Got guts? Tired of being lied to? Like an alternative source of information truly independent and free of government propaganda? Want this publication to continue? Send a financial donation to P.O. Box 997, Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609.

Publisher's Note: This publication receives no financial support through advertising.  Although shaken down, looted, and abused by corrupt government, area businesses remain unwilling to stand up.  Locals are too gutless to donate financially, cowardly fearing retribution.  For this publication to survive, national readers need to contribute.  Furthermore, desperately need an additional laptop or desktop computer as back-up to a failing Dell Latitude notebook currently being used.  Got one gathering dust in the closet?  Care to donate? While conveniently accessing these webpages "free" of charge, never forget this publication remains non-profit and depends entirely on nearly non-existent community support. At the same time, The Ledger is, has been, and will always remain beholden to NO ONE. -- Precisely why there is no financial assistance.  ... From day of launch and certainly a no-brainer to this very day, firmly resolved to walk away first rather than compromise principle. -- To the chagrin of many and delight of few.  … Right, "Judge"?  T.C. 10-20-02.

Index:

Private Military "Contractors"
Bali Attack
Convoluted "Reasoning" Carried To Extreme
Who'd A' 'Thunk' It, No?
King Brothers Conviction Overturned
FBI $7 Million Bribe To Former KGB Officer
Aggressive Stupidity Of The Highest Order
"President" Reneges
Daschle Opens Fire
Secrecy
Harvey Klee
OUCH!
More On Dell
Follow-Up To Dell Corporation Fiasco
Letter To Dell CEO
Fraudulent Deletion Of Ledger Websites
Klee's Kaleidoscope
An Honest Business
Unbridled Fear
 

For years, the United States has waged war all over the world.  Done so secretly, via mercenaries.  Hired guns are extremely convenient where no U.S. servicemen dare go.  Why?  American presidents have been constrained by pesky congressional military funding and deployment concerns.  Frequent, strong opposition is also a critical factor, -- as the Reagan Administration received regarding funding of Nicaraguan Contras fighting the communists in the early Eighties.  … Leading to the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages fiasco, for which Reagan and Bush should have been impeached, convicted, and removed from office.

… Then, criminally prosecuted as any common street thugs.  Never happened, however, since the "leadership" of this once great country is held to a different standard than ordinary peasants.  -- More importantly, it was communists being targeted as opposed to the Nazi element running Chile, Argentina, Peru, etc..  … Sadly, brutal countries the United States backed, regardless of their barbarically repressive banana-republic regimes.   After all, they were fiercely anti-communist.  Didn't matter they were bona fide glaringly fascist dictatorships that tortured and killed dissidents.  … Many of whom have not been found to this day.

Although truly the finest economic system to live under, capitalism has two glaring flaws.  First, unless wisely controlled and regulated, the "haves" generate enormous wealth off people on the bottom of the food chain.  Second, capitalism forced to its extreme quickly becomes fascist and conveniently embraces Nazi principles.  Precisely why this country didn't fully appreciate the threat posed by early Nazi Germany and fascist Italy during the 1930s, -- until the invasion of Poland in 1939.

Hitler and Mussolini were initially viewed as amusing.  Worse, Americans had enormous grudging respect and admiration for the Nazi military-industrial complex.  Certainly, the epitome of efficiency and manufacturing prowess at the time.  Exactly why Americans turn a blind eye to fascist banana-republics, conveniently and cowardly ignoring their excesses.  -- Precisely, why the American government materially aided and abetted the assassination of Allende in 1973.  Dr. Allende leaned too far to the left and the United States was directly involved in his murder.  Did so covertly, however, without direct involvement of troops.

Mercenaries remove this annoying problem of accountability, inconveniently placed on American presidents who are sworn to "protect and defend" the Constitution.  Freeing them to do as they please with impunity, as has occurred for at least the last forty years.  If not, much longer.  Should a "contractor" get killed, no problem.  Part of the job.  No embarrassing questions to be asked by outrageous annoying impertinent media types.  Presidents can do essentially what they want, when they want, regardless of congressional constraints.  Examples?

Mercenaries are chasing drug traffickers in Columbia.  Why?  The drug "war" was dead on arrival when launched some three decades ago.  Has been losing ground ever since.  Has resulted in universal corruption of police agencies across the United States.  Yet, there is no end.  Money continues to be foolishly spent on Nazi organizations such as the 33rd Judicial District Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET).

Yet, these exceptionally corrupt and abusive bastards not only continue to maraud and loot innocent citizens, they maintain, operate, and coordinate an immensely lucrative methamphetamine manufacturing and distribution business, -- according to scores of highly credible sources too cowardly to allow publication of their names and addresses.

For the most part, presidents have been allowed to freely use mercenaries with little to no restriction.  Although surprising and certainly unusual, Congress has limited the Bush "Administration" to 500 military servicemen and 300 mercenaries in Columbia.  Why?  To what end?  Every illicit drug on the streets in the United States is cheap and plentiful.  Every one.  Yet, the military and its hired guns are engaged in clandestine anti-drug activities, not only in Columbia, but elsewhere.  At taxpayer expense.  Why?  Again, to what end?

Money would be far better spent on treatment.  Instead, the government foolishly continues to lock up small-time users, -- usually without benefit of rehab.  Continues to engage in highly lucrative manufacturing and distribution activities not only locally, but across the country.

Remember the American missionary killed in Peru last year when her plane was "accidentally" shot down by a Peruvian jet fighter?  A private "contractor" had mistakenly identified the aircraft as a "drug trafficker".  The mercenary protecting Afghan President Hamid Karzai was hired by the United States.  "Contractors" have been used in Kuwait, Bosnia, Macedonia, Nigeria, and many other hot spots across the globe.

"Contractors" are not sworn American military personnel.  They answer to no one other than the Fortune 500 corporations that own these mercenary subsidiaries.  Examples?  Halliburton, TRW, and Northrop Grumman.  Approximately 35 companies, all in existence with the required permission and at the pleasure of the United States government.  Have been serious problems of abuse, however.

