Randi Mastro, Esq.'s Overbilling of N.J. Taxpayers.

March 31, 2016 at 1:53 P.M. A package containing 40 pages was sent via overnight mail to the Director of the NSA under tracking number: EL 00749898 US.

An identical package of materials (including this blog post) was sent via overnight mail to New Jersey's Chief Justice under tracking number: EL 007749907 US. 

Delivery of these items will take place not later than 12:00 Noon on April 1, 2016. 

I do not expect the courtesy of a reply from these officials. It is never certain whether I will be able to return to these blogs.

Evidence of serious computer and Internet as well as other crimes committed against me (and others) over a period of years has been received by the following officials in the USA:

U.S. Attorney General.
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Director of the FBI.
Director of the CIA.
NYPD Commissioner.
Manhattan District Attorney.
N.Y. State Attorney General.

As of April, 2016 no response has been received by me or others to these communications. 

Persons contemplating providing information to U.S. authorities on delicate and personally dangerous security matters -- nationally and internationally -- must wonder whether such risks are worthwhile under these circumstances. 

I can not answer such questions. I will continue to write.  

March 15, 2016 at 3:04 P.M. The water in my building was shut off again (without warning) delaying my arrival at NYPL computers. I will do my best to continue writing. 

Obstacles made writing impossible yesterday. I will try again today.

The following essay with one hundred sources attached focusing on New Jersey corruption, judicial incompetence and criminality together with unethical governmental practices, will be sent to the National Security Agency (NSA) by overnight mail. 

The tracking number for the package containing these materials will be posted so that readers may follow the delivery of all items to that agency. 

Also attached to the essay will be examples of computer and Internet crime that may be traced to the very New Jersey officials often referred to in my writings.

I do not expect a response from the NSA. 

A copy of the package sent to the NSA with attachments will also be sent to N.J. Chief Justice Stuart Rabner via overnight mail. ("Stuart Rabner's Selective Sense of Justice.")

This U.S. Post Office tracking number will also be posted for readers to follow the delivery of the documents to Trenton.

It is possible that such a public fact will make it more difficult for Mr. Rabner and his tribunal to deny all knowledge of my matters. Perhaps a good place to begin dealing with this situation is by telling the full truth to all victims, Mr. Rabner. ("Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Ricciolli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.") 

I do not expect a response from Mr. Rabner, nor from the N.J. Supreme Court and OAE. I do expect a response from a federal official in New York.  

Alterations in the size of letters and other deformations of this text are always expected.

Ted Sherman, "Law Firm Cited for Overbilling: State Legislators Want Return of $2.8 Million," The Star-Ledger, March 1, 2016, p. 1. (How much is coming back to Christie and Rabner under the table? Overbilling amounts to fraud and theft comparable to dipping into the trust account. There are no ethics proceedings against Mr. Mastro or his firm at this time due to political protection. The OAE is ignoring the matter because they are busy going after minority solos who charge $500 for an uncontested divorce unless, of course, you give OAE lawyers some cash under the table. How much did you steal from my office, Mr. McGill? "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics" and "John McGill, Esq., the OAE, and New Jersey Corruption.")

James C. McKinley, "Prosecutor Details Links to Mob Clan as Trial Starts," The New York Times, February 10, 2016, p. A18. (With the deaths of Robert Del Tufo, Esq. and assorted Bonano crime family members there are new questions about who will provide the necessary legal protection for N.J.'s various crime families. Christie?)

Anna Merriman & S.P. Sullivan, "State Trooper Accuses Bosses of Retaliation," The Star-Ledger, March 1, 2016, p. 1. (One of many lawsuits by cops and lawyers alleging corruption and organized crime influence in New Jersey's state government and courts, law enforcement and prosecutors' offices. "More Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics.")

David Porter, "Judges Grill a Lawyer for Menendez," The Star-Ledger, March 1, 2016, p. 3. (Abbe Lowell, Esq. seems to have been contaminated by Menendez sleaze as 3rd Circuit Judges went after him for bogus arguments intended to delay and obstruct federal prosecutors to allow time, allegedly, for a "political solution." Evidently, the hope is that with the departure of Mr. Obama, Boss Bob can cut a deal with "President Hillary" to call off the Justice Department in exchange for cash or other favors for her future political campaigns. Will "Hillary" make that deal? I doubt it. "Menendez Charged With Selling His Office.") 

Samantha Marcus, "Top Court Will Not Hear Pension Case," The Star-Ledger, March 1, 2016, p. 1. (Teachers are screwed because the so-called "justices" are intimidated and wish to avoid another confrontation with Christie. Mr. Rabner is said to have denied any knowledge of me or these blogs. "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?" and "Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")

Katie Benner & Paul Mozur, "Apple Sees Its Privacy Stance As Crucial to Its Global Brand," The New York Times, February 21, 2016, p. A1. (NSA wants access to your phone to protect us from computer crime which they claim is a "number one priority." I will be supplying evidence of such crimes to the NSA.)

Peter Baker & Gardiner Harris, "The Capitol Pauses to Express Its Praise for Scalia at His Funeral Mass," The New York Times, February 21, 2016, p. A21. (Mr. Scalia's timely demise upsets some while delighting others. "Law and Morals.")

Campbell Robertson, "For 45 Years in Prison, Louisiana Man Kept Calm and Held Fast to Hope: Decades of Solitary and a Lasting Faith," The New York Times, February 21, 2016, p. A14. (Unlike Justice Scalia, a man who served 29 years in solitary confinement in violation of human rights laws and the "cruel and unusual" clause of the U.S. Constitution, received no praise or admiration upon winning his freedom from racist and trumped-up charges. "So Black and So Blue in Prison.") 

Mark Sandler & Jennifer Steinhauer, "President Raises Stakes in Court Nominee Battle," The New York Times, February 17, 2016, p. A1. (Obama's authority is illegally undermined with the refusal to vote on a Supreme Court nominee. Mr. Reagan appointed Justice Kennedy during his final year in office. The Democratic Senate at the time did not refuse to vote on the nominee. Justice Kennedy was confirmed.) 

Michael Wines, "Embattled Pennsylvania Attorney General Says That She Will Not Seek Reelection," The New York Times, February 17, 2016, p. A10. (Alleged member of Trenton's "nasty lesbian love-fest" is facing disbarment and indictment. Maybe she should move to New Jersey where "Little Debbie" and the "girls" can help. Friend of yours Estela De La Cruz, Esq.? Nydia Hernandez, Esq.? Lourdes Santiago, Esq.?)

Christine Hauser, "Princeton Professor's Arrest Reignites Debate About Racial Profiling," The New York Times, February 10, 2016, p. A18. (New Jersey continues racial profiling on highways despite court orders prohibiting the practice. "Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism" and "Driving While Black in New Jersey.")

"The outside law firm hired to conduct an internal investigation into the bridgegate scandal overbilled New Jersey by more than $2.8 MILLION, claim two legislators who headed hearings on the 2013 lane shutdowns at the George Washington Bridge, and they want the money back." (TSL, 3-1-16, p. 1.)

Normally issues concerning fraud leading to theft by lawyers would be matters for the legal ethics establishment in Trenton to take up. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")

New Jersey's legal ethics office -- this phrase alone usually causes laughter -- is so tainted by corruption and allegations of political partisanship, bribery, and notorious double standards that they have not been invited (nor have they chosen) to look into this matter at this time. ("New Jersey Lawyers' Ethics Farce" and "New Jersey's Politically Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")

It may be that the OAE and New Jersey Supreme Court have been bought off (or intimidated) to "look the other way" in the most corrupt court system in the nation where a former Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court is alleged to have traded judicial favors for lesbian sex; another Chief Justice promoted racial profiling; and the current Chief Justice may have accepted cash from convicted swindler Solomon Dwek ("The Rabbi's Son"); while yet another member of the court is alleged to be affiliated with the mob; and still another member of the same court had to resign -- or allow his term to expire -- because of an ethics scandal. ("New Jersey Supreme Court's Implosion" and "New Jersey's Judges Disgrace America.")  

Perhaps the human filth one finds in New Jersey's legal profession and judiciary may even hire someone to throw acid in a critic's face. Pronouncements concerning one's ethics from such frauds are unworthy of respect. ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State" and "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics.")

New Jersey's ongoing child abuse scandals have engulfed lawyers, judges, and cops. Child abuse and rape are not "O.K." if the culprit is a lesbian or a Jew for that matter. And this includes rabbis, Ms. Poritz. ("New Jersey Welcomes Child Molesters" and "New Jersey is the Home of Child Molesters" then "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?")

