A penetrating style and unique perspective which emanates from the baby boomer DNA, allowing you to contemplate your past, present, and future with intelligence.
Someone, let’s say a journalist, has taken a red pen and the Obama Administration Organizational Chart and calculated that 47 percent of the positions have yet to be filled—for whatever reason, such as finding qualified candidates, the onerous nomination/confirmation process or simply the availability of time to go out and hire people.
I started thinking—always a dangerous thing—about the country’s unemployment rate and every political discussion I’ve had over the last 6 to 9 months and I had an idea (told you this would be dangerous): How about two years of mandatory public service for all of us? At some point in our lives we’d all work for Uncle Sam. Now before you get hung up in the details and logistics—and I fully understand there are many—just see if the concept makes sense.
A disconnect has developed in this country between our government and its citizens because many of us, besides voting (and the percentage of us even doing that isn’t something to brag about) are not involved in, let alone understand, the process of our government. There’s a Wizard of Oz mystique to government that, unfortunately, many politicians and the lobbyists behind them capitalize on by either trying to scare us, misguide us, or just flat out confuse us. Health care reform is a perfect case in point.
The other salient aspect that necessitates each of our direct involvement is the amount of our money being spent or being budgeted to be spent over the next five to ten years. I’d like to have a voice—albeit, a small one—in where that money is going.
Public service will personally involve each of us in our government, provide an understanding of how it works and hopefully yield a success story—big or small—we can look back on with some satisfaction and even brag about. Public service will also educate us in how our country works, as well as who is running it. Two major positives in my mind.
There’s a short list of conversation topics that Americans will freely discuss—their children, the trials and tribulations of local sports teams, what they had for dinner last night, their jobs and what’s wrong with the government.
Wouldn’t it be a helluva thing if we could combine the last two topics in day-to-day public discourse? Wouldn’t it be something if a group of Americans at a cook-out, cocktail party or even a Town Hall meeting could discuss policy not with words parroted from last night’s news’ sound-bites, but with concrete real-life examples?
Wouldn’t it be something to directly call someone on a falsehood—regardless of how loudly it’s proclaimed—or present a solution, as opposed to whining about problem because you have first hand knowledge? Wouldn’t it be something if all of us were directly involved with our political system independent of party affiliation?
So for just a moment forget about figuring out the logistics of making this happen, but just reflect on what it would be like if at some point in our lives all of us did our two-year stint for the country. Working jobs, performing tasks, completing projects, locally or nationally, that fit our skill sets, maybe even our passions that we could personally be proud of by adding our own little piece to the United States of America—which might even be remembered.
Maybe I’m naïve, but isn’t that what democracy and patriotism are all about?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 08/28/09 at 05:08 AM
I am about to admit that it is time I begin to keep up with the Jones’, the Smiths, or anyone else who has exercised their First and Second Amendment rights while attending a town hall meeting.
I’m going to synagogue for the High Holy Days in a couple of weeks and since it is the start of a new year, I’m copping a whole new attitude.
I have been an usher at my temple for the High Holiday services for close to ten years now. This is considered an honor, and is a very important task. We greet the worshippers as they arrive at temple, assist them to their seats, and provide any help when needed.
We are stationed at the doors and inside the sanctuary as well, and we make sure that no one can enter the sanctuary during the time important prayers are being offered and during the Rabbi’s sermon, and assist if a medical issue arises that needs to be addressed immediately. In general, we do what we can to ensure that the services are conducted with the proper decorum you would expect. In my ten years of experience, ushering has provided me with a tremendous sense of satisfaction, and I’m very proud of my contributions.
That’s the old Jay talking. Here’s the new Jay. I’m going to be a different man this time. I’m going out and getting myself a pistol, and I’m packing it on a shoulder holster, a la James Bond, while I’m performing my ushering duties.
This now makes sense to me. No more will I have to be polite and understanding to anybody who needs my help. I can be manly and aggressive to all those I feel merit my disdainful new attitude. No more Mister Nice Guy, and if I feel somebody doesn’t like the new me, I’ll just pull open my jacket and show that ingrate my new toy. That will shake things up and nobody will mess with me.
There are other practical applications for packing heat as well. You never know when you may need it, for example, to stop an insurrection inside the sanctuary or shoot a non- member who is trying to gyp into services without a ticket.
This is not all there is either. I have decided that I must now also enlighten the members of the temple to the totalitarian ways and methods of our rabbi, so when he begins to deliver his sermon, I’m going to shout out that he’s a Nazi, and disrupt him when he begins to wax eloquently.
This is totally in sync with my new attitude and philosophy and is in perfect harmony with the tenets of fascism. It’s very simple to follow. The rabbi is an authority figure, he speaks from a pulpit or lectern, and he spouts dogma that espouses fundamental beliefs about religion that cannot be challenged. Most importantly, he’s speaks about subjects that may impact my life, and I do not need or want to hear that drivel.
I know what’s best for me. Just because he’s numero uno doesn’t make him right. He really is a Nazi. Besides, if you can’t call your rabbi a Nazi, then who can you call a Nazi, Barney Frank? Too easy a target. Additionally, the new Jay will now proclaim to the minions at temple that the Rabbi’s wife shall be forever known as Eva Braun.
I’m a new convert and I have seen the light. Advocating a belief in health care reform and wanting changes to the system aided by the U.S. government are without a doubt the basic principles of the fascist movement.
The facts that the Nazis committed mass genocide and provoked a world war that caused millions of other deaths and casualties are minor and insignificant details that are to be reduced to the scrapheap of history. Modern political theory is all that matters, and I’m all for it. I feel a sense of shame that 40 years ago when I graduated from the School of Government and Public Administration from American University that I didn’t recognize and comprehend this political concept. I learned about the wrong fascists in college, not the ones cited by today’s protesters of health care reform. My parents wasted all that money on me. How could I have been this dumb?
Don’t worry, now that I’ve taken up the cause and I’m a changed man, I will definitely do my part. It may be too late to impart this wisdom to my children because they’re grown now, but now that I’m a grandfather, I can dispense some much needed sage advice to my grandson.
Here’s the plan. When he begins school and he is called on in class, he doesn’t have to answer; he can call his teacher a Nazi. That will guarantee his academic success. When he’s out on the diamond in Little League and the ump calls him out, he doesn’t have to go back to the bench. He can call the ump a Nazi and just keep playing. In a hoops game if a foul is called on him, he can just shout out to the ref “You’re a Nazi!” and continue with the game.
This is indispensable advice that I giving him and it will undoubtedly serve him well, and the chicks will dig it too. In the truest sense he will become a freedom fighter against the fascists who are trying to ruin this country.
Finally, I can truly say that I’m a changed man, and that I can sleep better at night because I’m fighting for the great causes, freedom, and protection given to me under the Constitution against those who would destroy my way of life. Even better, I don’t have to worry about any negative implications that stem from my actions. I’m guilt-free. My favorite political guru summed it up best. I’m an American and I never have to apologize. Let freedom reign, and now let’s go get those socialist commie bastards.
