The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V105
Accessing The Llano Ledger Website Without Generously Providing
Financial Assistance To This Publication Not Only Denies Desperately
Needed Funds For Investigative Expenses, But Amounts To Theft Of This
Writer's Labor.
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...*****
********************August 6, 2001********************
*****Attempt At Intimidation By District Attorney Fails*****
District Attorney Sam "The Sham" Oatman, apparently in response to
a pointed Open Records Request sent to LMHS Administrator/CEO Kevin
Leeper days earlier, attempted to intimidate this writer by e-mailing
what turned out to be a bogus "Grand Jury-Medical Records Subpoena",
Monday, July 30, 2001. The e-mail exchange with this apparently corrupt
and abusive "prosecutor" can be found in the July 30, 2001 Newsletter.
Readers are reminded the e-mailed messages were confirmed as
originating with the 33rd Judicial District Attorney's Office by the
District Judge's Office in Burnet.
At the end of business the same day, however, the following message was received from Oatman's office:
Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2001 16:54:45 -0500
From: "DA's Office" <33rdda@tstar.net> [add to address book] [add to spam block list]
Subject: email you received
To: llanoledger@lycos.com
Mr. Chorney: the email you received was a virus. Somehow, a virus
attached to email and was sent out with our email address attached. Do
not open any email from us with attachments.
Thanks, Angela
DA's Office
*************
Hey, Sam? ... That's the best you can offer? Can't be a bit more
creative after an outrageously blatant act of intimidation? -- An
aggressively stupid ruse that backfired? Interestingly, the office
flunky didn't have the courage to provide her last name. Then again,
part of the game, right, Sam? The explanation is not credible for four
glaring reasons:
First, the timing. The bogus e-mailed subpoena conveniently came six
days after a pointed Open Records Request e-mailed to the Hospital
Administrator.
Second, the behavior of the messages themselves was indicative of a "return receipt" applet.
Third, why the hell is the e-mail address of this publication
conveniently in the District Attorney's address book? Prior to July 30,
2001, this publication had no e-mail contact with Oatman or any of his
office cronies.
Fourth, it is not reasonable to suspect the District Attorney or any of
his henchmen are so stupid they would not heavily protect an address
book against hacker attack. After all, this is the office of a
"prosecutor", isn't it?
... Hey, Sam? Haven't gotten the message yet? This writer won't be intimidated. Thanks for the additional fodder.
*****Press Shield Laws*****
Freedom of the press? What the hell's that? The First Amendment,
however, supposedly guarantees it. Yet, the federal government
apparently has no respect for the right of the people to a press
unfettered by government coercion. A free-lance writer has been jailed
for refusing to turn over materials germane to the murder of a Texas
millionaire's wife. A federal "judge" imprisoned Vanessa Leggett
recently for her refusal to hand over notes to a federal grand jury.
Outrageously, she was found in contempt at a closed hearing. ... Sounds
like Nazi Germany, doesn't it?
District court judges have similar power. In Texas, there is virtually
no protection against such abuses. Readers should understand freedom of
the press is critical to a free country. Without it, there is no
liberty. When media people are forced to become agents of a fascist
police state, everyone's rights are in jeopardy.
This writer would gladly go to jail rather than release the identity of
a source. It is extremely important to protect confidentiality
regardless of pressure imposed by corrupt and abusive prosecutors and
judges. Otherwise, no one would come forward with information. More
importantly, not to do so would place informants in physical danger
from law enforcement and other government goons.
Yet, the media has to balance news coverage with the legitimate
right of the people to be protected from predators. For example, had
Oatman requested information from Open Records Requests germane to
employee looting of the Hospital, this writer would have gladly and
willingly cooperated with the District Attorney. In that investigation,
there are no confidential sources to protect. ... Of course, Ole' Sam
has no interest in Hospital looting anyway. Remember? He takes care of
his own, and could have easily gained access to the material himself.
... "Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil." Right, Sam?
Regardless, Ms. Leggett is to be congratulated for her courageous
refusal to turn over notes to prosecutors. She did precisely the right
thing and is to be commended. Disturbingly, the hearing was not done in
public. Such fascist repression unchecked, however, will stifle a free
press and hasten a revolution, inevitable as government continues to
shit on the U.S. Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights.
*****"President" Concerned With Personal Appeal To Masses*****
That's right. Ole' George "The Tush" and his handlers are concerned the
"Chief Executive" does not appeal to the ordinary Joe or Jane. Well,
hell, George, you and the GOP are clearly in the pockets of Corporate
America. -- Particularly, Big Oil and the insurance companies. The
energy bill recently passed in the House generously lines the pockets
of your corpulent cronies. Outrageously, your "Vice President" has
refused congressional access to documents germane to an investigation
examining the influence of Big Oil executives on a stacked energy
commission. ... Nothing quite like "open" government, is there?
