The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V102
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BANNER AND POP-UP ADVERTISING PAYS ONLY FOR WEBSITE
*****As repeatedly and strongly asserted on both Ledger websites, this
publication receives NO compensation from Maxpages nor the advertisers.
None. Banner and pop-up advertising pays ONLY for the website itself,
-- a "free" website. People still mistakenly think there is
compensation. ... How do I make it any clearer???
Want this publication to continue? Send a financial donation to P.O.
Box 997, Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609. Ask your friends to do the same.
Otherwise, The Ledger will not survive. ... When will this readership
finally wake up? Think there's an indefinite free ride? Think any
business can survive without compensation? Think it's always the other
guy's responsibility? Think again. The clock is ticking...*****
********************July 23, 2001********************
*****Better Policing?*****
The Police Executive Research Forum is an organization of police
executives from across the U.S.. The group realizes it has an enormous
public-relations problem and has urged police agencies to better
protect individual rights. Stunning, isn't it? Pointedly, there is a
snowball's chance of that happening any time soon with the growing
militarization of police agencies across the country. -- Fueled by a
failed drug-war and a determined effort by corrupt and abusive officers
to maintain their boot on the throat of liberty.
Locally, Nazi "officers" from the 33rd Judicial District Narcotics
Enforcement Team (NET) harass and intimidate innocent citizens. These
abusive fascists are apparently continuing to photograph drivers at
night from unmarked vehicles according to credible sources. ... Hey,
"Boys"? Adolph and Benito would have been proud. ... Nothing better to
do? -- Or is that indeed how you get your cookies off?
Recently received numerous complaints as well from patrons at
Pardners and Pat's that Llano County Sheriff Nathan Garrett and the
"Boys" are harassing and intimidating innocent citizens. ... Got to
keep the cash flowing into JP2 coffers, right, Nathan?
-- How else could County officials so easily line their pockets?
"Officers" are alleged to arrive and remain in both establishments
deliberately intimidating patrons, -- whether or not called by
management. Seems business is hurting as a result. Management is in no
position to protest, however. Either way, they lose, -- as Llano County
officials enjoy tax revenue produced by the clubs, as well as funds
looted from patrons hauled to jail. ... Got 'em coming and going,
right, Sheriff? Nothing quite like kangaroo justice, is there?
*****Rebuilding Trust In FBI*****
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft disingenuously crowed the Federal
Bureau of Investigation needs to restore public confidence. Hey,
Johnny? How's that going to happen when the FBI sniper who blew Vicki
Weaver's head off at Ruby Ridge has successfully eluded prosecution for
her murder? -- As well as other federal personnel who cold-bloodedly
shot and killed her 14-year-old son, -- in the back? Confidence, Mr.
Ashcroft? Not until federal officers are held accountable for their
crimes. Not until federal defendants are afforded due process.
... Think some missing 449 firearms and 184 laptop computers will
accelerate public support? Worse yet, Ole' Johnny has hired Arthur
Anderson LLP to conduct a management study of the embattled agency to
recommend changes. Imagine that. Taxpayers will be looted an additional
$790,000 only to be told the obvious. ... Then again, the aggressively
stupid American public is getting precisely what it so richly deserves,
isn't it? ... Not to worry, Johnny... You'll pull it off, sir. The
people could care less. -- In fact, they've already eagerly dropped
their drawers in anticipation of the ungreased shaft.
*****Big Brother*****
Citizens in Tampa are apparently not particularly happy with
face-scanning surveillance cameras installed by police. One hundred of
them protested by parading past the camera wearing masks and giving
officers the finger. How remarkably gutless. ... The masks, that is.
Tampa is the only city so far using this technology for routine
surveillance. Virginia Beach is considering a similar project and is
attempting to secure a $150,000 grant.
When in hell are people finally going to wake up? We're living in a
fascist police state. Despite use of the system for two weekends, it
has led to no arrests. Had it, at what price? What is extremely
troubling is only 100 people had the intestinal fortitude to protest
this egregious invasion of privacy by an abusive police agency. Then
again, the American people are gutless, and pride themselves in their
aggressive stupidity.