DynCorp operated a sex-slave ring in Bosnia.  What was done?  Nothing.  Employees were fired and sent home.  No one was prosecuted.  MPRI trained local forces in Croatia, -- who promptly used their newly-found "skills" to "ethnically cleanse" their fellow countrymen.  Result?  Hundreds were killed.  Hundreds of thousands, homeless.  Not one "contractor" was prosecuted.  Not one.

Not being sworn military personnel, mercenaries present enormous problems to military commanders during wartime.  Can't be ordered to do anything.  Are not held to rigorous standards of military justice and accountability.  When bullets fly, their loyalty is not always clear or predictable.  One in fifty personnel on the ground in the Gulf War was a mercenary.  In Bosnia, one in ten.

Such "outsourcing" of military activities is immensely useful to presidents, desperate to get around pesky laws and congressional budget restraints.  Also, quite useful in allowing presidents to conduct private wars, thus avoiding political embarrassment and public impact of body bags.  Even when caught with a hand in the cookie jar, nothing happens.  Remember?  Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush lied like hell about Iran-Contra and suffered no consequences.  To this day, remain heroes to an aggressively stupid American public who has no clue and doesn't care.

Commenting on the Bali terrorist atrocity, the "President" cavalierly remarked Oct. 14: "The attack in Bali appears to be an al-Qaida-type terrorist — definitely a terrorist attack; whether it’s al-Qaida-related or not, I would assume it is.  And, therefore, it does look like ... the enemy, albeit on the run, is trying to once again frighten and kill freedom-loving people."

Mr. Bush once again demonstrated he simply does not "get it".  Doesn't understand the profound injustice done for decades to the Muslim world by lop-sided American policy in the Middle East, heavily favoring Israel.  … Regardless of deliberate Israeli atrocities involving the murder of innocent Arabs.  Refusal to withdraw from all occupied territories to pre-1967 borders.  Outrageous bulldozing of Palestinian homes by Israeli government thugs.  Extreme indifference and opposition to establishment of a Palestinian state.

The "President", demonstrating glaring aggressive stupidity, Aryan arrogantly dismisses profound Arab grievances and foolishly and shallowly believes terrorists are simply opposed to "freedom-loving people."  Has no understanding or appreciation of the fact Arabs are fighting back with the only effective weapon available to them, -- terror.  … And effective it is.

Certainly has forced an aggressively stupid American population to cowardly ignore evisceration of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments to the Constitution by an outrageously unconstitutional "Patriot" Act and equally unconstitutional Executive Orders signed by the Nazi occupying the White House.  Not only is the "President's" glaring ignorance of the root causes of terrorism appalling, it ensures this once great nation will be subject to repeated threat and attack.

Readers, we're losing our country.  Not to bin Laden and al Qaida.  Not to other terrorist groups.  Not to Iraq or any foreign power.  We're losing it here.  At the hands of an appointed "President" and his equally fascist henchmen.  This country is a small fraction of what it once truly was.  When you get up in the morning, take a long hard look in the mirror.

What you see is precisely the problem, and the reason why liberty has been so foolishly ceded.  What no enemy could have ever secured on the battlefield, cowardly Americans have willingly forfeited.  In the name of "security", conveniently forgetting the Founders knew anyone willing to trade liberty for security deserves and winds up with neither.

Working definition of fascism for new readers? An abusive and dangerous oligarchy based on a pernicious blend of government, big business, and religion. ... A boot-heel cynically placed on the throat of the masses, justified in principle by perversion and bastardization of religion.

The "President", October 14, commenting on the Bali catastrophe, declared: "There is a connection between al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein."  … Is that like the connection between Israel and U.S., Mr. "President"?  -- Where the United States supplies heavy weapons such as F-16s, ordnance, and billions in American treasure, only to see it illegally used to terroristically bomb highly-populated civilian areas and assassinate Palestinian officials?  In direct violation of U.S. export law?  A law you shamelessly refuse to enforce?  In direct violation of your oath of office?

Mr. Bush offers absolutely no hard evidence, just self-serving conjecture, to "justify" a preemptive first strike against Iraq, -- in direct opposition to everything this once great nation used to stand for.  The "Chief Executive" conveniently speculates Saddam may shortly employ al Qaeda "to do his dirty work."  Is that right, George?  Again, where is your proof?

Can't wait to get your cookies off killing innocent Iraqi civilians, can you, sir?  Surprised the "President" hasn't used the unfolding sniper attacks to justify invading Iraq.  After all, the assassin is a terrorist, isn't he, George?  Whether domestic or foreign.  Adding insult to injury, the appointed Nazi occupying the Oval Office invited both Republican and Democrat shills to the White House signing of an outrageous blank check for military action against Iraq, immorally extended the "President".

... After successfully sitting on critical information regarding North Korean reneging on a nuclear non-proliferation agreement signed by his predecessor.  For twelve days.  ... So as not to have interfered with his murderous plans to secure a congressional resolution sanctioning his criminal intention to invade another country unprovoked.  In direct violation of everything this once great country used to stand for.

… Rubberstamp approval of glaringly un-American and unlawful preemptive attack against another nation for no more than reasons of political expediency and electoral convenience.  A first, in the history of this formerly great nation, that previously throughout history has always occupied the higher moral ground.  No more.  Fascism rules.  Should the Iraq resolution be executed by Mr. Bush, blood will not only be on the hands of the appointed "President" and his equally Nazi henchmen, but also on those of cowardly Republicans and Democrats who went along.  Despite absolutely no evidence of imminent threat.  None.

