Richard J. Codey Immortalized on Canvas -- at Taxpayer Expense!

Continuing obstructions directed at this site make it impossible for me to change the image in my profile today: February 3, 2007 at 11:49 A.M. See: http://cinedestin.privatedns.com/films/u/une/unelueurdanslanuit.jpg


"A portrait of former Gov. Richard J. Codey of New Jersey was unveiled yesterday in the Senate in Trenton, with Mr. Codey presiding as Senate president. He called the event 'a second public hanging,' [if only it were so!] referring to the installation just this month of the portrait of his predecessor, James E. McGreevey. He also said that if those who knew him as a young man 'were told that my picture would hang in a public place, their first guess would have been a post office.' ..." The New York Times, January 30, 2007, at p. B5.

Freudian slip, Richard?

In a state which has come to symbolize Capone-like rule by the mob, which is characterized by a tainted and corrupt judiciary indulging in illegal sexual favors, where judges accept payoffs, where justices "gag" their judicial brethren for criticizing the death penalty, in violation of the U.S. Constitution, where billions of dollars disappear from the public treasury, where $100 million in public money is stolen by state hospital facilities, even as medical personnel trade in diseased body parts, where child molesters and child porn vendors are "affiliated" with state government -- in such a state, further waste of public funds on portraits even of heroic figures who are bound to play such a large role in U.S. history -- such as Richard J. Codey -- seems a tad excessive.

I suggest saving public funds to see if teachers' pensions can be paid, somehow, and if some of those many failing schools in New Jersey can be rescued. I would try to find a way to pay cops and firemen more money, also to come up with a selection process for judges and justices that removes politics and payoffs from the hopelessly tainted system which is now in place.

People throughout the United States have come to wonder how men and women in black robes in New Jersey, persons who are so visibly corrupt and lacking even in minimal "intellectual capacity" or professionalism, so willing to shield heinous offenders (like Tuchin and Riccioli), while indulging in cover ups and criminal frauds designed to deprive the public of its hard-earned money -- how do such persons wear black robes and "judge" the ethics of others? Ethics? In New Jersey? Nah, badda-bing, badda-boom. Same old, same old ... ("Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")

It is a mystery. Perhaps there comes a point when so-called "justices" are so sold-out, corrupt, bemerded by their actions -- and inactions -- that they lose any perspective or appreciation for the hypocrisy, duplicity and malice in their own dismally flawed and vomit-stained decisions. This may explain the New Jersey Supreme Court's undisguised pleasure in upholding death penalty sentences for urban minority males, who they know will be its only victims.

I am looking forward to this year's portraits of the New Jersey Supreme Court's "distinguished" justices. Aren't you?

Sexual Payoffs for New Jersey Judges!

"NEW YORK -- The money laundering and prostitution case against a high profile New Jersey defense attorney took another strange turn yesterday as authorities alleged he arranged sexual favors for friends and New Jersey law enforcement officials."

Prosecutors and judges -- perhaps even New Jersey Supreme Court justices -- indulged in a little illicit sexual delight in exchange for a lack of attention to this, allegedly, corrupt lawyer's activities. No OAE official apprehended Mr. Paul Bergrin -- some such officials were probably accepting his "hospitality" or, perhaps, payoffs -- only the feds and New York officials were interested in this person's activities. I wonder why?

"The Manhattan District Attorney's Office also said Newark attorney Paul Bergrin was a 'prime suspect' in the killing of a witness in a federal drug case and claimed he was grooming his son to take over the high priced call-girl operation at the heart of the investigation."

"... Bergrin found himself in need of his own attorney after he was indicted with two others on charges of money laundering" -- political contributions are always excellent money laundering techniques! -- "solicitation of prostitution and misconduct in connection with the escort service known as NY Confidential."

The New York District Attorney said: "... after Bergrin took over New York Confidential in January 2005, he tapped the escorts for free sex and brought friends to the brothel, 'including New Jersey law enforcement.' ..."

Brian T. Murray, "In Lawyer's Prostitution Case, Talk of Favors, a Killing," The Star Ledger, January 17, 2007 and http://www.nj.com/

"... sex was sold for $1,000 an hour or more."

