A day after visiting Pennsylvania for two events Vice President Joe Biden flew to Baghdad today to spend the Fourth of July examining the situation on the ground. I just hope he doesn't decide to serve the troops plastic food from a plastic tray as a photo op. That remembrance of George W. Bush's Thanksgiving tradition is likely to cause everyone heartburn.
Witht he new Status of Forces Agreement taking form with the withdrawal of American troops from towns and cities reshaping the country Biden is getting a sense of how the new Iraq will be taking shape. The White House issued this statement:
Vice President Biden has arrived in Iraq to visit U.S. troops and to meet with Iraqi leaders, including President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ayad al-Samarrai. The Vice President will reiterate the United States' commitment to fully implement the Security Agreement and the Strategic Framework Agreement and to carry out President Obama's plan to draw down U.S. forces. He will discuss with Iraq's leaders the importance of achieving the political progress that is necessary to ensure the nation's long-term stability. This is Vice President Biden's second trip to Iraq this year and his first as Vice President.
For the seventh consecutive year Republicans in Harrisburg have held up the budget process. It has been a hallmark of their obstructionism so they can play politics at the expense of the people. This year the political games in the Capitol have sunk to new lows. The Governor's office is for grabs next year so the GOP wants issues. I don't think holding up the budget every year because a Democrat holds the office plays well with voters however.
This year the Bush Recession has made finalizing difficult decisions extremely hard. As revenues have collapsed along with the economy due to GOP deregulation, Wall Street greed and bad economic ideology 467,000 more people lost jobs last month. No state bills, salaries or programs can move forward until a budget is passed. While it seems like no one likes bureaucrats you do when it is your driver's license which needs renewal, roads need repaving and the trial for the guy who robbed you which gets delayed that we appreciate the work these people do day in and day out.
Republicans control the State Senate so any budget bill must be bipartisan. The GOP Senators need to remember this simple fact. Their proposed budget slashed critical state programs across the board and was unworkable. Some combination of increased revenues along with cuts must be accomplished. Increasing the sales tax is regressive to all the working poor and folks on fixed incomes. The best solution for reallocating revenues fairly is a progressive income tax system as proposed by Sen. Mike O'Pake. This could be implemented soon with the proper support. Perhaps a time of fiscal crisis such as now is the time to strike on this front.
Republicans caused this recession and it is imperative for Republicans to step forward and accept personal responsibility for their failures. It is imperative that all legislators do what needs to be done to solve the situation. Playing politics with this will do no one any good next year when we remind voters who decided to play politics instead of making the hard choices and doing what was best for the Commonwealth.
The past couple weeks have seen one of Conservative Republicans golden boys crash hard to the ground with the shocking revelation that SC GOP Governor and Presidential hopeful Mark Sanford was engaged in a steamy affair with a mistress.
Lately, like the typical holy roller of the far right, Sanford has been pulling that "God told me that I should stay on as Governor shit."
"A long list of close friends have suggested otherwise - that for God to really work in my life I shouldn't be getting off so lightly. While it would be personally easier to exit stage left, their point has been that my larger sin was the sin of pride." - politico
Sanford's larger sin was pride???? Are you shitting me? This goes to show how narcissistic and sadistic these politicians are. You're supposed to have pride, morals, and beliefs. Mark Sanford's pride was hurt because he preached the choir AS HOLY ART THOU and got caught "hiking in the Appaliachian mountains." (2012 GOP Code for screwing my mistress in Argentina). Did God tell Governor Sanford to leave his state in financial peril while he left to go "hiking." Did God tell Gov. Sanford to spend taxpayer money on his hiking trip? Did God tell Governor Sanford to lie about his whereabouts?
Sanford writes that those friends asserted that "if I walked in with a real spirit of humility then this last legislative term could well be our most productive one - and that outside this term, I would ultimately be a better person and of more service in whatever doors God opened next in life if I stuck around to learn lessons rather than running and hiding down at the farm."
Sanford's calling for a productive legislative term has gotten off to a poor start as it appears that "God told him to take back his promise of releasing his expense report records to the media while "hiking in the Appalachian Mountains."
