I was lost, but now I’m found…why Bill DeWeese must go.

A lot can happen in a very short time.  No sooner had I started this blog then I got the opportunity to travel for a while.  During that time, Pennsylvania and it’s politics were not on the top of my list of concerns.  It’s summer and HOT and the fact is nothing much ever happens in Lancaster County or Pennsylvania politics in the summer (at least once you get past the budget).   I lost myself in a cool, calm,  politically uninvolved environment figuring I’d come home to a whole lot of nothing much.

This summer has been a little different.  There have been the indictments.  They were expected but surprising none-the-less.  Ironic isn’t it that Democrat Mike Veon, potential Dirtbag, was from Pittsburgh as was confirmed Republican Dirtbag Jeff Habay?  Pittsburgh is certainly rockin’ and rollin’.  Interestingly enough, Democrat Bill DeWeese House Majority Leader and also from the Pittsburgh area has not been charged with anything at all.  Yeah it must be something in the water.

Why is this interesting? Mike Manzo, his former Chief of Staff, was one of the people indicted.  This guy Manzo even had his girlfriend on the payroll apparently just looking good for her man.  DeWeese has denied knowing what was going on right under his nose.  He is, says he, totally innocent of any wrongdoing.  

There are many instances in life where you pay a big price for sheer stupidity.  If DeWeese is, as he claims, innocent of wrongdoing then he is guilty of being oblivious.   Being oblivious reeks of many things, including arrogance, and yes stupidity.  It also rings false.  If your underlings are doing illegal activities right under your nose and you don’t know it, then you have no business being in office.   You’ve heard the saying “ignorance of the law is no excuse” well neither is being oblivious.  They work for you, you are responsible.

This guy has been in office for 32 years.  Yeah you read it right–32 years.  During this time DeWeese has been known to accuse others of being liars, disingenuous, dishonorable, okay you get the idea.  Apparently DeWeese is at the top of his game when accusing others of questionable behavior but hasn’t got a clue when it’s his own staffers. 

Sorry I don’t buy it.  This is why people don’t want to vote and why they have lost faith in our system.  Bill DeWeese needs to leave office–now.

Why the indicted Democrats should take heart…..

Talk about a timely post….

WPXI.com just posted this as I was posting my post:

Former State Rep. Convicted In Anthrax Case Won’t Serve Remaining Time In Jail

POSTED: 4:02 pm EDT July 22, 2008

UPDATED: 4:23 pm EDT July 22, 2008

PITTSBURGH — A former state lawmaker convicted of conflict of interest and a bizarre fake anthrax threat will serve the remainder of his sentences in a halfway house or under house arrest.

Jeff Habay had been scheduled to report to jail by Aug. 1. But a judge said Tuesday that Habay did not deserve to go to jail after losing his office, his pension and his reputation.

Instead, Judge Jeffrey Manning ruled that Habay can serve the remainder of his sentence at a halfway house, or under house arrest.

Habay was sentenced to four to eight months in jail in the anthrax case. That sentence was to be served concurrently to a six- to 12-month sentence for a 2005 conviction on conflict-of-interest charges that he used his legislative staff to do campaign work.

The 42-year-old Shaler Republican resigned after he was convicted.

Man, go away for a few weeks…..

I had to go away for a while.  But I’m back so lets talk politics.  Where to start…  How about 12 indictments?

Do you remember me?

The indictments were not a surprise, but were still impressive.  Timing was interesting.  It was obvious that the new budget was a factor in when these people got served, thank you Mr. Corbett.  The fact that serving these indictments before the budget resolution could have thrown people out of work and possibly held the process up for weeks shows you that Corbett wasn’t totally motivated by politics.  It would have been much more dramatic to have done all this in the middle of the budget process.  On the other hand….

The Democrats respond with negative Corbett robocalls?  Whose bright idea was that?  It came off looking pathetic.  Everything they said may have been true but the timing was really stupid.

Look I know it’s all Democrats indicted right now but wasn’t the first true indictment Jeff Habay, Pittsburgh Dirtbag?  And isn’t Habay a–dare I say it–Republican?  Habay resigned in January of 2006 and was sentenced in May of 2007 after pleading “no contest” to 21 assorted counts of conflict-of-interest.

The problem is too much time passed from then till now.  No one much remembers Jeff Habay and his bag of tricks.  For those who don’t remember, not only was he accused of campaigning from his State House office, this guy was accused of sending fake anthrax to a political enemy–he also pleaded “no contest” to those charges.  

