos," DiTommaso told LiveScience in May. "That's the reassurance."
The personal is the prophetic
An individual's psychology and environment may contribute to the apocalyptic worldview. Followers often live and socialize in small groups where outside opinions aren't heard, DiTommaso said. This "social encapsulation" keeps faith-shaking questions at bay.
Camping and his followers are also operating from a worldview that holds that the Bible and its prophecies cannot be wrong, DiTommaso told LiveScience.
"But human ego doesn't easily admit to error, either," he added. That can lead to creative re-interpretations of the prophecies as believers try to explain what went wrong. After Miller's doomsday prophecy failed in 1844, for example, one group of followers concluded that Oct. 22 had actually been the date when Jesus Christ entered a holy sanctuary in heaven in preparation for returning to Earth.
Miller and Camping may share another characteristic: a fear of death. Camping is 90 and is recovering at home from his stroke, according to the Family Radio website. Miller, Kent said, was "deeply troubled" by death. It's possible Camping feels the same way.
"He insists no person can know who God saves and who God damns, but the implication very clearly is that he is among the saved," Kent said. "With that implication, belief in the Rapture means that Mr. Camping would escape the fate that befalls all human beings, which is death."
If the world ends today, awesome! However as a a believer in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, no one knows when the world will end. Even Jesus himself said he did not know. Only God knows.
The world is about to end. Again.
Oct. 21 is the next in a long line of supposed apocalypses, stretching back thousands of years. This time, the prophet of doom is Harold Camping, a radio preacher who received international media attention in May when he predicted that Judgment Day would fall on May 21, followed by months of torment on Earth and an end to everything in autumn.
Judgment Day didn't bring the promised earthquakes and Rapture, but Camping now says May 21 marked a spiritual Judgment Day and that the world will still end "quietly" on Friday.
It may seem odd that Camping's faith remains strong, but apocalypse experts say that doomsday prophets have often built their entire lives around their end-of-the-world views, and that worldview is hard to shake. For an elderly preacher like Camping, who suffered a stroke in June, apocalypse beliefs may also reflect his struggle with his own mortality.
"I would not be surprised to discover that Mr. Camping sees this prediction as his life's work, the culmination of decades of intensive Bible study, filtered through the sieve of faith," said Lorenzo DiTommaso, a professor of religion at Concordia University in Montreal. "If this is correct, then perhaps he sees in the world a reflection of his self."
Doomsday predictions, whether secular or religious, often attract those who feel the world is unsalvageable. Sometimes the world-ending catastrophe is nuclear winter; sometimes it’s the Mayan apocalypse. But religious doomsday groups often draw on mainstream faith, said Stephen Kent, a sociologist at the University of Alberta.
"Almost all apocalyptic beliefs show Christian influence," Kent told LiveScience.
That's because a central tenant of the faith is that Jesus will return — although many mainstream Christians point to the Bible verse Matthew 24:36 to condemn doomsday prophets such as Camping. That verse says that no one knows the day or hour of the end, "not even the angels in heaven."
Those who try to predict when doomsday will occur often focus on the world's sin. Camping, for example, has said that God left all churches in 1988, leaving Satan to rule those institutions. Famous 1800s doomsday prophet William Miller, who predicted that the end would come on Oct. 22, 1844, was "disillusioned with humanity," Kent said. [Read: Oops! 11 Failed Doomsday Predictions ]
"He read a considerable amount of history and came to see humans as brutes," Kent said.
With this worldview, the end of the world is a welcome way to wipe Earth clean.
"Despite fire, death and destruction, the god of apocalypticism is a god of order, not chaos," DiTommaso told LiveScience in May. "That's the reassurance."
The personal is the prophetic
An individual's psychology and environment may contribute to the apocalyptic worldview. Followers often live and socialize in small groups where outside opinions aren't heard, DiTommaso said. This "social encapsulation" keeps faith-shaking questions at bay.
Camping and his followers are also operating from a worldview that holds that the Bible and its prophecies cannot be wrong, DiTommaso told LiveScience.
"But human ego doesn't easily admit to error, either," he added. That can lead to creative re-interpretations of the prophecies as believers try to explain what went wrong. After Miller's doomsday prophecy failed in 1844, for example, one group of followers concluded that Oct. 22 had actually been the date when Jesus Christ entered a holy sanctuary in heaven in preparation for returning to Earth.
