The Llano Ledger


Newsletter Text V94

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Be sure to check out Announcements. A news release from the American Legion was received and posted. All are encouraged to attend a brief Memorial Day Service.
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Publisher's Note: Due to the holiday weekend and breaking political developments in Washington, posting of the Memorial Day edition has begun early. Be sure to read the current Newsletter, May 21, 2001, on Newsletter Text V93. T.C. May 24, 2001.

*************May 28, 2001*************

Third Memorial Day since launch of The Ledger. ... Amazing how quickly time passes, isn't it? Be sure to attend services at the Kingsland American Legion (see Announcements). ... Don't forget the sacrifice of so many who paid the ultimate price for liberty and this great republic most citizens take for granted. The greatest slap to the face of our fallen heroes is indifference. Sadly, it is rampant in our country, -- particularly in the last 35 years or so.

Vietnam indeed was a turning point in recent history. While some 58,000 of our best and brightest died believing they were fighting and dying for freedom, in reality they were betrayed by corrupt officials. ... Officials more interested in lining the pockets of Dow, Boeing, McDonnel-Douglas, and many other corporations than in the principle of liberty. Be that as it may, our soldiers became the pawns of government and big business.

In no other war have so many been used and abused for the benefit of so few. Sadly and criminally, they were not even allowed to win. ... Fodder for a military-industrial complex President Eisenhower had so shrewdly and prophetically warned against in his fairwell address given shortly before leaving office. -- Particularly poignant for a soldier-politician, reared and steeped in traditional Republican ideology.

President Richard M. Nixon was elected president for one reason and one reason only: deep resentment and opposition to a war that had grown increasingly unpopular and intolerable. Mr. Nixon, however, didn't understand the profound depth of frustration and strong reaction by the public to his foot-dragging and refusal to end the war for years after taking office. As paranoid as Ole' Tricky Dick was, the Watergate break-in and subsequent scandal came as no surprise to most of us who had carefully followed his political career for many years. Clearly, the man had no character, no scruples. None.

Republicans and their shills in the Fascist Right have disingenuously and falsely claimed Clinton is the most corrupt President in history. Simply, not true. In fact, not by a long shot. Ole' Bill certainly lied under oath about his sexual involvement with Ms. Lewinski. In fact, he should have done the honorable thing and resigned in disgrace. ... Not for having sex with a woman other than his wife, but for lying like hell to the American people when publicly questioned by the media. ... Had the former President had any courage at all, he would have refused to answer the question or, more pointedly, told reporters it was none of their g-ddamned business. -- Or better yet, exercised judgment and not had sex with the intern.

Fascists, however, have conveniently ignored the most corrupt President of the last 50 years. Particularly so, because Richard M. Nixon was a Republican, and we all "know" Republicans can do no wrong, don't we? Consider criminal charges lodged against the late President by a bi-partisan House Judiciary Committee in three Articles of Impeachment back in 1974:

Article 1:

"1. Making false or misleading statements to lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States;

2. Withholding relevant and material evidence or information from lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States;

3. Approving, condoning, acquiescing in, and counselling witnesses with respect to the giving of false or misleading statements to lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States and false or misleading testimony in duly instituted judicial and congressional proceedings;

4. Interfering or endeavouring to interfere with the conduct of investigations by the Department of Justice of the United States, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the office of Watergate Special Prosecution Force, and Congressional Committees;

5. Approving, condoning, and acquiescing in, the surreptitious payment of substantial sums of money for the purpose of obtaining the silence or influencing the testimony of witnesses, potential witnesses or individuals who participated in such unlawful entry and other illegal activities;

6. Endeavouring to misuse the Central Intelligence Agency, an agency of the United States;

7. Disseminating information received from officers of the Department of Justice of the United States to subjects of investigations conducted by lawfully authorized investigative officers and employees of the United States, for the purpose of aiding and assisting such subjects in their attempts to avoid criminal liability;

8. Making or causing to be made false or misleading public statements for the purpose of deceiving the people of the United States into believing that a thorough and complete investigation had been conducted with respect to allegations of misconduct on the part of personnel of the executive branch of the United States and personnel of the Committee for the Re-election of the President, and that there was no involvement of such personnel in such misconduct; or

9. Endeavouring to cause prospective defendants, and individuals duly tried and convicted, to expect favored treatment and consideration in return for their silence or false testimony, or rewarding individuals for their silence or false testimony.

In all of this, Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore Richard M. Nixon, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office."

Article 2:

"1. He has, acting personally and through his subordinates and agents, endeavoured to obtain from the Internal Revenue Service, in violation of the constitutional rights of citizens, confidential information contained in income tax returns for purposes not authorized by law, and to cause, in violation of the constitutional rights of citizens, income tax audits or other income tax investigations to be initiated or conducted in a discriminatory manner.

