February 15, 2008 at 7:22 P.M. My computer monitor is frozen. I have restarted my computer. New problems and attacks against my security system.
February 15, 2008 at 4:20 P.M., despite my efforts, I have never sought or been the subject of a restraining order against anyone, ever, anywhere. I am not running for political office. If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve. Charges for "extortion" are, apparently, pending against Senator Joe Coniglio, as of today. More political figures are rumored to be facing criminal charges; others soon will be. Stay tuned to this channel.
February 13, 2008 at 12:47 phone call from 603-214-3623. At 1:08 P.M., a call from 517-261-0103. I am blocking:
http://view.atdmt.com/iview/msnnkhac001728x90xWBCBRB00110msn/direct;wi.728;hi.90/01
David Kocieniewski, "Usually on Attack, U.S. Attorney in Newark Finds Himself on the Defensive ," in The New York Times, February 13, 2008, at p. B1.
David W. Chen, "A Hard-Times Road Show on New Jersey Finances," in The New York Times, February 12, 2008, at p. B1.
Winnie Hu, "Schools Revived by Special Aid in New Jersey Brace for a New Formula," in The New York Times, February 12, 2008, at p. B4.
"In the six years that he has been the United States attorney for New Jersey, Christopher J. Christie Jr. has investigated free-holders and governors, party hacks and United States senators, winning indictments against Republicans and Democrats alike and obtaining convictions or guilty pleas against more than 125 public officials without losing a case."
When you combine these convictions with those of conspirators who are not elected officials, but also players in the political system, the convictions soar to well over 200 defendants.
What is the response from Trenton? (See "A Letter From the DRB, in New Jersey!" and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet!") Senator Bob and the Jersey Boys have been working the phones and calling in favors, allegedly, trying to get rid of Mr. Christie. A judgeship in Alaska does not appeal to him, intimidation hasn't worked. Hence, an effort is underway to finagle a Congressional investigation against Christie that will sidetrack the Justice Department just long enough (they hope!) for a Democrat to be elected president.
In the past members of their own party could be bribed or threatened with a loss of votes by N.J. political hoods. This year they are in trouble in Trenton, allegedly, since neither Mr. Obama nor Senator Clinton wants anything to do with the Jersey Syndicate.
The Times article is a dog's breakfast of allegations and frothy inuendo: "... most political leaders in New Jersey believe [Mr. Christie] plans to run for governor ..." Mr. Christie has denied any interest in being governor -- but if he runs, I sure hope that he wins, regardless of his political affiliation.
Next, we are told of possible Congressional inquiries into the use of monitors, like former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. Mr. Christie uses former federal officials -- preferably with substantial experience -- because he is skeptical about the New Jersey legal establishment. I share that skepticism. Nothing will come of this, probably, but the newspaper story is a distraction. The Jersey Boys hope that the justice Department lacks "testicular fortitude," as many N.J. judges do. We'll find out. I doubt it.
What is the result of all the graft in the Garden State that the Jersey Syndicate hopes to obscure with this smoke creen?
"EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- The first snide outburst came, as usual, a few minutes into the program when Gov. Jon S. Corzine, relying on a Power-Point slide show several font sizes too small, spoke about New Jersey's fiscal woes, 'Stop lying!' someone blurted."
One of the few politicians in New Jersey who is not lying is Governor Corzine. The Governor's warnings about financial catastrophe are real and serious. Ignoring New Jersey's precarious finances -- which are the result of thievery and corruption on a massive scale, over decades of club-house politics and mafia rule -- will result in severe deprivations for citizens, job loss, disappearing services, honest police officers, fire fighters, teachers not receiving well-earned wage increases and pension benefits, also many students deprived of an education. (See "You Ain't Seen Nothing yet in New Jersey!")
