The Llano Ledger
Newsletter Text V93
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.
*************May 21, 2001************
BANNER AND POP-UP ADVERTISING PAYS ONLY FOR WEBSITE
***
Want this publication to continue? Send a financial donation to P.O. Box 997, Buchanan Dam, Tx. 78609
***
***
Be sure to check out Announcements. A news release from the Kingsland
American Legion was received and posted. All are encouraged to attend a
brief Memorial Day Service.
***
Continuing review of Hospital employee expense reports, an
additional $3,061.63 was found in seminar expenditures. Readers are
advised the total figure to date is thousands of dollars less than
reality, since prior to this edition only expenses listed on actual
vouchers had been included.
For the most part, the numbers listed on Llano Memorial Hospital
Seminar Travel Request Authorization Forms have not been included since
it was not clear in many cases who paid the tuition itself, or whether
the entire amount was indeed approved by Management. In other words,
the majority of seminar expenses reported earlier were for food,
lodging, transportation, and not the expense of the class itself.
... The quality of recordkeeping is indeed that poor. Rather than
risk grossly under reporting the expenditures, however, a decision has
been made to report the total amounts found in the paperwork from this
point forward. Should the Administrator or any other Hospital official
wish to clarify the issue, unlimited space is offered for response. ...
Should there ever be an independent audit, auditors would have one hell
of a time. With the sloppiness of the records, an enormous amount of
money could have been stolen. Yet, investigators would have
considerable difficulty determining who got what, and what went where.
Another $1,320.00 was found in Special Needs expenses, -- employee
hardship grants. One individual received $500.00 for the "death of a
spouse". Another was given $500.00 for losses incurred in a "fire".
Still yet another received $300.00 when the employee's father died. One
drew $20.00 for the death of a "Secondary" Family Member. ... What is a
secondary family member, you ask? Indeed, it is a father-in-law,
mother-in-law, brother, sister, or grandparent. Think all this proper
in a Hospital facing serious financial difficulties? Wonder why those
of you with insurance or capable of paying cash are being excessively
looted by healthcare providers? Wake up, friends. ... Someone has to
pick up the tab.
Food for a Doctors Day extravaganza cost $297.63. Why the hell didn't
the physicians chip in? Can't have that now, can we? Wouldn't want any
doctor to go broke, would we? Incredibly, another $251.67 was found in
Christmas decoration expenses. An Employee of the Year received
$500.00. -- That's right, $500.00. An Employee of the Second Quarter
drew $25.00. Hospital officials can't seem to spend enough on Aqua Boom
float expenses. Another $209.95 was squandered on materials, -- in
addition to what was spent earlier.
One employee was reimbursed $190.84 for taking a test for a "Surgical
Technician Certificate". Another was given $9.88 for photos. Still yet
another received $171.77 for postage. One received $435.92 for "Various
Marketing Projects". A whopping $1,056.13 was spent on SSRHC, --
whatever the hell that is.
During the latest inspection, an additional $27,096.54 was found in
employee expense reports, bringing the grand total so far to
$170,089.76. -- For a period of time dating back approximately two
years. Interesting, isn't it?
Access was finally provided to the January 25, 2001 joint Board
meeting minutes. The Hospital is still experiencing serious financial
difficulties: "Mike Oatman, Parrish, Moody & Fikes, p.c. gave
report to the two Boards. Bad Debts appear to be one of the main
reasons for our losses......If you take out the Bad Debts, you would
not see a loss. He pointed out that one reportable condition involves
the segregation of duties regarding payroll, accounts receivable
posting and bank reconciliation. It was noted that charges were not
being billed on a timely basis, better tracking records on the medical
records and supporting documentation is maintained for all patient
accounts." ... Think they'll ever get it right?
Switching gears, criticism of the law enforcement community has
been most pointed for quite some time in this publication. ... With
good reason. Credit, however, must be given when due. ABC's Prime Time
recently had its producers return "lost" wallets full of cash to 20
police officers in Los Angeles as well as another 20 in New York City.
