Thursday, February 10, 2011

Rebellion in GOP ranks: How Boehner lost control of the House this week - CSMonitor.com

This week’s floor defeats – on measures expected to pass easily – further rattled GOP leaders, sparking speculation that the majority couldn't govern, or at least count votes.

  • On Tuesday, 26 Republicans broke party ranks to vote down a measure to extend expiring provisions of the Patriot Act, an antiterrorism bill rushed through Congress after the 9/11 attacks. The bill comes back to the floor on Friday.
  • Next, GOP leaders pulled a trade bill, also headed toward defeat.
  • On Wednesday, Republicans lost a vote on what was expected to be a popular measure to require the United Nations to refund $179 million in overpayments. All but 23 Democrats plus two Republicans opposed the move after the Obama administration made a case that the bill would defund new security measures at the UN.

Click on the following for more details:  Rebellion in GOP ranks: How Boehner lost control of the House this week - CSMonitor.com

Chicago region foreclosures continue to rise in 2010, despite year-end “robo-signing” moratoria

 

Chicago six-county region saw nearly 80,000 new foreclosure filings in 2010, says data released today by Woodstock Institute. This 14 percent increase in new foreclosures from 2009 to 2010 happened in spite of a dip in the fourth quarter of 2010, likely due to the moratoria many mortgage servicers instated

Growth in new foreclosure filing activity continues to be concentrated in the region’s middle- and upper-income urban and suburban communities.

• Counties with the greatest increases in new foreclosure filings between 2009 and 2010 include McHenry County (33 percent increase) and Will County (21.4 percent).

condominium foreclosures continue to be a significant driver of foreclosure activity in some communities

Click on the following for more details:  Chicago region foreclosures continue to rise in 2010, despite year-end “robo-signing” moratoria

EPA on way to Chrysler plant for gasoline leak - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

gasket failure in the body-in-white piping that carries gas across the plant to the trim, chassis, final line,” spokeswoman Michelle Tinson wrote in an e-mail.

“Employees were moved to safe areas in the plant away from the fumes. The local fire department and fire marshal are on site assessing the situation and will advise when it’s all clear for employees to return to the area.”

Click on the following for more details:  EPA on way to Chrysler plant for gasoline leak - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Statement of Cardinal Justin Rigali Archbishop of Philadelphia

Regarding the Release of the Report of the Grand Jury
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office issued a report of the Investigative Grand Jury earlier today
concerning the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and matters related to sexual abuse of minors. Since the report was just
released this morning, the Archdiocese has not yet had the opportunity to review it and, therefore, I am not able to
comment specifically on its contents. It is my intention to consider carefully and take very seriously any
observations and recommendations of this Grand Jury. I also welcome the opportunity for ongoing collaboration
with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in the vital work of protecting children.

At this moment, as people of faith we must reach out in compassion and support for one another and for all
who are affected by this news. Victims of sexual abuse by clergy may find this news deeply painful. Our thoughts
and prayers are with them. It is in this spirit that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is cooperating fully with the civil
authorities in this and all related matters.

Through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we recommit ourselves to pray and to labor in His Spirit to do
everything possible to rectify the injustices suffered by victims.

Archdiocese of Philadelphia reaction to sexual abuse charges

 

February 9, 2011

News Release from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education

Today, Wednesday, February 9, 2011, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Office of Catholic Education received an allegation of inappropriate physical behavior by a part-time music instructor, Mr. Edward Golaszewski, towards a student at Bishop Shanahan High School in Chester County. Upon learning of these allegations, the Bishop Shanahan Administration immediately contacted ChildLine, the Chester County District Attorney's Office and the Downingtown Police Department. Mr. Golaszewski is also a part-time music instructor at Archbishop Wood High School in Bucks County. He previously taught at Cardinal Dougherty High School prior to its closure in June 2010. The Office of Catholic Education is unaware of any other allegations regarding Mr. Golaszewski.
As of today, this instructor is on administrative leave, which means he is relieved of all duties within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Bishop Shanahan and Archbishop Wood emailed letters to parents and guardians of their respective school communities today. The Office of Catholic Education will be contacting school families of students who previously attended Cardinal Dougherty High School.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of these allegations and remain committed to ensuring the safety and well being of our children," said, Ms. Mary E. Rochford, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia recognizes that this public notice may be painful to those who have been abused. If anyone needs assistance please contact the Victim Assistance Office for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or philavac@adphila.org.