Foolishly encouraging a wide-spread war in the Middle East, the "President" speaking in general and not directly about his planned unprovoked attack against Iraq, declared October 16 he expected Israel to aggressively retaliate should Iraq attack.  No question, the Iraqi dictator will, -- if the United States executes an unprovoked attack on Iraq as planned by the jackass occupying the White House.  Would have absolutely nothing to lose.  The "President" of the United States has craftily and conveniently ensured it.  This way he can dishonestly and disingenuously declare:  "See, I told you so.  Iraq is dangerous."

Unlike 11 years ago, Israel has no intention of allowing the U.S. to fight its battles.  Think other Arab states will idly sit by?  In the fog of battle and despite close cooperation, think American and Israeli fighter jets won't mistakenly engage one another over Iraqi skies?  Unlike earlier wars, most air combat is no longer up close and cozy,  not conveniently allowing visual identification as in the past.

Mr. Bush met October 16 with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, a long-time war criminal and unabashed butcher of Tel Aviv.  Showing proper deference to his American master, Mr. Sharon piously declared in the Oval Office: "We never had such relations with any president of United States as we have with you.  And we never had such a cooperation in everything as we have with the current administration."

Damn right, Mr. Sharon.  The "President" of the United States has cowardly looked the other way as you and your murderous thugs have deliberately killed innocent Palestinian civilians in highly-populated areas, illegally using American-supplied heavy weapons and treasure to do so.  In direct violation of American weapons export law.  Shamelessly, adding to the enormous amount of blood already on your hands, dating back decades.  Probably no worse, however, than occurred in Lebanon some twenty years ago.  Right, Mr. Prime Minister?  You're indeed a war criminal, who has yet to be brought to justice.

As mentioned several paragraphs earlier, the "President" of the United States has a much more pressing problem he gutlessly sat on for twelve days before the public became aware.  Seems an American diplomat had earlier confronted North Korea with evidence the communist nation was hiding a nuclear weapons program well underway.  … In direct violation of an earlier agreement with the U.S..

Initially, North Korean officials denied the allegation, but reversed course the next day admitting the program and implying there is far more to it than the United States is aware.  Also gave strong indication they have other weapons of mass destruction. The attitude, apparently, was "Don't f--k with us."  Be interesting to see precisely how Mr. Bush deals with this.  For the moment, the jackass occupying the White House is apparently wisely content to handle the crisis diplomatically.  ... Think the Chinese would idly sit by and watch an American "President" militarily take on an ally?  Interestingly, the "Administration" believes Pakistan supplied the North Koreans with technical assistance in return for missiles.

The "President" cowardly knows the North Koreans would not be quite so easy a target as Iraq.  Over one million men in uniform, just north of the border and ready to invade on a moment's notice. The conflict would likely go quickly nuclear, since the less than 40,000 American troops stationed there would be immediately overrun.  The "President" wisely and conveniently favors diplomacy and conciliation for now.  ... While facing increasing pressure from the more fascist element in his support base to treat North Korea exactly as his "Administration" intends to deal with Iraq.  Militarily.

How insightful, no?  Why not extend the same diplomatic consideration to Iraq, George?  While the "President" and his equally fascist henchmen claim both situations are totally different, are they?  Both countries have invaded their neighbors.  With disastrous consequences.  Iraq's invasion of Iran, however, was conveniently supported by the American government at the time.  Usefully, so. -- Iran was our sworn enemy after the hostage crisis.  How better to stick it to 'em?  Cowardly, by proxy.  Now, the vicious but exceptionally formerly useful dog has come back to amusingly bite his master hard on the ass.  Fascinating, isn't it?

Interestingly, the "President" dawdled for twelve days before publicly releasing details of the North Korean crisis.  Twelve days.  "Administration" officials initially claimed time was needed to discuss the situation with allies.  Nonsense.  Unadulterated, self-serving bullsh-t.  Once again, the "President's" cronies lied to cover Mr. Bush's cowardly ass.  The reason for delay was its feared impact and effect on the "President's" plans to invade Iraq without provocation.

Precisely, why the "Administration" waited until after the Iraq Resolution was passed by an egregiously and usefully ignorant Congress.  Certainly, glaringly demonstrative of exactly how devious and deceptive the "President", who conveniently wears "religion" on his sleeve, truly is.  If you're cowardly willing to extend diplomacy and conciliation to North Korea despite its deliberate violation of an earlier agreement, Mr. "President", why not extend the same convenient consideraton to Iraq?  Almost forgot.  ... Can't get your cookies off that way, can you, George?  Besides, North Korea would not so easily roll over.

Subsequent to writing the above material, Secretary of State Colin Powell, on Meet The Press and This Week Sunday, October 20 strongly asserted a literal handful of legislators were informed in early September of the pending crisis.  Significantly left out were top Democrat and Republican leaders, -- as well as hundreds of legislators conveniently ignored.  Clearly, Mr. Bush and his cronies cannot be trusted to deal openly and candidly with Congress.  Successfully pulled the wool over more than 500 of them.  Magnificent, Mr. "President".  Truly remarkable, sir.

Couldn't be, could it?  The "President" finally on the right side of an issue?  Indeed.  Mr. Bush properly remains opposed to gun "fingerprinting."  The sniper attacks have renewed interest in a national database forcing gun manufacturers to provide government with shell case and slug etchings for every new weapon manufactured.

First, such information would be worthless since the criminal element could easily alter firing pin characteristics and rifle bores to compromise original recorded benchmarked standards.  Second, such benchmarked standards change every time a weapon is fired anyway.  -- Even if a firing pin is not deliberately filed or a rifle bore tampered with.  Third, such databases would amount to a national gun registration system the National Rifle Association and other Second Amendment supporters rightfully strongly oppose.  Would be no more than the first step to eventual confiscation of all privately-owned firearms.

The government has strong interest in evisceration of Second Amendment rights.  After all, the gun is the ultimate defense against corrupt and abusive government.  The last bastion of liberty.  Precisely why officials have so outrageously allowed hundreds of unconstitutional laws to restrict access and use by law-abiding citizens.