I am curious why he would not want to release these records? Could it be what he purchased on there while hiking.... Any thoughts anyone?
I wonder if that total line of bull would work for the rest of us. I had a message myself from God last night, as I am also religious and it was that "God told me that Mark Sanford should resign as Governor of South Carolina, but first he should do what he committed to and release his expense report records for Morgan and me........
Oh and he also told me to go hiking in the Appalachian mountains over the 4th of July weekend :)
Congressman Paul Kanjorski asked the SEC what new laws may be needed in light of the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme investigation. Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in federal prison this week for scamming thousands of investors and charities. The SEC did only cursory examinations of his enterprise in spite of repeated warnings what he was doing was illegal.
The SEC has responded to Kanjorski's query:
Dear Chairman Kanjorski:
Thank you for your June 16, 2009 letter regarding the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Office of Inspector General's (OIG) investigation into allegations regarding Bernard L. Madoff (Madoff) and Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities, LLP and for meeting with me on June 23, 2009 at your offices to discuss our ongoing investigation.
I am glad that you are generally pleased with our progress in connection with our investigations and audits of these important and complex matters. As I indicated to you during our meeting, we are committed to producing, in an expeditious manner, thorough and comprehensive investigative and audit reports analyzing the reasons that the SEC did not uncover the Madoff Ponzi scheme notwithstanding examinations and investigations conducted over a period of nearly 20 years, as well as providing recommendations to improve the operations of the pertinent SEC divisions and offices. I appreciated the opportunity to brief you on developments in our investigation at your offices last week and am happy that you felt the meeting was productive.
While we have not yet completed the investigation, we are able to provide to you, at your request, several legislative suggestions that have arisen out of our Madoff investigatory work, which we believe will strengthen the ability of investors and the regulatory agencies to uncover frauds such as Ponzi schemes in the future. We understand that the SEC is also recommending to the Subcommittee the legislative suggestions numbered 1 and 4 below. These suggestions are as follows:
(1) Extend the regulatory jurisdiction of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to audit reports prepared by a domestic registered or foreign public accounting firm regarding issuers, broker-dealers, investment advisers and any companies subject to U.S. securities laws. The PCAOB's current responsibilities include the following: (a) registering public accounting firms; (b) establishing auditing, quality control, ethics, independence, and other standards relating to public company audits; (c) conducting inspections, investigations, and disciplinary proceedings of registered accounting firms; and (d) enforcing compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The PCAOB is able to address many auditing problems through a combination of inspections and standards-setting. The PCAOB's supervisory model uses several tools to improve audit quality, correct audit deficiencies, and promote compliance with applicable standards and laws. Where necessary, the PCAOB exercises its enforcement authority.
Extending the regulatory jurisdiction of the PCAOB would allow for increased oversight of these accounting firms and reduce the risks associated with unknown accounting firms that have been able to avoid scrutiny. We believe that H.R. 1212, as currently introduced, accomplishes many of these same goals, except that we would recommend that the legislation clarify that the PCAOB oversight be extended to audit reports prepared by a registered accounting firm which provides reports for investment advisers, investment companies and other registered entities, as well as registered broker dealers.
(2) Amending the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Investment Advisers Act) to require the use of independent custodians in a manner similar to Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Investment Company Act), which requires the use of an independent custodian by mutual funds. Section 17(f) of the Investment Company Act requires a registered management company to "place and maintain its securities and similar investments in the custody of" a bank or a dealer admitted to a national securities exchange, subject to such rules and regulations as the Commission may from time to time prescribe for the protection of investors. See 15 U.S.c. ยง 80a-17(f)(1). In addition, Rule 17f-2(b) of the Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Investment Company Act requires that all such securities and similar investments be deposited in the safekeeping of, or in a vault or other depository maintained by, a bank or other company whose functions and physical facilities are supervised by Federal or State authority. The Rule further provides that investments so deposited shall be physically segregated at all times from those of any other person and shall be withdrawn only in connection with transactions of the character described in the Rule. This custodian requirement essentially removes the ability of an investment adviser to fraudulently use the proceeds invested by new investors to make payments to old investors.
