The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V112
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business can survive without compensation? Think it's always the other
guy's responsibility? Think again. The clock is ticking...*****
**************September 10, 2001***************
In follow-up to the last edition, this publication has received no
paperwork from either County Attorney Cheryll Mabray or JP2 Duane "The
Judge" Nobles regarding the Patrick Lewis case. Readers will recall
Nobles and his assistant asserted there had been a plea bargain. Lewis
denies it. Since neither the County Attorney or "The Judge" have seen
fit to back up their claim, it can only be assumed there is no
substance to it, or the County Attorney cannot find the paperwork.
Either way, it is not particularly flattering to our corrupt and
abusive officials. Even had Mabray been able to back up the assertion,
there are still the outrageous irregularities and tampering of the
original ticket. ... Sadly, another glaring example of kangaroo justice
in Llano County and how officials are shielded from criminal
prosecution. ... Right, Sam?
*****Public Information Act Ignored*****
In the state of Texas, the Public Information Act means absolutely
nothing, since there is no one willing to enforce the statute. No one.
As readers will recall, Llano Memorial Healthcare System (LMHS)
Administrator/CEO Kevin Leeper has ignored a recent open records
request regarding employee expense reports for the current calendar
year. District Attorney Sam Oatman as well as Attorney General John
Cornyn and the Open Records Division are well aware of Leeper's
deliberate refusal to honor the request. The law apparently means
nothing to Oatman and Cornyn. Both men have outrageously ignored their
sworn oaths of office.
Hospital officials have apparently done nothing to rein in employee
looting of the system. Otherwise, Leeper would have honored the
request. The public, although enraged at problems with EMS, is largely
unaware of the outrageous looting, since area newspapers, radio, and
television have ignored the problem and conducted no investigation of
glaring financial irregularities.
Since Leeper has not responded and the DA has been provided a copy of
the latest open records request, both are apparently in collusion, --
at the expense of taxpayers and healthcare recipients. Readers should
ask Mr. Oatman why indeed is he protecting Hospital officials? He is
supposed to be the "people's" attorney. The DA, however, indeed takes
care of his own. ... Like he did when he dismissed the jail-rape
indictment of inmate trusty Johnny Joe Pessina to protect the Sheriff's
ass and the Good Old Boys who run the Llano County Jail.
Just as pointedly, readers are reminded the Attorney General, Open
Records Division, General Services Commission, and District Attorney
have allowed Llano Independent School District Superintendent Jack
Patton to egregiously stonewall an open records request germane to
outrageous financial irregularities within the School District. ...
Yet, another glaring example of kangaroo justice and ignorance of
white-collar criminal behavior.
*****Bush Stonewalls Congressional Inquiry*****
Remember "Vice President" "Slick Dick" Cheney and his refusal to turn
over to Congress information germane to the "President's" energy plan
and cozy involvement of energy executives? The General Accounting
Office is considering filing a lawsuit to force the issue. What the
hell has taken them so long? Whatever happened to honest and open
government? Government free of closed door wheeling and dealing at the
expense of taxpayers and consumers? Then again, we have a Republican
"Administration" that could care less. When will a gullible
aggressively stupid public finally wake up?
*****An Independent Press*****
Surprisingly, the Bush "Administration" has taken a positive step
in ensuring a free press. Imagine that? Rebuffing Republican Sen.
Richard Shelby, the "President" quietly put out the word he would not
support a bill criminalizing intelligence leaks.
Attorney General John Ashcroft had wisely asked the senator to cancel a
public hearing scheduled last Wednesday to consider the legislation. It
had passed last year, but was vetoed by President Clinton.
The White House apparently considers the bill to be unnecessary since
there are already statutes that prohibit leaks compromising national
security. The new legislation is particularly onerous since it would
significantly broaden the standard. It would be a felony to disclose
anything government declares classified.
Whistle-blowers would have been particularly affected and so would
communication between government and the public. ... Readers are
already quite aware open records statutes mean nothing in the state of
Texas. At the federal level, Freedom of Information Act requests are
also frequently stonewalled.
The apparent shift in "Administration" thinking is interesting,
particularly since Houston writer Vanessa Leggett remains jailed for
refusing to disclose her sources to a federal judge. Possibly, the
"President" is beginning to feel the sting of critics from the Center
and Left. After all, people are starting to tire of Nazi Gestapo
tactics imposed by law enforcement and its shills in the judiciary.
In addition to the jailing of Leggett, the Justice Department is
responsible for the subpoena of telephone records of AP reporter John
Solomon, involving a government wiretap of N.J. Sen. Robert Torricelli.
DOJ goons apparently were trying to determine the identity of law
enforcement officials who had provided AP with information. ...