Supporters of the "President" should be very careful regarding his supposed commitment to the Second Amendment.  While Mr. Bush is currently on the right side of the gun fingerprint issue, his views are based on the "accuracy" of such information, -- not principle.  Carefully consider the remarks made by "Presidential" spokesman Ari Fleischer: "There are some issues that are raised with this that deal with the accuracy of the ballistic fingerprinting that need to be explored and reviewed before any final determination can be made."

… Don't be surprised should the "President" "pull a Clinton" and reverse himself in the future.  On this, and other Second Amendment issues.  One of the first actions of fascist or communist government is the evisceration of gun rights.  Happened not only in Nazi Germany, but the Soviet Union as well.  Sadly, is well along the way in this once great country.  -- As many exceptionally strong believers of Second Amendment rights have rightfully and boldly declared… "From my cold dead fingers…"

Remember the exceptionally sad murder trial of Alex and Derek King covered earlier in this publication?  Readers will recall they were 12 and 13, respectively at the time of their father's murder.  Highly unlikely either killed Mr. King, however.  Ricky Chavis, an adult friend of the family who had sexually abused one of the boys, was the likely killer.  … According to jurors who did not fully understand ramifications and significance of the charges for which the boys had been found guilty.

Readers will also recall the "prosecutor" had pursued two totally different theories of the murder while prosecuting the family friend and the boys in separate trials.  The judge rightfully claimed both boys had not received a fair trial, and ordered prosecutors and defense attorneys to attempt to resolve the case.  If unsuccessful, a new trial will be ordered.  … Hey, Judge?  What took you so long?

That's right.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation spent $7 million bribing a former KGB officer to get its hands on a file that implicated, but did not explicitly identify one of its own, convicted former FBI agent Robert P. Hanssen.  Indeed, a traitor to his country, who callously betrayed the United States for money.  A prince among men.  A devoted family man who wore Christianity on his sleeve, while cavorting and aiding a topless dancer financially and spiritually.  Not only did the FBI bribe the unidentified Russian, but conveniently moved him and his family to the United States and provided them with new identities.  The Russian is immensely satisfied with the financial arrangement.  Imagine so.  Whatever it takes, right?

The niece of the "President" has s severe drug problem.  The daughter of Florida Governor Jeb Bush was again sentenced to jail.  This time, ten days for being in possession of crack cocaine at her court-ordered treatment center.  Sadly, Noelle Bush, 25, is apparently heavily addicted.  A medical problem.  Aggressively stupid, exceptionally ineffective, and grossly unproductive drug laws, however, have turned her, and millions like her, into "criminals".  For nothing more than harming herself.

Readers are reminded she was not caught driving while intoxicated.  She was not caught selling illegal substances to children.  She was not caught injecting or forcing anyone to consume these self-destructive poisons.  She was not caught beating the hell out of a spouse or children, etc..  She was not caught robbing, stealing, plundering, or breaking into anyone's home or business.  … Unlike the 33rd Judicial District Narcotics "Enforcement" Team (NET).

The Governor's latest reaction to the tragic ongoing saga?  "Words cannot express the sadness that Columba and I feel about what has happened with our daughter, Noelle, today.  This is a very difficult time for all of us who love her, and Columba and I pray every day our beautiful daughter will once again know a life free from the horrors of substance abuse."

Wake up, Governor.  Your stunning ignorance and aggressive stupidity are directly responsible.  It's people like you, or think like you, who are an egregious part of the problem.  Foolishly, ensuring this problem will never be solved.  Your self-serving insistence drug addiction be treated as a criminal offense is exactly why the drug war is a miserable failure.  Leading only to one extremely undeniable undesirable effect.  The total corruption of police agencies across the United States.  It's the money, stupid.  Remove your head from your ass, Jeb.  Your daughter, and others similarly afflicted, deserve far better.

Remember the corporate anti-fraud bill the jackass occupying the White House signed some three months ago?  Recall how determined the "President" declared  he supposedly was to do something about corruption within the corporate community?  An outrageous problem he was so intimately a part of years ago?

Mr. Bush, in an effort to aid and abet his corporate cronies, has glaringly backed off funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission.  SEC is the federal corporate watchdog, mandated to regulate fraud within the business community.  Was seriously unfunded for years.  Leading to far less than acceptable policing of corporate fraud and insatiable avarice.

The new statute was designed to correct this.  Now, Ole' George "The Tush" wants to undercut funding by nearly a third.  … Needs to waste the money on an unprovoked attack on Iraq. -- And protect the corporate Good Ole' Boys raping the financial sh-t out of the country.  Would be damned un-American not to do so, right, Mr. "President"?  ... As you heartily laugh your financially portly ass off all the way to the bank.  ... Properly thanking the Creator for your good looted fortune every Sunday on bended knee.

Once again, all guns blazing, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle opened fire on the "President" before leaving for the election break:  "You've got an economy that is in shambles as a result of decisions made by this administration, you have virtually no attention to domestic issues, you have a far greater and more poisoned political environment than we had two years ago.  It's too bad that the promise of the new administration wasn't realized."

While there is no question Daschle spoke the truth, he hypocritically did so.  Readers are reminded this senator is the same Democrat jackass that cowardly supported the "President" in his glaringly immoral plans to outrageously attack Iraq in an unprovoked first-strike.  Something the United States has never done before.

Certainly true, Mr. Bush squandered the booming economy and budget surplus inherited from his predecessor.  As with any Republican administration, the rich got richer, the poor poorer.  To be expected.  Sadly, the public is too stupid to understand. The GOP conveniently ignored the desperate need for extending unemployment benefits and increasing the minimum wage, -- to a livable one.  Instead, they took care of their cronies in big business, extending tax breaks to those least needing them.