Hedge funds are currently exempt from the Investment Company Act and are not subject to the independent custodian requirement. In addition, investment advisers who are also registered broker-dealers are currently permitted to clear their trades through their own broker-dealer firm. Thus, both investment advisers and hedge funds should be required to use an independent custodian.
We are aware that the SEC is currently proposing amendments to its custody rule under the Investment Advisers Act to require a written report from an independent public accountant that includes an opinion regarding the custodian's controls relating to custody of client assets if the client accounts are not maintained by an independent qualified custodian. However, we believe that a more direct way to remedy this statutory loophole would be to amend the Investment Advisers Act in conformity with the Investment Company Act.
(3) The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of2002 requires ongoing certifications of certain reports by chief executive officers and chief financial officers of public reporting companies. Executives who knowingly file noncompliant reports face possible criminal prosecution including substantial fines and imprisonment.
Certifications have been determined to be effective controls to ensure compliance with particular requirements or guidelines. We would recommend imposing a requirement of certification by senior officers of registered investment advisers that shows they conducted adequate due diligence in connection with investments. This certification requirement should apply to all funds of hedge funds. The adequate level of due diligence required in accordance with the certification may be defined pursuant to a particular model of best practices, such as the Managed Fund Association (MFA) model or the Alternative Investment Management Association (AlMA) model, or could be developed by the SEC. Enforcing an adequate level of due diligence would ensure that investors have adequate information when investing through intermediaries.
(4) Bounty programs are an effective tool to encourage whistleblowers to come forward and would provide necessary incentives for outside entities to bring complaints about possible illegal activity. There is some evidence that the bounty program implemented by the Department of Justice (DOJ) has played a role in the increase of civil recoveries obtained by the DOJ over a 10-year period. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also has a system in place where it provides a bounty to individuals who present the IRS with information leading to the collection of federal taxes.
Although the bounty system has been in place at the SEC for more than 20 years, there have been relatively few awards made. The SEC program is limited to insider trading cases, and the stated criteria for judging bounty applications are broad, somewhat vague and not subject to judicial review.
Currently, Section 21A(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) [15 U.S.C. 78u-l(e)] authorizes the SEC to award a bounty to a person who provides information leading to the recovery of a civil penalty from an insider trader, from a person who "tipped" information to an insider trader, or from a person who directly or indirectly controlled an insider trader. All bounty determinations, including whether, to whom, or in what amount to make payments, are within the sole discretion of the SEC, however, the total bounty may not currently exceed 10% of the amount "actually recovered" from a civil penalty pursuant to a court order.
We would recommend that the Exchange Act be amended to authorize the SEC to award a bounty for information leading to the recovery of a civil penalty from any violator of the federal securities laws, not simply insider trading violations. We would also suggest that the Exchange Act be amended to provide specific criteria for awarding bounties, including a provision that where a whistleblower relies upon public information, such reliance does not constitute an absolute bar to recovering a bounty. The statute should also require that the whistleblower be provided with status reports at certain milestones during the investigation or examination that was based on the tip.
We would be happy to discuss any of the above legislative suggestions with you or the Subcommittee at your convenience. If, as we conclude our investigation, we determine that there are any further legislative recommendations that would be appropriate for your Subcommittee, we will share them with you at that time.
Thank you again for your continued interest in our work.
Sincerely,
H. David Kotz
Inspector General
cc: The Honorable Mary L. Schapiro
Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission
Congressman Kanjorski had this to say:
"I thank Mr. Kotz for his swift reply and his preliminary legislative recommendations for improving enforcement and closing legal loopholes based on his investigation into the $65 billion Madoff Ponzi scheme," said Chairman Kanjorski. "The recommendations provide some valuable insight that could help the House Financial Services Committee as we work to develop legislation for financial regulatory reform. Additionally, Mr. Kotz's first proposal is very similar to legislation that I introduced earlier this year that would close a legal loophole in the authority of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board that helped Bernard Madoff to avoid detection of his $65 billion scam. By addressing this and other issues, we can work to update and improve our regulatory structure. I look forward to reviewing Mr. Kotz's full recommendations when they become available."
