Month: January 2009

Cover Up: Mormon Church Reveals $190k in Previously Unreported Prop 8 Expenditures

Jon Ponder

In a classic Friday night news dump, the Mormon Church released a report late yesterday that reveals at least $190,000 in previously unreported expenditures in the Proposition 8 campaign to repeal gays’ right to marry in California. Failure to disclose campaign expenses is illegal, and these expenditures were not reported in an earlier filing.

The report included a $96,849 charge for “compensated staff time” for church employees who worked on Prop 8.

The report was released in response to a complaint filed in November by Fred Karger of Californians Against Hate. In the sworn complaint, Karger contended that “the Mormon Church organized phone banks from Utah and Idaho, sent direct mail to voters, transported people to California over several weekends, used the LDS NewsRoom to send out news releases to promote their activities, walked precincts, ran a speakers bureau, distributed thousands of lawn signs and other campaign material, organized a ‘surge to election day,’ had church leaders travel to California, set up very elaborate web sites, produced at least nine commercials and four other video broadcasts and conducted at least two satellite simulcasts over five Western states.”

Karger’s complaint underscored that these activities were targeted, not at church members, but at the general public, which classifies the communications as political propaganda. Churches risk losing their nonprofit status if they engage in partisan politicking.

The document filed late on Friday appeared to bolster Karger’s allegations:

The report … listed a variety of California travel expenses for high-ranking members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and included $20,575 for use of facilities and equipment at the church’s Salt Lake City headquarters and a $96,849 charge for “compensated staff time” for church employees who worked on matters pertaining to Prop 8.

“This is exactly what we were talking about when we filed the suit,” said [Karger].

“They said they reported all their travel … now, when there is a [complaint filed] they disclose 25 Southwest tickets just in October,” Karger said, in a Los Angeles Times report. “They were required to report this,” he said.

Church spokesmen have not yet responded to reporters’ questions about the report, which has prompted speculation that the church has something to hide.

[…]

Here’s Who Obama Plans to Watch the Super Bowl With

Trish

Here are the folks invited to the White House Super Bowl party. I’m not familiar with a lot of the representatives.

  • Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)
  • Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
  • Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
  • Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA)
  • Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
  • Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL)
  • Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
  • Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA)
  • Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA)
  • Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ)
  • Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
  • Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH)
  • Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC)
  • Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA)
  • Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI)

Breaking News: Florida House Speaker Resigns

Trish

We recently gave you an overview of the problems of Rep. Ray Sansom (R-Destin), who steered millions in taxpayer dollars to Northwest Florida State College, where he was rewarded with a $110,000 a year job.

A little while ago, Sansom resigned as speaker.

“Effective immediately, I have decided to recuse myself from the exercise of my duties as Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Sansom said in a statement. “Ongoing legal proceedings have temporarily created an inability for me to carry out my responsibilities as Speaker … The allegations and reports associated with these proceedings have caused my family grave pain and this has prompted my decision. I expect positive outcomes and am confident that when the facts are known, my honesty and integrity will be confirmed.”

Parallels with former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagoviech, also believed to have used his position for personal gain, abounded from the get-go. Sansom today sounds a whole lot like Blago yesterday.

Sansom and his fellow Republicans in the House bemoan the “distraction” of the grand jury investigation into Sansom’s antics, but none of them is speaking the truth about the real problem: raiding the public till (to the tune of $25 million for his new employer) and living large on the proceeds.

Quote du Jour

Buck Banks

We have this thing called impeachment and it’s bleeping golden and we’ve used it the right way.

— Illinois state Sen. James Meeks (D), quoted by the AP, mocking former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s expletive-laden words as captured by the FBI on a wiretap.

The Year of the Ox is the Year of the Obama

Trish

Chinese New Year began Monday, Jan. 26, ushering in the Year of the Ox. As is customary, many Chinese, Vietnamese, and other Asian families spent a few days cleaning their homes to sweep away the bad luck from last year and make way for the good fortune to come.

Understanding the symbolism of the ox helps appreciate the meaning of this new year.