Most women in the sexual services industry do not keep $1,000 per hour. They are usually exploited in vicious ways by people with police protection and judicial friends -- especially in a cesspool of corruption such as New Jersey -- so that these exploiters are licensed to abuse young men and women. New Jersey leads the nation in child porn and abuse. See the discussions in the "General" section at my group: http://www.Critique@groups.msn.com/ (Efforts are underway to deny me access to this group and/or the use of images, but I will keep trying to get back to it.)
"The dates were booked for $1,000 an hour. [The brothel] brought in about $1.2 MILLION in the first six months," according to "Detective Myles Mahadi of the Manhattan South Vice Enforcement Unit."

My concern is about protecting young women and men in this industry, getting minors safely out of danger, allowing those adults who wish to indulge in commercial sexual services to do so in a safe, legal environment (that gets rid of criminals and eliminates exploitation), while allowing for alternative career counselling, child care for those women who need it, health care, and yet permits "sex providers" to keep the proceeds of their efforts and pay taxes. I have never paid for sex in my life, but (apparently) this activity fascinates many men. If somebody is going to get rich from selling sex, then I guess it is fair for those doing the selling to keep the bulk of the proceeds from the sales.

This commercializing of sex is not an activity that will ever be eliminated from human societies, so the issue is: How can we protect women, mostly, and help them to be safe and prosper in their lives? How do we get rid of exploiters and see that they, such men (mostly), go to prison?

Most people who are honest about this industry are not trying to violate or injure women, but they want to make money. If money-making is possible in a safe, legal environment -- generating taxes -- then people will PREFER that situation. Women in the sexual services industry can become legal enterpreneurs. Most women in the sex industry (I believe) prefer to avoid hassels and problems, and would like nothing better than to live safe lives, where they can save for retirement and have health coverage as well as physical security. Again: I have never paid for sex. I am not involved in any way in this industry. I trust that I anticipated the bullshit spouted by New Jersey's mobster-lawyers about me in response to these allegations.

"Federal prosecutors say they are still troubled about [Bergrin's] conduct in a 2004 narcotics case. In court motions, prosecutors charged that Bergrin twice called ________, an alleged drug kingpin, and told him a key witness against his client was a man known on the streets as 'Ki-mo.'"

"Three months later, Ki-mo was murdered execution-style. Bergrin denied any wrongdoing, but withdrew from the case."

Mr. Bergrin was not deemed an "unethical attorney" by New Jersey's OAE, many of whose officials like to "party" on Friday nights. Public pressure may force the OAE to take action against this guy. ("New Jersey's 'Ethical' Legal System" and "New Jersey's Office of Attorney Ethics.")

Guy Sterling & Brian T. Murray, "Former U.S. Prosecutor Charged in Call-Girl Ring," The Star Ledger, January 11, 2007 and http://www.nj.com/

"In a recent Wall Street Journal editorial, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor questioned why there is such an 'intensity of rage currently being leveled at the judiciary.' Last week, the New Jersey Supreme Court gave her the answer."

Tom Fitton, "New Jersey Supreme Court Mandates Rights," http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/19803.html

The hostility to the Garden State's tainted Supreme Court is not primarily the result of disagreement over controversial decisions, but legitimate repugnance at the hypocrisy of a court that covers-up torture, incompetence, and unethical or criminal conduct by its agents and in its own name, while indulging in a "holier-than-thou" sanctimonious reprimanding of minor offenders, as public money is wasted on expensive portraits, dinners, and other "treats" and luxuries for the so-called "justices." ("Jaynee La Vecchia and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "Law and Ethics in the Soprano State.")

The true whores in this story are the members of New Jersey's Supreme Court and judiciary. Preventing me from posting essays at my msn group or other harassment of me will not change this truth. If you wear black robes and are indifferent to the commission of such crimes before your eyes, in violation of fundamental Constitutional and moral rights to free expression, then you relinquish any right to be called a "judge." Mr. Rabner, will you tell me with a straight face that you have not been aware of this censorship for ten years? ("Stuart Rabner and Conduct Unbecoming to the Judiciary in New Jersey" and "No More Cover-Ups and Lies, Chief Justice Rabner!")

"What was astonishing was the spread of the corruption to the New Jersey Supreme Court, which unanimously approved this action [the Democrats' naming of a successor for Robert Torricelli, D-NJ] in defiance of the plain words of the written law. ..."