Philadelphia DA charges priests, teacher with assault

PHILADELPHIA -- Two Roman Catholic priests, a former priest and a Catholic school teacher were charged Thursday with raping young boys, while a former high-ranking church official was accused of transferring problem priests to new parishes without warning anyone of prior sex-abuse complaints.

the rare, if not unprecedented, move, the grand jury charged Monsignor William Lynn with endangering children in his role as secretary for clergy under former Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua.

Lynn, 60, had a duty to protect children in the five-county archdiocese and refer priests with known sexual problems for rehabilitation or prosecution, District Attorney Seth Williams said in announcing the charges.

"He instead lied to parishioners and went out of his way to reassign priests without telling pastors or principals . that they were pedophiles," Williams said.

Pennsylvania has since revised laws to give child sex-assault victims more time to report abuse, while the archdiocese under Cardinal Justin Rigali has pledged to refer credible complaints to law enforcement.

Read the rest of the story click on the following:    Philadelphia DA charges priests, teacher with assault

As a further reference this a citation from Wikipedia concerning the Archdiocese’s history of sexual abuse and cover up: 

Sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Philadelphia

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The sexual abuse scandal in Philadelphila archdiocese is a significant episode in the series of Catholic sex abuse cases in the United States and Ireland.

[edit] Cover-up by Cardinals Krol and Belavicqua

On September 21, 2005, nearly 10 years after his death, a grand jury in Philadelphia announced that Cardinal Krol, as well as Cardinal Bevilacqua, were involved with the cover-up of a sex scandal against accused priests throughout the archdiocese. Like the sex scandals in the Archdiocese of Boston, Krol and Bevilacqua transferred accused priests to other parishes throughout the archdiocese.

[edit] Role of Cardinal Rigali

Cardinal Justin Francis Rigali adopted the policy of defrocking those who are accused and confirmed by investigations. Cardinal Rigali, in cooperation with Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham and other DAs throughout the jurisdiction of the archdiocese, has now started practicing of both internal archdiocesan investigations, as well as external criminal investigations

In September 2005, Cardinal Rigali staunchly defended the actions of his two predecessors, Krol and Bevilacqua, who were named as sponsors of a coverup in a local grand jury.

[edit] Actions of bishop Cistone

According to the 2005 investigation, while serving as assistant vicar for administration in 1996, Cistone was involved with silencing a nun who tried to alert parishioners at St. Gabriel parish about abuse by a priest.[1] According to the report, there were several other instances of priest sexual abuse which Cistone was complicit in covering up. The report also indicated that Cistone was most concerned with the public relations ramifications of the sexual abuse. The report also showed that when a sex abuse victim demanded to meet with Cardinal Anthony Bevilacqua, Cistone refused the request, saying that allowing a sex abuse victim to meet with the Cardinal would "set a precedent."[2] When these revelations became public, Cistone expressed sorrow for "any mistakes in judgment.".[3] However, Cistone refused to discuss the matter further, saying, "[I]t would not serve any purpose to revisit the grand jury report and endeavor to recall the rationale for past decisions made in specific cases." [4][5]

[edit] Aftershocks in Saginaw

A week after being named to lead the Diocese of Saginaw, Cistone was asked by a mid-Michigan newspaper reporter about the grand jury investigation and his reported role in covering up instances of sexual abuse. Cistone expressed unhappiness with how little opportunity he had been given to respond to the report, saying, "Unfortunately, the grand jury procedure, as followed in Philadelphia, did not allow for any opportunity to address such questions to offer explanation or clarification."[6] Cistone also expressed surprise that he had not been questioned about the grand jury report during his introductory press conference and told the reporter, "Had it come up, I certainly would have addressed it."[7] However, when given the opportunity to answer questions about his actions by the newspaper reporter, Cistone refused to answer specific questions on the matter.