Sen. John "Himmler" Eichelberger has a clever campaign slogan. He plasters his Senatorial District with "I Like Eich" signs. They harken back to an era when Dwight Eisenhower used the slogan, women were repressed, Blacks were lynched and gays and lesbians were forced to be invisible. The 1950's were only a good era if you were white, male, Anglo-Saxon and Protestant. They were a time of awful oppression for everyone else. No wonder Sen. Himmler invokes those selective memories in his campaign.
Here are the Senator's biggest contributors. Feel free to hassle them about Eich's comments and ask if they support his contention about "allowing gays to exist." Ask why anyone finding the Senator offensive should do business with them.
Richard Scaife, Bob Guzzardi, and Glen Meakem are this Nazi's biggest contributors. No amount of pressure will convince any of them their investments were bad. The corporations like Sheetz can be convinced not to give again. Go into your local Sheetz and tell them you will no longer do business with people who support someone who thinks you ought not to exist.
Call the doctors and lawyers and ask them why they support this guy. Let's embarrass every one of them for supporting Eichelberger. We can cut off his money this way. What really disgusts me about Guzzardi is he made his money from the gay community in Philadelphia. This is a real betrayal.
Logan Partnership, Altoona Real estate developer $5,000 (814) 944-6127
Todd Eichelberger Real estate developer $115,000 (814) 942-3032
Gerald and Heather Harrington Duncansville $1500
Developer and attorney
Neil & Lois Kaneshiki physician $2500
Duncansville
2525 9th Avenue, Altoona, PA (814) 942-6038
James & Yvonne Morgan physician $1500
Lewisburg 570.523.3290
Michael Humphrey & Jane Rowe Hollidaysburg $750
physicians Lewisburg
The Minnesota Supreme Court finally ended Norm Coleman's quixotic quest to deny Al Franken his election victory back on November 4th. The sore loser of all sore losers finally conceded the election and Franken can finally take his Senate seat and give the good people of Minnesota their proper representation in Washington. The seat gives Democrats 60 votes though that magic number is anything but assured. There's no way of knowing how Arlen Specter will vote on any issue.
The President and some of his Cabinet will be coming to Pennsylvania on a rural tour. I have no idea where Wattsburg, Pennsylvania is but I imagine Google Earth will be of assistance. They will be there tomorrow to discuss rural broadband. Heck I'd like real broadband here in Berks County. Our Verizon DSL is so slow uploading videos I feel like we have dial up. If we're going to discuss broadband let us discuss getting real speeds such as they have in Europe and Japan. Let's also discuss the dangers of having only two choices of carriers if you want the service.
I fear a society where Comcast and Verizon control access to the internet. In the old days you had a choice of hundreds of carriers but now unless you wish to pay a hefty premium for satellite your choices are slim. This enables the government to shut down, filter or monitor your internet access quite easily. It is doing this right now under Bush's domestic wiretapping program which Obama has continued. If this was an impeachable offense by George W. Bush it is an impeachable offense by Barack Obama. Unconstitutional searches remain unconstitutional regardless of the identity of the person committing the crimes.
No additional details on the location of the event were provided by The White House.
Update: Here's the release from the White House on today's event:
WATTSBURG, PA - Vice President Biden today announced the availability of $4 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act loans and grants to help bring broadband service to un-served and underserved communities across America. This is the first round of Recovery Act funding aimed at expanding broadband access to help bridge the technological divide and create jobs building out Internet infrastructure.
Vice President Biden was joined today by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski and Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper at Seneca High School, the first stop on the President's National Rural Tour.
"Today's announcement is a first step toward realizing President Obama's vision of a nationwide 21st-century communications infrastructure - one that encourages economic growth, enhances America's global competitiveness and helps address many of America's most pressing challenges," said Vice President Biden.
The Recovery Act provided a total of $7.2 billion to the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) to accelerate broadband deployment in areas of the country that have been without the high-speed infrastructure. Of that funding, NTIA will utilize $4.7 billion to deploy broadband infrastructure in un-served and underserved areas in the United States, expand public computer center capacity and encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service. RUS will invest $2.5 billion to facilitate broadband deployment in rural communities.