That’s not all though! He was also sued by a political rival who claimed Habay created a fake website that was politically oriented with a name eerily like his rival’s business.  On it he posted nasty stuff about his rival’s business.    What a guy.

After all this and apparently repentent behavior, Hababy changed his mind and appealed all of his pleas.  The appeals are over now though and Sir Habay will find his way to jail on August 1, 2008. 

In reality the Democrats were greedy and not very bright, but nothing they did compares to the champ–Jeff Habay.  Take a bow Mr. Habay, it’ll be your last for a long time. 

News with the Sunday News–

Like anyone interested in local politics I always make sure to read the Lancaster Sunday News.  Political Animals, the pre-eminent political column in Lancaster, this week concentrated on John Murphy, Independent candidate for the 16th Congressional seat now occupied by Joe Pitts. 

I’ve met Murphy twice now and my opinion hasn’t changed.  What a mouth and what arrogance.  There’s a difference between being opinionated and being just plain rude and ignorant. 

Take for instance this quote from the column: “It’s pretty hard to be in pursuit of happiness if you’re sick and stupid,” he said.  What was he commenting on?   The fact that special interest money prevents affordable healthcare and college tuition.  Uh okay.  Great way to garner support. 

He’s not an anti-semite either.  At least that’s what he claims in this comment: ”He also slammed the influence of AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which contributes to both parties and, Murphy contended, contributes to blocking Middle East peace by preventing criticism of Israel’s policies.”  Here is what he has to say about the above: “I try to explain to people this has nothing to do with Jews. It has everything to do with the Zionist government in Israel.”  Sure–right–gotcha even though I am sick and stupid I’m not blind. 

Murphy also blew off Bruce Slater, resulting in these lines in the newspaper:  “Murphy shrugs off the Democrats, though. The way the 16th has been gerrymandered, he said, Democrats have no chance of winning.”  Hey Lancaster I think we were just insulted! 

Now my thoughts.  Don’t count Slater out, he pulled over 6500 votes more than Pitts in the primary, indicating someone is taking him seriously.  Don’t count Pitts out either; he’s managed to get re-elected over and over because he is someone who “doesn’t make waves”. 

Murphy may think he comes off like a maverick, but the fact is he is a 62 year old guy who doesn’t have a real clue.  He appears not to be very respected in Chester County and Lancaster doesn’t really know him which is just as well.  Lancaster loves them some Joe and people here know politics.  That doesn’t mean Joe will win but I’d rather see him than this guy.  

The Democrats will challenge his petitions?  I think maybe the Republicans will be right there too.  The fact is any candidate who will dress in a chicken suit to get attention because the Chester County Rotary chose to ignore him is someone who appears to lack the ability to get creative in the way someone wanting to be a Congressman should be.   Whether you’re rich or poor when you’re running for office you need to display some class.

Murphy has some interesting ideas but his plans sound an awful lot like communism to me.  Universal healthcare–it’s worked so great in other countries especially for the chronically ill.  Publically funded candidates campaigns–so my tax dollars go to support anybody who wants to run for office–excuse me? NO

My personal favorite proposal–fully government funded education.  By the feds no less.  Take it from the states and make it all free.  Harvard, Yale, Princeton who cares!   They can’t even keep a decent Department of Education and they’re supposed to control all education in the entire US?  What about standards, how would this be regulated?  Who cares!  Food fight!

I’m sure he got permission from all the organizations and cartoonists whose work he used on his campaign website.  That would include the things he altered–which is copyright infringement I think.  Better look into that.  Wait Murphy probably thinks he has a right to take other peoples work without permission.  No John that would be a communist country not the US.

I respect the work of the Pennsylvania Ballot Access Coalition.  This is a great group with very valid issues.  Pennsylvania is back in the stone ages when it comes to their election process and the way they treat candidates.  I do think however, that Mr. Murphy is a poor representative of this worthy cause.  

Yeah they want change……

Everyone says they want change but what does that really mean?  What change?  What are they willing to sacrifice for change?  An example:  Neff running in the 13th.  There are people who don’t feel he should run as a write-in.  Might upset the apple cart.  This even though they say they’re unhappy with the primary results.   

Is Neff a good choice?  Who knows.  We barely got to know him in the primary because he seemed to be trying to prove a point that somehow got lost.  We’ll see.  I’m looking forward to seeing what he pulls out of his hat in the coming weeks.  If the Sunday News article last week is any indication of what’s to come, this guy is finally serious.  Plus rumor has it he has the bucks.