Mafia goons have infiltrated most agencies of government, including prosecutors' offices, and the state's judges have been described as "among the worst in terms of obvious incompetence" and inefficiency as well as notorious cover-ups and idiotic lies. ("Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics.")

"U.S. District Judge Susan Weginton, who is handling that widely anticipated [Bridgegate] trial, has sharply criticized Gibson, Dunn [Mr. Mastro's law firm] over its handling of interview notes during its taxpayer funded investigation -- material defense attorneys pushed hard to obtain, but were told [falsely] no longer existed. [The OAE has also tried to destroy and cover-up evidence of its misdeeds in my matters, then lied about what they have done and failed to do as regards disclosing the truth.] The judge found that while Gibson, Dunn did not delete or shred those notes, it DELIBERATELY would overwrite documents, effectively destroying any drafts." (TSL, 3-1-16, p. 6, emphasis added.)

This tactic amounts to deception and borders on obstruction of justice. 

Crimes committed by any lawyers should result in disbarments and indictments, but nothing will happen to these guys because they are connected insiders in New Jersey. ("New Jersey's Tainted Legal Ethics" and "Is America's legal ethics a lie?")

The federal judge's comments clearly makes the actions of these attorneys subject to an ethics investigation. 

If Judge Weginton is correct -- I agree with her conclusions as reported in the media -- the attorneys at Gibson, Dunn (including Mr. Mastro, Rudy Giuliani's buddy) should be facing ethics sanctions, or worse. Curiously, nothing is happening to these lawyers. ("Two New Jersey Lawyers in School Lunch Scam.")

The fix is in because of "contributions" made by these very same lawyers to Republican politicians, like Mr. Christie, and/or under the table cash payments to the likes of Mr. Rabner and other Republican judges, allegedly:

" ... the state Attorney General's office released new invoices totaling $2.3 million from Seros, Friedberg, added to the $8 million already billed by Gibson, Dunn, which charged the sate $350.00 an hour per attorney." (TSL, 3-1-16, p. 6.)

The lawyers scamming these funds have told the two state legislators asking for reimbursals to get lost and are refusing to reimburse a penny to New Jersey's suffering taxpayers. ("New Jersey is the Home of the Living Dead.") 

The OAE is still primarily concerned about solo practitioners charging $500.00 for an uncontested divorce. Meanwhile, New Jersey state guidelines for "farmed out" legal work prohibit law firms from billing more than 10 hours of attorney time (per attorney) on a daily basis. Mr. Mastro billed 14 hours per day, and (perhaps) another 14 hours as "overtime" in a 24 hour day, like Port Authority lawyers and good old Herb Klitzner, Esq. of North Bergen. ("Herbert Klitzner, Esq.'s Greed and New Jersey's Hypocrisy.")

Conflict of interest issues are also obvious: These same lawyers donated $65,000 to Mr. Christie's campaign efforts -- while supposedly "investigating" his actions -- revealing just how "cozy" they all happen to be:

"Among the attorneys who worked on the [GWB] inquiry was Debra Wong" -- Is Ms. Wong a Debbie Poritz-like lesbian? -- "a partner at the firm and a close friend of the governor, [emphasis added] who hosted a fund raiser for Christie." (TSL, 3-1-16, p. 6.)

Has Ms. Wong been linked, romantically, with Kim Guardagno, Esq.? Diana Lisa Riccioli? ("Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "Diana's Friend Goes to Prison!" then "Marilyn Straus Was Right.")  

In light of this typical filth, Mr. Rabner, do you speak to me of "ethics"? ("Stuart Rabner's Selective Sense of Justice" and "Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")

Sources:

Dave Hutchinson, "Payback Eyed in Ouster of Prosecutor," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 1. ("Was the replacement of the Somerset County prosecutor political payback by Gov. Chris Christie for a state senator's vote to override a Christie veto?" As a member of the N.J. Bar Association, Mr. Christie knows that it is unethical to influence prosecutorial decisions or appointments based on political vendettas. Geoffrey Soriano, Esq. was relieved of his duties on Feb. 18, sending the message to other prosecutors that, if they meet with Christie's displeasure, they will also be removed from office. Will judges be next for Mr. Christie?)

Larry Higgs, "No Agreement in N.J. Transit Negotiations," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 3. (A strike that may inconvenience millions of people is being orchestrated, allegedly, by Democrats and their allied unions to payback Gov. Christie for his political games with appointments and pensions. If the strike is avoided it will be because Democrats would find themselves paying a political price for the move. Republican refusals to vote on Mr. Obama's Supreme Court nominee are a similar disgraceful example of partisanship over sanity and decency as well as an unconstitutional refusal to abide by the integrity of the confirmation process as established in American history.)

Spencer Kent, "Sexual Aggression Can Change Female Brains, Study Finds," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 3. (How can so-called "Lesbian Feminists" exploit and abuse young prostitutes knowing the harm that you cause to child-like women in such situations who are often severely damaged to begin with? What was the name you gave to Marilyn Straus, Estela De La Cruz? Lourdes Santiago? Diana Lisa Riccioli? "Marilyn Straus Was Right!")

S.P. Sullivan, "12 Men Indicted in Drug Ring," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 10. (Once again politically protected persons were running a drug distribution network online from behind prison walls. " ... investigators also uncovered a murder plot, seized $1.2 MILLION in illicit cash and brought indictments against 15 men accused of drug distribution, racketeering and other charges." There is no way this operation could have continued without external assistance from correction guards, police, and/or prosecutors. Among the "other charges" may be child-porn and -prostitution which is now more lucrative than drugs.)

Claude Brodesser-Akner, "Christie's Court Pick Battle Could Domino to Other N.J. Judges," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 13. ("Will Gov. Christie's moves in his fight over the future of the state Supreme Court affect other judges on the bench?" Politicizing the bench, threatening judges, extracting favors from judges who wish to remain on the bench is sleazy and unethical for any chief executive, but it may damage most the remnants of credibility -- if any -- still claimed by New Jersey's judges. "New Jersey's Failed Judiciary" and "New Jersey's Judges Disgrace America" then "Christie Attacks New Jersey's Corrupt Judges.") 

Jessica Reno, "Lawmakers Divided Over Kean Probe: Sens Who Want a New Investigator Are Accused of Playing Politics," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 13. (Charges of political interference in investigations orchestrated, allegedly, by Stephen Sweeney, Esq. that are attacked as "unethical" and "corrupt" by Raymond Lesniak, Esq. who is still subject to IRS investigations. Is this the pot calling the kettle black?) 

Ted Sherman, "Robert J. Del Tufo, Esq., Former State and Federal Prosecutor, Dies at 82," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 13. (Even in death Mr. Del Tufo continues to be linked to mob figures in New Jersey. I suspect that Del Tufo was among the losers in a debate against me that took place online.)

"School Agency Seems to Flunk Accounting," (Editorial) The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 14. ("More than $150,000, from mid-2012 to 2015 was charged on taxpayer-funded credit cards for travel, dining and miscellaneous expenses that had nothing to do with the classroom." Is "Hooters" the best place for a "teachers' meeting"? This is New Jersey's government ethics and an example of the protection of taxpayer money in Trenton.) 

Dan Ivers, "Cops' Sting at Hotel Saves a Girl, 16, From Prostitution," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 16. (Cops and lawyers are often involved in N.J.'s out-of-control child prostitution network. FBI and local police are overwhelmed in efforts to control child prostitution in Hudson, Essex and Union Counties. They need a lot more help from the federal government. "14-Year-Old Girl Goes For $500 in Union City, New Jersey.")

Tim Darragh, "Mortgage Broker Admits Getting $1.3 Million in Loans With Phony Records," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 16. (With the assistance of counsel, yet another broker in New Jersey was caught scamming funds. Gilberto Garcia? Mary Anne Kriko? Does this sound familiar to you two?)

Lucian K. Truscott IV, "Antonin Scalia (1936-Just in Time): Wake Up America! -- How One Man's Death (And Life) is Exposing Cracks in the System," Village Voice, March 8, 2016, pp. 10-11. ("He earned $220,000 a year yet lived like a Trump -- wallowing in a swank, all-expense paid thirty-year tenure on the Supreme Court. The only thing missing was a white glassed-in Popemobile to ferry him to the fields where he did his killing. All he had to do in exchange for this life of marble and gilt was sit there swaddled in his black vestments and produce reasons for voting the way he was expected to vote." It is reported in the media that some federal judges accept "perks" that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees and other "invitations" from potential litigants. "American Doctors and Torture" and "Lawyers and Torture.") 