To the credit of both police departments all 40 wallets were turned in
without any cash or other valuables pilfered by officers. This is
indeed a tribute to the honesty and honor of all 40 officers, --
provided they were not tipped off.
In addition, the Granite Shoals Marshal recently graciously offered
and provided a ride to this writer. Although the immediate purpose of
The Ledger is to expose corrupt and abusive government officials to the
light of day, the ultimate goal has always been to force badly needed
change as well as to reinforce existent desirable behavior.
Switching gears again, the "President's" daughter, Jenna, pleaded no
contest to a minor in possession of alcohol charge recently. Readers
will recall the "Party Girl" had been ticketed in an Austin nightclub
several weeks ago while her Secret Service guards allegedly waited
outside. She was ordered to pay $51.25 in court costs, attend six hours
of alcohol awareness classes, and perform eight hours of community
service.
Apparently, the media has a hands-off approach, and with the exception
of CBS News, neglected to mention the fact the young lady became
rattled by photographers posted outside the courtroom and asked
officers stand in front of the door windows to ensure no photographs be
taken. .. If you can't do the time, don't do the crime, no?
The Fascist Right has been remarkably silent about the First
Daughter's indiscretion. Interesting, isn't it? Can you imagine the
uproar had Chelsea Clinton found herself in a similar situation? Ole'
Bill and Hillary would have been slammed as unfit parents by the
"holier than thou" crowd in the Republican camp. Then again, there is a
double standard at work here, isn't there? No matter. After all, the
"Party Girl" is only a chip off the old block, isn't she?
Regarding "Presidential" appointments, Democrats are beginning to
stand their ground. The Senate Judiciary Committee deadlocked on the
nomination of Theodore Olson for Solicitor General. To keep it alive,
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott will have to pull the appointment out
of Committee and bring it to the floor for consideration. -- The
Solicitor General argues the government's best interests before the
Supreme Court.
Readers will recall Mr. Olson represented "President" George "The
Tush" Bush during his Florida election suit before the highest court of
the land last year. -- Apparently, irking Senate Democrats and
contributing to the blocking of his nomination as Solicitor General.
Tough, isn't it? All joking aside and far more seriously, he has been
accused of giving false testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee
regarding his ties to a fascist rag known as The American Spectator.
The U.S. Supreme Court has once again displayed its fascist colors
as well as the exquisite usefulness of the Catch-22 philosophy, ruling
since the government states marijuana has "no currently accepted
medical use", there is no exception for medical marijuana. "Brilliant",
no? ... If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with
bullshit. Of course, the most "scholarly" of the justices wrote the
unanimous decision, Clarence Thomas.
This buffoon, who apparently has had some serious problems of
sexual harassment in his past, has chosen to ignore medical research
and the will of the voters of nine states who voted to legalize medical
marijuana. ... Whatever the hell happened to states' rights? -- A
favorite battle cry of the Fascist Right and Republican Party? ... A
battle cry that conveniently ignores the corruption and abuse at local,
county, and state levels of government. Most pointedly, wouldn't want
to confuse the Right with the truth, would we?
Then again, where are the Democrats? They've cowardly sat on their
hands and have done nothing to force the issue. After all, it's not
politically expedient in the current fascist atmosphere of the body
politic. Neither party truly cares anyway about the pain and discomfort
of people suffering from AIDS, multiple sclerosis, cancer, and other
diseases that would benefit greatly from the use of medical marijuana.
The House ratified the "President's" Executive Order banning
financial support of foreign family planning organizations that discuss
or advocate abortion rights. -- Another example of the Religious Right
imposing its distorted views on others. Had it occurred in this
country, it would have been declared unconstitutional.
Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill piously proclaimed: "When the very same
organization offers U.S. family planning with one hand and abortion
with the other, the message is the United States and its partners are
perfectly comfortable with abortion". ... Hey, Henry? Abortion IS legal
in the U.S.. Wake up, sir. Who the hell are you to impose your views of
morality on anyone else? Domestically or overseas. A bit Aryan
arrogant, isn't it? -- Especially hypocritical in view of the fact
you've had your own problems with marital indiscretions in the past,
leading to the breakup of a marriage other than your own.