Miller and Camping may share another characteristic: a fear of death. Camping is 90 and is recovering at home from his stroke, according to the Family Radio website. Miller, Kent said, was "deeply troubled" by death. It's possible Camping feels the same way.
"He insists no person can know who God saves and who God damns, but the implication very clearly is that he is among the saved," Kent said. "With that implication, belief in the Rapture means that Mr. Camping would escape the fate that befalls all human beings, which is death."
If the world ends today, awesome! However as a a believer in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, no one knows when the world will end. Even Jesus himself said he did not know. Only God knows.
Herman Cain "if you don't have a job that's your fault"
From CNN.com
If you're dissatisfied with the economy, or unemployed, Herman Cain thinks you should take a long, hard look in the mirror.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal posted Wednesday, the up-and-coming GOP 2012 contender and former CEO of Godfather's Pizza summed up his bewilderment about recent demonstrations on Wall Street.
"Don't blame Wall Street," Cain said. "Don't blame the big banks. If you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself."
The conservative radio talk show host described the protests as "planned and orchestrated to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration, though he admitted he didn't "have the facts to back this up."
Demonstrators have gathered to protest big banks during the "Occupy Wall Street" movement, but their grievances don't end with the economy. The protesters, mainly youth in their twenties, have addressed issues from police brutality to union busting, although they are also upset with the war in Afghanistan, the environment, and the state of the world in general.
The "Occupy Wall Street" movement has also drawn support from unions.
But for Cain, the demonstrations simply amount to "anti-capitalism."
Allowing the banks had a "big part" in the 2008 economic crisis, the candidate, who's known for his bombast and has been rising in national polls pointed out, "We're in 2011, okay?"
"When I was growing up I was blessed to have had parents. That didn't teach me to be jealous of anybody and didn't teach me to be jealous of somebody," Cain explained.
"It is not a person's fault because they succeeded. It is a person's fault if they failed. And so this is why I don't understand these demonstrations and what is it that they're looking for."
Cain spokesman JD Gordon declined to add a comment on the candidate's interview.
My eyes burned when I read this article. So a schoolteacher who picked teaching because she loves kids gets laid off, is that her fault? No! Jobs are not just about money Herman, they are also about inner satisfaction.
Breaking News-Moammar Gadhafi has been killed
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
I have mixed feelings on this one. Moammar Gadhafi certainly needed to be taken out but I feel the US should have stayed out of this one. I felt the same way about Saddam Hussein. When Hillary Clinton said Gadhafi needed to be killed I winced. I guess President Obama was right in supporting the rebels because if he didn't Gadhafi would still be alive. Alls well that ends well.
And make that three evil men who are gone now during President Obama's administration. Bin Laden, Anwar, and now Gadhafi.
Whatever happened to RAM?
RAM is Rebecca Ann Mansour, spokeswoman for Sarah Palin. Sarah threw her under the bus for making disparaging comments about her and Bristol. Rebecca was spotted at the Undefeated premiere in Pella, Iowa back in June but no word out of her since.
You don't think Sarah had RAM killed do you? Or maybe Sarah had RAM sign a non-disclosure agreement. Too bad cuz RAM obviously would have some stories to tell.
Ricki Lake on DWTS
From Peoplehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Ricki Lake started dropping inches from the get-go while training for "Dancing with the Stars," and now her progress continues.
"I've lost a lot of inches all over," the actress and TV host, 43, tells PEOPLE. "Definitely in my arms, and my arms were particularly one of the things I hated most about my body, so it's nice to see them slimming down."
She also says she doesn't expect to be Hollywood thin -- and names Chynna Phillips and Jennifer Grey as examples -- but aims to do what she can.
"I'll never look like these women and these professional dancers," she says.
But she does admit to having a prop under her clothes. "I'm wearing Brooke Burke's Baboosh thing," she said during a practice session, referring to a belly wrap from Burke's Baby Baboosh line. "Because it helps me with my posture, and it also makes me sweat."
She says after dancing five hours a day with partner Derek Hough, "I'm exhausted. I'm committing to this 110 percent ... coming in with a good attitude ... and going home and eating a balanced meal. It's really that simple."
She does look very nice and slimmed down, unlike this person who is trying to hide her gut:
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