Myles Ma, "Orange Woman Allegedly Stole IDs to File False Tax Returns," The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 5. ("An Orange, [N.J.] woman used other people's identities to file fraudulent tax returns, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said." This elaborate scam featuring wire refunds to multiple accounts required the assistance of lawyers and accountants with expertise in tax law. Is this lady a friend of Kim Guardagno's and Diana Lisa Riccioli's? "Trenton's Nasty Lesbian Love-Fest!")

Robert Kessler, "Feds: DA Blocked Walsh Probes," Newsday, March 9, 2016, pp. 2-3. (In Republican Long Island, N.Y. federal agents allege in court papers that Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota blocked and sought to protect Conservative party leader Edward Walsh from a U.S. government probe of theft by fraud of taxpayer funds to the extent at least of $80,000. Mr. Walsh was also "employed" at the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office. These same Republican "gentlemen" have called for harsh penalties for criminals who, they believe, are "usually African-Americans or Latinos.")

Bridget Murphy, "Treasurer STOLE $100G From Union, DA Says," Newsday, March 9, 2016, p. A6. (Charles Burke surrendered to prosecutors yesterday to face felony charges for allegedly stealing more than $100,000 from the union where he had been treasurer." He still claims to be concerned about union members lack of proper compensation.) 

Frank Eastman, "L.I. County Executive Says: 'I have not sexted,' " The Star-Ledger, March 8, 2016, p. 15. ("Nassau County Executive Edward Magano" -- who has been linked to the Jersey mob, allegedly -- "says that his cell phone was hacked and vehemently denies allegations in a TV report that he sent sexually suggestive texts to a public relations executive who has worked for the county." "Senator Bob, the Babe, and the Big Bucks" and "Menendez Consorts With Underage Prostitutes.")

Rick Brand, "$3 Million Overcharge Found: Comptroller Called Situation 'Out-of-Control Mess!'," Newsday, March 9, 2016, p. A6. (N.J.-connected and LGBT-friendly "Women's Empowerment Network" will be terminated as the operator of Suffolk County's largest homeless shelter in Brentwood after officials found that the "non-profit overcharged the county by $3 million over a two-year period." Kim Guardagno, Esq. may suggest that "it's O.K. when Republican lesbians steal from the taxpayers." See: "Jennifer Velez is a Dyke Magnet!" and "Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")

Nicole Fuller, "Theft of Settlements: Lawyer Stole $200G From Four Clients, Police Say," Newsday, March 9, 2016, p. A14. (Steven Morelli, Esq. just happened to be in the wrong state. New Jersey would place this man on the ethics committee. How much did John McGill, Esq., OAE lawyer, allegedly, steal from me? Is this New Jersey's legal ethics, Mr. Rabner? "John McGill, Esq., the OAE, and New Jersey Corruption.")

Aleksandra Gjorgievska, "Exxon: $12 BILLION Bond Sale Builds War Chest," The Star-Ledger, March 1, 2016, p. 11. (A $225 million settlement of the N.J. environmental damage claims for a company with Exxon's resources that has done an estimated $1 trillion dollars worth of harm to the state is absurd. Was Christie bought by Exxon to sanction this ludicrous settlement?)

Brent Johnson, "Christie Nominates Monmouth Judge For Justice -- Again," The Star-Ledger, March 1, 2016, p. 13. (Christie selects unqualified prospective justices on the basis of Republican loyalties and cash contributions. David Bauman, Esq. is a case in point, yet another Stuart Rabner-like disaster in the making. Something drastic needs to happen to rescue New Jersey's Supreme Court from its current humiliation: "New Jersey's Political and Supreme Court Whores" and "New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court.") 

Larry Higgs, "Blizzard Cost N.J. Highways $18 MILLION," The Star-Ledger, February 24, 2016, p. 2. (About $4 MILLION of the money allegedly "spent" on highway maintenance and repair cannot properly be accounted for. I wonder why that is true? Isn't it time to tell the truth in my matters, New Jersey, and also to come clean on many other issues of judicial corruption in the "Soprano State"? "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.") 

John C. Ensslin, "Strict Limits On Solitary Pass Senate Panel: Leader of officers' union warns of cost," The Record, March 11, 2016, p. A-4. (Despite federal and international prohibitions on extended solitary confinement, N.J. corrections officers urged continuing the practice in New Jersey jails and prisons.)

Bloomfiled News, "U.S. Cites China in Effort to Unlock Killer's iPhone," The Record, March 11, 2016, p. A-11. (NSA and other agencies seek greater monitoring of all communications, allegedly, in order to keep "us" safe and secure. The information that I will provide to the NSA will test the reality of that commitment, but I will be ignored even as U.S. computer criminals will be protected. Has this something to do with whether persons committing computer crime are "affiliated" with so-called "law enforcement"? Is it O.K. if offenders are nice middle class Republicans?)

Richard Cowen, "Deal in Bathroom Spying Case: Ex-Lyndhurst Fire Captain May Avoid Prison," The Record, March 11, 2016, p. L-1. (Michael Morreali, Fire Captain, is accused of videotaping teenagers using the bathroom at a pool party in his home. He pleaded guilty to one count of 4th degree invasion of privacy that may allow him to avoid prison. Political connections in New Jersey -- this was a great shock! -- may have contributed to the cozy deal for this offender. It should be noted that there is a lucrative underground market for such videos. I wonder if law enforcement officials are excluded from constraints based on privacy concerns in their spying on citizens and whether such violations may be expected in the future?)

Samantha Marcus, "Close Fight For Hike in Pensions: Possibly Adding BILLIONS to Debt, Public Workers Go to N.J. Supreme Court," The Star-Ledger, March 14, 2016, p. 1. (New Jersey's Supreme Court will duck this issue out of fear of yet another political confrontation with New Jersey's shy and inhibited governor. The corruption and incompetence, organized crime influence and "denial" pose an existential threat to this tribunal, yet the "alleged" justices cannot respond effectively and will continue to stick their heads in the sand. A Supreme Court deprived of legitimacy, without respect in their own jurisdiction, simply cannot perform its Constitutional responsibilities. "New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court.")

Salvador Rizzo, "Court Eases Path in Tracking 'Burner Phones,'" The Record, March 10, 2016, p. A-1. (N.J. Supreme Court clears the way for warrants for cops to tap and trace "burner phones." The same court refuses to disclose records of crimes committed by its own Office of Attorney Ethics. "John McGill, Esq., the OAE, and New Jersey Corruption.")

Andrew Wyrich, "Formerly Charged in Fraud Scheme: Allegedly Bought a Bentley With Bad Loan, Then Burned It," The Record, March 10, 2016, p. L-1. ("It the Jersey way!")

Richard Cowen, "PVWC to Focus On Lead in Water Supply: Will encourage residents to test," The Record, March 10, 2016, p. L-1. (After a number of false statements by officials denying a lead in water problem, it is admitted that there is such a problem, which may explain Joey Torres. "We're gonna look into it soon," the Passaic Valley Water Commission announced.)

Peter J. Sampson, "Clifton Man Sentenced For Role in Drug Ring," The Record, March 10, 2016, p. L-1. (Despite claiming a "connection" to Diana Lisa Riccioli, Carlos Asturias, 44 -- a Bob Menendez supporter -- admitted being a member of a Hudson County-based drug trafficking ring that regularly received illicit drugs by MAIL from friendly postal workers for a small fee. What was Diana's cut? Using the mails for such purposes adds a federal criminal charge to this charming story for Mr. Asturias. "An Open Letter to Cyrus Vance, Jr., Esq.")

Claude Brodesser-Akner, "Would Trump Really Win GOP Primary?," The Star-Ledger, February 24, 2016, p. 3. (Yes, Trump wins New Jersey.)

Dan Ivers, "Judge Ousts Teachers [sic.] Union Exec From Spot [sic.] On Board," The Star-Ledger, February 24, 2016, p. 7. (Sean Spiller was shocked to learn that "conflict of interest" rules are still recognized -- if rarely applied -- in New Jersey so as to preclude his serving on the school board while representing teachers in their union. Can you protect your friends, Mr. Rabner, and abide by all laws fairly? Conflict of interest, Mr. Rabner?)

Matt Arco, & Claude Brodesser-Akner, "Christie: No Regret," The Star-Ledger, February 11, 2016, p. 3. (Mr. Tom Moran is someone I respect whether in agreement or the opposite. This time, however, I think he is mistaken: Mr. Christie's priority is Chris Christie.)