On June 9, 2009, a group of survivors of clergy abuse protested Cistone's appointment outside the Saginaw Diocese office.[8] Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) demanded that Cistone hold a public forum to explain his actions as described in the 2005 grand jury report. SNAP President Barbara Blaine said the actions had to be taken because, "the innocence of children was shattered needlessly because of the action and inaction of this bishop."[9] In response to the group's calls for transparency, Cistone said, "If someone wants to go back and rehash what the church may have done based on knowledge and experience or lack of experience the church had, well, that's OK, but that's not productive. What's productive is what we can do to move forward."[10]

[edit] John McDevitt affair

A 2009 suit claims that Rev. John McDevitt, a religion teacher at Father Judge High School for Boys, abused Richard Green for six months in 1990 and 1991, according to a report by the New York Post. At the time, the victim's uncle, Cardinal John Joseph O'Connor, served as archbishop of New York. [11]

[edit] Use of the penile plethysmograph

During the abuse scandal, the reliability of the penile plethysmograph was questioned by some officials in the archdiocese of Philadelphia. Later, these officials chose to seek therapy at an institution where the plethysmograph was not used. This, even though the officials were made aware of the fact that the test was used by most experts and was believed to be of value in diagnosing sexual disorders. Later, a Grand Jury found that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's decision to do so "had the effect of diminishing the validity of the evaluations and the likelihood that a priest would be diagnosed as a pedophile or ephebophile."[12]

Finally the entire 114 page Grand Jury indictment is available at the following:  http://www.phila.gov/districtattorney/PDFs/clergyAbuse2-finalReport.pdf

Editorial: No tolerance for attempts to keep taxpayer business secret |

The workers compensation case is for a state trooper injured while traveled down the highway at  126 miles an hour, sending an e-mail and at the same time talking on the phone to your girlfriend.  Oh yes—his speeding car killed  two young Collinsville sisters  injuring two others.

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Belleville News-Democrat, using the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, obtained thousands of e-mails between Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission arbitrator Jennifer Teague, Mitchell's lawyer and an assistant attorney general that paint a clear picture of subterfuge.

It’s time for Illinois Workers' Compensation Commission Chairman Mitch Weisz to launch a thorough — and open — investigation into this and Teague’s other actions as arbitrator.

It’s time for the attorney general’s office to find out whether one of its own officers should have blown a whistle early on about what was happening.

It’s time for the state’s Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission to consider whether the actions on behalf of the attorneys warrants discipline.

It’s time to send a message that seems to keep getting drowned out in Illinois: The business of government is the business of taxpayers and there should be nothing less than transparency, honesty and openness.

Click on the following for the rest of editorial:  No tolerance for attempts to keep taxpayer business secret | business, tolerance, editorial - Editorial - Jacksonville Illinois News and Information Jacksonville Journal Courier

A $20,000 Liquor License Application Fee for the City of Belvidere? YIKES!

thumbnail[4]The following  “Letter to the Editor”  from Diann Helnore  has been submitted to both Rockford Register Star and the Boone County Journal for immediate publication.   Diann has requested that I post it here.

A $20,000 Liquor License Application Fee for the City of Belvidere? YIKES!

And, I understand that this is just the Application Fee not the Annual $1400 Liquor License Renewal Fee.

Like a number of others, since I heard about this requirement, I have been guilty of going on line to search for similar liquor license application fees in other Cities and Municipalities in Illinois. I have not been able to find ANY, even in the larger Cities. All I can say regarding this subject is WHY is Belvidere so different than everyone else? Also like many others, I am guilty of wanting to enjoy a glass of wine when dining out in the evening. This ordinance is daunting my restaurant choices and hindering my support of our local establishments.

Perhaps when originated it was just not a well thought out ordinance. Because, if this Liquor License Application Fee’s intent was to make the City of Belvidere money, it does not appear to have done that. (It would be interesting to know how many $20,000 Liquor license Application Fees have actually been collected.) If the purpose of this ordinance was to keep people out of the restaurant business in Belvidere it probably has been successful.

