The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V70
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*************December 18, 2000**************
Before continuing review of LMHS employee "expense
reports", a heartfelt "congratulations" to the
Governor for having successfully stolen the
Presidential election, -- shamelessly. As repeatedly
asserted, this writer is a political independent and
has taken exquisite pleasure in vigorously excoriating
both mainstream candidates.
As a political pundit, however, George "The Tush" Bush
is a far easier and more tempting target than Al "The
Bore" Gore. The Governor's stunning lack of substance
and intellectual vacuousness will conveniently fuel
withering political commentary for the next four
years.
More disturbingly, Ole' George's glaring lack of
character is no more evident than in his willingness
and zeal to steal the election. There is no question
Gore held the higher ground. Clearly, the Vice
President wanted a full and accurate vote count. Not
so, the Governor.
After all, Ole' George knew damn well he would have
fallen flat on his ass had there been a state-wide
hand recount in Florida. -- Certainly why his henchmen
fought so hard in state and federal courts to prevent
it.
Worse than a stolen election is the glaring
politicizing of both the state and federal court
systems. "Conservatives" have bitterly, falsely, and
disingenuously complained for years jurisprudence is
outrageously "liberal". Eager, willing complicity of
jurists on the state and federal levels in an effort
to aid and abet theft of a Presidential election by a
Right-Wing Republican, however, belies a "liberal"
judiciary.
Equally pointedly, consider the three most fascist
members of the U.S. Supreme Court, -- Rehnquist,
Scalia, and Thomas. All three, -- or close family
members, have ties with the Republican Party. Yet, not
one of them had the integrity and guts to recuse
themselves. Not one. Interesting, isn't it? Outrageous
as well.
In the years to come, the complicity of the U.S.
Supreme Court in the theft of the election will come
back to haunt it. Further erosion of confidence in the
integrity of the highest court is the price to be paid
by jurists more interested in political ideology and
party loyalty, than doing the right thing and what is
truly in the best interests of this great republic.
Sadly, the five fascists in the majority did not even
have the courage to sign the decision. Justice Stevens
in a minority opinion, however, courageously blasted
the majority and foretold serious long-term
consequences.
Whatever the hell happened to the one-man, one-vote
principle? Think poor voter turnout will improve
considerably after the successful disenfranchisement
of thousands of votes in Florida by the Republicans
and the courts? Think Democrats will let them forget?
The Founders must be turning in their graves. After
all, we now have a President-elect whose legitimacy is
seriously in doubt.
Most outrageously, the Governor at the end of his
"acceptance" speech Wednesday evening alluded to
"principle" and Thomas Jefferson. Hey, George.
Principle? What the hell's that, sir? ... Like the
"principle" of winning at any cost? .. Even to the
extent of stealing an election? Nothing quite like
Aryan arrogance either, is there?
Equally troubling is the hypocrisy of the Right. They
relentlessly decry "liberal activist" courts which
supposedly "legislate" rather than embrace a "strict
constructionist" interpretation of law and the
Constitution. -- While conveniently excusing,
encouraging, and supporting the same when it suits
their agenda and purposes.
Perfect case in point? The theft of the election by
George and his partisan henchmen on the U.S. Supreme
Court. Most pointedly, whatever the hell happened to
states' rights, impartial judges, and judicial
restraint? Conveniently gone, -- when it supports the
Right.
The Governor disingenuously refers to himself as a
"compassionate conservative". Sadly, the term is an
oxymoron, -- a contradiction in terms. Compassion for
whom, George? The rich and powerful? Your cronies?
Those having it all, needing nothing more, but never
having enough?
Contrary to assertions by blow-hards like Rush
Limbaugh and others on the Right, there is no "class
envy" in the U.S.. -- Just a struggle for class
justice and survival by those on the bottom. People
clearly looted by greedy employers and their fascist
shills not paying a liveable wage or offering
healthcare benefits, while laughing their portly asses
off all the way to the bank. Every Sunday, they
hypocritically get down on their knees and attempt to
force their religious views on others.
These fascist S.O.B.'s outrageously complain at the
same time they can't "find" decent help willing to
work. Really? H-E-L-L-O? Want decent employees? Pay a
decent wage. -- Or do the work yourself, instead of
getting rich off the backs of people paid a fraction
of their true worth.
Think I'm full of crap? Having been self-employed
since graduate school, this writer has had first-hand
experience and understands problems of both employers
and employees. Too bad, the solutions are not as easy.
You've been fed a crock by "conservatives", greedily
eager to line their own pockets. Sadly, what we have
coming from the Right is one-sided and from the
perspective of employers alone.
Most pointedly, "compassionate conservatism" is
nothing more than the philosophy of "I got mine. Now,
you get yours, sucker." -- As Ole' George did, using
Daddy's influence and power. A self-made man? A crock.
In fairness to the Governor, however, he seems to be a
"nice" man. Is "niceness" enough to successfully run
an enormously rich, powerful, and great nation deeply
divided by a stolen election and both political
extremes?
More ominously, Ole' George has asserted his heroes on
the U.S. Supreme Court are Rehnquist, Scalia, and
Thomas. The three furthest to the Right. Political
pundits have repeatedly asserted, however, the
Governor will have to return to the Center if he's to
enjoy a successful Presidency. Indeed, wise counsel.
Is Bush truly up to the task? We'll soon see.
Regardless and as asserted earlier, he'll always be an
easy and tempting target for political writers. The
next four years should indeed be interesting, -- and
breathtakingly entertaining.
Although an unqualified dolt will replace the
incumbent, it will certainly be a relief to see Ole'
Bill retire to private life. Eight years of an
egregious liar is more than enough. Hyperbole coming
from the Right, however, has been relentless for
years.