Tim Darragh, "Lawyer Gets 18 Months for Stealing $2.6 Million," The Star-Ledger, February 11, 2016, p. 11. (Why ignore warnings about this individual and many others like him to go after minority attorneys whose politics make them "offensive" to cops and prosecutors? Mathew S. Neugeboren, Esq. pleaded guilty in May to charges of wire fraud and filing a false tax return before U.S. District Judge Mary L. Cooper. "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics" and "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")

S.P. Sullivan, "N.Y. Man Arrested in $3 Million Card Scam," The Star-Ledger, February 11, 2016, p. 11. (Another alleged attorney with N.J. connections, protected by local officials allegedly "cut in" on the action. There seems to be a new A.G. in Trenton every month. This was one of the few matters involving "Mr. Hollander.")

Fausto Giovanny Pinto, "Cops: Elizabeth Man Sexually Assaulted a Girl," The Star-Ledger, February 11, 2016, p. 22. (Rodrigo Vazquez, a Bob Menendez supporter from good old Elizabeth, New Jersey, was charged with sexual contact with a girl beginning when she was 14 years-old: "14 Year-Old Girls Goes For $500 in Union City, New Jersey!" and "Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?")

James B. Stewart, "Dewey Deal Still Leaves a Question," The New York Times, Business Day, February 19, 2016, p. B1. (The massive collapse of the "prestigious" law firm of now, mostly, disbarred and indicted Wall Street lawyers -- with a New Jersey practice -- provides a cautionary tale  to those who see themselves as "superior" to the rest of us and "above the law." "Deborah T. Poritz and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey.")

Jack Ewing, "VW Memos Suggest Company Misled U.S.," The New York Times, Business Day, February 19, 2016, p. B1. (Mostly lawyers in the U.S. lied to government officials in an effort to cover-up VW frauds over emissions. "'Michael Clayton': A Movie Review.")

Samantha Marcus, "The 7 Biggest Challenges Christie Faces Back Home," The Star-Ledger, February 12, 2016, p. 7. ("The state PORTION of the pension fund is $40 BILLION short of what it would cost to pay for future benefits." Total insolvency in the pension funds in real numbers is over $50 BILLION. I wonder why New Jersey fell into this little dilemma?) 

Anna Merriman, "Teacher Accused of Sex With an Inmate," The Star-Ledger, February 12, 2016, p. 13. (Chng-Hwa Chang, 42, was charged with one count of sexual assault after the Department of Corrections investigated her relations with inmates. None received better than a B+ for a final grade.)

Alex Napoliello, "Authorities Say Man Filmed Girl in Shower," The Star-Ledger, February 12, 2016, p. 13. (Raed A. Jitan, 59, filmed an 11-year-old girl as she bathed for sexual pleasure and sexually assaulted a teenager in his own family, multiple times, when the girl was between 13 to 18 years-of-age. The defendant allegedly was quoted as saying: "What's the problem?" Evidently, the victim may not have been believed by authorities in New Jersey who are not overly troubled by what has become such a routine matter. "New Jersey's Child Abuse Epidemic" and "Have you no shame, Mr. Rabner?")  

"EPA Fails Again," (Editorial) The Record, February 25, 2016, p. A-10. (" ... residents were forced to wrap their heads around an instance where they were misled, or not given relevant information in a timely manner, about toxic chemicals in their midst." Persons in New Jersey have become ill because of these toxic agents.)

Peter J. Sampson, "Massage Was the Medium in Sex Scheme: Former Councilman Admits His Guilt in Prostitution Racket," The Record, February 25, 2016, p. L-1. ("A former Westwood councilman pleaded guilty to federal charges on Wednesday, confirming that he sold phony therapy training certificates to women who worked at more than two dozen massage parlors in New Jersey." Others involved in this enterprise and partners among police and prosecutors, allegedly, have not been named or may not be prosecuted at this time. It appears that some of the beneficiaries of these bogus certificates were minors. "Protecting Sex Workers.")

Dustin Racioppi, "Christie Challenges Democrats With Judge Nominee: Urges Them to Avoid Playing Politics With State Supreme Court," The Record, March 1, 2016, p. A-1. (Mr. Christie has refused to answer questions about his arch-Conservative nominations to the judiciary, and he failed to attend a New Jersey Trooper's funeral in order to spend time with Donald J. Trump, even as he is ignoring matters not on his agenda in Trenton.)

Salvador Rizzo, "Justices Turn Away Pension Payment Case: N.J. Unions Now Focus On Amending the Constitution," The Record, March 1, 2016, p. A-1. (Nearly 800,000 public employees and retirees face an insolvent pension system that will run into serious problems in making its payments unless there is drastic action taken immediately. No drastic action is planned at this time.)

Herb Jackson, "Menendez Defense of Immunity Challenged: Sides Asked to Define the Limits of 'Speech or Debate,'" The Record, March 1, 2016, p. A-3. (It appears that Senator Menendez's actions were more political and personal than legislative, as a result most of the indictment will probably be upheld by the Appellate Judges.)

Allison Pries, "Two Plead Guilty of $1.5 MILLION in Cargo Thefts," The Record, March 1, 2016, p. L-3. (A Hudson County "organization," allegedly, that is "connected" to local politicians and police, was involved in the thefts of multiple cargo trucks taken to several locations in the tri-state area for unloading and distribution of goods. In one operation alone $1.5 million in cargo was stolen. Yoanny Justiz, 32, of North Bergen and Luis Marin, 46, of Union City, New Jersey have pleaded guilty, but they have refused to implicate any local official -- like Bob Menendez? -- as providing "protection" for the operation. State police and not local police were involved in the arrests. The men face 9 years in prison.)

Christopher Maag, "Legislators Say GWB Law Firm Overbilled the State: Claim Taxpayers Are Owed $2.8 Million," The Record, March 2, 2016, p. A-8. (Lawyers explained that it is normal for lawyers to overcharge. "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")

"Trump's GOP: Shouldn't Take Two Days to Denounce KKK," (Editorial) The Record, March 2, 2016, p. A-8. ("New Jersey's KKK Police Shocker!" and "Organized Crime Group in New Jersey's State Police.")

Stephen Sweeney, "Independence of N.J. Supreme Court Must be Preserved," (Op-Ed) The Record, March 2, 2016, p. A-9. (What independence? Most of the Trenton "justices" obey "bosses" of one kind or another. It is hardly "profiles in courage" on the New Jersey Supreme Court, nor elsewhere in the state's soiled judiciary. "New Jersey Failed Judiciary" and "New Jersey's Judges Disgrace America.")

Brent Johnson, "Sweeney, Christie Spar On Court Pick," The Star-Ledger, March 2, 2016, p. 1. (The response to Mr. Sweeney was offered by Christie's spokesperson, Kevin Roberts, because N.J.'s governor was on his way to Florida to see the Mets training camp and then to chat with the team's owner. Mr. Christie feels that "Mr. Sweeney is not doing his job." Mr. Christie also agrees with Republican senators who refuse to vote on Mr. Obama's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court for political reasons.)  

VW Staff, "Foiled Again: Freedom of Information Laws Are Just That -- Laws. So Why Does the NYPD Get to Keep Breaking Them?," Village Voice, March 16-22, 2016, p. 6. (N.J. Supreme Court and OAE silence and non-response to my information requests offends Open Records Laws and federal Constitutional provisions that guarantee citizens access to truth. Tell me the truth, Mr. Rabner. "Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.")

"Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court," (Editorial) The New York Times, March 17, 2016, p. A24. (" ... we are no longer operating in the realm of sense or normality. The Republican Party is staring down the very strong possibility that Donald Trump will be the party's presidential candidate. And now its leaders, in a stupendous show of political malfeasance, are putting the Supreme Court's constitutional duties on hold while they make dishonest claims about 'letting the people's voice be heard.' ...") 

Anita Kumar & Michael Doyle, "Into the Firestorm: Battle Over Court Pick Likely to Go On for Months," The Record, March 17, 2016, p. A-1. (President Obama said it best: "It is tempting to make this confirmation process simply an extension of our divided politics. ... But to go down that path would be wrong." That is exactly what the Republicans have chosen to do. The GOP have elected to undermine Mr. Obama's mandate and refuse his authority in his final year in office. This threatens American democracy.)