One thing from the same article is also being talked about.  The gracious response Jose Urdaneta, Democratic challenger gave to the Neff news.   General wisdom is that he is gracious because it could benefit him, but that’s not necessarily true.  The conservatives who were going to vote for Urdaneta rather than Smucker may just have found an alternative.  Still, I think that Mr. Urdaneta, who sounded like a different guy at City Council this week, is getting serious himself. 

One things for certain, the above 2 aren’t counting their chickens unlike Lloyd Smucker who’s holding a “Victory” party in a couple of weeks.  Yeah you heard me “Victory”.  He’s been telling supporters and friends very openly that he’s getting everything ready for when he takes office since he has the job all wrapped up.  

Now back to the people who say they want change.  What does the above sound like to you?  No matter what this isn’t change.  It’s politics as usual. 

Just when you thought nothing else could happen Part II….

Even when I was a kid I loved politics.  I didn’t really understand it but I knew I loved it.  In the early 90’s after the typical rift with my authority figures about church, I made a deal.  I would go to church but they had to let me watch “Meet the Press”. 

Tim Russert died today.  He wasn’t all that old but his wisdom made him seem like he had been around a hundred years.  Russert was a rock star in the political press, something he seemed to find amusing.  I watched his show like some people watched MTV–I couldn’t get enough.  Russert was so cunning, so sharp and so decent.  He never made a spectacle of himself, he didn’t have to.  He was known and respected everywhere because of his talent not because he was self promoting.  Politicos both feared & loved him…he was a legend, the real deal.

I watched Tim Russert and I learned.  I wanted to be just like him.  He worked at keeping the bad guys good and making them accountable.  He could build you up and tear you down, but he didn’t do it for sport, he did it because it was the right thing to do; he did it with facts, style and character. 

I never became Tim Russert or even his younger protege’, in fact I never met him.  But his impact on my life has been profound.  He was a modern day political sheriff, my real hero.

That’s it for tonight.  If it’s Sunday, It’s Meet the Press.    Somehow that will never quite sound the same again.

Just when you thought nothing else could happen….

I have thoughts, I can write & I have connections, so here I am.  

What’s the point of this blog?  We all know there’s something dirty in Lancaster County PA Politics.  You get up in the morning, you walk outside, you take a big snoutful of air & you find yourself gagging. Yep, a new scandal has broken out and you just got wind of it.

Here’s a few of the things we’re going to be talking about:  where oh where is Gib going?  Someplace green I think–& I don’t mean the hills.  Lloyd, Lloyd, Lloyd, we know what you’ve been up to but does anyone else?  Hey you have the race all wrapped up anyway in the 13th.  Who needs an election?

In 2 years it’s adios Creighton and for Katie the same thing might be True.  Who are the leading contenders to take their places?  They’re already lining up but they might not be who you think.   Yep, it just could be the replacements aren’t in a straight row right now.

5 Commissioners may be on the horizon, but how are these 3 doing?  1 not so bad, 1 not so good and 1 not so anything.  Which is which?  Who might be joining this crew who appear stoic & united, but have to each go home at night & be like “what did I get myself into”?   Stay tuned.

Ole Jose!  Mr. Urdaneta is undergoing a transformation.  It’s a good one that’s for sure.  He’s starting to sound more like a State Senator everyday.  And Slater may be sending Joe right into the Pitts in the 16th Congressional District.  The other Bruce had a lot more votes than Mr. Pitts in the primary & well…..lets just say Mr. Slater may want to take a few rides on Amtrak to get the feel.

Still, don’t ever count the Republicans out.  When push comes to shove they will go dirty, even on their own party members.  Just ask Paul Thibault who is personally responsible for everything bad that ever happened in Lancaster County since 1940, even though he wasn’t here.  That’s what he gets for running to Canada at 2 years old to avoid the draft. 

Steve McDonald on the other hand seems to have disappeared.  Does he have plans for the future or is he trying to just make sure he has an income?  Yeah Steve you dog, you committed the cardinal sin, you ran for office–and you did good.  Bad!

So much to talk about but so little time.  The above is just a taste.  I mean with so many other juicy morsels (a write-in race with Bill Neff, brow beating by committee chairs on the Republican side, Millie making stress to the Maxx and what the heck is going on with the Campaign Chair for the Republicans Frank Fryburg?  I think maybe the sly guy pulled a fast one!) it’s all about the truth.  No unfounded gossip, no phoney facts and no crap.  We’ll tell you what we know & how we know it.  We’ll clearly label opinions as such and clearly make sure facts are labeled the same with sources (well as much as we can tell without breaking confidences).

I’ve always been a rowdy kinda guy & I’ve been quiet for too long.  So grab onto your hat; it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.