Thomas Sowell, "The Houdini Award," October 11, 2002 and http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ThomasSowell/2002/10/11/the_houdini_award 1/28/2007

Ethics? Whose ethics? New Jersey's Supreme Court is a partisan branch of the corrupt mafia-Democrat establishment in the Garden State. Continued silence in the presence of this blatant evil is complicity in atrocity. ("Terry Tuchin, Diana Lisa Riccioli, and New Jersey's Agency of Torture.")

Bob Menendez Has Not Been Indicted Today!

I have just spent about twenty-five minutes struggling to get into my blogs; I am unable to change the image in my profile AGAIN; viruses and spyware, together with other obstructions, are a daily feature of my writing experience. I find this an encouraging sign that I am writing well and communicating effectively. This is the image that I would have used today to capture my mood. http://www.blackstate.com/images/biko.jpg

Let us ask New Jersey's backroom "power-brokers": Is the use of political baseball bats against critics (only when their backs are turned, of course) acceptable in the Garden State? http://orig.app.com/templateimages/njpowerbrokers/mugs/gnorcross.jpg


Amy Fagan, "Senate Hopes to Hinge on Corruption Charges in N.J.," in The Washington Times, October 29, 2006 at http://www.washtimes.com/functions/print.php?StoryID=20061017-010800-8774r
David Kocieniewski & Ray Rivera, "Waterfront Project Reflects 2 Images of a Senator," The New York Times, October 29, 2006, at p. A1.

"BAYONNE, N.J. -- Senator Robert Menendez is not directly involved in building the new waterfront development that will soon rise here in the Shadow of the Statue of Liberty. But his influence can be seen throughout it."

"The project which occupies the 437-acre site of the abandoned Military Ocean Terminal, is being built with the help of nearly $30 MILLION [emphasis really added -- AND HOW!] in federal funds that Mr. Menendez secured using his trademark policy expertise and aggressive politicking. His work provided the seed money for a plan to produce movie studios and shops, marinas and waterfront parks, and 6,600 homes."

"The project also produced considerable work for some of his chief political supporters [and contributors?] ."

Hey, you think all those political contributors might be grateful for the chance to make lots of money thanks to good old Bob? And if they are, do you think they'll send him a Christmas Card at least? Maybe when no one's looking? What do you think?

"The first major contract to develop the site went to a company that hired a Menendez friend and political confidant, Donald Scarinsci," -- known in Hudson County as "the Donald" -- "to lobby for it. That developer later took on Mr. Menendez's former campaign treasurer, Carl Goldberg, as partner. Bonds for a portion of the project were underwritten by Dennis Enright, a top campaign contributor, while Kay LiCausi, a former Menendez Congressional aide and major fundraiser, received lucrative work lobbying for the project."

That $30 MILLION in "seed" money came from the tax payers, just like the money received by the organization which paid $300,000 to Bob in rents over ten years, while they were receiving federal money.

Mr. Menendez says that he had nothing to do with the hiring of these people. It came as news to him that they are doing so well. How about that, Bob? Funny how things work out, huh?

"Republicans have portrayed Mr. Menendez as a modern-day political boss, presiding over an apparatus not of union stewards, ward heelers and precinct captains, but of lawyers, developers and lobbyists who fill his campaign coffers."

When Hudson County politicians speak to working men asking for votes, they should first say -- "turn your head and cough." This is because they usually have a firm grip, as it were, on men's income and peace of mind in this blue collar territory. As a result, Amy Fagan points out in The Washington Times,

"The same Democratic leaders who have long hoped to regain control of Congress by blasting a Republican 'culture of corruption' are in danger of losing their shot at the Senate because of accusations of corruption against Senator Robert Menendez."

Tom Kean sighed with some understandable frustration -- "People deserve to know if their senator is the only senator under federal criminal investigation." You think so, Tom?

Efforts to destroy this blog, or the writings and creative works of critics, will not alter the political realities of the nation's most foul-smelling political turf -- realities which are even now being transferred to the national level. Intimidating publishers of critics or discouraging creative efforts will not stop those committed to speaking truth to power. Take another look at the image I would have posted today. I will keep writing:

"... 57 percent of [New Jersey] voters feel the questions about Mr. Menendez are serious."

No matter what happens to me, this will not change.

"Michael Torpey said, 'The issue of corruption is clearly resonating with people."