Regarding foreign affairs, Daschle was equally pointed: "I don't know if we have ever seen a more precipitous drop in international stature and public opinion with regard to this country as we have the last two years." No question, Senator.  We have only two allies solidly beside us no matter what we foolishly do, -- Britain and Israel.  The rest of the world rightfully regards us as hopelessly Aryan arrogant and a self-serving bully.  Lining our pockets and imposing our will with no regard to what anyone thinks.

Worse than any of this is the fact the "President" has deliberately ceded to the enemy what never could have been lost on the battlefield, -- civil and constitutional rights and liberties. Via an outrageously unconstitutional "Patriot" Act and equally unconstitutional Executive Orders cleverly designed to impose a fascist police state.  Not "protect" "national security" as falsely asserted by the Nazi occupying the White House and his equally fascist henchmen.

Fortunately, the Homeland Security bill has gone nowhere in Congress. This outrageous legislation would further consolidate power by the jackass occupying the White House, conveniently continue the evisceration of civil liberties and rights, solidify establishment of a fascist police state, destroy the public's right to know, and strip labor of gains made over the last hundred years.  All falsely, in the name of "national security."

In an "Administration" more secretive than the exceptionally criminal Nixon Administration, Mr. Bush and his henchmen continue to drag their feet on court-ordered release of "Vice President" "Slick Dick" Cheney's energy task force documents.  This outrageous fiasco and deliberate violation of the Freedom of Information Act has been going on for months.

Now, has been learned by U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan, the "President's" attorneys have not completely reviewed all the material, -- despite having falsely declared to the judge they "all involve sensitive communications between and among the president and his closest advisers" that ought to remain confidential.

… Hey, "Judge"?  Wake up, jackass.  Why the hell aren't they in jail on contempt of court?  Why are you extending the Nazis occupying the White House special treatment and deference?  Anyone else would have quickly seen their sorry ass behind bars.  We have no royalty in the United States, "Your Honor."  Why are you treating them such?

Mr. Klee recently informed this writer he's once again considering running for the Llano Independent School District Board.  Rightfully and tirelessly, has been highly critical of waste and corruption in the District for many years.  While willing to do whatever is necessary regarding public appearances, writing of campaign literature, etc., he desperately needs financial backing and assistance with the "grunt" work.

Tasks, such as placement of signs, distribution of fliers, and similar legwork.  Readers are reminded the Board is not paid.  Pointedly, only get what they can steal or receive in bribes.  -- While slapping the Good Ole'Boy occupying the Superintendent's office hard on the back, sharing in the wealth.  Looted taxpayer money.  Time for a breath of fresh air.  Klee could and would do some good, rattling a few cages in an effort to force badly-needed change.    

LISD is suffering severe financial distress due to years of neglect, greed, theft, misuse of taxpayer money, etc..  From launch of this publication until recently, has always been aggressively targeted on this website.  No one would listen, however.  Sadly, the chickens are finally coming home to roost.  Tough, isn't it?

LISD Superintendent Jack Patton has a history of financial disaster and problems left behind in both Menard and Hereford.  They were glad to get rid of him, according to a former board member and newspaper editor from both communities contacted by this writer about a year and a half ago.  Has done no better here. This outrageous jackass has deliberately run the District into the ground.

If you support badly-needed change and a fresh point of view on the Board, why not contact Mr. Klee at hklee@tstar.net?  Should the Superintendent and current Board continue unchallenged, expect the tax burden to become far more severe.  Sadly, these white-collar thugs will never get enough, and will continue to mercilessly loot, picking your pockets clean, until you courageously take action and put an end to it.  … Should you insist on remaining deafeningly and cowardly silent, however, you get precisely what you richly deserve.

Date:  Fri, 18 Oct 2002 14:38:24 -0400
From:  ouch-admin@ouch.org [add to address book] [add to protection list]
Subject:  OUCH! (#106--The Evil of Access)
To:  ouch@ouch.org
Reply To:  ouch-reply@ouch.org
 

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             OUCH! A Regular Bulletin on How Money in Politics Hurts You

 #106                                            Public Campaign                     October 18, 2002
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THE EVIL OF ACCESS
“As a mayoral candidate I made 30,000 phone calls (that is not a misprint) over two years to lists of potential donors and spoke at 205 of my own fundraising events. It’s hard to overstate the physical and psychological stamina required in such an effort, and how little time and energy it leaves for all else.”

So writes Mark Green in the introduction to his new book, Selling Out: How Big Corporate Money Buys Elections, Rams Through Legislation, and Betrays Our Democracy. It’s an eye-opening look at all the evils of our current system of privately financed elections; a primer for anyone looking to understand the history of money in politics and the mechanics of today’s fundraising-driven campaigns. Most important, it’s a call to arms – and for public financing of elections – from someone who has traveled far within the belly of the beast.

One Westerner who is a member of the U.S. Senate who didn’t want to be named told Green, “There aren’t many conversations about the influence of money, because my colleagues don’t want to admit it to others, or themselves. But senators are human calculators who can weigh how much money every vote will cost or gain them.”

A liberal D.C. lobbyist said, “When a major lobbyist seeks a meeting with a member, within a few weeks they’ll get an invite to the members next fund-raiser. If he gives, he’ll get another meeting, and if he doesn’t, he won’t—and anyone who doesn’t know that shouldn’t be hired to be a lobbyist.”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) told Green what happened when she tried to eliminate the Civilian Marksmanship Project, a program dating back to 1812 that was spending $2.5 million a year to buy bullets for the National Rifle Association. Responding to her inquiries, the military admitted the program wasn’t necessary for national defense and could be eliminated. “Then the NRA fought back and all hell broke loose,” Maloney recalled. “One southern Democratic colleague said to me, ‘I want to be for your amendment, but the NRA just bought five tickets to my fundraiser.’” She lost her fight.