Peter J. Sampson, "Driver of 50-Pound Drug Shipment Gets 6 Years," The Record, March 17, 2016, p. A-5. (Richard Vazquez-Rodriguez, 35, was paid $1,000 for driving a truck from a parking lot in New Brunswick to Jersey City, New Jersey. The 6 year sentence was better than he might have done thanks to the efforts of able counsel in the form of my old friend Dennis McAlevy, Esq., who is clearly a recidivist offender and still up to his old tricks. There are hundreds of trucks making "deliveries" like this every day which is only possible because of local police protection for such operations in North Jersey.)  

Peter J. Sampson, "Payroll Firm Owner Charged: Stole $5.6 Million of Client's Funds, Feds Say," The Record, March 7, 2016, p. A-5. (John Scholtz, 57, of Winslow, New Jersey was charged in a federal complaint with wire fraud, fraud against a local government receiving federal funds, and money laundering. Allegations of local political protection for this defendant required federal prosecution. Is this yet another monument to New Jersey's legal profession? "Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics.") 

AP, "Woman Admits Lying to Get Sandy Funds," The Record, March 17, 2016, p. A-5. (Andrea Knoerzer, 53, lied to collect $20,000 in "Sandy Relief Funds" and was caught. Many N.J. politicians have scammed Sandy money and not been caught, so this lady figured this was her chance to make a few dollars. New Jersey has created a situation in which people feel entitled to steal public funds because "everybody else is doing it." Please see: "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.") 

AP, "Obama Has a Vision For Cuba: Will lay the groundwork on his historic visit," The Record, March 17, 2016, p. A-11. (Mr. Menendez will probably be cheering the changes in Cuba from a federal prison cell. "Time to End the Embargo Against Cuba.") 

"Obama's Nominee: Garland Deserves a Senate Hearing," (Editorial) The Record, March 17, 2016, p. A-18. (Republican efforts to stage a palace coup by refusing to vote regardless of the qualifications of the nominee must fail if we are to preserve the Constitution.) 

Dana Milbank, "It Wasn't Supposed to End Like This," (Op-Ed) The Record, March 17, 2016, p. A-19. (Marco Rubio heads back to Miami. Perhaps Cuban-American politicians have learned a lesson in humility as a result of this failed campaign. Florida is changing. Mr. Rubio never had much of a chance to become president.)

Dan Ivers, "Ex-Mayor Fined For Illegal Use of $94K in Funds," The Star-Ledger, March 2, 2016, p. 15. (Indicted for misusing election funds former Newark mayor, Sharpe James, decided to misuse more campaign money.) 

Myles Ma, "Ex-Dem Boss Delays Prison For a Few Days," The Star-Ledger, March 18, 2016, p. 11. ("It turns out Joseph A. Ferreiro[, Esq.] won't have to report to prison just yet. A U.S. District Court judge had ordered the former Bergen County Democratic boss convicted of racketeering, mail and wire fraud to report to prison Thursday, but [a] U.S. Appeals Court judge gave him at least a few more days of freedom." Joe Ferreiro asked me to meet with him in his office about yanking one of my files. Ferreiro backed off that request, but he probably arranged to have a former Bergen County Prosecutor take over the matter, no doubt at the behind-the-back request of Boss Bob Menendez. Ferreiro served on the ethics committee and has been linked to the mob in New Jersey. Menendez is indicted and on his way to join Ferreiro in the federal pen. The former Bergen County prosecutor may have been disbarred. These gentlemen claimed to be my "superiors." I disagree.) 

Anna Merriman, "Professor Emeritus Awarded Prestigious Mathematical Prize," The Star-Ledger, March 18, 2016, p. 11. ("Andrew Wiles, a mathematician and professor emeritus at Princeton University, has won Norway's Abel Prize, one of the highest honors in the world of mathematics." The award was for Dr. Wiles' work in 1994 proving Fermat's last theorem. Incidentally, the possessive for a word ending with the consonant "s" may be correctly expressed as, say, "Wiles's" or "Wiles'" ... in the event that there are "incorrect corrections" offered here. Please see: "Ought implies can" and "'Inception': A Movie Review.")

Matt Arco, "Dishonest Official Pleads Guilty in Theft Case," The Star-Ledger, March 18, 2016, p. 14. (Paul Bazela, 49, of the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission pleaded guilty to theft. He explained that stealing from the public treasury is "how it's done in New Jersey.")

Seth Grossman, "Bankruptcy is the City's Best Option," The Star-Ledger, March 18, 2016, p. 14. (Atlantic City is heading into bankruptcy; Trenton officials are said to be privately contemplating the same possibility. No doubt other cities in New Jersey are heading in the same direction. New Jersey's absentee governor could not be reached for comment.)

Jim Norman, "Tug of War Over Who Gets to See Police Videos," The Record, March 18, 2016, p. A-1. (If N.J. cops control videos of controversial events, residents believe the content of those videos will be sanitized to protect guilty officers. There has to be some external monitoring of police videos.)

Alfred P. Doblin, "Christie Should Launch the Website: 'I don't care about you,'" (Op-Ed) The Record, March 18, 2016, p. A-19. (Mr. Christie is off on the campaign trail despite being asked by Mr. Trump and others to stay home. Meanwhile, New Jersey residents are asking Christie to go away. What is Mr. Christie to do?)

Joe Malinconico, "TV Probes Torres and DPW: Video Shows Employees Work at Mayor's Home," The Record, March 18, 2016, p. L-1. (DPW crews on the public's dime were working at the mayor's home. Mr. Torres explained that fixing up his pool and home improvements that enhance his property values are really in the interest of the residents of Paterson, New Jersey. Mr. Torres is a member of the bar in New Jersey.)

Kibret Marcos, "Ex-Sewerage Chief Guilty of Theft," The Record, March 18, 2016, p. L-1. (Mr. Bazela is looking at 3 years in prison. But like Joe Ferreiro he may die of old age before he actually has to go to prison. "That's Jersey for ya!" Mr. Bazela said.)

Jamie Schram, Larry Celana & Bruce Goldberg, "Spitz's Wild Night: Blood and Broken Glass as Gal Accuses Him of Attack at Plaza," New York Post, February 15, 2016, p. 5. (Ex-N.Y. Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Esq. was accused of choking a woman -- allegedly, a sex worker -- at the Plaza Hotel. This may be Mr. Spitzer's second "hooker scandal" -- even though the victim left the country -- and Mr. Spitzer invoked the moral example of Bob Menendez and "Little Debbie" Poritz to explain why it is O.K. "Protecting Sex Workers.")

Terence McDonald, "In Case, Judge Compares Manouvers [sic.] to Actions of King George III," The Star-Ledger, February 16, 2016, p. 13. (Judge Joseph A. Tursula of the New Jersey Superior Court refused a request to recuse himself in litigation involving local Democratic powers, Jersey City versus a West New York consulting firm that is probably a front for Albio Sires and/or Bob Menendez. The judge ran for office, as a Republican, and will not be controlled by the boys from Hudson County. This is deemed "unfair" by the north Hudson crowd.) 

"Transparency First: Keep Public Access to Police Recordings," (Editorial) The Record, March 21, 2016, p. A-10. (Attempts to insulate police from scrutiny and deny media access to public records should fail. People have the right to know the truth about interactions with the courts and police. Tell me the truth, Mr. Rabner, about the tortures to which I was subjected in New Jersey. "An Open Letter to My Torturers in New Jersey, 'Terry Tuchin' and Diana Lisa Riccioli.")

Christopher Maag, "N.J. Transit Budget Plan Delays Repairs," The Record, March 21, 2016, p. A-1. (Dangerous track conditions and trains "desperately in need of proper maintenance" are being ignored in a state where losses from the public treasury are in the millions of dollars. This situation is inviting a catastrophic accident or mishap affecting the public welfare. Nothing is being done by politicians in Trenton.)

Myles Ma, "Chemicals Found in New Jersey Waters," The Star-Ledger, March 21, 2016, p. 5. ("Small amounts of a possible CARCINOGEN were found in more than 80 water systems in every part of the state." Illegal dumping by mob-affiliated waste disposal companies, corruption, medical waste and, much worse, have done great harm to the environment in New Jersey, a state that has come to be known as "cancer alley." No action is being taken on these matters in Trenton.)

"Digging a Hole to Cut Taxes on New Jersey's Richest 4%," (Editorial) The Star-Ledger, February 16, 2016, p. 14. (As the plight of the poor becomes more desperate and the need even for emergency services grows highly urgent, Mr. Christie's primary concern seems to be cutting taxes for New Jersey's richest residents. "Christie Gives a Donor $1 Million of N.J. Money.")