"The Commerce Department's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program will reach the last frontiers of America's information landscape, and the investments it makes in inner-city neighborhoods and rural communities will spur innovation and pave the way for private capital to follow," Secretary Locke said. "This first wave of funding will help create jobs, jumpstart additional investment and provide model projects that can better inform our national broadband strategy."
"The funding we're announcing today will carry out President Obama's goal to expand broadband to communities that lack access to it," Secretary Vilsack said. "The President is committed to bringing the educational and economic benefits of the Internet to all communities."
"Access to high-speed Internet is no longer a luxury, but an essential tool to compete in this 21st-century economy. The availability of this technology is critical to attracting the business and development that will create the good paying jobs that stay in the United States," said Congresswoman Dahlkemper. "I am so pleased that Vice President Biden and the administration chose Western Pennsylvania to announce this critical broadband initiative - a region that will benefit from this strategic investment."
NTIA and RUS will be accepting applications for loans, grants and loan/grant combinations to be awarded by each agency under a single application form. This collaborative approach will ensure that the agencies' activities are complementary and integrated, make the best use of taxpayer funds and make it easier for applicants to apply for funding. This is the first of three rounds of funding the Agriculture and Commerce Departments will provide.
Vice President Biden also announced today that Commerce and USDA officials will host public workshops in July to share information about the funding availabilities and the application process. Forums will be held in Boston, Mass.; Charleston, W.Va.; Minneapolis, Minn.; Memphis, Tenn.; Lonoke, Ark.; Birmingham, Ala.; Billings, Mont.; Albuquerque, N.M.; and Los Angeles, Calif.
Applications will be accepted beginning July 14, 2009, through 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 14, 2009. The complete details of this Notice of Funding Availability are available at http://www.broadbandusa.gov.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief and protect those in greatest need.
More information about efforts regarding the Recovery Act is available at www.usda.gov/recovery, www.commerce.gov/recovery and www.recovery.gov.
George W. Bush pretended to give sovereignty to Iraq on June 28, 2004 five years ago. It was another of his cruel jokes where his deeds failed to match his words. Iraq was no more sovereign than the Thirteen Colonies were under King George prior to July 4, 1776. Iraq had no control over its territory and no control over foreign troops occupying its country.
Today that changed. American occupation forces withdrew from Iraqi cities and towns and turned governance over to Iraqis. This is what real sovereignty is about. There will be many difficulties ahead because a political solution has continues to elude the residents and leaders of the country. Violence is likely to increase, especially along the border with Kurdistan. The Kurds seek to reclaim land taken from them and Kirkuk is likely to be central to this struggle.
Absent a political solution and now absent American forces attempting to provide security there is a real threat of civil war. The Iraqis know this and understand that their failure to accommodate each others' concerns, responsibilities and rights to oil revenues will likely result in a decline in security. Only when facing a crisis situation however may these differing groups force one another into some sort of agreement. Absent that whomever emerges as the strongest group with the strongest leader will take control. If this sounds much like Iraq under Saddam Hussein it is exactly that situation. I fear our long struggle will result in no progress for the people of Iraq and nothing but heartache and loss for America. This war was folly from the start.
I don't care about Michael Jackson. I didn't when he was alive and I don't now that he's dead. Good riddance.
I also don't care about Jon & Kate. Until they landed in all the media and locals began telling me they really are cheating on each other that I even discovered who they were and the fact they have a TV show. Now crawl back into your holes and disappear. We have more important things to discuss.
I miss New Mexico already. Seeing drivers speeding, running stop signs, cutting me off and so forth instills a hunger within me for the polite, mellow attitudes of the Land of Enchantment. Can't wait to return.
Superior Court Judge Jack Panella is our guest this week on Democratic Talk Radio. He's running for the state Supreme Court and you can listen through the web with the link here on the blog. We go live at 8:05 am on WGPA.
I see where 21,000 Pennsylvanians are about to lose their unemployment compensation. Things are about to get very tough for these folks. To all those who continue saying the recession is a figment of our imaginations go talk to these people and hire some of them.
Today is the end of the quarterly fundraising cycle for federal candidates. Go contribute to your favorites including those running next year against incumbents.