  • The ox is the second icon in the Asian zodiac. Because of its position near the top of the zodiac hierarchy, the ox typically represents a period of renewal and rebirth, or a fresh start.
  • For this Lunar New Year, the ox falls in alignment with one of the five important elements (fire, water, metal, earth and wood) identified in feng shui. This year may also be referred to as the Year of the Earth Ox. The earth element is commonly associated with stability, growth and a solid foundation.
  • The ox is strong and is viewed as a beast of burden. This year’s ox isn’t overly aggressive, and is viewed as more thoughtful in its approach to business and relationships. Oxen pull rather than push.
  • People born in the Year of the Ox are supposed to inspire others to become leaders. Oxen are also considered patient, dependable, hardworking, ambitious, modest, logical, resolute, and tenacious.
Pres. Barack Obama was born August 4, 1961 — the Year of the Ox

So who’s an ox? Anyone born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 or 2009. Pres. Barack Obama was born August 4, 1961.

If that doesn’t make the hair on your arms stand up, consider this. The Vietnamese use a water buffalo instead of an ox, meaning the animal is more closely associated with the element water.

Since water and earth are considered opposites, some Asians and Asian Americans may view this year as a year of turmoil, instability and conflict.

Let’s just go with the Chinese version and leave it at that.

Except for one more thing. George W. Bush was born July 6, 1946, which was the Year of the Dog.

[Dogs] have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people’s confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues.

There might be something to this zodiac stuff after all…

Super Bowl Players are Among Obama’s Biggest (and We Mean Biggest) Fans

Trish

Cardinals mascot “Big Red” sends a message


The world (well, except for Buck and Jon) will watch as the Arizona Cardinals, who have never been to a Super Bowl, try to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have won the big game five times. The winners will take home gold and diamond rings, along with bragging rights that last right up until their next big loss.

But even though the Cardinals would like to show the world once and for all that they are a real football team by actually winning the Super Bowl, not just finally playing in one, there’s another reason they want to prevail: the team that wins Super Bowl 43 will have a chance to meet President 44.

“History has been made with Obama,” Arizona receiver [Steve Breaston] said. “I would be ecstatic if we could be the first team to go in and shake his hand.”

A day after the Steelers won the AFC championship and the Cardinals added to their surprising playoff run by claiming the NFC title, Obama took the oath of office in the nation’s capital. In central Florida, Arizona defensive end Bertrand Berry was filming a promotional spot with his daughter, but he took time off to watch history unfold.

“It was really emotional for me,” Berry said. “I don’t believe I stopped crying the whole time.”

You would think the team from John McCain’s adopted home state would be a little bitter toward his rival. But who besides Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter would stoop that low? In fact, the same opportunity to meet the president is motivating Pittsburgh.

“That would be very special,” Steelers linebacker James Farrier said Wednesday. “Everybody is excited about our new president. Being the first African-American president, it’s a great time in our country. We definitely want to be the first team to go meet him after the Super Bowl. That would be one of the highlights of being in the Super Bowl and winning the Super Bowl.”

Why the Republicans Better Support Obama’s Stimulus Package

Buck Banks

Remember how everybody likes to describe the Democratic Party as behaving like a circular firing squad? Well House Republicans appear to be taking careful aim at both feet by threatening to oppose President Obama’s proposed economic stimulus package. The Atlantic’s Marc Ambinder makes a pretty compelling case for why the GOPers should wise up and lay off:

Over a 48 hour period when 100,000 job layoffs have been announced, Hill Republicans have decided to take a stand against the stimulus.

Now — President Obama’s approval rating is about 70 percent;

Congressional approval is still around 20 percent;

After the election, Democrats still have a 9 point lead in generic identification.

The public approves of the stimulus plan by a very large margin — the numbers vary with the wording of the poll question, but it’s at least a plus 40 percent.

Obama is the most talented political figure of our generation — Boehner and McConnell are, uh, less talented.

Obama’s got the megaphone, they’ve got …

Squat, frankly. Ambinder makes the further point that the GOP continues to call for tax breaks instead of spending increases. Of course their tax breaks are not aimed at those of modest means, but at the wealthy. If they continue to cleave to tried-and-failed Bush-onomics, they will get steamrolled by the people-backed Obama-nomics. And pity the fools (or not) when the mid-terms roll around in 2010.