2. He misused the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, and other executive personnel, in violation or disregard of the constitutional rights of citizens, by directing or authorizing such agencies or personnel to conduct or continue electronic surveillance or other investigations for purposes unrelated to national security, the enforcement of laws, or any other lawful function of his office; he did direct, authorize, or permit the use of information obtained thereby for purposes unrelated to national security, the enforcement of laws, or any other lawful function of his office; and he did direct the concealment of certain records made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of electronic surveillance.

3. He has, acting personally and through his subordinates and agents, in violation or disregard of the constitutional rights of citizens, authorized and permitted to be maintained a secret investigative unit within the office of the President, financed in part with money derived from campaign contributions, which unlawfully utilized the resources of the Central Intelligence Agency, engaged in covert and unlawful activities, and attempted to prejudice the constitutional right of an accused to a fair trial.

4. He has failed to take care that the laws were faithfully executed by failing to act when he knew or had reason to know that his close subordinates endeavoured to impede and frustrate lawful inquiries by duly constituted executive, judicial and legislative entities concerning the unlawful entry into the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, and the coverup thereof, and concerning other unlawful activities including those relating to the confirmation of Richard Kleindienst as Attorney General of the United States, the electronic surveillance of private citizens, the breakin into the offices of Dr. Lewis Fielding, and the campaign financing practices of the Committee to Re-elect the President.

5. In disregard of the rule of law, he knowingly misused the executive power by interfering with agencies of the executive branch, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Criminal Division, and the Office of Watergate Special Prosecution Force, of the Department of Justice, and the Central Intelligence Agency, in violation of his duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

In all of this, Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore Richard M. Nixon, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office."

Article 3:

"In his conduct of the office of President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, contrary to his oath faithfully to execute the office of President of the United States and, to the best of his ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed, has failed without lawful cause or excuse to produce papers and things as directed by duly authorized subpoenas issued by the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on April 11, 1974, May 15, 1974, May 30, 1974, and June 24,1974, and willfully disobeyed such subpoenas. The subpoenaed papers and things were deemed necessary by the Committee in order to resolve by direct evidence fundamental, factual questions relating to Presidential direction, knowledge or approval of actions demonstrated by other evidence to be substantial grounds for impeachment of the President. In refusing to produce these papers and things Richard M. Nixon, substituting his judgment as to what materials were necessary for the inquiry interposed the powers of the Presidency against the lawful subpoenas of the House of Representatives, thereby assuming to himself functions and judgments necessary to the exercise of the sole power of impeachment vested by the Constitution in the House of Representatives.

In all of this, Richard M. Nixon has acted in a manner contrary to his trust as President and subversive of constitutional government, to the great prejudice of the cause of law and justice, and to the manifest injury of the people of the United States.

Wherefore, Richard M. Nixon, by such conduct, warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office."
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Clearly, the tyrant had betrayed his trust and the people of the United States. ... Adolph and Benito had to have been smiling from their fiery perches. At the time of Watergate, the Republican Party was indeed "conservative", not fascist as it now is. When any Republican disingenuously and falsely claims Clinton is the most corrupt president in history, he or she is lying, -- or is egregiously aggressively stupid.

The Articles of Impeachment were only the beginning. Much more in fact came to light as the years passed. -- As late as last year, additional Watergate tapes became public, indicating Tricky Dick was more of a criminal than had been suspected. Had Mr. Nixon not attempted to cover-up the break-in, however, his Presidency and place in history would in all likelihood have remained secure.

... Although, he should have been prosecuted for war crimes in Vietnam as well as for waging a secret undeclared war in Cambodia. Be that as it may, Tricky Dick got greedy. He was a shoe-in for the 1972 election, yet attempted to criminally coverup a third-rate break-in that would not have, and certainly did not, prevent his re-election. ... Even AFTER the public became aware of the Watergate Hotel break-in and ensuing scandal.

Why revisit ancient history? Quite simply, the John F. Kennedy Library has perverted the past and dishonored the memory of the late president by presenting its Profile in Courage Award to former President Gerald R. Ford for his pardoning of Richard M. Nixon. The late president and his brother, Bobby, must indeed be turning in their graves. The award is proof-positive there is no longer any substantive difference between both major political parties.

... Right is wrong. Wrong is right. Day is night. Night is day, and manure smells sweet. All joking aside, Mr. Ford indeed had the constitutional right to pardon the felonious former president. Despite the legality of the pardon, it demonstrated a profound lack of judgment and amounted to no more than obstruction of justice. It did not make "it possible for us to begin the process of healing and put the tragedy of Watergate behind us", as outrageously claimed by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. Most pointedly, it amounted to imposing a different standard for corrupt and abusive officials than that reserved for the unwashed masses, leading to a permanent loss of confidence and respect for authority.