"Jersey Was Shorted: Little Federal Money for Storm Control," (Editorial) The Record, February 16, 2016, p. A-6. (The feds assume, correctly, that money given to N.J. for storm control will be stolen or wasted to a greater extent than anywhere else in the nation.)

Abbott-Koloff, "Mahwah Pair Charged With Wayne Thefts: Allegedly Faked Help for Vets," The Record, February 16, 2016, p. L-2. (A Mahwah couple, with the assistance of counsel and local political contacts, collected money by pretending to be helping wounded veterans. Some of the cash may have been used to bribe officials so that state and federal authorities had to be involved in the matter.) 

Peter J. Sampson, "Ex-N.Y.C. Cop Gets 21 Years in Plea Deal: Repeat Sex Offender Took a Bronx Boy Across Line to Fort Lee," The Record, February 17, 2016, p. L-3. ("A former New York city police officer and twice-convicted sex offender" -- part of a N.J.-wide network -- "was sentenced on Tuesday to 21 years in FEDERAL prison for transporting a 15-year-old boy from the Bronx to a Fort Lee motel room to engage in illicit sex." Many persons are transporting minors to New Jersey locations for this purpose, also to prostitute the children to others, usually New Jersey's preferred locations for such activity are close to bridges and tunnels. Complaints to local authorities are often ignored. Jayme Shannon, 53, of East Brunswick, allegedly, explained that "it's normal in New Jersey.")

Paul Berger, "Feds Insist GWB Co-Conspirators be Kept Under Wraps," The Record, February 18, 2016, p. A-3. (Feds seek to keep identities of persons "not charged" who are likely to serve as witnesses "under wraps" at this stage of GWB trial preparations.) 

"Clean Water: Health Concerns Over Chemical Compounds," (Editorial) The Record, February 18, 2016, p. A-10. (More noxious chemicals appear in New Jersey water systems. The water in your toilet in New York may be cleaner than the water in many public systems in the Garden State. "New Jersey's Feces-Covered Supreme Court" and "New Jersey is America's Legal Toilet.")

Salvador Rizzo, "Christie DELAYING Bulk of Pension Pain: 10-Year Payment Plan Ends After He Exists Office," The Record, February 22, 2016, p. A-1. (At some point New Jersey will have to raise taxes or cut benefits to keep up with rising pension costs, but Mr. Christie has arranged matters so that he will be out of office when the financial explosion occurs. As a result the future financial crunch will be even worse than it might have been. Is this responsible government, Mr. Christie?)

Bruce Webber, "Hilary Putnam, Giant of Modern Philosophy Dies at 89," The New York Times, March 20, 2016, p. A22. ("Hilary Putnam is Keeping it Real.")  

"Mr. Obama's Honest Message in Cuba," (Editorial) The New York Times, March 23, 2016, p. A22. ("His message included a healthy dose of criticism and a call for change, which were discussed with both force and tact." Right move, Mr. Obama.)

Adam Liptak, "Stern Rebuke for Senators," The New York Times, March 23, 2016, p. A1. (Chief Justice Roberts -- a Republican and certainly a Republican appointee -- seems to be appalled by the unconstitutional effort on the part of senate Republicans to deny a vote to Merrick Garland because he was appointed by Mr. Obama.)

Brent Johnson, "Mayor Threatens to Close City Hall for Weeks," The Star-Ledger, March 22, 2016, p. 13. (Atlantic City Mayor said that city hall will close and non-essential government services will cease. Would it be an improvement if the entire state of New Jersey were closed to further government corruption? This way the people's funds could be stolen without the inconvenience of having to deliver any services. "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.") 

Dave Hutchinson, "Man Gets 25 Years in Sexual Assault," The Star-Ledger, March 22, 2016, p. 16. (Adam S. Labracio, 21, engaged in multiple sexual assaults on a 14-year-old girl in what is now a daily horror in parts of New Jersey. "Menendez Consorts With Underage Prostitutes.")

Joe Malinconico, "State Subpoenas Workers in Torres-DPW Probe," The Record, March 22, 2016, p. L-1. (The state attorney general has compelled Paterson municipal employees to testify about city workers performing "tasks" at Mayor Joey Torres's home. Mr. Torres is a distinguished member of the bar who has served, allegedly, on the ethics committee. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")

Jeff Green, "Schools Budget Has 50 Job Cuts," The Record, March 22, 2016, p. L-1. (Some of the job cuts are even among the living and non-relatives of Joey Torres. There is still an $8.9 MILLION "gap" in the budget in Diana Lisa Riccioli's home town of Clifton, New Jersey. "Diana's Friend Goes to Prison" and "Mafia Influence in New Jersey Courts and Politics.") 

Peter J. Sampson, "Bloomington Man Accused of Fraud: Allegedly Schemed to Sell $1.6 MILLION in Bad Accounts, Lied to the FBI," The Record, March 22, 2016, p. L-3. (William Kirchgessner, 45, was released on $250,000 bail on wire fraud charges. Mr. Kirchgessner is, or was, a member of the N.J. Bar Association, allegedly, and certainly made use of legal services in his business enterprises, including for these specific scams. "Corrupt Law Firms, Senator Bob, and New Jersey Ethics" and "New Jersey Lawyers' Ethics Farce.")

Anthony G. Alterino, "State Set to Probe Wyckoff's Top Cop," The Star-Ledger, March 23, 2016, p. 5. (Benjamin Fox, Wyckoff's top police official, issued a 2014 email in which he instructed officers to investigate "suspicious black people in white neighborhoods." Redundant in Wyckoff? Is this an example of New Jersey's legal ethics, Mr. Rabner? "Driving While Black in New Jersey" and "Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism.") 

Samantha Marcus, "Citing Pension Woes, S&P Cuts N.J.'s Credit Outlook to Negative," The Star-Ledger, March 23, 2016, p. 8. (N.J. has been reduced from "stable" to "negative" in credit worthiness, somewhere below Argentina but better than Nigeria.) 

"Obama's Right: It's Time to End the Cuba Embargo," (Editorial) The Star-Ledger, March 23, 2016, p. 14. (Even New Jersey agrees: "Time to End the Embargo Against Cuba" and "Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?")  

Kibret Marcos, "Professor Alleges Bias in Removal From Post: Claims Racism, Religious Discrimination by WPU," The Record, March 25, 2016, p. L-1. ("A black [sic.] professor at William Paterson University was harassed, discriminated against and removed from her post as a department chairwoman because of her race and religion, her attorney said Thursday." A number of New Jersey professors are facing discrimination for expressing controversial political opinions. Apparently, there is a distinction in New Jersey between a "black" professor and a "real" professor.)

Joe Malinconico, "Zoning Board Draws Fire for Hiring of Lawyer at $200 an Hour," [sic.] The Record, March 25, 2016, p. L-1. ($200-per-hour lawyer with no limits on his contract will probably be sharing his fees under-the-table and/or through "political contributions" with the corrupt officials arranging for him to get the gig: "Herbert Klitzner, Esq.'s Greed and New Jersey's Hypocrisy" and "New Jersey's Politically-Connected Lawyers On the Tit.")

Colleen Diskin, "Doctor Forfeits License as Part of Fraud Plea: Englewood Physician Admitted Deceptive Billing Over 9 Years," The Record, March 25, 2016, p. L-2. (Similar to Dr. Melgen -- Senator Menendez's "good friend" -- Albert Aldis, M.D. of Englewood, New Jersey worked with crooked lawyers to scam from government and insurance companies, but claimed it was a 9-year "accident." Jose Ginarte? Edgar Navarete? Gilberto Garcia? Sounds like you, boys. "Menendez Croney's Office Raided.")

Hannan Adeley, "Education Group Backs Tests at 2,500 Schools: Bill Targets Lead Contamination," The Record, March 25, 2016, p. A-3. (Lead is found in water available to children throughout N.J. Far worse than lead is also found in the water supply of communities spread throughout the state.)

S.P. Sullivan, "A.G. Urged to Probe Exxon: Texas Oil Giant Accused of LYING About Climate," The Star-Ledger, March 25, 2016, p. 13. (Did John McGill, Esq. lie in claims concerning so-called "evidence" against me? Is there a connection between John McGill, Esq. and/or Mr. Menendez and something called "Legal Eagle" or words similar to this title? "John McGill, Esq., the OAE, and New Jersey Corruption.") 

Brent Johnson, "Much Blame, Little Progress as Clock Ticks," The Star-Ledger, March 25, 2016, p. 13. (A.C. and several other N.J. cities head for bankruptcy as the entire state continues to plunge into a financial toilet. "New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System.")