Okay, first let’s get all the “dog jokes’’ out of the way.
Q: Why did Michael Vick spurn offers from the Cleveland Browns?
A: He was afraid to perform in front of “The Dog Pound.’’
Q: Why hasn’t Vick looked effective in training camp?
A: It’s the Dog Days of Summer.
Q: What will be Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid’s toughest job?
A: Keeping Vick on a tight leash.
Q: How will highly-critical Eagle fans view a sub-par Vick effort?
A: He’ll be accused of “dogging it.’’
It seems the whole world is divided on the Eagles’ decision to grant Vick a second chance of playing in the NFL after serving 18 months of a two-year sentence for staging money-making dog fights on a Virginia property he owned. Even Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie admitted he did serious “soul-searching’’ before giving approval to signing the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback to a one-year deal for $1.6 million and a team option second year contract worth $5.2 million. None of the money is guaranteed.
After several lengthy one-on-one meetings, Lurie, who calls himself “an extreme dog lover,’’ was convinced that Vick was truly repentant. “I needed to see a lot of self-hatred to approve this deal,’’ said Lurie, who says the true test will be how proactive Vick becomes in lecturing to youth about the evils of dog fighting and working with the Humane Society.
“If this doesn’t happen, we’ve made a terrible mistake in judgment. There are no third chances, and we know that. If it isn’t fulfilled the way we want it to be, then it will be the end for Michael Vick in this league.’’
But Vick was fortunate to find several strong allies in Reid and former Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy, who served as Vick’s mentor during his internment. Both Reid and Dungy fully understand the meaning of second chances. Reed’s two sons were convicted of drug charges while Dungy’s 18-year-old son, James, committed suicide.
“This is America,’’ said Reid. “People close to me have taken advantage of second chances. It’s very important that people give them an opportunity to change, so we’re doing that with Michael while also getting one of the best football players in the league.’
It was Dungy’s recommendation that helped convince Lurie and Reid to sign Vick. “”I really got the sense he wanted to do some great things’’ said Dungy, a deeply religious man.. “I talked to him about where he wants to go in the future. That’s one thing my dad always preached to me. “Don’t worry so much about where you are. What are you going to do to make it better?’ Michael convinced me he wants to be a positive role model to young people. He wants to go back to his family.’’
Vick also received an unexpected visit at Leavenworth federal prison from Wayne Pacelle, president of the United States Humane Society. Writing on his web site, Pacelle said, “Michael said this experience has been a trauma and he’s changed forever. He said he is committed to solving the (dog-fighting) problem and I want to give him that opportunity
“For me, it’s not about Michael Vick and providing endless punitive treatment. Dog-fighting is a culturally complex problem. It’s about stopping young people from going down the road Vick took.’’
To date, Vick has said all the right things. After being embraced by his new coach and Eagle teammates, including starting quarterback Donovan McNabb, Vick said, “For the life of me, I don’t understand why I was involved in such pointless activity. Why did I risk so much at the pinnacle of my career?
“There was a point in my life when I felt it was wrong and I knew it was wrong. To this day, I have to live with that shame and embarrassment. I paid my debt to society. I can’t explain how deeply hurt and how sorry I was.’
But there are more than a few cynics unconvinced of Vick’s sincerity in seeing the errors of his way. One of his most vocal critics is Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue in suburban Philadelphia. Smith was devastated by the Eagles’ decision to sign Vick. :””He kept talking about second chances. His dogs didn’t have a second chance. There are a lot of people who deserve a second chance more than Michael Vick.’’
Smith said he and his supporters will display their anger by renting billboards near the Eagles’ stadium with strong “anti-Vick’’ language on display.
The Philadelphia Daily News wasted little time expressing its displeasure with Vick donning an Eagles’ uniform. Its headlines read: “Hide Your Dogs!’’ and “What Are They Thinking.’’
If this sentiment grows, it will be interesting to see how the team’s sponsors react. A threatened boycott of their products could weigh heavily in supporting the Eagles.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell prefers taking a “wait-and-see’’ approach. Although he granted Vick permission to join the Eagles in training camp, he will keep him sidelined for at least the first six weeks of the regular season.
My own opinion is that Vick will say and do whatever it takes to secure his return. But I do not believe he is truly repentant. It is far easier to understand a beggar in Haiti trying to make a few bucks staging dog fights than a multi-millionaire strictly doing it for entertainment.
No dog is born vicious. Vick and his cohorts trained the pit bulls to fight to the death. The grisly battles were staged at “Bad Newz Kennels’’ on a property owned by Vick in Surry County, Va. Fighting dogs came from as far as Texas. Winning purses could exceed $20,000.
The losing dogs were hung and electrocuted and buried on the grounds. Any person condoning this activity is plain evil. Yes, he did his time, but his acting as a reformer is as unconvincing as an elementary school kid playing Hamlet. We can only hope that he never again becomes a “”top dog’’, with a deep apologiy to our four-legged friends.
With August half way over and the schools soon to reopen, the fall kickoff to the next political cycle is about to begin . The primary is set for September 14, 2010, 13 months from now, and the general election is November 2, 2010. There will be a myriad of races to watch and monitor , and in Baltimore County not only will we have a new County Executive , in addition, a majority of the County Council most likely be composed of some much needed new members . The race is on .
The battle for County Executive has two incumbent council members ready to go at it . Second District Councilman Kevin Kamenetz, has a war chest of close to three -quarters of a million dollars , and although he hasn’t officially announced his formal candidacy , he’s walking and talking like he’s in the game . The Councilman, in 2008 passed on a run for State’s Attorney when Sandra O’Connor retired. This would have been a relatively easy victory compared to the task at hand . He wants the gold medal , and believes that he can prevail.
He has been on the Council for 15 years and has garnered a reputation as being very intelligent , occasionally pugilistic , and very definitely his own man. He campaigns hard , has a loyal group of supporters and will be loaded for bear.
His primary opponent most likely be Sixth District Councilman Joseph Bartenfelder . Bartenfelder has not raised as much money as his opponent , he has raised approximately six hundred thousnd dollars so far, and he’s been beating the bushes , and has organized labor supporting him . He is a farmer , by occupation , and his personality is very much in sync with profession as both a politician and a farmer . Low key , soft spoken , witty with a very dry sense of humor , and much smarter than you think. Bartenfelder has been much less vocal on most major issues during his time spent on the council than Kamenetz. . Bartenfelder had served twelve years in the Legislature prior to serving 15 years on the council.
Both candidates are very much concerned about the fiscal health of the county . The county is in excellent fiscal condition , but the state is another matter altogether . Because the state cannot balance it’s budget , the County may be compelled to pay for, and be required to be obligated to fund programs or mandates that were formally the state’s fiscal responsibility . One such example could be funding of teacher’s pensions which is currently being done by the state . If the legislature balks at this in the future , it will be left to the county to assume that expense , and the county will be looking at a much different scenario.