Equally pointedly, the "President" has successfully twisted the
arms of gutless members of the House who recently passed a patients'
bill of rights that does nothing more than protect the best interests
of HMOs. Language in the bill makes it difficult to sue greedy and
negligent providers who place the bottom line ahead of medical
consumers. Worse yet, what in hell is $1.5 million each in caps for
punitive damages as well as pain and suffering?
What true deterrent does it place on greedy HMO executives who
routinely shaft patients without the Vaseline? Why not continue to
screw them when only a handful will be able to sue, and, should they
prevail, only expect to collect a few million bucks for the wanton
death of a patient? Hopefully, Senate Democrats will offer stiff
opposition. Then again, there is little to no difference between both
major political parties. Additionally, the GOP-passed bill generously
protects the rich since recovery for loss of income is not capped. ...
Wouldn't want the corpulent greedy to suffer any pain, would we?
Readers are reminded the "President" originally wanted $500,000
caps on punitive damages as well as pain and suffering. ... This from a
"compassionate conservative", hypocritically wearing his "religion" on
his sleeve. Nothing quite like Christian charity, no?
Republicans have disingenuously and falsely complained of frivolous
healthcare lawsuits. Absolute bull. Bush, as governor of Texas allowed
a patients' rights bill to pass into law without his signature. Since
then, there have been only a handful of lawsuits. -- Proof positive,
there is no frivolous lawsuit problem. On the contrary, egregiously
aggrieved patients have been denied justice. Precisely what greedy
Republicans intended.
Then again, par for the GOP who relentlessly protects business at the
expense of the little guy. Interestingly, Republicans have remained
gutlessly silent as the family of Rev. Lawrence Martin Jenco was
awarded $314.6 million for being held hostage in Iran. ... Nothing
quite like the stench of hypocrisy, is there? GOP apologists
disingenuously whine employers will drop healthcare coverage. Should
they, tax the living shit out of them. When these greedy businesses
fail, room is left for entrepreneurs more sensitive to employee needs.
*****"President" Crows About First Six Months*****
That's right. Mr. Bush is "cock-a-doodle-doin'" about the first 180
days of his Supreme Court-appointed "Administration." Convenient, isn't
it? Indeed the "Chief Executive", policy-wise, has clearly crossed the
line from conservatism to fascism, -- in effect calling for an abusive
and dangerous oligarchy based on a pernicious blend of government, big
business, and religion. A classical definition of fascism. ... A
boot-heel cynically placed on the throat of the masses, justified in
principle by perversion and bastardization of religion.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with leading an intensely
spiritual life, devastating injustice occurs when zealots attempt to
force their beliefs on others. ... As fascists feverishly attempt to
disingenuously establish Christianity as the state religion in
violation of the First Amendment. -- The true reason the "President" is
determinedly hell-bent on imposing his unconstitutional faith-based
initiative.
*****Fiscal Restraint Vowed by House Republicans*****
That's right. A letter signed by 150 of 222 House Republicans promising
fiscal discipline was recently sent to the "President". ... What the
hell happened to the other 72? This, after Bush had complained for
weeks of pork introduced by legislators, particularly Republicans.
After all, the Good Old Boys have to take care of their own back home,
don't they? "The Tush" is right on this one, however, and is to be
commended. The level of pork introduced by both parties is horrendous.
Nothing, in fact, has been done by either Democrats or Republicans to
change the status quo. Time to hold both parties responsible for the
waste, particularly in the military.
*****Budget Fight Looms*****
When Congress, the "President", and "Vice President" return from
extended summer vacations, a ferocious budget battle awaits as the tax
cut and economic slowdown drastically reduce the federal surplus. The
reduction will certainly impact the military, prescription drug
benefits, education, etc.. It will be quite interesting to see if both
parties keep their hands off Social Security and Medicare funds.
*****"President" Proposes Medicaid Changes*****
"The Tush", in a Saturday radio address taped Friday, proposed to
reduce present benefits of Medicaid recipients to provide coverage to
millions of uninsured receiving no care at all. Mighty generous of the
dolt, no? "Let 'em eat cake", right, Mr. "President"? At the same time
the address aired, Mr. Bush submitted to a six hour physical
examination at Bethesda Naval Hospital. Can't imagine what Ole' George
had to endure for hours, but certainly indicative of how royalty in
this country are treated as compared to the unwashed masses. Readers
are reminded senators and representatives are accorded the same level
of care. For life. Yet, the masses are hard-pressed to receive any
treatment at all. -- Some 42 million of us have no coverage, due
largely to greed of employers who are too busy lining their own deep
pockets.