Remarkably similar to tactics employed by Nazi Germany and the Soviet
Union, no?
*****Right Whines About Judicial Appointments*****
The Fascist Right is again whining about Democratic foot-dragging
regarding the appointment of Bush judicial nominees. Tough, isn't it?
What the hell does the "President" and his henchmen expect? Democratic
Sen. Charles Schumer has led the battle against Ole' George's most
extreme candidates.
While Ole' Charlie is indeed quite offensive regarding his stand
against the Second Amendment, he is right on the issue of judicial
nominations. The Senate has the constitutional right to "advice and
consent" and by all means should exercise it.
How else can the people be protected from "judges" who legislate
their fascist principles from the bench? Civil liberties are under
constant attack from right-wing extremists such as Scalia and Thomas.
Unless these fascists are held in check, the assault on the Bill of
Rights will continue unabated until there is no alternative but
revolution.
The Religious Right is hell-bent on imposing a theocracy and telling a
woman what she can and cannot do with her uterus. ... All the more
reason for Schumer and his Democratic colleagues to stonewall the
"President's" most extreme nominees.
Just as importantly, it is critical Republicans challenge Democrats
regarding gun-rights. The evisceration of the Second Amendment has been
disastrous. The GOP has clearly not worked hard enough to ensure the
viability of a most precious right and has all too often succumbed to
public pressure to impose an outrageously oversimplistic solution on an
enormously difficult problem. Then again, nothing better can be
expected from the mindless Right. After all, they take great pleasure
in aggressive stupidity. ... Hey, George? Mission accomplished, sir.
Laws already on the books are NOT being enforced, yet liberals want
even more gun-control legislation. They seem to have forgotten the
intent of the Second Amendment. Without question, an armed public is
the last defense against tyrannical government. ... Precisely why
government wants to disarm the citizenry.
*****Welfare "Reform"*****
Last week, Bush "Administration" officials crowed welfare rolls stand
at approximately 2 million families due to five years of welfare reform
forced by the 1996 law. The Department of Health and Human Services
recently held an HHS-sponsored welfare conference in anticipation of
re-authorization of the statute next year.
The Fascist Right is anxious to see re-enactment, disingenuously
laughing its collective portly ass off all the way to the bank. ...
While hypocritically ignoring outrageous corporate welfare, fraud, and
waste, particularly in the military procurement system.
Sadly, it's become un-American and highly unpatriotic to challenge
$30,000 toilets, $2,000 ladders, $5,000 toilet seats, weapons systems
that don't work, etc.. Yet, it's quite politically correct to kick
women and children hard in the ass.
Regarding welfare reform, Assistant Secretary Wade F. Horn pontificated
"Rarely in the history of the United States have we seen a law that had
this kind of impact." Mr. Horn is quite right. Easy to do when you
gutlessly decimate a system that has no paid lobbyists as does Tobacco,
Big Oil, Defense Contractors, etc..
Who the hell cares for our nation's poor? ... Legislators who refuse to
pass a minimum wage high enough to ensure liveability? Can't have that,
now, can we? After all, how can business properly enrich itself while
sharing the wealth and paying help what it's truly worth? ... A "free"
market? Where?
Portly greedy fascists, however, disingenuously and falsely whine jobs
will be lost. Nonsense. For whatever are lost, there are ALWAYS others
generated. More pointedly, the rich are eventually forced to pay a fair
wage when faced with the prospect of having to do the work themselves.
Who else cares for the poor? ... Churches who usually provide
charitable assistance only in return for proselytization and acceptance
of doctrine? ... Right-to-Lifers who dictate to women what they can and
cannot do with their uterus? -- Only to conveniently run the other way
when it comes time to provide financial assistance to them and their
children?
Of course, these same hypocrites are quick to instruct such women to
just say no to sex. -- While haughtily refusing publicly-funded birth
control and abortion services. Convenient, isn't it? Think they'd also
ask a woman not eat, sleep, breath, relieve herself, etc.? ... It's
always amazed this writer so many of us seem to forget sex is indeed a
biological function and need remarkably similar to any other bodily
function. ... Just more complex. Religious zealots, however, craftily
use it as a tool to control the masses.
After all, with the exception of money and hunger, what more powerfully
primeval motivator is there than sex? Religious despots have known this
for thousands of years and have used it to their advantage to exercise
control over their "flock". Disingenuously and haughtily, they claim to
speak for God. Sadly, they speak only for themselves and betray their
perverse distortion of what was originally intended to be much more
than just a procreative function.
We easily and proudly forget we are indeed animals with basic needs.