*****Helms-Burton Ignored*****
The "President", as had his predecessor, will suspend for another six
months a statute that would allow owners of U.S. property confiscated
by Castro to sue present users. Helms-Burton was enacted back in 1996
and gives the "Chief Executive" the right to suspend the statute at
6-month intervals. One of the law's authors, Sen. Jesse Helms, has
strongly excoriated Clinton for not allowing its enforcement. Now, this
fascist has gutlessly maintained his silence as "The Tush" is following
his predecessor's footsteps. Interesting, isn't it? The level of
hypocrisy is indeed stunning. Then again, expediency comes before
principle. Right, George? Jesse?
*****EPA Delays Clinton Era Rules*****
The Environmental Protection Agency delayed until at least 2003
implementation of new water-pollution guidelines that were already
supposed to have taken effect last year. While these guidelines may
indeed be flawed, the "President" will certainly suffer at the hands of
a public clearly unimpressed with his commitment to the environment. In
fairness to "The Tush", however, Ole' George has upheld other Clinton
Administration initiatives such as emissions standards for
diesel-powered buses and 18-wheelers. It will be most interesting to
see if Mr. Bush indeed overcomes the widely-held view he could care
less about environmental issues. -- He'll certainly have to do so
should he seek another term. ... Then again, his henchmen can always
engineer another stolen election, can't they? We'll see.
*****"Vice-President" Wants Navy To Pay His Electric Bill*****
That's right. "Slick Dick" Cheney lives in a 33-room mansion owned by
the taxpayers and wants the Navy to pay his $186,000 light bill. ...
Ain't hypocrisy grand? Yet, Ole' Slick Dick wants you to dig deep to
pay your energy bills with no government caps or price controls in
place. Interestingly, this outrageous bumbling bureaucrat made his
fortune as CEO of Halliburton, a greedy Big Oil corporation interested
only in lining its infinitely deep pockets. Reportedly, the "Vice
President" and his wife have done all they can to reduce energy
consumption. ... Mighty considerate, no? ... Hey, Dick? Why the hell
not pay the g-ddamned bill yourself? After all, you've got the bucks,
don't you, sir? ... Millions, -- or are you crying poverty?
*****"President's" Daddy Calls Saudi Arabian Crown Prince*****
That's right. Former President George H. Bush made a call on behalf
of "The Tush" to Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah, assuring the Prince the
"President's" "heart" is in the right place regarding the Middle East.
Apparently, the younger Bush needs Daddy to run interference for him.
Pitiful, isn't it? Abdullah has repeatedly refused to meet with "The
Tush", pointedly accusing the "President" of being in the pocket of the
Israeli government. He's right, isn't he? The elder Bush attempted to
impress the Saudi official with his son's supposed grasp of the Middle
East. Interesting, isn't it? ... Can't expect a boy to do a man's job,
can you, sir?
Recently, Secretary of State Colin Powell disingenuously asserted
the United States is doing all it can to pressure Israel not to
bulldoze Palestinian homes. The hell it is, sir. The United States
provides Israel billions in aid yearly. Time to reconsider should the
Israelis not tow the mark. Then again, the U.S. has never had an even
hand in the Middle East and apparently will not for some time to come.
Interesting, isn't it? Worse yet, it assures the inevitable war to come
as Palestinians struggle towards independence and sovereignty
*****Bush Urges World Bank To Make More Grants, Fewer Loans*****
That's right. "The Tush" wants the World Bank and other lending
institutions to increase the number of grants issued to developing
nations, calling it "compassionate conservatism". Hey, George? Where
the hell are the banks supposed to get the cash? From U.S. taxpayers?
Mighty generous of you, sir. How about taking care of our own first?
... Can't have that now, can we? -- Let the poor bastards on the bottom
of the foodchain in this country "eat cake", right, Mr. President?
After all, it's a matter of "personal responsibility", no?