This is not a message people want to hear. However, it is (literally) a life or death matter at this point, since hospitals are also being closed in New Jersey. Corruption poisons the quality of life and causes deaths in New Jersey. People will not receive the care they need in a timely fashion unless these issues are dealt with, seriously and soon. Do not kill the messenger. Listen to what Corzine has to say. A state governor should not be prevented from speaking, silenced by hecklers in his own state, in a society that respects freedom of speech:
"... Then, after suggesting that voters would have a chance to vote him out of office in November 2009, there was so much heckling that he had to stop."
America is not a country where people are gagged because what they say is unpopular. Democracy cannot work that way. The Governor of New Jersey -- and I am anything but an apologist for that government -- is delivering a necessary message of fiscal triage. The state's economy is in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Something needs to be done now to rescue your children's future.
The legal system of the Garden State has already expired, in my opinion, and people are pretending not to notice this fact. It is no answer to these serious accusations to insert "errors" into my writings or send me threatening letters based on manipulations of the system. Threatening a federal prosecutor will not solve N.J.'s problem, it may make things worse for the crooks.
Persons from many places in the world associate N.J. with legal incompetence and political corruption. I am aware of the unfairness in this reality for all of those persons working in the N.J. legal and political system who are not crooks, which is more reason for the powers that be in Trenton to figure out that they have to do something to restore integrity to the system, acknowledge crimes against humanity, make amends and an effort to compensate for such crimes (not necessarily financially, since any moneys or compensatory sums from whatever sources must be returned to the N.J. system for needed improvements). I am discussing symbolic efforts at the very least. (See "Why U.S. Courts Must Not Condone Torture.")
"Faced with $32 BILLION in debt, a depleted transportation fund" -- How did it get depleted? -- "and hundreds of highways and bridges in need of maintenance, Mr. Corzine has proposed increasing tolls 50 percent every four years over 12 years on the New Jersey Turnpike."
Bridges will collapse and there will be a massive number of injured persons, without adequate facilities or resources close by to care for them. Security breaches will result in potential terrorist incidents emanating from N.J. going to other states (two persons were arrested by the feds for planning such a strike in the Fort Dix area). Terrorists will not be apprehended by paid off state officials. Federal resources in New Jersey are "strained" to understate the problem. Legal proceedings in N.J. are regarded as a joke, deservedly. Secrecy and violations of rights are routine aspects of the operations of government and courts that are sworn to prevent such criminality. Pension funds and Christmas Tree items are depriving the state of necessary resources all the time.
What is the daily result of this continuing state of affairs?
"The Paterson [school] district faces a $40 MILLION to $50 MILLION shortfall in its projected $537 MILLION budget for 2008-2009, said Laura Franklin, a district spokeswoman. The 27,000-student district, which will receive a 2 percent increase, is considering layoffs for the first time in several years after having already cut back field trips and school supplies and reduced hours for summer school and recreation programs [you can expect more juvenile crime!] in the last two years."
Similar predicaments are faced by teachers and administrators in Perth Amboy, Elizabeth, Union, Hudson and Essex Counties and elsewhere in New Jersey. Children are suffering and they will be disadvantaged in comparison with students in other states and countries. The educational deprivations will result in social pathologies, increased crime rates and additional financial burdens for the system in terms of police and prison as well as court costs. Elizabeth's public library, where I spent a substantial amount of time as a child, has probably saved lives and steered children in the right direction. Will there be money to keep libraries open in New Jersey?
Anonymous slanders alleging that the U.S. attorney is "unpleasant" or disliked by "unidentified" defense lawyers is neither here nor there. You don't have to like Mr. Christie, he's asking you to refrain from stealing public money. If you steal that money in N.J., then Mr. Christie's going to indict you -- nothing personal.
The steady trickle of money out of the system through theft and sweetheart deals as well as bribery and cronyism continues, every day. New Jersey voters must make it clear to elected officials and judges that this situation is intolerable. What is threatened is both your physical safety and welfare -- along with your civil liberties -- if you live in New Jersey. N.J. legal and political officials must be held accountable for their blatant criminality and incompetence, also for sinister manipulations of the legal system.