Unlike other species, however, we fight to the death and are extremely
proficient at killing one other. Worse yet, we always seem to find a
reason to excuse our barbarism, especially if it is a government agent
doing the killing. Examples? Waco, Ruby Ridge, every incident of police
brutality and wanton killing, executions, etc.. The list can go on and
on. Think former Governor Bush displayed a high level of morality when
he phonily mimicked Carla Faye Tucker shortly before presiding over her
execution?
Equally amazing, we so easily and readily concern ourselves with who's
"doing" whom and how, -- particularly if the participants are gay, but
cowardly refuse to challenge corrupt and abusive government responsible
for killing innocent people. Interesting, isn't it? Regarding welfare,
indeed, it's much easier to blame the defenseless and hold them to a
standard that business, the rich, and those in power are not. ... While
hypocritically kneeling in church on Sunday and piously patting
ourselves on the back for being so damned "moral" and "responsible" as
opposed to the human trash living next door.
"Compassionate conservatives", the phrase indeed an oxymoron,
continuously crow about the drop in welfare case-load from a high of 5
million families in 1994 to 2 million now. Interesting, isn't it? The
reason for the drop is that it is extremely difficult, if not
impossible, for most people who need help to easily and quickly get it.
Most, just give up, rather than put up with the hassle. They further
burden their families or usually simply go without. ... Waiting to get
medical help until it is extremely expensive or too late.
If welfare "reform" is as successful as claimed, why are food banks
struggling to keep their shelves stocked and their doors open? They
can't keep up with demand. Why is Medicaid in Texas having serious
problems? If former welfare recipients indeed moved on to liveable-wage
jobs, why are they forced to resort to Medicaid? If child hunger and
poverty rates are in fact down as claimed by the Assistant Secretary,
why are food banks struggling to keep up with demand?
Just as importantly, why is Ole' George "The Tush" Bush desperately
trying to dump charitable giving on the churches? Although the
"President" and his fascist cronies are aggressively attempting to
create an unconstitutional theocracy, faith-based initiatives are
certainly a convenient way to dump welfare and its tremendous costs on
others outside of government. More pointedly, why haven't our corrupt
and abusive legislators found a way to force the rich and greedy
corporations to return some of the loot from where it came? -- People
indeed on the bottom of the food chain? Interesting, isn't it? -- And
particularly hypocritical of those most critical of welfare recipients,
while callously laughing their portly asses off all the way to the
bank.
The "President" could care less whether or not charitable recipients
will be forced to accept doctrine in return for assistance. Despite his
public display of piety and wearing of religion on his sleeve as well
as token charitable activities such as his phony participation in
Habitat For Humanity, "The Tush" could equally care less about
suffering going on in the community. ... As long as he has his, no
problem. "Let 'em eat cake", right, George?
While faith-based initiatives will likely be rejected as
unconstitutional, how many people will needlessly suffer at the hands
of zealots? Again, not all churches will abuse their trust. Most of
them will, however. After all, proselytization is a strong tenet of
Christianity and many other religions.
Sadly, public funds will ultimately go to indoctrination rather than
physical needs of the poor. While there is indeed nothing wrong with a
deeply spiritual life, there IS a serious problem when it is forced on
people in return for a meal, clothing, etc.. ... Clearly, quite
un-Christlike, no?
*****Bush Reacts To Slowing Economy*****
"The Tush" is beginning to sweat as the economy falters and layoffs
continue. In a short rambling speech Friday, Ole' George struggled to
defend himself and the actions of his "Administration." In fairness to
the "President", only approximately half the tax rebates have been
distributed. Yet, there has been seemingly no effect on the economy. Of
course, $300-$600 bucks each is not a whole lot of money in an economy
as large as ours. Especially, if people are banking and not spending
the cash as appears to be happening.
The $1.35 trillion rebate would have been far better spent lowering
the nation's debt service. Can you imagine personally taking a few
hundred bucks and blowing it on a good time rather than paying off a
credit card debt or installment loan? ... Especially if you were up to
your eyeballs in red ink? Yet, that is exactly what the "President" and
his henchmen expected the American public to do to stimulate the
economy. Apparently, what is sound economic behavior at the family
level does not apply to federal spending and the national debt.
Interesting, isn't it?
The "Chief Executive" has once again attempted to solve an enormously
difficult problem with an oversimplistic solution. Now, he and the Boys
are considering reducing the capital gains tax, since the rebate has
not worked as well or as quickly as expected. ... Hey, George? Already
grasping at straws? It's going to get a hell of a lot hotter as budget
talks soon start and both parties look forward to midterm elections.
*****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 19 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 149,000. ... 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 Sep 10, 2001 12:30pm EDT