The fundraising horror stories that Green unearthed border on the insane. Former New York Attorney General Bob Abrams, told him of setting aside seven hours one day for dialing for dollars in his unsuccessful 1992 bid to defeat incumbent Senator Al D’Amato, he took a brief break. “I’ve got four cough drops in my mouth just trying to keep some moisture and make the next phone call. My campaign finance manager pokes his head in and yells, “Why aren’t you on the phone! We have to make 6.2 completed phone calls per hour! You’re falling behind!” Abrams yanked the phone from the wall and threw it at his aide.

By that measure, Mark Green had to spend the majority of his waking hours over the two years of his mayoral campaign making fundraising calls. We’re glad he’s free now to devote his time to fundamental campaign finance reform. To find out more about Selling Out, read some excerpts (our favorite chapter is seven, which is titled: “Reforms Don’t Work? Visit New York City, Maine, Arizona..."), or order the book, go to www.markgreen.com.

Also, check out this week’s edition of NOW with Bill Moyers, which features an interview on the topic of money and politics with Charles Lewis, founder and executive director of the Center of Public Integrity. If you watch closely, you may see some familiar facts and statistics, drawn from recent OUCHes. (Check local listings at http://www.pbs.org/now/sched.html)
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OUCH! is a regular e-mail bulletin on how private money in politics hurts average citizens, published by Public Campaign, a non-partisan, non-profit organization devoted to comprehensive campaign finance reform. Every day, we pay more as consumers and taxpayers for special interest subsidies and boondoggles because of our system of privately financed elections. It's time for a change.

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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 20:31:49 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tim Chorney" <tchorney@yahoo.com> | This is Spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Re: AT20020803_0000009749 Site Problem or Error
To: dhs_on-line_order@dell.com
CC: lb_order_questions@dell.com, pad_on-line_order_support@dell.com, bsd_on-line_order_support@dell.com, csd@dell.com, webmaster@dell.com, mobile_support@dell.com
 
 
 

Dear Mr. DeRosier,

Apparently, quick exposure of earlier IP address
spoofing and illicit signing up of this publication
for unrequested "services" has not deterred you from
renewed spamming activity and additional squandering
of company time and good corporate image.

-- Stupidly, using the same spoofed Yahoo.Com server
IP address a second time to retaliate against ongoing
posting of extremely unflattering material on The
Ledger website, regarding outrageously poor Dell
support.  Tough, isn't it?

Couldn't at least use a different spoofed IP address
to make things a little less boring?  ... Be a bit
more creative, Mr. DeRosier.

Thought others at Dell needed to be aware of what is
going on, and took the liberty of sharing our ongoing
message exchange with them.  Thanks for the additional
fodder.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://www.llanoledger.com
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609

Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 17:26:38 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tim Chorney" <tchorney@yahoo.com> | This is Spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Re: AT20020803_0000009749 Site Problem or Error
To: dhs_on-line_order@dell.com
 
 
 

Dear Mr. DeRosier,

Don't you think it a bit juvenile and in fact
aggressively stupid to use a Yahoo.Com server address
to spoof and illicitly sign this publication up for
unrequested "services"?  ... To both email addresses
listed on the header of the last message sent on
Sunday?  Think Mr. Dell would approve of such waste of
company time and tactics?  Think the U.S. Attorney or
Yahoo would be as amused as this writer?  Regardless,
thanks for the laugh and additional fodder for the
website.  Am deeply grateful.  ... Never a dull
moment.

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://www.llanoledger.com
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
 
 

Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 20:46:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tim Chorney" <tchorney@yahoo.com> | This is Spam | Add to Address Book
Subject: Re: AT20020803_0000009749 Site Problem or Error
To: dhs_on-line_order@dell.com
CC: llanoledger@lycos.com
 
 
 

Dear Mr. DeRosier:

The following ignored snail-mailed letter to Mr. Dell
has been published in the last two editions of The
Llano Ledger.  Readers are entitled to know precisely
how Mr. Notebook and Dell Computer do business.
Indeed, a public service.  Will continue to be posted
weekly for months.  -- Until I get tired of it.

At that time, a new webpage on The Ledger website will
be created.  All correspondence between Mr. Notebook
as well as Dell "Support" and this writer will be
posted.  -- Again, the readership has the right to know
exactly how both companies operate.  … Particularly,
how poor "support" is at both firms.

Should your attorneys decide to sue, by all means do
so.  With an exceptionally corrupt and abusive court
system, Dell indeed would likely prevail.  Regardless
of the truth.  After all, your multi-billion dollar
corporation can easily financially impose its will.
Would be an empty victory for several reasons,
however.

First, would fully publicly demonstrate precisely how
abusive and repressive a powerful corporate entity can
be, -- ultimately costing market share.  After all,
why buy Dell when you can purchase HP, -- a company
far more attentive to customer concerns and
complaints?

Second, would certainly publicly expose Dell "Support"
for being inept, unresponsive, and profoundly
obfuscating.  Sadly, -- the number one problem in the
view of product users.   … Again, costing market
share.

Third, a suit would bring this publication additional
recognition nationally.  With readership exponentially
expanding, can only further aid and assist, no?

Fourth, should Dell prevail, this publication has no
assets, -- other than the piece of trash this message
is typed on.  Remember?  The supposedly "factory
refurbished" Latitude Mr. Notebook fraudulently sold
as rebuilt?

Fifth, this writer has no assets. Certainly, "judgment
proof", so to speak.  The truth regarding this entire
fiasco would come out in court for all to see,
regardless of whether or not Dell uses its
considerable assets to buy a favorable, self-serving
outcome.

So, should your legal beagles choose to file suit,
bring it on.  … Hardball?  You bet.  Can only wonder
how many others have had to put up with this same
crap, or worse.  While they had no options, this
publication certainly does.  Can indeed expose it to
the light of day.

Bottom line, Mr. DeRosier, is the fact the office of
the CEO has not had the courtesy nor seen fit to
answer the enclosed letter, preferring to stonewall.
-- Or possibly never received the letter at all.