Tim Darragh, "Start Dates of Bridgegate Trial Pushed Back," The Star-Ledger, March 25, 2016, p. 3. (All these lawyers seem to do is delay and adjourn matters, adding to public expense, seemingly for no purpose. I wonder why they would be engaging in such tactics?)

Stephanie Dazio, Steve Janoski & Jim Norman, "Chief to Step Aside in Racial Inquiry: Email Showed Support for [Racial] Profiling in Wyckoff," The Record, March 23, 2016, p. A-1. (Benjamin C. Fox seems to have been caught saying what he really thinks about "blacks" in Wyckoff. Evidently, "blacks" are criminals per se, allegedly, even if they happen to live in town.)

Mike Kelly, "Fugitives Go Unmentioned in Cuban Visit: Asylum for Killer Still an Open Wound in New Jersey," The Record, March 23, 2016, p. A-1. (Cuba has made the correct decision in granting asylum to Assata Shakur who simply cannot receive a fair trial in a failed jurisdiction with the most corrupt and racist legal structure in the nation. The point is certainly not challenged in Wyckoff, New Jersey where the Chief of Police has been quoted making explicitly racist assumptions that are pervasive among many members of New Jersey's judiciary, police, prosecutors and so-called "ethical" members of the bar. "Driving While Black in New Jersey" and "Albert Florence and New Jersey's Racism" then "The FBI Wants Assata Shakur.") 

Joe Malinconico, "More Allegations Against Torres: TV Reports Additional Work," The Record, March 23, 2016, p. L-3. ("WNBC News 4, New York reported new allegations on Tuesday involving evidence that [Paterson] Mayor Joey Torres had city workers perform odd jobs at his home, the focus of a state grand jury inquiry that is scheduled to convene next week." ADDITIONAL "irregularities" in the city budget that benefit Mr. Torres have also turned up. "Bribery in Union City, New Jersey" and "Is Union City, New Jersey Meyer Lansky's Whore House?" then "New Jersey is Lucky Luciano's Havana!") 





      

"Ought Implies Can."

March 4, 2016 at 3:21 P.M. I have not yet received a response to my communications from any law enforcement official or government agency in America that I have contacted. However, I have received a notice from New York's Court Clerk calling me to jury service for the third time.

Perhaps there is a New Jersey connection for N.Y.'s Court Clerk. 

I will complete the necessary form, keep a copy with a proof of mailing. I will not speak to anyone privately or at length while serving in any jury panel until I am excused. 

This jury duty may further interfere with my writing schedule, but I will do my best to continue posting essays at these blogs at about the same rate as usual from multiple locations in the city, including (if possible) from computers located in the courthouse. 

If at the conclusion of Mr. Obama's presidency access to my blogs is obstructed, I will try to create another blog elsewhere online. ("How censorship works in America.") 

The danger associated with splashing acid on people in the streets of this city is that you may miss your intended target -- me, for example -- injuring innocent persons in Manhattan. 

The public safety issues in my situation seem to be increasing in urgency. 

I have not yet received a response from any public official in America to my communications that have been made public. 

My next essay focusing on New Jersey corruption will be posted at this blog -- if I am able to continue writing -- and will be sent with one hundred sources attached and with copies indicating continuing Internet and computer crime, burdening interstate commerce and threatening national security, to the NSA.

The overnight mail receipt number for this package will also be published so that readers may "track" the delivery of the items. 

I doubt that I am being ignored by the authorities even if I have yet to receive a formal response. ("An Open Letter to Cyrus Vance, Jr., Esq.")

Due to interference and harassment posting new texts is very difficult. 

I cannot send or receive emails. 

No images can be posted at this blog.

My phone seems to be "tapped" as they say in crime novels. 

I am beginning to understand how Melissa Harris-Perry must feel. 

Attacks should be directed against me and not my family members. 

Primary Sources:

Vlad Chituc & Paul Henne, "The Data Against Kant," Sunday Opinion, The New York Times, February 21, 2016, p. 9.

Immanuel Kant, Groundwork For the Metaphysics of Morals: On the Supposed Right to Lie Because of Philanthropic Concerns (Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett Pub. Co., Inc.: 1993, 1st Ed. 1785). (Translation by James W. Ellington.) ("C.I.A. Lies and Torture" and "Obama Says Torture is a Secret.")

Paul Guyer, ed., Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals: Critical Essays (New York & Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield, 1998). (See especially the essays by Henry E. Allison, Onora O'Neill, Christine M. Korsgaard, and, most importantly, Dieter Heinrich.)

Immanuel Kant, Kant's Critique of Practical Reason and Other Works On The Theory of Ethics (London: Longman, Green & Co., 1883). 

Secondary Sources;

Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1962), p. 277.

Bryan Magee, Ultimate Questions (Oxford/Princeton: Princeton U. Press, 2016), pp. 59-85. 

I.

An Op-Ed piece written by a person (or persons) using fictitious names -- persons who are unlikely to be professors of philosophy or psychology (I hope) at any American university -- rather than undermining the Kantian principle that "ought implies can" has the effect of vindicating and reinforcing Kant's well-known maxim. 

The persons writing this article, in my opinion, have used among other false names (lying?) the following bylines: "Jim Holt," "Caitlin Flanagan," "Jennifer Shuessler," Manohla Dargis," and "George Johnson." 

The person(s) making use of these pseudonyms represent the Right-wing sector of the political spectrum, for the most part, and seem to be members of America's political class. Friends of yours, Senator Menendez? ("Is the universe only a numbers game?" and "Richard Dawkins and the Atheist Delusion.")

The author(s) of this latest essay in the Times have become recognizable, to me, for repeating egregious errors in various publications when discussing Kantian ethics and other philosophical and scientific as well as literary issues. ("Why I am not an ethical relativist" and "John Finnis and Ethical Cognitivism.")

Evidence of serious confusions and intellectual difficulties is not a comforting thought for those of us governed by such persons. ("What is Enlightenment?" and "Derek Parfit's Ethics.")

"Felipe de Brigard" is not the name of a philosopher that I have read, or heard of, nor do I expect ever to discover such a philosopher in the real world of "data" and "empirical facts." 

I am sure that no person using such a name as "Felipe de Brigard" exists in any universe of which I am aware. 

The persons "deploying" this name -- in Miami or Union City, New Jersey -- are probably among those humiliated in previous debates against me on these issues. ("Good Will Humping" and "Genius and Lust.")

Empirical data is largely irrelevant to the assessment of philosophical arguments formulated (usually) at a very high level of abstraction. ("A.J. Ayer's Critique of Collingwood's Metaphysics.")

The evaluation of logical arguments, especially in the deontological tradition in ethical theory, takes place at an abstract or theoretical level and, only subsequently, at the related level of applied ethics. ("Nihilists in Disneyworld.")

If "4 out of 5 dentists," say, were asked their "opinions" concerning the mathematical validity of Andrew Weil's proof establishing Fermat's final theorem this would be absurd, or meaningless, and/or irrelevant (if not all of the above) to the validity of that same final proof in logical or mathematical terms. 

If a majority of persons polled do not agree with Einstein's "Special Relativity Thesis" this is unlikely to undermine that theory as an explanation for the observable workings of nature. ("Dialectics, Entanglement, and Special Relativity.")

The so-called "empirical research" disclosed in this article is clearly fictitious or fraudulent since: 1). there is no "control group" identified to test the reactions of the "experimental group"; 2). no clear formulation of the proposition to be tested is articulated; 3). no rigorous methodology for testing a specific proposition is set forth, aside from non-empirical and hypothetical "stories" or thought experiments that are also abstract; the specific number of participants, location of testing, expert- or scientist-questioners in the test are not specified. ("Nice Babies and Bad Psychologists.")

Publishing obvious lies based on a lack of comprehension -- such as those found in this Op-Ed piece -- further humiliates The New York Times and, while Kant's philosophy is certainly unscathed, also tarnishes the credibility of America's once foremost newspaper. ("The Gray Lady is Red Faced.")

I have been reading The New York Times for decades and usually on a daily basis. It is unwise to damage such an important and needed publication in this way. ("Immanuel Kant and the Narrative of Freedom" and "David Stove's Critique of Idealism.")

II.

It may be best to set forth Kant's principle then the alleged "thought experiment" or hypothetical which reflects profound confusion about the issue addressed in Kant's famous maxim. 

The "stories" or thought experiments quoted are indicative of just the opposite of what the authors of the Times essay believe. 

This fact is reinforced by the alleged "data" collected which is probably totally bogus. 