My question to New Jersey voters is this: Look at your children and tell them about your state, also the United States of America and the U.S. Senate, then ask yourself whether Hudson County politics and what you know is the truth about power in that place is what you wish to see in the U.S. Senate and in your children's lives?

Vote your conscience. Fight for those children's future.

6 New Jersey Government Officials Indicted; More Big Money Scams.

Laura Masnerus, "6 Treasury Department Employees Indicted in Trenton," The New York Times, August 11, 2006, at p. B5:

"Six employees of the New Jersey Treasury Department, including three top officials, were indicted on Thursday on charges of accepting dinners, spa and golf outings and other gifts in return for overlooking overcharges by a state contractor."

The indictment charges these high level state officials with ...

"... receiving expensive dinners and entertainment -- whose value their lawyers say is highly exaggerated -- including spa services at a retreat in Maine, golf outings, meals, liquor, cigars and ... [for one defendant and family] a weekend trip by limousine from their home in Hamilton, N.J., to see 'Wicked' on Broadway. The trip was valued at $2,470.00."

This sort of corruption will be found among officials in many New Jersey state agencies and (probably) among many judges. Very few public school teachers, police officers or fire fighters get a little all-expenses paid trip for themselves and family in the city, with a Broadway show thrown in for the laughs. I wonder why?

There is an excellent chance that New Jersey cops and teachers won't get their pensions when they retire because of all the theft of public money. It sure makes people happy to know that Debbie Poritz gets her pension and that she and McGreevey as well as good old Rich Cody have been immortalized on canvas, at your expense.

"In New Jersey, you cannot go anywhere at home without bumping into something that is regulated by a relatively obscure agency called the Board of Public Utilities."

"... these days, the board has a more visible role. It is on the cusp of making one of the more significant decisions in its 95 year-history: whether to approve a $17 billion merger of Exelon, a Chicago-based company, and Public Service Enterprise Group, the parent company of P.S.E.&G., creating the nation's largest utility."

"The merger, first proposed in late 2004, has been approved by regulators in New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, as well as by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Federal Department of Justice."

"That leaves the New Jersey board as the only remaining hurdle."

David W. Chen, "In Huge Merger Of 2 Utilities, 'Quiet Agency' Is in Spotlight," in The New York Times, August 20, 2006, at p. 25.

To the extent that this merger will benefit consumers and residents of New Jersey, public officials should be expeditious in seeing it brought to a conclusion. As Governor Corzine has made clear, the interest of citizens and all residents of New Jersey should determine public policy and not pointless -- as opposed to necessary -- delays by regulators, or a yearning on the part of politicians and others to find some way to gain financial profit (secretly) from this deal. As they say in Trenton: "Yeah, but what's in it for me?"

Walter Lippman spoke of the "public interest" as the standard by which to guide public policy. This ideal or value must not be lost.

Many citizens of New Jersey wonder whether continuing obstructions to this proposed $17 billion merger of utility companies creating the nation's largest utility corporate entity, which would provide much needed revenue and benefits for the people of the state, including possibly cheaper and better energy, are really only efforts by politicians -- or behind-the-scenes bosses -- to ensure that they get a piece of this pie. Trenton politicians like to whisper: "I gotta take something home for dessert."

The Jersey Boys also like to say: "Just let me wet my beak a little ..." David W. Chen, "Utility Merger Hits a Snag in New Jersey," in The New York Times, August 18, 2006, at p. B5:

"Senate President Richard Cody and other political leaders have urged the board to act quickly. Hours before the counterproposal was offered, Gov. Jon S. Corzine, who has said he approves of the merger, addressed the topic at a news conference, saying, 'I think it is time to bring this to conclusion.' ... "

Laura Masnerus, "Reprieve for Troubled Xanadu Entertainment Complex," in The New York Times, August 23, 2006, at p. B5 chronicles the sorry history of the "huge shopping and entertainment complex now rising in the Meadowlands," a project originally provided to "buddies" of former Governor McGreevey, now (for some reason) under investigation by the SEC "in connection with allegations of accounting irregularities."

You mean, "theft"?

The billions of dollars needed to complete the Xanadu project had to come from a new investor, to avoid the potential loss of billions more in public money, and the investigation is "on-going." This should be a good one.

There is much more to come in the days and weeks ahead. (See "Let's see what he's got under his fingernails" at Philosopher's Quest.)

How much is enough for the people of New Jersey?