This is going to be a very tight race , and neither candidate at this point has the upper hand . It should go down to the wire.
Additionally , the council should be undergoing some radical changes . Both Kamenetz’s and Bartenfelder’s seats will be available , and in the first District Sam Moxley who also has been there for 4 terms will most likely not return after being arrested for the second time in 4 years for DWI . Also, in the fourth District Councilman Ken Oliver , may not be back as well after pleading guilty to campaign violations. Also, rumored to not return is Fifth District Councilman Vince Gardena , who could be making a run for a Senate seat in the legislature . If all this goes down there could only two incumbents left out of seven . The two remaining holdovers would be Brian McIntire and John Olsweski, McIntire is the only Republican , and has had very little impact on any matters of substance during his tenure , but he is very committed to his constituents , and the issues pertaining to the North County. Olswweski is pure Dundalk, no more needs to be said.
With regard to the second district where Kevin Kamenetz will be most likely be abandoning for his run , the rumor mill has former councilman Mel Mintz attempting a comeback , and former head of the Baltimore County Department of Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program, Mike Gimbel, vying as well. I’m sure there will be other potential suitors ready to throw their hats into the ring once Kamenetz makes it official. This opening may provide an opportunity for some new face to arrive on the scene.
As the races develop, The Organ will be watching , listening , and reporting. For those of you who truly believe that all politics is local, your going to be very much engaged.
My mother made an emergency trip to the hospital last week—she’s fine, thanks for asking—and I thought a quick recap of the excursion might be in order.
The following is not a knock against the doctors, nurses and other very helpful health care professionals we dealt with, but it does raise a few questions concerning the efficiency of the system they work under and under which my mother was treated. Two things to keep in mind as you read this. First, the hospital in which she stayed is state of the art and second, the Part B of dealing with the insurance coverage has yet to occur.
Several weeks ago, after nursing a tennis injury that wasn’t improving, my mother, a senior citizen of the 21st century, visited her doctor and was prescribed an anti-inflammatory to fix her up. Simple enough except that unbeknownst to both doctor and patient, the medicine exacerbated a “pre-existing” condition. Weak and physically drained, my mother returned to the doctor’s office and sure enough, the pre-existing condition was now in full-blown current existence. Without getting too Marcus Welby here, her hemoglobin count was way down, meaning the oxygen transport mechanism in her blood was not functioning, hence her weakened condition.
The remedy—blood transfusions—is fairly straightforward, although time consuming. The doctor immediately informed my parents that the transfusions needed to be done at the hospital. As my parents made their way towards the door—and the hospital—the doctor informed them they could either drive themselves there and then wait in the emergency room for hours, or my mother could make the less than five mile trip in an ambulance and be treated immediately.
My mother is not good with two things, theatrics and waiting, so this posed a dilemma. After some consideration and the memories of raising four boys, which included multiple trips to the emergency room (and the waiting), she opted for the ambulance.
If you’re keeping score at home, two red flags—the pre-existing condition and the need for the ambulance—have already popped up. We’ll deal with these along with the others coming up at the end of this narrative.
Fast forward to the hospital where a doctor’s signature was needed for admittance. For whatever reason, the signature of the doctor whose office my mother just left wasn’t adequate so a doctor who didn’t know my mother and vice-versa was found and completed the paperwork (Red flag #3).
Once my mom was situated for the transfusion the call went out for blood. Unfortunately, the conveyor tube system that delivered the red stuff was broken (Red flag #4), so the blood needed to be hand delivered. Four and a half hours later—unclear if the blood was from out of state—the blood arrived and the transfusion procedure began and ran into the night.
The following day with my mother’s condition much improved it was decided that a GI procedure needed to be done to isolate the cause of the hemoglobin issue. Although a time was not set, my mother was told that it wouldn’t occur before noon the following day (Red flag #5). A little after 8:30 a.m. the next morning the phone rang next to my mother’s bed telling her the procedure was imminent and before she hung up someone was at her door to whisk her away.
Not only was the procedure completed, but also the cause of her condition was isolated before noon with 30 minutes to spare. Both the hematologist and internist were satisfied with the results, which was good news, and my mother was told she could leave …… once she got the sign-off from the doctor who admitted her (the one she didn’t know and who didn’t know her) which was the not-so-good news. (Red flag #6)
After waiting two-and-a-half hours, my mother left the hospital with no signature. Multiple pages and phone calls couldn’t locate the pen-wielding doctor, whom I’m guessing had much more urgent issues to attend to than paperwork.
I’ve written all this not to slam, belittle, knock or in any way chastise the more than competent medical professionals who dealt with and helped my mother. They were all wonderful. It’s the inefficiency of the system that boggles the mind. From the need for an ambulance to raise my mother’s priority in the treatment queue—as if a note or a phone call wouldn’t do—to the broken blood delivery system; the paperwork and signatures to get her treated and the scheduling of diagnostic procedures, it’s a wonder these folks are able to function as effectively as they do.
It must be immensely frustrating to work day in and day out dealing with the processing of patients rather than simply and more importantly, caring for them. Add to this the incredible pressure these folks work under and their success rate borders on miraculous.
As for my mother’s pre-existing condition, it was diagnosed before her original doctor had automated and become part of the network—documentation of her condition was sitting hand-written in a file cabinet. This diagnosis was less than 10 years ago.
So when I hear that reform is not necessary or that it’s evil, it only takes an experience like my mother’s to elucidate that yes we do need reform—for the patients and the doctors and everyone in-between. When one realizes that many of our businesses, stores and fast-food restaurants run more efficiently—and effectively—than our health care system, it’s time to grow up, face the facts and fix things. It gets no more serious than this.
“They say I live a fast life. Maybe I just like a fast life. I wouldn’t
give it up for anything in the world. It won’t last forever, either
but the memories will’’—Dennis Wilson, 1963.
Mike Love, the older brother of former Baltimore Bullets forward Stan Love, was the founder of The Beach Boys, one of the most popular and successful of the bands that spouted up in the tumultuous 60’s epitomizing the Woodstock era of free love and drugs.
The band was also one of the most dysfunctional. The Loves were first cousins to Dennis Wilson, and Brian Wilson, the most creative of the band members. Dennis was forever linked to Charles Manson groupie Karen Valentine who took part in the Helter-Skelter murders. Wilson, a heavy drug user, was the leading songwriter in the band, but also a psychopath. He committed suicide in 1983. Brother Brian was repeatedly institutionalized for severe bouts with depression.
The lives of the Loves and Wilsons were entwined for better or worse, but, as time proved, mostly the worse. After his frustrating four-year NBA career ended in 1975, Stan Love became a bodyguard for Brian, with his principal duty to keep Dennis from providing him with drugs. It led to physical battles that ultimately prompted Brian to leave The Beach Boys and form his own band.