For a fascist "President" beholden to the Extreme Right, his
new-found generosity to the world's poor is indeed stunning. Think Sen.
Jesse Helms will march in goose-step? Be interesting to see if his
deafening silence continues, won't it? After all, Ole' Jesse has been
pointedly critical of all foreign aid. -- Apparently only during
Democratic administrations, however.
Ever wonder why the "President's" policies garner such extreme reaction
overseas whenever he attends a summit? Foreigners apparently have a far
better understanding of where "The Tush" stands politically than most
Americans. Sadly, his economic policies have been deliberately designed
to establish a fascist oligarchy, resulting in the enrichment of the
few at the expense of the many. Worse yet, the "President" is
disingenuously bastardizing religion to justify, excuse, and
consolidate his efforts to establish that bootheel on the throat of
liberty.
*****"President" Considers Veterans Benefits Cuts*****
The "President" is considering a 10% reduction in Social Security
benefits to families of service members killed on active duty as well
as to disabled veterans. This, at a time when "The Tush" is claiming to
want increases in compensation to military personnel and their
families. Will be interesting to see if it flies, won't it? In fairness
to Bush, however, Clinton was considering doing the same and it is
unclear how the House and Senate will receive the measure. Regardless
of the wisdom of the "President's" plans, it is sad those who have
given so much are increasingly being denied benefits promised at the
time of enlistment. -- A terrible injustice that will cost this country
immeasurably over time.
*****"President's" Complaints Ring Hollow*****
"The Tush" was quite angry with Democratic Senate Majority Leader
Tom Daschle for criticism made while the "President" was overseas.
Tough, isn't it? Mr. Bush has conveniently forgotten similar behavior
by Republican Rep. Tom DeLay when Clinton was out of the country in
1998: "I'm suggesting that the president of the United States cannot be
believed. And I think it's reflective in his foreign policy." ... Or
former Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich who asserted in 1998 while the
former president was in Russia: "These are two weak presidents trying
to hold each other up." ... Or Republican Sen. Trent Lott who on the
eve of Clinton's impeachment and during an ongoing air assault on Iraq
remarked : "I cannot support this action in the Persian Gulf at this
time." -- 'Ain't' hypocrisy grand?
*****Faith-Based Initiative Passes House*****
That's right. Fascists in the House were successful in passing the
"President's" faith-based initiative that would allow religious groups
to discriminate against gays and women in hiring practices, as well as
others who do not share their religious beliefs. The bill would permit
churches to circumvent state and local non-discrimination laws.
Outrageously, this legislation would effectively force numerous
Americans to pay for their own discrimination at the hands of bigoted
homophobic church groups.
The public subsidy of churches by taxpayers is clearly a violation of
church-state separation required by the First Amendment, -- freedom of
religion as well as freedom FROM it. Worse yet, recipients of
faith-based charity will ultimately be forced to accept indoctrination
in return for services. After all, proselytization is a strong tenet of
Christianity. ... A tenet enormously offensive to those with differing
views. The "Religious" Right could care less as long as its agenda
remains on track, the establishment of a theocracy with Christianity as
state religion.
*****Minister Recants Condit Story*****
Remember the Pentecostal minister's story about his then 18-year-old
daughter supposedly having had an affair with embattled Rep. Gary
Condit? Turns out Rev. Otis Thomas lied to the FBI. Interesting, isn't
it? Enough hypocrisy to go around in this extremely tragic story, isn't
there? Didn't stop Republican Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott,
however, from urging Condit to resign if the congressman indeed had a
sexual relationship with missing intern Chandra Levy. ... Hey, Trent?
Where the hell was your outrage when former Republican Speaker of the
House Newt "The Coot" Gingrich banged the hell out of his paramour on a
desk in his congressional office? Ole' Newt later divorced his wife,
handing her divorce papers as she recovered in a hospital bed after
having undergone surgery. ... A prince of a man, no? Sadly, other
examples of infidelity by Republicans have also been conveniently
ignored by Lott and his henchmen. Fascinating, isn't it?