… Could have been conveniently intercepted by a crony
in the Dell mail department?  After all, you knew full
well it was coming.  Nothing less than a response from
the office of the CEO is acceptable.

If his office indeed received the correspondence, it
is glaringly indifferent to unresolved customer
complaints.  Has apparently refused to right the wrong
regardless of legal culpability or lack thereof.

Certainly, aggressively stupid since you've already
likely lost more in sales than it would have cost to
correct the problem.  Corporate image is priceless,
isn't it, or has Dell Computer indeed grown too fat
and complacent to care?  -- Or is this merely a matter
of one Dell employee desperately trying to cover his
ass and/or that of his department?

Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://www.llanoledger.com
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609

Michael Dell
Chief Executive Officer
Dell Computers
One Dell Way
Round Rock, TX  78682

August 18, 2002

Dear Mr. Dell:

A Dell factory refurbished Latitude was purchased from Mr. Notebook by [redacted] of [redacted] and donated to this non-profit publication about a year ago.  Despite a nearly $900 expenditure, this machine has been a piece of trash since purchase.  Support from Mr. Notebook was non-existent.  Sadly, Dell Support was not much better.

Clearly, after a year's worth of problems, factory "refurbished" does not mean factory "rebuilt".  Apparently, the hard disk, floppy, and CD drives were never replaced.  -- The most likely sources of product failure.  In addition, the supposedly replaced lithium-ion battery module has a design flaw.  Although the machine has always been run on AC power and the battery maintained at 100% charge, intelligence circuitry in the module failed, rendering the battery worthless.  -- Coincidentally occurred during the latest email foray with Dell Support regarding floppy disk failure.  … Aren't I lucky?  Incredibly blessed?

All that was requested from Dell Support this time around, however, was a pointer to diagnostics that would have pinpointed the problem with the floppy drive.  … Not absolutely sure yet whether the failure lies only in the drive itself, or may also involve the socket and possibly bugs in drivers common to both the floppy and CD ROM drives.  Sadly, the CD ROM has never worked flawlessly either and has had occasional problems of reliability.  … At least, it's still working, however.  Unlike the floppy.

While Dell Support indeed provided a pointer to diagnostics, the download ironically requires use of boot disk and floppy.  Indeed, a problem of not being able to get from here to there.  When pointed out to Support, received no further assistance, -- just an outrageous run around.  … Despite assurances on the Dell website such email support supposedly exists for life of the product.

Mr. Dell, I can certainly understand you cannot be aware of all problems within a large corporation.  You do, however, have unaddressed flaws with "refurbished" machines sold by disreputable vendors fraudulently and phonily invoking Dell corporate name, image, and prestige, and more importantly, horrendous problems with a totally unresponsive Dell Support division.  No question, it is doing damage to corporate public image and reputation.  Sadly, although your machines are extremely popular, the greatest problem I've heard from users is lack of support.  Can certainly attest to that from personal experience.

Support outrageously refused to provide an email address for your office, -- unlike HP and other corporations more responsive to unresolved customer problems and complaints.  … An email address would have certainly provided an easy practical way of sending the entire email exchange over the last year.  Would have sorely indicated glaring obfuscation, non-responsiveness, and interminable intentional delay.  Hard to believe you're unaware.  Than again, Dell Corporation could apparently care less.

Mr. Notebook sold the Latitude as a Dell factory refurbished machine, supposedly tested by Dell-trained technicians, clearly so indicated on the bottom of the computer.  Again, the floppy, CD, and hard drives apparently were never replaced.  The most likely components to fail.   Since factory refurbished clearly does not mean factory rebuilt, the computer is no more than a used machine.  … A machine that could have been bought for half the price at a resale shop.  Even less if purchased privately.  With the price of new notebooks precipitously dropping recently to the $900 range and technically capable of running circles around this dinosaur, assuredly have no intention of dumping additional money into this piece of trash.

Mr. Notebook, on the day of purchase, claimed this machine to be factory refurbished.  Repeatedly made the claim.  Clearly, it was not.  Mr. Notebook quickly washed its hands of this lemon, failing to answer follow-up correspondence from this publication regarding product failure shortly after purchase.  Have no intention of wasting additional time and effort haggling further with Mr. Notebook, -- other than to publish an investigative article exposing this entire fiasco.  After all, the public is entitled to know exactly how business was done.

Due to several serious problems never corrected by Dell or Mr. Notebook since purchase of this falsely alleged Dell factory refurbished product, however, can honestly say at this point I would never again purchase a Dell computer, -- new, used, or "factory refurbished".  From anyone.  Certainly would never encourage others to purchase Dell either.  Indeed, why take the risk and put up with the hassle?

Regardless of whether or not Dell Corporation is technically or legally responsible for fraudulent claims made by a vendor of Dell machines, the damage done to corporate image is indeed severe nonetheless.  The lack of competent support and assistance from Dell Corporation in the matter is stunning.  Certainly, costly in terms of good faith and product loyalty lost.  Regardless of legal responsibility.

Have enclosed the last few emails from Support upper management refusing to provide an email address for your office and highly indicative and glaringly demonstrative of ongoing obfuscation over the last year.  Little more than canned, computer-generated messages containing phony platitudes and false concern designed to obfuscate and stonewall rather than provide technical assistance or resolution.  Apparently, the problem is top-down, since tone and substance of upper management Support is no different than that of lower level techs.  Although unquestionably a public service, have held off publishing an investigative article until I hear from your office.

Sincerely,
 
 

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://www.llanoledger.com
tchorney@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
_____________________________________________________________________________

From: dhs_on-line_order@dell.com | This is Spam | Add to Address Book
To: tchorney@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: AT20020803_0000009749 Site Problem or Error
Date: Tue 06 Aug 2002 08:39:05 CDT
 
 
 

Please include the following line in all replies.
Tracking number: AT20020803_0000009749
 

Dear Mr. Chorney,

Thank you for the additional information.  Please accept my apologies
for this inconvenience.  Please be advised that Mr. Dell does
not have an e-mail address for customer inquiries.  Anything
you wish directed to him must be done through standard letter
carrier.