But not being part of the Woodstock generation, we only heard and read of the travails of The Beach Boys, with Mike Love’s re-formed group still drawing crowds of nostalgic fans.
We are more interested in reliving Stan Love’s brief but colorful two years (1971-73) with the then Baltimore Bullets when he spent most of the time fighting his image of being a flaky California surfer boy. He did nothing to dispel this image when he first reported to the Bullets’ training camp as a rookie in 1973 sporting a curly blond hairdo and a Fu Manchu moustache. He seemed more intent on emulating Harpo Marx than Rick Barry.
A first-round draft choice out of the University of Oregon where he shattered every school scoring record, Bullets’ coach Gene Shue envisioned Love as a future starting strong forward. But he quickly became frustrated playing behind veterans Gus Johnson and John Tresvant, holdovers from the team’s NBA finalists. In time, the zany forward was remembered more for his kookiness than his courtly manner.
Two plays, in particular, are indelibly implanted in our memory. At a game in Milwaukee, he impersonated Tarzan by hanging on the rim after a dunk long enough for the Bucks to score on the other end. All he drew for his effort was a technical.
Another time in Baltimore, he was knocked to the floor. Shue sent in a replacement. Instead of rising and walking back to the bench, Love “rowed’’ himself across the floor like an Olympic skuller.
Neither Shue nor teammate Wes Unseld recall either incident. But Rich Rinaldi, a fellow rookie in 1971, laughingly recalled both bizarre acts. Rinaldi, now serving as an NBA counselor for rookies, getting them prepared for life as a professional, said, “Oh, they definitely happened. Stan was unquestionably a flake. I was from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and he was from Southern California, two lifestyles worlds apart. He thought I was screwed up. But we got along fine. One thing I learned from Stan was to spit down my shirt.
“But he would be the first to admit that he didn’t take playing in the pros as serious as he should have. If they had programs for rookies like the one I teach back in the 70’s, Stan would certainly have benefited. You think when you’re young, you know everything. But team management looks for body language that tells them you’re not fully committed.’’
Phil Chenier, longtime TV color man on Bullets/Wizards broadcasts, was also a rookie on the 1971 Baltimore team as one of the first hardship draft picks.. “”Stan definitely had what I call an “edge’’ to him,’’ said Chenier. “I played against him in college when I was at Cal and he was at Oregon. The first thing that comes to mind was he had a great outside shot. But he was feisty and liked to speak his mind. And he was definitely a bit of a goofball. I definitely recall him spitting down his shirt.’’
Unseld, who became a father figure for Stan, to the point he named his son, Kevin Wesley Love, in Unseld’s honor, remembers attending a Beach Boy concert at College Park in 1971 when Mi ke Love invited him, Shue and Gus Johnson backstage.
“One of the band members, and I don’t remember exactly who, started to needle Shue about Stan not getting much playing time. Well, Gene gave him the usual coach’s response of how a rookie has to be brought along slowly, but he would ultimately get more time. And the guy in the band said, “Yeah, by osmosis.’’
Shue still has a soft spot for Love, claiming he was responsible for developing his son, Kevin, who made the NBA All-Rookie team last year playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I scouted Kevin for the Philadelphia 76ers,’’ said Shue, now residing in Marina Del Ray, Ca. “”I saw him play a lot of games at UCLA, and I know that Stan really was a positive influence.’’
That said, Love has only negative memories of playing for Shue and the Bullets. . Reflecting on his rookie year when he averaged 7.8 points while playing only 18 minutes a game, he said, “When I went to the Bullets, I had this big, no-cut contract. I figured I’d rip up the league, but I didn’t. When you’re not playing and making big money, you get a reputation and it goes from there.’’
But Love had already gained a reputation for “being different’’ during his college days at Oregon where he once reportedly “borrowed’’ a train. Another time, he reportedly cleaned out a Eugene (Ore.) bar filled with roughnecks. In a freshman game, he knocked out a rival forward. Another time, he reportedly used a couple of courtside reporters as a spittoon.
We felt it our duty to get the unexpurgated “Love Story’’ by consulting the source.
“”Yeah, he said, “I guess there a few legends about me. But that’s what they are, legend, not fact. Start with the bar story. It was at a campus party, not a bar. I had my girl friend with me, and a track man was insulting her. So I decked him and got suspended by my coach (Steve Belko) for a couple of games,
“As for the fight story in the freshman game, this guy on Portland State kept elbowing me every time I set a screen. He was baiting me into a fight, trying to get me thrown out. But I didn’t hit him. I spit in his eye and he didn’t bother me again.’’
Love tried to reform his wacky ways his second year with the Bullets, but saw even less playing time and his scoring average dropped to 6.4. The Bullets traded him to the Lakers, where he believed his game would flourish playing close to home before big crowds. But his relationship with coach Bill Sharman proved unbearable. Sharman viewed him as an immature playboy, but Love believed he was simply being used to push Connie Hawkins to play harder.
In his second and final season with L.A. in 1975-76, his playing time had shrunk to 14 minutes and finally Sharman summoned him to his office. “I thought I’d get another chance to play or be put on waivers, but I could tell by the look on his face I was through as a Laker,’’ he recalled in his book “Love In The NBA’’ In a wild frenzy, he called Sharman every four-letter word he could muster, telling Sharman that he wanted to call brother, Steve, who served as his agent, because he couldn’t cope with the situation.
“That’s been one of your problems,’’ Sharman responded, taking the phone away. To which Love exploded, “One of my problems, you bleep, is that I don’t know how to play the front-office game.’’ He exited both laughing and crying.
It was typical that Love tried to continue his playing professionally with the Baltimore Claws. But this ill-fated, under-funded team folded the day he signed.
Stan Love always acted like an accident looking for a place to happen. Was he really a classic flake or just a product of his wild rock-and-roll environment? We’ll let you decide.
P.S. We never got Love to dismiss the train robbery tale.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver died this week. She was 88 years old, a resident of Maryland and a citizen of the world.
She was an inspiration to those of her generation—a bygone era of people who believed in sacrifice—and to those later generations for whom sacrifice was a foreign concept. She epitomized the kind of person who believed in true selflessness and practiced the tenets of dedicated and unyielding commitment to public service.
Today, cynics would describe her as a do-gooder and shower scorn and derision upon her and her great deeds. With her death, it is appropriate to take a closer look at the concept of public service. Here are my announcements on the subject at hand.
If you think I am engaged in hyperbole, check out a few of the recent examples of what I am saying and the BS that has permeated the mindset of the sheep that have been herded in furtherance of their agenda. For example, Al Gore, defeated candidate for president in 2000, who since has dedicated his endeavors to enlightening us and taking up the task to fight global climate change. He won an Oscar, an Emmy and showbiz aside, the Nobel
Peace Prize for his work. Yet, he’s labeled a charlatan and even a liar by the denizens of Fox News.
This is a prime example of the thanks he gets from the malcontents and those duped into believing the dogma.