These fascists have repeatedly asserted the Clinton
Administration is the most corrupt of all time.
Really? Forgotten Reagan and Iran-Contra? What about
Nixon and Watergate? Far, far more were prosecuted
successfully in both Republican Administrations.
"Conservatives", however, seem to have conveniently
forgotten this fact.
Of course, when it's a Republican lying, cheating, and
abusing power, it's "acceptable" to the Right. ... A
"cost of doing business", if you will. After all, the
ends justify the means, don't they? -- Right, "Boys"?
... Almost forgot. Got to get those damned commies,
don't we? At any price. Even the evisceration of the
U.S. Constitution and separation of powers. ...
Precisely what Iran-Contra and Watergate were about.
Raw abuse of power.
Then again, "conservatives" are conveniently blind.
Hey, "Boys". Better get the splinter out of your own
eyes before worrying about others suffering the same
fate. Nothing quite like hypocrisy. -- Or "symbolism
over substance" as repeatedly and phonily asserted by
the premier loudmouth in talk radio, -- Rush Limbaugh.
... Hell, Rush... It poignantly and most appropriately
applies to you Right-Wing "Boys", doesn't it, sir?
After all, you offer nothing more than oversimplistic
"analysis" and "solutions" to enormously difficult
problems.
Continuing review of LMHS employee "expense reports",
readers are reminded orderliness of released documents
was found to be seriously lacking. Records are filed
alphabetically, apparently in six month lots. The term
"apparently" is used because many documents were
misfiled and only a relatively small number have been
inspected so far.
Regardless, an additional $24,514.49 in employee
"expenses" were found dating back as early as June
1999. Inspection of documents for the last 6 months of
calendar year 1999, however, is far from complete. The
grand total so far, however, is $53,256.49.
At a time when the Hospital is in dire financial
difficulty, $1973.04 in tuition expenses were
reimbursed for employees. An additional $1113.69 was
squandered on seminars. Outrageously, one seminar was
scheduled in San Antonio over a weekend. Yet, a
physician's assistant stayed overnight on the
Hospital's dime. Not only were his lodging and meals
picked up, he had the audacity to include alcoholic
beverages in the voucher. To the credit of the Chief
Financial Officer, however, they were denied.
This same physician's assistant was also reimbursed
$200 for dues to the American Academy of Physicians'
Assistants. Most pointedly, why the hell didn't this
leech pay his own dues?
Another $300 in "Special Needs" grants to employees
suffering "hardship" were found. An additional $97.83
was spent on Christmas decorations. -- Apparently, the
Hospital doesn't believe in using the same decorations
year after year.
Instead of asking a bi-lingual employee to translate
5090 words in documents from English to Spanish, LMHS
saw fit to spend $814.40 in consulting services.
Apparently, the Hospital was afraid of being sued. ...
Why the hell was the voucher in employee "expense
reports"? Hanky-panky, or an honest mistake?
In further testament to misfiled records, a cellphone
bill for former Administrator/CEO Ernie Parisi in the
amount of $437.59 was found in the employee "expense
reports" rather than the cellphone records.
Interesting, isn't it?
The following e-mail was sent to the new
Administrator/CEO, December 18, 2000:
Jerry Durr, Administrator/CEO
LMHS
103 West Lampasas St.
Llano, Tx. 78643
Re: Additional Time
December 18, 2000
Dear Mr. Durr:
This is a request for additional time to continue
inspection of employee "expense reports" and Hospital
cellphone records.
As had your predecessor, why are you dragging your
feet on time allotted for records inspection? Aren't
you your own man, or are you indeed under the thumb of
the former Administrator and his handlers on the
Board?
To her credit, Executive Secretary Karen Kinard
allowed an additional 15 minutes of inspection over
the 1 hr. allotted on December 15. Since the records
had already been pulled quite some time ago, why
continue stonewalling on inspection time?
After over a year of unrelated LMHS records inspection
by this publication and the careful handling and
replacement of all documents as found, even the
Executive Secretary felt comfortable leaving this
writer alone to continue the inspection while she
attended to other business.
While the records are indeed unflattering to a
Hospital in serious financial difficulties, they are
public documents and the people have the right to know
in a timely fashion how LMHS funds were spent.
With highly questionable expenditures over at least
the last year and a half as reported on The Ledger
website, isn't it advisable to place a little distance
between you and your predecessor? How better to do
that than to allow inspection for more than an hour at
a time? -- Or will the status quo of stonewalling be
maintained during your interim administration?
Sincerely,
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger
Rt 2 Box 464A
Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
cc: Llano Ledger website
*******************************************
Readers are reminded this website is full. All future
editions will be posted on The Llano Ledger 2 website,
and can be found by clicking
http://maxpages.com/llanoledger2. As strongly asserted
in Special Edition V65, the clock is indeed ticking...
The visitor count stands in excess of 46,900, --
another excellent week and true testament to the
shameless willingness of the readership to "steal"
this writer's labor. Certainly, you ought to be proud
of yourselves. Nothing quite like character, is there?
Readers are advised this writer receives no
renumeration from the banner and pop-up advertising.
They only pay for the website itself. There is no
personal compensation, nor are there desperately
needed funds for investigative expenses. Non-profit
and outrageously unfunded by the readership it serves
due to greed, gut-wrenching fear, and the continuing
relentless intimidation of corrupt and abusive Llano
County officials, this publication remains as always
beholden to NO ONE.
Tim Chorney, Publisher
The Llano Ledger
Tim Chorney, Publisher
P.O. Box 997
Buchanan Dam Tx. 78609
llanoledger@mailcity.com
Page Updated Tue Jun 19, 2001 1:54pm EDT