Though I didn't vote for or support Barack Obama even I didn't anticipate he'd continue the wireless eavesdropping program or the detention of prisoners without due process. Then there's the whole betrayal of gay rights... Every day I see President Obama I'm happier I voted for Cynthia McKinney.
I haven't made it out kayaking much this year between my hand surgery then our new house. It's time to get paddling again!
Five activist Justices on the Supreme Court rewrote Title VII of the Civil Rights Act yesterday and no one on the right wing is screaming bloody murder. Instead they are claiming the 5-4 vote was actually 9-0 (we already knew they'd flunked math) and that the decision sinks the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the Court.
Actually it illustrates that she ruled correctly because she and two other Judges decided correctly that the New Haven firefighters suit violated Title VII as previous Courts had ruled. She actually upheld precedent rather than creating new law. It was five Justices appointed by Republicans and whom condemn "activist judges" who do exactly what they did who rewrote federal law yesterday.
It is interesting that Republicans only condemn activist judges when they do so against their wishes but not when they decide something based on race, creed, gender or so on which they desire. It is time to end this specious argument about the role of judges if the right wing lunatic fringe cannot be consistent.
If you're wondering why the discussion in Harrisburg is so heated over the state budget Keystone Progress has a new website where you can do it yourself. Caution: it is much harder than you think. Deciding what programs must be cut and/or what taxes to raise is much more difficult when it is put into your own hands. Do you cut public safety? Education? Economic development or children's health care?
Do you raise the income tax or personal income tax? Better yet how would you explain your choices to the voters back home? The state deficit is so large it requires extremely difficult decisions which will affect all of the Commonwealth. Go to the website and see for yourself.
The Obama Administration also named Bill Wehry as Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency:
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2008- The Obama Administration today announced that Bill Wehry will serve as Pennsylvania State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency at the USDA.
"Bill Wehry has a solid understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our rural communities and will help build on the Obama Administration's efforts to rebuild and revitalize rural America," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Wehry is the Deputy Secretary for Agriculture and Consumer Protection for the State of Pennsylvania's Department of Agriculture. He oversees 470 employees and a $120 million operating budget. Previously, Wehry ran Meadow Creek Farms from 1977-2003, where he managed 500 acres of cropland and 250 sow. He is an experienced agricultural producer and agribusiness manager who has worked to create a healthy environment for farms, protect consumer health and preserve the environment. Throughout his career, Wehry has earned numerous conservation awards.
The Farm Services Agency works to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural Americans. Some of the agency's efforts include providing direct operating loans for farm equipment, seed and fertilizer, as well as rural housing loans to help rural people buy, build or rent housing. FSA also procures various commodities to benefit low-income families through domestic food assistance programs. At the same time, the agency creates jobs by funding the growth and creation of rural businesses and cooperatives.
The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture and natural resources and touches the life of every American. Reflecting President Obama's commitment to expanding economic opportunities in rural America, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA are working to enhance availability of broadband, promote the development of renewable energy, to conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment, and promote a sustainable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply.
WASHINGTON, June 29, 2008 - The Obama Administration today announced that Thomas Williams will serve as Pennsylvania State Director for Rural Development at the USDA.
"Thomas William will be an important advocate on behalf of rural communities throughout the state and help administer the valuable programs and services provided by the USDA that can enhance their economic success," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Williams is currently the District Projects Director for Congressman Paul Kanjorski. He works with local government agencies to help communities and businesses throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania obtain access to funding for development projects. Previously, Williams ran a family restaurant and also served as the Executive Director for the Department of Community Development for the City of Nanticoke. He holds a master's degree in political science from Bloomsburg University and a bachelor's from Wilkes University. Williams is actively involved in nonprofit community economic development efforts.
Rural Development administers and manages over 40 housing, business, and community infrastructure and facility programs as laid out by Congress through a network of 6,100 employees located in 500 national, state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of over $114 billion in loans and loan guarantees.
The USDA provides leadership on food, agriculture and natural resources and touches the life of every American. Reflecting President Obama's commitment to expanding economic opportunities in rural America, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA are working to enhance availability of broadband, promote the development of renewable energy, to conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment, and promote a sustainable, safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply.