It is the same crew who won’t acknowledge anyone who hasn’t loyally served time in Nirvana with Ronald Reagan
and the concept that he alone was responsible for the mythical and glorious rise to the summit to which he took the country.
Another example is the Christian Right, the biggest hypocrites that ever inhabited the planet. Helping the poor and needy was never in the equation. Those principles are long gone, along with the ghost of Elmer Gantry. Their idea of making the world a better place includes turning the Constitution into a religious document, getting in bed with the Republican Party and promoting a social agenda that suits their own purposes by trampling on everybody’s beliefs that don’t concur with theirs. Stopping abortions, preventing stem cell research, and denying gay rights
are the staples of their world. What happens to those who are less fortunate than them is simply God’s will.
A final example concerns John Ensign and Mark Sanford. It’s not the marital infidelity that matters to me. It is the arrogance and belief that they are entitled to stay in office after their indiscretions were made public. Both of these sinners actually believe that maintaining and holding elective office is all that matters and that resigning is not in the public interest.
Both of these men are disciples of a Christian Fundamentalist Sect called The Family. This group does not espouse the usual Christian litany of social concerns. This group believes that Christ was put on this earth to support the strong and support those who are preordained to attain power. In their eyes, Stalin,
Hitler and all the others who exercised unchallenged and complete power were anointed by Christ and were put there under his approval. I am not making this up—check out a book called “The Family.”
As to the late Mrs. Shriver and her husband Sargeant Shriver, what they did was become the foremost advocates for the developmentally disabled. Their legacy includes endowing the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins, and starting the Special Olympics—which has become so large that over a million
children from over 160 countries participate in it. Her husband, also an aristocrat by birth, was the first director of the Peace Corps, which was inaugurated and conceived by President Kennedy.
Their children have also stayed true to the course by staying committed. This family practiced what they preached and unfortunately you will not see their likes ever again.
This is not to say that there are not those who have sacrificed their own welfare for the benefit of others. Recently, we heard the sad story of a wonderful couple from Florida who were murdered in their home, and had taken into their care over a dozen foster children.
There are many great people doing great deeds and do not seek the limelight or choose to call attention to themselves. Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s death should serve as a tribute to those who
have followed in some measure by helping their fellow man.
With the latest mutation of the lunatic fringe—after the Tea Partiers and Birthers now monopolizing our news space—I thought I’d do some investigative reporting into whom the Town Hall Turfers represent and speak for. As of right now, the answer is no one I know or anyone I’ve talked to in the last 10 days. My data may not be significant, but my collection of it is as scientific as the news channels is.
The Turfer phenomenon, in case you’ve missed it, is fairly consistent nationwide although it’s being described as spontaneous and unscripted. During town hall meetings, usually with congressmen and women attempting to explain health care reform or answering questions from citizens on the subject, outbursts occur. Not discussions or even protests, just incoherent yelling and a lot of poorly drawn home-made signs. Once the Turfer gains the attention of the room, he or she increases volume and becomes very repetitious, i.e., think of a very tired four-year-old arguing about bedtime.
It is being insinuated that this is all part of a right-wing conspiracy, so I contacted all the Republicans/conservatives I know and every single one of them expressed the same opinion—some in more colorful language than others—that the Turfers were at best dupes and probably shills for the Insurance/Pharmaceutical/Hospital companies, they were a little scary in a Crazy Uncle Charlie sort of way and that by Labor Day we’d have forgotten about them.
The irony, of course, being that all the Democrats and Independents I know think the same thing. The other consistent opinion across the political spectrum is that Rush Limbaugh, Lou Dobbs, Sarah Palin, Michael Steele and Michele Malkin—all of whom want to make health care reform a struggle between good and evil—speak for no one I know, mainly because my sampling doesn’t listen to any of them. My sampling included folks who voted for McCain, watch Fox, and read the Wall Street Journal.
The conspiracy that was mentioned by several of those I questioned—only somewhat tongue in cheek—was whether the cable news channels were paying folks to spout off in front of the cameras. We’ve had a shocking news lull here in August and Turfers do make for good reality TV, but maybe that’s too cynical.
The inside scoop is that this Turfer phenomenon has all ready been tied to big health care industry money, starting with the insurance providers. So this isn’t a Republican vs. Democratic issue or even a conservative vs. liberal one. This is a big corporate profits issue. These service providers believe their bottom lines may be threatened by reform—rightfully so—and are pulling out all the stops to prevent that reform from happening. Just delaying the inevitable is worth millions in their pockets. Tactics include intimidation, scaring the public, making stuff up and spending $1.5 million dollars a day just on lobbyists.
If you see or hear a member of Congress vehemently opposing reform, be them Blue Dog, Democrat or Republican—check the source of their political contributions for Insurance/Pharma/Hospital companies and gauge their alarm/concern accordingly. If this was simply a business regulatory issue the tactics could be overlooked, but considering we’re talking about life and death here such manipulation is appalling.
I understand the Turfers’ anger; I even understand its source but let’s focus on the right target here. Over the last 10 years or so most industries have strived for and achieved enhanced customer service and improved customer satisfaction (There are a few exceptions that will remain nameless until the next time I fly).
Insurance companies have bucked that positive trend with billing, customer service/assistance, and applications becoming ridiculously difficult and cumbersome while the reimbursement process has gone from arbitrarily defined to clandestine. Of course they don’t want health care reform with all the scrutiny and accountability that goes with it—including executive pay packages.
Congress has taken a break from wrestling with this difficult issue, so I’m suggesting we do the same and enjoy the next several weeks of summer. Let the Turfers overheat themselves and let cable news cover it. Hopefully, when Congress returns so will common sense, reality and a little civility and we can deal with health care and its reform in a rational manner.
Thirty-five years after Richard Nixon resigned the presidency, the one word Watergate is still synonymous with the scandal that forced him to that decision, as well as being the yardstick used to measure the seriousness of any new and future political scandal. Is it worse than Watergate?
The persistent fascination is that two years of a White House cover-up over a “third rate” burglary led to the downfall of the leader of the free world—who happened to be a man that many Americans loathed. The investigation also gave the American public—and the world—a glimpse inside the Nixon White House and into the psyche of Richard Nixon, his pettiness, his thin skin and need for secrecy, as well as the inadequacies of the men who surrounded him. At times, the Watergate saga was much like watching a slow motion train wreck.
The true tragedy of Watergate—regardless of your opinion of Richard Nixon—is that the affair was absolutely unnecessary from start to finish. Nixon was a shoe-in for re-election in 1972, so the burglary into the Democratic Party headquarters—as well as the other projects implemented—was a ridiculous tactic both in theory and practice. The burglars bungling the job simply confirmed this.
That Watergate didn’t start and end there but was ineffectually covered up instead and then dragged on for two more years is simply further testimony to the sheer incompetence in thought, strategy and action of the inside circle of the Nixon White House.