What lofty plans can anyone possibly have had that justify making it so unaffordable for good people to succeed in trying to establish a restaurant business in the City of Belvidere? And who in good conscience has the right to keep them out of business?

The people this $20,000 liquor license application fee currently affect the MOST are the ones who have contributed the MOST in personal time, money and effort to restore our fine city and downtown area to its original historical beauty and glory. The would be applicants for the liquor license application fee (could they afford it) are our very own local entrepreneurs, the unsung heroes and pillars of this community.

I would think that encouraging new business to the City of Belvidere, to generate more revenue would be foremost. Belvidere’s motto used to be “Shop Belvidere 1st., but fine dining here is a thing of the past. It may have gone to its grave with the recent demolition of the “Huddle”.

I really hope the City of Belvidere, Mayor and Council will take another look at this ordinance regarding the restaurant liquor license application fee and make some needed changes that may help out our local business people and make our downtown prosperous again.

Sincerely,

Diann Helnore,

Belvidere Township Assessor , Boone County IL

Ed Marx also submitted a letter to the editor.

 

Ed Marx Editorial

Minutes of the Boone County 911 Board

I have added the yellow highlighting.

Click on the photocopy to enlarge:

911 board jan 1

911 board jan 2

911 board jan 3

911 board jan 4

Hosni Mubarak 'may step down' - Middle East - Al Jazeera English

The Supreme Council of Egyptian Armed Forces has met to discuss the ongoing protests against the government of Hosni Mubarak, the president.

In a statement entitled 'Communique Number One', televised on state television, the army said it had convened the meeting response to the current political turmoil, and that it would continue to convene such meetings.

Thurday's meeting was chaired by Mohamed Tantawi, the defence minister, rather than Mubarak, who, as president, would normally have headed the meeting.

"Based on the responsibility of the armed forces and its commitment to protect the people and its keenness to protect the nation... and in support of the legitimate demands of the people the army] will continue meeting on a continuous basis to examine measures to be taken to protect the nation and its gains and the ambitions of the great Egyptian people," the statement.

Click on the following for more details:  Hosni Mubarak 'may step down' - Middle East - Al Jazeera Englis[

Monitoring of Belvidere Landfill #2

This is a continuation of the story posted in January:  http://boonecountywatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/01/city-county-meeting-landfill2-needs-to.html  The minutes of that meeting on now available go to page 3 of the following postng:  http://boonecountyminutes.blogspot.com/2011/02/city-county-1-12-2011.htmlThere really is little new information just more “official” statements  from the experts that high readings maybe “erroneous. This landfill is locate adjacent to Maplecrest Nursing Home.

The map and emails are rather self explaining—

CLICK ON THE PHOTOCOPIES TO ENLARGE: 

 

Landfill 2010-1

Landfill 2010-2

Landfill 2010-3

Milwaukee bankruptcy filing masks the truth | National Catholic Reporter

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Filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is really about keeping the whole truth of this tragic matter from being made public. The filing has most likely delayed, if not cancelled, the previously scheduled deposition of its former auxiliary, Bishop Richard J. Sklba among others.

Is Archbishop Listecki encouraging Sklba to go ahead with his deposition in the interests of truth and justice or isn’t he? Remember that Sklba had already pursued legal grounds to have his deposition sealed.

A public statement from Listecki that Sklba’s deposition should go forward regardless of the Chapter 11 filing would be a sure sign the archbishop is more concerned about accountability and transparency, truth and justice than in keeping secrets and avoiding episcopal responsibility.

Listecki does not mention the actions of enabling or complicit bishops in his letter nor the fact that such actions would have triggered criminal charges in a majority of jurisdictions except for the inadequacies of statutes of limitation across the U.S. Most perpetrators and enablers have escaped criminal prosecution because of this, and access to justice in civil courts is being thwarted by bishops and Catholic Conferences in state after state.

Click on the following for the entire article:  Milwaukee bankruptcy filing masks the truth | National Catholic Reporter