Certainly amazing, isn't it, Democrats are giving these "holier
than thou" Republicans slack regarding their sexual peccadillos?
Another case in point is Republican New York City Mayor Rudy Guliani
and his ongoing affair with a mistress, much to his wife's chagrin. The
divorce has become a public spectacle. ... Hey, Rudy? Are your
attorney's crude comments regarding your wife an example of Christian
love and charity? Where in hell is the outrage of the Religious Right?
After all, they were all over Clinton for his indiscretions. At least,
the Clintons remained together. ... Almost forgot. It's quite all right
as long as a Republican is doing the screwing around, no? Precisely why
this writer is a political independent and has condemned both major
parties.
The "President" finally released his long-awaited energy "plan".
Not surprisingly, it generously rewards Big Oil for millions in
campaign contributions. Of equal significance, readers are reminded
Ole' George made a portion of his fortune in the oil business. The
"Vice President" as well worked years for Halliburton, a major oil
corporation, as Chief Executive Officer, and retired an extremely rich
man as a result of energy profits. Therefore, it should come as no
surprise the "President's" best interests lie with his cronies in the
oil business and not with American energy consumers.
Reportedly with gasoline approaching $2 a gallon on the average
nationwide, refineries have doubled their profits over last year. Worse
yet, the Republicans have no stomach for eliminating the 18 cents per
gallon federal excise tax on gasoline. Interesting, isn't it?
Especially in view of the fact the GOP has been so anxious to return
some of the people's money in tax cuts.
The Democratic Governor of California has strongly asserted price
gouging has caused his state's annual power costs to jump from some $6
billion in 1999 to an estimated $50-60 billion for 2001. Time for a
congressional investigation on gouging to determine if Gov. Davis is no
more than a wild-eyed socialist, isn't it? -- As has been claimed by
many Right Wing fascists in this state who have been greedily lining
their pockets at the expense of energy consumers nationwide.
Although oil companies have apparently been in the process of
creating an artificial energy shortage for quite some time, isn't it a
bit strange things have come to a head since Ole' George stole the
"Presidential" office? Worse yet, Mr. Bush seems to have no concern for
the environment and is quite willing to risk the unspoiled tundra of
Alaska to line the pockets of his cronies in Big Oil.
Yet, his brother Jeb, the governor of Florida, has come out
strongly against any new exploration off the coast of the Sunshine
State. Interesting, isn't it? Think the "President" will go along? --
Or that an exception for Florida will fly with the American public?
Of even greater concern is Ole' George's indifference to
alternative energy. Apparently, funding for research in that area will
be reduced some 60%, depending upon which type and if public pressure
doesn't force some moderation in the meantime. In addition, the
"President" has apparently forgotten the catastrophe on Three Mile
Island back in 1979 and is calling for a revival of nuclear energy.
--Without first solving the waste problem. And it is indeed a
problem. Texas has already been forced to accept nuclear waste and will
undoubtedly accept more should the dolt who currently occupies the Oval
Office get his way. Readers are reminded there are 103 operating
nuclear reactors in the U.S.. The waste is estimated at some 45,000
tons, and will remain dangerously radioactive for some 200,000 years.
There is much more to be presented on this website in regard to the
"President's" energy "plan". It will be posted over the next few weeks
as time and space allow.
As strongly asserted in the last three 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.
Friends, serious consideration is given by this writer to simply
walking away from The Ledger due to a glaring lack of financial support
from the readership. As strongly asserted in Special Edition V65,
lacking any vested interest and no longer owning property in Llano
County, why continue in the absence of financial assistance from a
cowardly and selfish community? -- Despite a Llano Ledger and Llano
Ledger 2 visitor count exceeding 107,800? ... 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 Fri May 25, 2001 12:41pm EDT