If one connects the dots backwards the precipitating event that led to Watergate was the publication of the secret Pentagon Papers by the New York Times. The Papers were sanctioned by Robert McNamara to provide an analysis/critique of the Vietnam War policies, specifically during the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. Daniel Ellsberg, originally a pro-war advocate who had turned against the Vietnam War, had access to and made copies of the top secret documents, smuggled them out of the Pentagon and into the hands of NY Times reporter Neil Sheehan.
Although Nixon’s initial reaction was muted, his response quickly escalated once the president and Henry Kissinger began discussing the topic. As only these two men could do they turned the Papers’ publication into a monumental world crisis and a personal affront—yet one more attack by their enemies. Drastic actions needed to be taken. For instance, Kissinger called the FBI and bugged his employees’ phones (Ellsberg had worked for him at one time) and from this seemingly minor scoop began the downfall of an American president.
Below is a Watergate timeline followed by some Nixon historical clips, including the excerpts from his Checkers speech, the Kennedy-Nixon debates, his 1962 California gubernatorial post-election comments, “You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore,” and his resignation.
* June 13, 1971 - NY Times begins publishing the Pentagon Papers.
* July 1, 1971 - White House aides David Young and Egil “Bud” Krogh write a memo suggesting the formation of what would later be known as the “Plumbers” to prevent future leaks to the press.
* August 21, 1971 - Nixon’s Enemies List is started with the plan to “use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies.”
* September 3, 1971 – Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy break into Ellsberg’s psychiatrist’s (Dr. Lewis Fielding) office in the hopes of stealing Ellsberg’s psychiatric files. They come up empty handed.
* June 17, 1972 - While breaking into Democratic National Headquarters at the Watergate Hotel, seven “plumbers” are arrested at 2:30 a.m.
* June 20, 1972 - On a tip from Deep Throat, Bob Woodward reports in the Washington Post that the burglars are connected to E. Howard Hunt, an ex-CIA employee, who has connections to Charles Colson (Nixon’s Special Counsel). A path exists between the burglary and the White House and so it begins as Woodward and Bernstein follow the trail and money.
* November 7, 1972 - Nixon is re-elected with the largest plurality in American history up to that time.
* February 28, 1973 - Hearings to confirm L. Patrick Gray as the new director of the FBI begin. During these hearings, Gray reveals that he had complied with an order from John Dean to provide daily updates to the White House on the Watergate investigation, and also that Dean had “probably lied” to FBI investigators.
* March 17, 1973 - One of the Watergate burglars, James McCord, writes a letter to Judge John Sirica, claiming that some of his testimony was perjured due to pressure, that the burglary was not a CIA operation, and that a cover-up was in the works.
* April 6, 1973 - White House counsel John Dean begins cooperating with federal Watergate prosecutors.
* April 27, 1973 - L. Patrick Gray resigns after it comes to light that he burned evidence from Watergate burglary E. Howard Hunt’s safe. William Ruckelshaus is appointed as his replacement.
* April 30, 1973 - Senior White house administration officials John Erlichman, H.R. Haldeman and Richard Kleindienst resign; John Dean is fired.
* May 17, 1973 - The Senate Watergate Committee begins its nationally televised hearings.
* May 19, 1973 - Independent Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox is appointed to oversee investigation into possible presidential impropriety.
* June 3, 1973 - John Dean tells Watergate investigators that he has discussed the Watergate cover-up with Nixon at least 35 times.
* July 13, 1973 - Alexander Butterfield, former presidential appointments secretary, reveals the taping system in Nixon’s office.
* July 23, 1973 - Nixon refuses to turn over presidential tapes to the Senate Watergate Committee or the special prosecutor.
* October 10, 1973 - Spiro Agnew resigns as vice president due to corruption while he was the Governor of Maryland.
* October 13, 1973 - Gerald Ford is nominated as vice president.
* October 20, 1973 - “Saturday Night Massacre” - Nixon fires special prosecutor Cox. Ruckelshaus (FBI) and Attorney General Elliot Richardson refuse to comply with the firing and both resign. Robert Bork considers resigning but carries out the order.
* November 1, 1973 - Leon Jaworski is appointed new special prosecutor.
* November 17, 1973 - Nixon delivers the “I am not a crook” speech at a televised press conference at Disneyworld.
* April 30, 1974 - White House releases edited transcripts of the Nixon tapes, but the House Judiciary Committee insists the actual tapes must be turned over.
* June 15, 1974 - Woodward and Bernstein’s book All the President’s Men is published.
* July 24, 1974 - Nixon is ordered by the courts to give up tapes to investigators.
* July 27 to July 30, 1974 - House Judiciary Committee passes articles of Impeachment.
* Early August 1974 - A previously unknown tape from June 23, 1972 is released. The tape recorded a few days after the Watergate break-in documents Nixon and Haldeman formulating a plan to block investigations, specifically requesting the FBI to halt their investigation of the burglary because of CIA involvement. This recording would later become known as the “Smoking Gun.”
* Key Republican senators tell Nixon that enough votes exist to convict him.
* August 8, 1974 - Nixon resigns the Presidency. Gerald Ford becomes president.
* September 8, 1974 - President Ford grants Nixon a pardon.
story by Alan Goldstein
Holding the title “”boxing editor’’ of the Baltimore Sun for 40 years created a lot more baggage than simply covering fights. All calls to the sports department concerning the ancient sport were quickly transferred to my desk. We were instantly cast in the role of final arbiter to settle all barroom debates, even if the fight in question took place some 50 years earlier.
We soon prepared ourselves for the trick questions: “”Who was the last man to box John L. Sullivan? A: The undertaker.
More often, however, we were asked to use our “expertise’’ to decide the eternal argument over who deserved to be called “the greatest fighter of all time,’’ (as Ali regularly boasted), or simply the best “”pound-for-pound..
After our friends at the neighborhood saloon had downed a few beers, it was nigh impossible to buy time by arguing that it was illogical to compare fighters from the turn of the century to the leading boxers who followed in their wake.. How can Baltimore’s own legendary lightweight Joe (The Master) Gans, who required 42 rounds to subdue Battling Nelson in Goldfield, Nev., over a century ago, be honestly held up in comparison to such later 135-pound luminaries as Benny Leonard, who dominated the Twenties, and Roberto Duran, who ruled the division in the Seventies.
Unfortunately, we got to see such greats as heavyweight Jack Johnson, Henry Armstrong, who won titles at 125, 135 and 147 pounds in the Thirties and Forties, only on film. We also relied heavily on the opinions of our elders, or veteran boxing trainers who had the good fortune of living long lives.
One such gentleman we greatly admired was the late Ray Arcel, who had the privilege of mentoring both Benny Leonard and Roberto Duran, a span of over 60 years. Arcel liked to tell the story of when Leonard was gaining a reputation as a classy small club fighter in the Lower East Side of New York, once dominated by Jewish immigrants. Like most parents, Benny’s wanted their son to enjoy a better life than their own.