If there is anything else I can do for you, please advise.

Respectfully,

M. C. DeRosier
Dell DHS Customer Care
DTG0368
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday

If responding to me, please use the *REPLY* function of your
e-mail program.  This will keep the SAME SUBJECT LINE as our
e-mail.  Otherwise, your message may be delayed or lost.
     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Visit the NEW Customer Care Website!
http://www.DellCustomerCare.com
     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Visit the Dell T@lk Support Forum!
http://delltalk.us.dell.com
     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Visit Dells Technical Support Center!
http://support.us.dell.com

> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Tim Chorney" <tchorney@yahoo.com>
> Sent: 05 Aug 02 20:26
> To: uscemcsd1@dell.com
>
>
> Dear Mr. DeRosier:
>
> You still have not answered my question regarding the
> email address of the office of the CEO.  While the
> nature of my business with that office is none of
> yours and your comments a bit presumptuous, suffice it
> to say the sheer volume of material I wish to send
> regarding this and earlier related matters make doing
> so electronically far more convenient.  To the point,
> are you refusing to provide this publication with an
> email address for Mr. Dell's office?  ... This is not
> the end of the matter, Mr. DeRosier, only the
> beginning.
>
> Tim Chorney, Publisher
> The Llano Ledger
> http://www.llanoledger.com
> P.O. Box 997
> Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
>
> --- csd@dell.com wrote:
> > Please include the following line in all replies.
> > Tracking number: AT20020803_0000009749
> >
> >
> > Dear Mr. Chorney,
> >
> > Thank you for contacting Dell Customer Care.  I
> > apologize for
> > any inconvenience this issue may have caused.  In
> > looking through
> > your history, my understanding is that this issue
> > revolves around
> > the floppy drive and battery malfunction.  The
> > on-line service
> > technician made the presumption that your unit was
> > still under
> > warranty and asked for the system Service Tag.
> >
> > Unfortunately, since this unit was not purchased
> > from Dell, we
> > are not obligated to offer warranty service.
> > Therefore, you
> > must seek repair or replacement through Mr.
> > Notebook.
> >
> > To answer your question, Mr. Michael Dell is our
> > CEO.  Our address
> > is as follows:
> >
> > Dell Computers
> > One Dell Way
> > Round Rock, TX  78682
> >
> > Once again, I apologize and truly regret any
> > inconvenience or
> > frustration this matter may have caused. We value
> > you as our
> > customer and your satisfaction is very important to
> > us.  If I
> > can be of further assistance, please advise.
> >
> > Respectfully,
> >
> > M. C. DeRosier
> > Dell DHS Customer Care
> > DTG0368
> > 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
> > Monday through Friday
> >
> > If responding to me, please use the *REPLY* function
> > of your
> > e-mail program.  This will keep the SAME SUBJECT
> > LINE as our
> > e-mail.  Otherwise, your message may be delayed or
> > lost.
> >      - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > Visit the NEW Customer Care Website!
> > http://www.DellCustomerCare.com
> >      - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > Visit the Dell T@lk Support Forum!
> > http://delltalk.us.dell.com
> >      - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> > Visit Dells Technical Support Center!
> > http://support.us.dell.com
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: "Tim Chorney" <tchorney@yahoo.com>
> > > Sent: 03 Aug 02 21:05
> > > To: dellweb@dell.com
> > >
> > >
> > > * * * PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE SUBJECT WHEN
> > REPLYING * * *
> > > * * * This is a feedback Message from the Dell
> > Online Communications Center. * * *
> > >
> > > Customer Information:
> > > ************************************************
> > > Name: Tim Chorney
> > > Email: tchorney@yahoo.com
> > > Service Tag:
> > > ***********************************************
> > > Topic: Site Problem or Error
> > > Customer Referring URL:
> >
> http://support.dell.com/us/en/emaildell/webmaster.asp
> > > Problem Description: Have some correspondence to
> > send Mr. Dell and was not able to find an email
> > address for the office of the CEO.  Can you kindly
> > supply one, please?
> > > Tim Chorney, Publisher
> > > The Llano Ledger
> > > http://www.llanoledger.com
> > > P.O. Box 997
> > > Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
> > > ***********************************************
> > > Sent to: webmaster@dell.com
> > > Referring URL:
> >
> http://support.dell.com/us/en/emaildell/webmaster.asp
> > > Remote Address:
> > > Remote Host:
> > > HTTP User Agent:
> > > Date submitted: 8/3/2002 9:05:01 PM

A letter To Burnet County Sheriff Joe Pollock has been posted recently.  Access it by clicking here.

As promised, the letter of complaint sent to Burnet County Judge Martin McLean, regarding fraudulent Ledger Maxpages and Stormpages site deletions originating from the Burnet County Library System and resulting in the ejection of this writer from library computers, has finally been posted.  Readers are reminded this is not the end of the matter.  Just the beginning.  For ongoing coverage of the criminal attacks as well as the letter to the Judge sent in response, click here.

Be sure to click on Klee's Kaleidoscope for Harvey Klee's latest edition.  This publication is a forum for a diversity of viewpoints. All are encouraged to submit material.

A rare commodity, honest businesses need a plug.  Although this publication receives no financial remuneration or funding of any kind from Mike's Transmission, this writer has personally known the owner of this new business quite some time and has enormous respect for his integrity.  Mike has had years of experience working on transmissions, -- foreign and domestic, standard and automatic.  This guy has heart and takes enormous pride in his work.  Give him a call at 915-423-1694.  The business is in the process of being launched.  If you like the quality of service, let me know.  Better yet, ask him to send a donation to the Ledger.

As strongly asserted in the last 77 editions, 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?

Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
 

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Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609