Congressman Kanjorski issued this statement:
"I want to commend President Obama for choosing Tom Williams for this important position, and I am sure that Tom will prove himself more than capable of fulfilling the President's mission, as he has been an integral part of my Congressional staff for the past thirteen years. It is only because of my strong belief in what President Obama wants to accomplish for this country that I would consider willingly giving up Tom's service in my office.
"I have known Tom since long before I was elected to Congress. Tom and I learned together how to maximize the use of federal resources for the City of Nanticoke, when I was acting solicitor and he was the director of community development thirty years ago.
"As a member of my Congressional staff, Tom has been a key player in many projects that are close to my heart, including multiple flood control projects such as the Wyoming Valley Levee Raising Project; land reclamation and infrastructure improvement projects; and countless sewer and water projects throughout the 11th Congressional District.
"His assistance with these projects and many others has been invaluable to my efforts and to the residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania. His familiarity with the programs and services provided by the Rural Development Administration makes him ideal for the position of Pennsylvania State Director for Rural Development, and I wish him all the best in his new role."
Echoes of the holocaust resounded around the state Capitol this afternoon as Sen. John Eichelberger refused to recant, apologize for or explain his recent statement about gays and lesbians: "we're allowing them to exist."
Sen. John "Himmler" Eichelberger met briefly with gay and straight protesters after ducking them twice as a group of twenty people asked for an apology for his horrific statements recently about GLBT people. The Senator steadfastly refused to apologize or make any explanation for saying "we're allowing them to exist" in a WHYY debate with Sen. Daylin Leach about gay and lesbian issues.
I asked the Senator if he meant he has the right to deny my existence and he refused to respond while ducking into the Senate chamber and leaving security to bar me.
I've heard few more explosive statements from legislators than this one. It implies the state, especially since this bigot is a State Senator, can deny us our right to exist. This harkens back to the days of the holocaust and various campaigns of genocide by majority populations against minorities. Sen. Eichelberger has introduced legislation legalizing discrimination against GLBT people in Pennsylvania and it is a slippery slope to go from there to denying certain people their right to exist.
Any state legislator co-sponsoring or voting with Sen. Eichelberger stands with him in his statements. Anyone supporting his extremism will be considered as supporting his statements and positions.
I found it incredible that the Senator would offer no explanation for his comments. The fact he knew we would be at his office at noon and chose not to be there showed his cowardice. It was not until we waited an hour and returned that his receptionist allowed us a few minutes with the Senator in an additional hour. Then he refused to spend more than a moment and refused to answer simple questions hiding behind Capitol security.
John Eichelberger has shown his true colors and his true agenda: he only allows allows gays and lesbians to exist and can revoke that right with legislation. The fact he is a Senator is frightening because he can introduce such legislation at any time. Perhaps it is time for every gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered person in Pennsylvania to stand up and insist they be allowed to exist. Perhaps it is time for all GLBT people in America to boycott Pennsylvania. Why would anyone come here or do business here in this climate of hatred, bigotry and fear?
Update: Sen. Himmler again showed what a coward he is by not showing up for a second radio debate with Sen. Daylin Leach this evening. Maybe he was afraid what else he might say...
More video:
This is Mike Morrill of Keystone Progress speaking to reporters including me.
Sen. John Eichelberger said on a debate on WHYY's Radio Times about gays and lesbians: "we're allowing them to exist." This outrageous statement which echoes of the holocaust and genocide of Jews, gays and other minorities is resulting in further embarrassment for Pennsylvania that so many bigoted people exist in our state government.
Eichelberger responded to the outrage over his statement by blasting Mike Morrill of Keystone Progress for publicizing his remark. That's always a bad startegy for damage control when one says something truly outrageous: insult the messenger rather than apologizing. Here's what the Senator who is sponsoring legislation to enshrine his bigotry said:
"This group [Keystone Progress] is a politically active group that goes around the country targeting people that are involved in this issue. If this is an example of how they conduct themselves then it's difficult to continue dialogue and discussion, if people intentionally misportray the truth."
Tomorrow Keystone Progress will host an event at the Capitol to protest Sen. Eichelberger's statements and ask for an apology. It is at noon.