Sadly, Mr. Nixon presided over the re-emergence of fascism in this country. .. Although by today's standards, he indeed looks quite liberal. The failure of President Ford to bring Mr. Nixon to justice by pardoning him prior to criminal trial was a boon to the Extreme Right, emboldening these fascists and launching a second-rate actor named Ronald Reagan to the Presidency. Ole' Ronnie and his sidekick, George H. Bush, indeed had no respect for the law and both lied like hell to the American people about their involvement in Iran-Contra. -- In direct conflict of federal statutes and the will of Congress.

Since it was indeed an anti-communist effort, no problem, right? The ends justify the means, don't they? The Fascist Right certainly thinks so, as demonstrated by their deafening silence and refusal to call for the impeachment of both men. Yet, when Clinton was asked a question that was nobody's business and then foolishly and gutlessly lied about it under oath, they impeached the son of a bitch. Interesting, isn't it?

Although this writer certainly has no sympathy for the former president and as a political independent did not vote for Clinton, Gore, or Bush, the Republicans certainly abused their power and the Constitution by impeaching this outrageous disgrace and sad excuse for a president. -- A man who couldn't care less about any pain consequently inflicted by his outrageous behavior on a wife and more importantly a daughter who dearly loved her father.

Apparently, Teddy Kennedy, however, is suffering from years of hard-drinking and the lingering long-lasting effects of cowardice displayed during the drowning of a female companion in 1969. The Senator was no doubt more concerned with his political future than the young woman who died in his car. Sadly, Mr. Kennedy clearly never had the character and courage of his two late brothers.

Certainly why his judgment was deeply affected and clouded as indicated by outrageous comments at the recent award ceremony: "I was one of those who spoke out against his action then. But time has a way of clarifying past events, and now we see that President Ford was right. His courage and dedication to our country made it possible for us to begin the process of healing and put the tragedy of Watergate behind us."

Hey, Teddy? Wake up. Time to remove your head from your ass. ... To honor a man who obstructed justice by pardoning a criminal prior to trial is a sad statement and reflection on your character and integrity, as well as that of Mr. Ford himself. To add insult to injury, Ole' Jerry, in addition to the award, was given $25,000. -- A reward for getting a criminal, a criminal who appointed him to the vice-presidency, conveniently off the hook. Interesting, isn't it? Sickening as well. ... Then again, this is the United States where day is night, and night is day, and manure smells sweet.......And where, most pointedly, there is one standard for corrupt government officials and another for the unwashed masses.

In breaking news, Vermont Sen. James Jeffords, R-Vt has announced his decision to bolt from the Republican Party and become an independent aligned with the Democrats. This will effectively give the Democratic Party the majority in the Senate, thereby calling into question many of the "President's" legislative programs and judicial appointments. Finally, the Senate will return to the Center and give Ole' George and his fascist agenda some stiff opposition.

Indeed, Jeffords asserted the movement of the Republican Party to the Extreme Right was the reason for his departure, -- claiming it had become too "conservative" for his personal taste. Sadly, the Senator was being polite. The problem is not the GOP becoming too conservative, but rather becoming quite fascist in philosophy.

The Senate passed the "President's" tax cut. ... Think you'll benefit? According to statistics from Citizens For Tax Justice, those making $15,000 or less will enjoy a generous 1.0% of the total cut. Anyone with income ranging from $15,000 to $27,000 will do a little better, 5.7%. From $27,000 to $44,000, 8.9%. From $44,000 to $72,000, 14.7%. From $72,000 to $147,000, the percentage steeply rises to 24.8%. Those in the $147,000 to $373,000 bracket will enjoy 9.8% of the pie. Not surprisingly, those who are immensely rich, $373,000 or more, benefit the most, with 35% of the total. ... Who the hell says the GOP isn't the party of the rich and big business?

-- Certainly evident as well from fund-raising galas hosted by the "Vice President" and "President" earlier this week, amassing some $23.9 million for the Grand Old Party. Reminiscent of Clinton and Gore, no? Especially, Cheney's shindig which occurred in the "Vice President's" residence. -- Remarkably similar to what the Republicans hypocritically lambasted the Democrats for doing only months ago. Interesting, isn't it? Indeed, the finest two political parties money can buy, without doubt. ... But it's quite alright, isn't it? -- As long as it's only the Republicans doing the finagling, right?

As strongly asserted in the last four 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.

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 111,100. ... 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 Wed Jun 13, 2001 5:18pm EDT