Boxing was frowned upon, so Leonard had to fight locally under different aliases. But a yenta spotted a picture of Benny on a billboard advertising a recent show. His parents were ready to confront him when he walked through the front door. Benny headed right for the kitchen table and deposited a wad of $20 bills earned from his last conquest.
His father looked his son in the eye and asked, “Nu, Benny, when’s your next fight?’
Several legitimate candidates for the “”best ever’’ tag were robbed of their prime fighting years for various reasons. Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion, whose unorthodox boxing style served as a model for Ali, was forced to flee the country because of blatant racism. Joe Louis, our personal favorite heavyweight, lost three years serving in the Army special services, and Ali, of course, lost three years while refusing induction into the service based on his religious beliefs.
Modern boxing fans will argue heatedly in behalf of such classic fighters as Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Oscar de la Hoya, Roy Jones, Jr., and still unbeaten Floyd Mayweather, who has been in semi-retirement . But the advent of multi-million dollar purses limited these recent champions to fighting only once or twice a year. How can Jones, who fought a total of 53 bouts and lost 4 of his last 7 including a recent 12-round drubbing by Welshman Joe Calzaghe be regarded as a greater light-heavyweight than Archie Moore (194-26-8), who holds the record with 141 knockouts and won the 175-pound crown in his first challenge against Joey Maxim at the age of 36?
But we have spent too much time in the clinches. Our choice of greatest “”boxer’’ of all time is featherweight Willie Pep. But the honor of “”greatest fighter ever’’ goes to Ray Robinson, who reigned as both welter and middleweight champion in the late Forties and Fifties when these two divisions boasted such rugged opponents as Carmen Basilio, Jake LaMotta, Randy Turpin and Gene Fullmer.
We observed both Pep and Robinson in their prime years when boxing was one of the leading attractions on television, but met and saw them fight in person only when their lengthy ring careers were winding down.
Pep was the perfect practitioner of the boxing creed: ””Hit and Don’t Get Hit.’’ He could land four or five rapid jabs and then deftly avoid his rival’s rally with such effectiveness to earn the nickname “”Will O’ The Wisp.’’ Over the course of his amazing 16-year career (1940-1956), he compiled an amazing 229-11-1 record, winning his first 62 pro fights.
He finally found his nemesis in Sandy Saddler, an elongated featherweight with the strength of a lightweight. Saddler whipped Pep in four rounds to become the 126-pound king in October 1948.
But it was the rematch four months later at Madison Square Garden in which Pep earned my undying admiration. Although both eyes were all but closed over the 15-round limit, Pep consistently beat Saddler to the punch and frustrated his stronger rival to earn a unanimous decision. Their last two fights resembled tug-of-wars and featured every questionable ring tactic possible. In the end, Saddler simply wore down his smaller opponent to win both by technical knockouts.
But the oft-married Pep, who once boasted of “”betting on fast women and slow horses, had already earned his place in boxing’s Valhalla. We covered one of Willie’s last bouts in 1958 when he fought Hogan Bassey at the Boston Garden. For eight rounds, Bassey struggled to land a blow on his elusive foe. But Willie’s 36-year-old legs gave out, and he was stopped in the ninth round. Italian elders from the Hartford area where Willie learned his ring craft, openly wept at ringside, and we cried a little, too
Ray Robinson (175-19, 107 KO’s) was a complete fighter, possessing speed, power and a strong chin. As one old-timer said, “”He’s the only fighter who could knock a guy out backing up.’’ His greatest asset was his “”killer instinct’’ which he dramatically demonstrated in regaining the title from rugged Randy Turpin in 1951.
We finally got to cover a Ray Robinson match in April, 1960, our second year at the Sun. Three months earlier, Robinson had lost his middleweight title to a slick, light-hitting Boston southpaw named Paul Pender, A rematch was promised, and Robinson’s longtime manager-advisor, George Gainford, was seeking a rugged opponent who could get the ex-champion in prime condition for his reunion with Pender.
Local boxing promoter Al Flora offered up Tony Baldoni, who as a teenager had fought main events in the Scranton area where Flora first staged bouts. Baldoni was regarded as a real “comer’’ until he went to the movies to see John Wayne in “”The Sands of Iwo Jima,’’ and promptly enlisted in the Marines. He was never the same fighter after his discharge, but still regarded as a stiff challenge. Flora told Gainford that you could drop a safe on Baldoni’s head with little damage, all but guaranteeing a tough 10-round match with the ex-champion.
The day before the fight, Flora called a press conference to stir up ticket sales at the old Baltimore Coliseum. Robinson spoke first. He recalled his title bout with Jimmy Doyle in Cleveland in 1946. Robinson had informed the Ohio boxing commission that he had a premonition that he would kill Doyle if the fight was not postponed. But the commission, sensing Robinson was simply seeking a higher ring purse, threatened to suspend him if he failed to show for the match
Sadly, as predicted, Robinson floored Doyle in the eighth round and the fallen fighter never regained consciousness.
Now it was Baldoni’s time to speak. Looking suddenly pale and shaken, he said, “”Ray, would ever you do, don’t have any premonitions tonight!’’
Before the opening bell sounded the next night, Baldoni seemed to be suffering from rigor mortis. After a feinting a few punches, Robinson delivered a stiff punch to Baldoni’s ribs, and the ex-Marine began to sag. Sugar Ray did his best to hold him erect, but finally let Baldoni drop to the canvas and be counted out after only 41 seconds had expired.
We visited the frustrated Robinson in his dressing room and he repeatedly blamed Flora for falsely advertising Baldoni as a worthy adversary. To which we replied, “Ray, you should have never told that story about Doyle.’’
As things developed, Robinson lost his rematch with Pender three months later and never reclaimed the 160-pound crown he had worn four different times.
P.S.: Way back in 1938, our two favorite fighters, Pep and Robinson, met as amateur featherweights in Connecticut. Robinson out-pointed the hometown hero, and looked so good in doing so, his amateur status was questioned. Both Robinson and Gainford spent the night in jail until a New York-based amateur boxing official vouched that youthful Sugar Ray was not a professional.
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 August 2009 11:52 )
Story By Jay Liner
The story you are about to read is true. There are no names changed to protect the innocent, because nobody involved in this gruesome tale is innocent. The picture you are looking at is that of Rabbi Levy Izhak Rosenbaum of Brooklyn, New York. He’s the big kahuna.
The story broke over this past weekend, amidst the Gates-Obama melodrama and the final sendoff of the governor of Alaska from her office. It was immediately implanted on the radar screen of every Jew who saw it both in this country and in Israel. This one, following in the wake of the Madoff fiasco, has shocked us and stunned our senses even more, if that’s possible.