*****Bush Loses Bid For "Fast Track" Trade Authority*****
Democrats have effectively denied the "President" broad trade authority
that would have made it far easier for "The Tush" to have gotten his
trade agreements past Congress. Why trust Ole' George with increased
power? After all, we have a "President" who has aided and abetted his
cronies in Corporate America at the expense of the people. Big Oil has
certainly benefited, as well as medical charlatans the "President" is
desperately trying to protect by limiting the right of patients to sue.
Equally important, Ole' George is determined to loot taxpayers billions
to line the pockets of defense contractors with a missile "defense"
system that will not protect Americans from nuclear-tipped cruise
missiles launched off-shore or from terrorists carrying suitcase-sized
nuclear devices. -- The two most likely sources of nuclear attack
according to experts. Most pointedly, why make it any easier for the
"Chief Executive" to screw the citizenry? Clearly, the Democrats have
done the right thing by denying Mr. Bush "fast track" trade authority.
*****Bush Lukewarm To Election Reforms*****
That's right. Ole' George "The Tush" isn't happy with election reforms
recommended by former Presidents Carter and Ford. After all, the
"President" doesn't want elections made any harder to steal. Not to
worry, George. Your partisan cronies on the Supreme Court will once
again appoint you "President", if necessary.
*****First Lady Laments Press Coverage Of Daughters*****
That's right. Mrs. Bush is peeved her daughters are receiving unwanted
attention from the press. Tough, isn't it? The First Lady has
conveniently forgotten who the hell is at fault, hasn't she? After all,
both young ladies broke an abusive, aggressively stupid,
zero-tolerance, underage drinking statute signed into law by their
father, the "President", when he was governor. Instead of blaming the
press, how about holding your daughters responsible for breaking the
law, Mrs. Bush? -- Or, more pointedly, the dolt who signed the bill,
turning young people into criminals who have done no worse than take an
underage drink?
*****Christian Coalition*****
Nothing quite like Christian "charity", is there? U.S. District
Judge Ricardo M. Urbina ordered the Christian Coalition to cease
retaliating against four black employees who had the audacity to file a
racial discrimination lawsuit last February. The workers had their
hours cut back by some 50%. While greedy fascists loot tithes from
gullible sheep and laugh their portly asses off all the way to the
bank, their employees are paid $6-$8/hr. and have now had their hours
cut in half in retaliation for filing a discrimination suit. Nothing
quite like hypocrisy, is there? Apparently, these workers are not
allowed to use the office's front door, or eat in an employee lunch
room used only by whites. ... If true, only further evidence of closet
bigotry in a supposedly integrated society. ... Wouldn't want to
confuse the Fascist Right with the truth, however. They're too stupid
to know any better.
*****Klee's Kaleidoscope*****
Be sure to click on 'Kaleidoscope' in the Table of Contents. Harvey
Klee of Bluffton has written an interesting article critical of the
creation of a costly county court-of-law in Burnet County currently
being considered by officials there, with ramifications here in Llano
County. The change, interestingly, would require county judges be
licensed attorneys. ... Lawyers have certainly ingrained themselves
into every facet of life, -- for good or bad.
Certainly would be preferable for statutes at all levels be re-written
in easily understood English, rather than present "legalese", obviating
the need for attorneys. Sadly, that will never occur, however. Worse
yet, is the quaint feudal nature of the judicial system. ... "Judges"
are treated remarkably like kings and queens.
Mr. Klee's article is well-written and thought out. It will be most
interesting to see how long it will be before Llano County officials
saddle taxpayers with measures similar to those being considered in
Burnet County.
*****Kingsland American Legion Press Release*****
Be sure to click on 'Announcements' in the Table of Contents for a press release recently received from the American Legion.
*****"Outkry"*****
Llano County resident and musician Gary Delz has launched a new webpage
on his band website dedicated to exposure of problems within Llano
County government and civic organizations. Mr. Delz is a former police
officer who is tired of abusive law enforcement. The Llano Ledger is
supportive of any and all who are courageous enough to expose
government corruption. Be sure to access http://www.powertrio.com and
click OUTKRY on the table of contents.
*****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 fourteen 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 136,400. ... 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 Aug 6, 2001 1:13pm EDT