*****Republican Duplicity*****
Theft of the 2000 Presidential election is an issue that won't
conveniently disappear at the behest of the GOP. Why the hell should
it? Dirty elections have become as American as mom and apple pie. It's
time for the people to finally wake up. The New York Times conducted a
six-month review of the Florida Republican scam, finding the GOP had
indeed out-hustled the party of the jackass. Republican attorneys
strongly argued flawed overseas ballots should be counted in heavily
military counties, while at the same time other GOP lawyers argued
ballots in Democratic areas should not count. The hypocrisy, although
stunning, comes as no surprise. After all, "The Tush" was to be
anointed "President" no matter what, no matter how. ... How else could
the agenda of the Fascist Right be so easily imposed on a gullible
public?
Disturbingly, Republican Rep. Steve Buyer,Ind. apparently requested
the Pentagon provide telephone and e-mail addresses of naval personnel.
Some of these sailors' ballots had earlier been disqualified. Questions
remain regarding the legality, propriety, and ethics of Buyer's actions
to pressure the military into providing a list of voters and then
conveniently pass it on to Bush's henchmen. Equally troubling is the
erasure of work done on computers supervised by Republican Florida
Secretary of State Katherine Harris during the election controversy,
possibly violating public records statutes. Sadly, this story is far
from over. The backlash to the GOP will be interesting to observe. ...
Providing the public finally wakes up and removes its head from its
ass...
*****2000 Election Missed Millions Of Votes*****
Scientists affiliated with two outstanding engineering schools, --
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of
Technology, released results of a new study of the last presidential
election indicating some 4 million to 6 million votes were not counted.
Interesting, isn't it? The study did not address, however, whether or
not the discrepancy would have changed the outcome. Regardless, this is
a terrible indictment of the electoral system and may further
discourage disenfranchised voters from casting ballots in the future.
Nationwide, officials have been dragging their feet on making badly
needed changes prior to the upcoming midterm congressional elections.
... Apparently, Good Old Boys across the U.S. like things just the way
they are.
*****Perfection*****
Typographical errors drive you nuts? Been a problem for many area
publications, including this one. ... Especially since there is no
spell check function in the software provided by Maxpages. Being a
speed reader, it is also extremely difficult to proof-read one's own
material.
Compounding the problem is the limitation of the software itself. After
over two years of effort looking for a way around this perpetually
nagging problem however, a solution has finally been found. ... A
round-about way of finding most errors without use of a proof-reader.
Some of you may have noticed earlier editions being updated. Only
typographical errors are being corrected, however. -- Not substance.
Fortunately, there were far fewer errors than expected. Usually one or
two per edition so far.
... Extremely painful though, for a perfectionist. All joking aside,
typographical accuracy is important and every effort is made to ensure
it.
*****Unbridled Fear*****
As strongly asserted in the last twelve Newsletters, gut-wrenching fear
generated by the Narcotics Enforcement Team is quite impressive. After
all, these Nazi stormtroopers not only outrageously intimidate
defendants and their gutless attorneys, but even innocent third parties
who have suffered at their corrupt and abusive hands.
Recently, a source came forward with allegations regarding the
death of a loved one under exceptionally curious circumstances. Sadly,
the survivor got cold feet.
Most pointedly and quite publicly, how in hell do you expect these
abuses to end if you don't have the guts to stand up and expose them to
the light of day?
Every time a source cowardly runs the other way, the corrupt and
abusive sons of bitches win. Every g-ddamned time. Worse yet, another
nail is driven into the coffin of liberty.
If you don't have the courage to stand up and do the right thing, why
should this writer continue to place himself in physical and legal
jeopardy trying to expose the outrageous corruption and abuse?
Despite the lack of financial assistance from a cowardly and
selfish community, the Llano Ledger and Llano Ledger 2 visitor count
stands in excess of 131,300. ... Over two years, now. For what?
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Mon Jul 23, 2001 3:28pm EDT