Arrested were 44 people, including prominent politicians in New Jersey and five rabbis. The conspiracy traveled from Brooklyn, to Israel, to New Jersey and even alluded to Baltimore. Johns Hopkins Hospital got named as being contacted in furtherance of this criminal plot, on an MSNBC blog as part of the news frenzy associated with this affair. Hopkins’ response—and denial—will be included as part of this article later on.
Courtesy of my good friend Joe Roth, President and CEO of The Sharing Network, the New Jersey organ donor organization that is chartered by the federal government, I was the beneficiary of his insightful tutoring on the legitimate world of organ donations, and how the system is supposed to operate.
I won’t go into the whole process, but certain maxims apply and for the most part it works. The organ donation centers are all under the auspices of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in Richmond, Va. Local centers that perform transplants, such as Hopkins and University of Maryland Medical System, are members.
If you are in need of a transplant you can apply to a number of various centers. You usually are referred by your treating physician. The registration costs $395 per year and you can apply as many places as you want. There is a very diligent screening process for candidates with strict protocols regarding all aspects of the candidate’s health, including psychiatric testing. No other fees are associated with the transplant. Your health insurance is utilized.
In principle, the system was designed to be fair and equitable. Allocations are supposed to be based upon independent criteria established by the federal government to assure that the sick and needy are treated as equals and financial considerations of the recipient are not a determining factor.
The organs are harvested from the dead, or from brain-dead people who have either made their intentions known before their demise, or with permission from whoever has power of attorney. Before using the organs, they are thoroughly tested and examined to make sure that they are worthy and would be suitable for transplant. The Sharing Network has been chartered for 22 years. They get notified when an organ may be harvested and they then attempt to match the recipient from their database.
There was federal legislation passed called The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 (NOTA)—George Orwell strikes again—which prohibited the selling and trafficking of organs. There are also live donors of organs, and usually those organs are considered to be superior to those harvested from the dead or brain-dead. They are, for the most part healthier, and are expected to survive longer in the recipient.
The investigation began with a typical political scandal alleging payoffs and favors that all of us have seen as rather commonplace. This investigation began in New Jersey, no big surprise. The worm, low-life, and snitch who got the goods for the FBI was named Solomon Dwek, a real estate developer from Jersey who got busted in 2006 for attempting to defraud PNC bank to the tune of $50,000,000. He is the son of a renowned and highly regarded rabbi named Isaac Dwek, who founded a yeshiva in Deal, New Jersey.
In 2006, Dwek deposited a bogus check in the amount of $25.2 million at a PNC drive-thru, then wired the money away shortly thereafter—leaving the bank high and dry. He then attempted to cash another check for $25 million the next day. After he was arrested and placed on bail, Dwek began doing the FBI’s bidding. You should also be aware that he was greatly revered in the Jewish community for his great philanthropy work.
He then commenced with making payoffs and bribes. Those nailed by his natural ability to work the system were the mayors of Secaucus and Hoboken (Old Blue Eyes’ hometown), and various deputy mayors, assemblymen and others. All Democrats, by the way. Then he set his sights on Rosenbaum for the Feds.
You should read the attached statement of the FBI agent in charge to digest the entirety of Rosenbaum’s culpability. I’ll attempt to summarize it, but honestly to get fully repulsed, read it yourself. The cooperating witness (Dwek) showed up on Rosenbaum’s doorstep in Flatbush with an FBI agent posing as his secretary, and after the proper introductions Dwek was vouched for by one of the prior purchasers.
The “secretary” weaved a tale that her uncle needed a kidney. Rosenbaum laid out the terms—including the fact that he gets his donors from Israel and they would have to fabricate a story as to the connection from the donor to the recipient because of the strict screening process.
Rosenbaum called himself a “matchmaker” and I’m sure when Tevye’s daughters sing “Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match” in “Fiddler on the Roof” they aren’t referring to him. He bragged that he had been doing this for ten years. He also told them that it was illegal to sell organs and then hit them for a $10,000 retainer paid in four $2,500 checks. The rest of the deal was $70,000 before the donor arrived and the other $80,000 payable after the transplant. He did not provide any guarantees or warranties. When asked by the purchasers how the checks were to be made out he initially told them to make them payable to a “congregation,” but later told them he’d provide more specifics later.
Here are some other tidbits and nuggets. The fee paid to the donors was $10,000 up-front and $10,000 after the surgery. The other rabbis were laundering money through fake charitable organizations. Most of them were of Syrian origin and headed orthodox congregations. They used Talmudic study sessions to conduct business, and used code words for the transaction. The word “gemora” was the term substituted for the word “cash.” Gemora is a Hebrew term used to describe the holy books of the Talmud
Dwek’s father gave a very emotional sermon last Shabbos Saturday haranguing the usage of informants who turn Jew against Jew. He denies that it was directed at his progeny, the FBI’s cooperating witness.
Also, Johns Hopkins was mentioned by AP and MSNBC as follows: “Officials say Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore were allegedly contacted by the suspects for these procedures.” Both hospitals have denied this. Rumors now have been circulating that Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York, and Albert Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia were the hospitals where the transplants took place. I personally contacted Hopkins and I have provided their response verbatim. It follows this story.
One of the 44 people arrested killed himself.
Obviously, there will be much more news on these despicable events coming down the road. I will attempt to keep you informed. The only thing left to say at this point is to keep the faith, and continue to believe in human decency, even after reading this sordid story. We’re all affected by this one.
Hello,
Here’s our interim statement in response to the Assoc. Press article and subsequent reports on NBC, ABC, etc. Thank you.
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STATEMENT FROM THE JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL
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” We are aware of reports of the arrests and of a newspaper report that The Johns Hopkins Hospital was contacted. However, investigators have not contacted Johns Hopkins and we do not have enough details to determine whether such contact was made.
“And to the best of our knowledge, we have not been contacted by any sort of organ ‘broker.’
“Our Kidney Transplant Program follows protocols where all potential living donors are screened by an independent living donor advocate, and we have donors and recipients sign acknowledgements that it is illegal to accept/pay money for organ donation.”
- JHM -
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BACKGROUNDER
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ARTICLE EXCERPT
Officials say separate from the corruption probe, some of the suspects charged today were also connected to an illegal human organ-selling ring. Investigators say some charged would take cash payments to help find organs for sick patients in need of transplants. It’s unclear where the body parts might have come from or how many surgeries may have been done.
The body parts scheme involved kidney transplants, authorities said. Patients in need would pay middle-men to find willing donors in Israel. Investigators said the suspects would then have the donor and patient lie to hospitals that they were related. Hospitals would then do the operation unaware that cash payments were part of the deal. Officials say Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick and Johns Hopkins in Baltimore were allegedly contacted by the suspects for these procedures.
FEATURED JOBS
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Someone, let’s say a journalist, has taken a red pen and the Obama Administration Organizational Chart and calculated that 47 percent of the positions have yet to be filled—for whatever reason, such as finding qualified candidates, the onerous nomination/confirmation process or simply the availability of time to go out and hire people.
story by Alan Goldstein
Story By Jay Liner