Perhaps the difficulties with the project of countering Kant's principle with so-called "objective data" will become obvious during the course of my analysis and discussion. We are invited to ponder three questions:

1. "Did they [?] think someone [?] should keep [?] a promise she [?] made but couldn't keep? [?]"

It may be that this first question formulated by alleged researchers is incoherent on its explicit terms. 

The word "keep" is ambiguous and is used twice in the same sentence, and the use is even more ambiguous the second time that the word appears in the question. 

Much worse is the second question offered to "test subjects" which may be utterly meaningless:

2. "Was she [who?] even capable of keeping her promise?"

Is "capable of keeping her promise" in this sentence a phrase that refers to empirical events and/or capacity? Or to the psychological state of the agent in the hypothetical problem posed to experimental subjects? 

3. "And how much was she [?] to blame [?] for what happened?"

Kant's point may be that "blame" depends on capacity or ability of various kinds. Hence, deciding whether an agent in a scenario (or "story") is blameworthy, tacitly, is also to determine the same agent's ability to have acted otherwise and/or to have performed and discharged the corresponding moral duty (or obligation) in the circumstances. (Again: "Immanuel Kant and the Narrative of Freedom.")

To say that 60% of the "hundreds" of persons asked "on many occasions" decided "blame" is more important than "ability" is literally meaningless without further information and clarification of terms.

What was the exact number of participants in this study? How was the 60% figure arrived at by scholars? How were these various concepts "blame" and "ability" defined for and/or by participants in this research as compared with Kant's definition in terms of the logic of morals? 

None of these issues are addressed in the Op-Ed piece. 

It may be necessary to contact the scholars conducting this "experiment" (if they exist) to determine the answers to these questions assuming that at least some of this alleged experiment is not a lie. 

In the absence of answers to such questions the suggested "findings" and research alluded to by these so-called "scientists" is utterly worthless. 

Blame, ability, "ought" are all words that often point to the identical moral concerns and issues of responsibility and freedom, as Kant suggested, that are aligned with duties and obligations. 

Kant's statement of the issue may be helpful in generating further discussion:

"Whoever wills the end, wills (so far as reason has decisive influence on his actions) also the means that are indispensably necessary to his actions and that lie in his power. [emphasis added] This proposition, as far as willing is concerned, is analytic. For in willing an object as my effect there is already thought the causality of myself as an acting cause, i.e., the use of means. The imperative derives the concept of actions necessary to this end from the concept of willing this end. ..." (Groundwork, p. 27.)

III.

The principle that "ought implies can" is an attempt to articulate the insight that awareness of a moral obligation to act in a particular situation implies that one is capable of acting in a morally significant way in that specific instance.

The pangs of conscience are a revelation and result of freedom and, therefore, of responsibility for the moral agent aware that it is always possible to do otherwise, but also and equally of the absence of responsibility for the person who could not have done otherwise in facing a particular moral dilemma. 

An inanimate device, a machine, or thing does not face a moral dilemma at all and is never free so as to be "responsible" for "actions." ("'Ex Machina': A Movie Review.")

Donald Trump and Stephen Hawking happen to be standing on the sea shore chatting pleasantly about New York real estate and quantum physics. Suddenly, it becomes clear to both men that a child swimming in the ocean is drowning. The child calls out for help to the two men on the shore who are the only persons present other than the potential victim. ("Stephen Hawking's Free Will is Determined" and "Are we free to believe in free will?")

It happens that Donald Trump is an excellent swimmer. 

Professor Hawking cannot move at all from his wheelchair nor can he speak without his computer voice synthesizer. Dr. Hawking is physically incapable of leaping into the ocean to rescue the drowning child.

Stephen Hawking's failure to take any appropriate action to rescue the endangered person is neither morally nor legally blameworthy. 

The duty to rescue or any possible moral obligation to act in these circumstances does not arise for Professor Hawking to the extent that he cannot alter events through the physical movements of his body nor even by shouting at a third party who happens to be passing by. 

Mr. Trump, on the other hand, being an excellent swimmer who enjoys leaping into his personal Olympic pool on a daily basis for a splash, certainly does have a duty to act under these facts. 

There would be little danger or difficulty for Mr. Trump in rescuing the drowning child. 

Trump receives a call on his cellphone at the crucial moment from Mr. Spitzer inviting Donald Trump to a strip club later in the day. The two distinguished New Yorkers chat pleasantly and the drowning child is promptly forgotten by the "Donald." 

Mr. Trump takes no action. 

The child drowns. 

There is no media criticism of Mr. Trump for this regrettable incident, however, but merely a compliment on the fine "Donald Trump" brand suit that the billionaire is wearing. 

Is Mr. Trump subject to moral criticism and legal liability in this scenario? Is Stephen Hawking subject to criticism for his failure to rescue the drowned child? Should we blame Barack Obama for this unfortunate tragedy?

Immanuel Kant would suggest that Mr. Trump, alone, is morally and legally to blame for failing to act in this situation because he had a duty to rescue and chose to ignore that duty. 

Professor Kant offers an explanation of the principle that leads to his conclusion:

" ... to postpone everything to the holiness of duty alone, and to be conscious that we can because our own reason recognizes this as its command and says that we ought to do it, this is, as it were, to raise ourselves above the world of sense. [Objects.]" (Critique of Practical Reason, trans. T.K. Abott, p. 257.)

Once a duty arises (and is recognized) the command of ethical obligation is unavoidable and compelling. 

We recognize in the existence of a duty a command on our actions that has nothing to do with empirical laws (or data), desire, or personal happiness for the moral agent, but everything to do with conscience and the moral law that makes us persons.

Kant goes further by suggesting, correctly, that participation in the moral law, or perceiving reality as a valuing agent, is what it means to be human. (Compare "Robert Brandom's 'Reason in Philosophy'" with "Ape and Essence" then "Persons and Personhood.")

In commenting on this principle as formulated in the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Paul Guyer says:

"If freedom is inferred from our fundamental knowledge of our moral obligation, by the principle of 'ought implies can,' all that follows is that we can live up to our moral obligations, not that we always do; thus, that we sometimes -- or often -- do not comply with the requirements of morality throws no doubt on our inference that [because] we are free [we are] capable of doing so."

"Introduction," in P. Guyer, ed., Kant's Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals: Critical Essays, pp. xlii-xliii.

Let us now turn to the recent objections quoted in the Times:

"Suppose that you and a friend are both up for the same job in another city. She interviewed last weekend, and your job interview is this weekend. Your car is in the shop, though, so your friend promises to drive you to the airport. But on the way, her car breaks down -- the gas tank is leaking -- so you miss your flight and don't get the job."

The writers of this article seem to be under the impression that this scenario evokes intuitions that undermine Kant's principle, as I have noted, even as this hypothetical actually vindicates the maxim that "ought implies can."

The facts suggested by these authors' thought experiment merely reveals when no "ought" arises due to the incapacity (or inability) to perform an ostensible duty that would otherwise have come into existence and become binding and that may be excused by new facts:

"Would it make any sense to tell your friend stranded at the side of the road that she ought to drive you to the airport."

Kant would be the first to explain that it would make no sense to say such a thing to your hypothetical friend assuming the breakdown of the vehicle was unforeseeable. 

The impossibility of performing an ethical obligation excuses by negating the duty that normally arises. In other words, because there is no "can" there will be no "ought." 

Philosophical truth is not a popularity contest. "Data" of an impersonal kind (whatever that may mean), as I have indicated, may be irrelevant to the assessment of the cogency or logical validity of a Kantian "deontological ethical principle." 

This is not to suggest a conflict between ethical theory and empirical reality, in other words, but a fundamental compatibility between transcendental idealism and empiricism that is only another description of the Critical Theory. ("John Rawls and Justice.")

" ... this absolute command to duty [where it arises] proves at last the freedom of our wills; how could we ever have conceived such a notion as duty if we had not felt ourselves free? We cannot prove this freedom by theoretical reason; we prove it by feeling it directly in the crisis of moral choice. We feel this freedom as the very essence of our inner selves, of the 'pure Ego'; we feel within ourselves the spontaneous activity of a mind [shaping] experience and choosing goals. Our actions, once we initiate them, seem to follow fixed and invariable laws, but only because we perceive their results through sense, which clothes all that it transmits in the dress of that causal law which our minds themselves have made. Nevertheless, we are beyond and above the laws we made in order to understand the world of experience; each of us is a center of intuitive force and creative power. In a way which we feel but cannot prove, each of us is free."

Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy, p. 277 (emphasis added).