Berg Demands Disbarment of O'Connor, Scalia, and Thomas
John H. Fisher
JUSTICES - O'CONNOR, SCALIA and THOMAS ON THE ONE (1) YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BUSH
vs. GORE, THE CASE THAT "ANOINTED" BUSH AS PRESIDENT
(Philadelphia, PA - 12/12/01) - Philip J. Berg, Esquire, former Deputy Attorney
General of Pennsylvania and political activist, an attorney with offices in
Montgomery County, PA and an active practice in Philadelphia, PA today, on the
1st anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Bush vs. Gore which
"anointed" Bush as President writes to three (3) U.S. Supreme Court Justices,
Justices O'Connor, Scalia and Thomas requesting that they agree to "Voluntary
Disbarment" for failing to "recuse" themselves in said case and other
violations.
Berg said: "The attached letter is self explanatory requesting three (3) U.S.
Supreme Court Justices to agree to voluntary disbarment from the practice of
law. It is the appearance of impartiality not the reality of bias or prejudice
that dictates and in this case, there was not only appearance but also actual
conflict of interest. They violated the rules of conduct and must accept the
consequences of their partisan action.
The three (3) Justices of The Supreme Court of the United States should
voluntarily turn in their licenses in their respective states or we will ask
that disciplinary action be undertaken including disbarment as well as summary
suspension in their respective states for violating the Rules of Court and not
'recusing' themselves in the case of Bush vs. Gore and other violations
Specifically, Justices O'Connor, Scalia and Thomas.
Over 2,750 individuals requesting the disbarment of these Justices have signed
a Petition. (www.petitiononline.com/senate/petition) We are fighting for the
integrity of our election process. We are proceeding so that the "Will Of The
People Prevails!" and remember, as Tom Petty said, "I, we mean, WE WON'T BACK
DOWN!"
# # #
The text of the letter is:
December 12, 2001
Honorable Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Supreme Court of The United States
One First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20543
Honorable Justice Antonin Scalia
Supreme Court of The United States
One First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20543
Honorable Justice Clarence Thomas
Supreme Court of The United States
One First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20543
Re: Request For Voluntary Disbarment
Dear Honorable Justices O'Connor, Scalia and Thomas:
May it please the Honorable Court. I represent over 2,750 individuals who have
signed a petition hereinafter described and hereby set forth the following. On
the one (1) year anniversary of the decision by the United States Supreme Court
in the case of Bush vs. Gore, we are hereby requesting each of you to agree to
voluntary disbarment as an attorney for your:
1. Failure to recuse yourself from the case of Bush vs. Gore based upon the
following:
a. JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR'S election evening exclamation, "This is
terrible," when CBS anchor Dan Rather called Florida for Al Gore before 8 P.M.
clearly indicated her 'preference' in the Presidential election for which there
was only one decision, that being to "recuse" herself.
b. JUSTICE ANTONIN SCALIA'S obvious conflict of interest with two of his sons
working in the law firms of Ted Olson and Barry Richard, attorneys representing
George W. Bush's legal interest in the cases regarding the 2000 Presidential
election with one son actually working on Bush vs. Gore for which there was
only one decision, that being to "recuse" himself.
c. JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS'S obvious conflict of interest with his wife working
at the Heritage Foundation reviewing Republican resumes for the Bush
administration for which there was only one decision, that being to "recuse"
himself.
2. Numerous specific violations of the various bar associations that each of
you are members of.
Your failure to agree to voluntary disbarment will result in our submitting to
all bar associations each of you are members of requesting formal investigation
regarding disciplinary charges against each of you as an attorney. We will
respectfully request that each of your conduct warrants the imposition of
severe discipline, including disbarment as well as summary suspension.
In addition to the specific violations of provisions of the Disciplinary Rules
of the various states each of you are members of, we are incorporating herein
and make the following a part hereof:
1. Petition with 2,750 + signers requesting the disbarment of each of you,
Justices O'Connor, Scalia and Thomas which you can see at
www.petitiononline.com/senate/petition.html;
2. Vincent Bugliosi's Book, The Betrayal of America (How The Supreme Court
Undermined the Constitution And Chose Our President), that sets forth specific
violations of each of you; and
3. Articles from The Nation, including "None Dare Call It Treason" that sets
forth specific violations by each of you.
Our nation is founded on basic principles of honesty, freedom and democracy
without which our nation would not have survived and will not survive. No one
is above the law, especially and most importantly, Justices of the U.S. Supreme
Court. The case of Bush vs. Gore has brought into question our entire Judicial
System because of the failure of each of you, Justices, to recuse yourselves,
because the Court even took the case, and because of the fact that the decision
is, for the first time in history, only applicable to that case; factors that
apply specifically to each of you, Honorable Justices.
In addition to what we believe to be a violation of 28 U.S.C.A. Sections 455
(a) and (b) which provides for a Justice disqualifying himself in any
proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned and/or in
those circumstances wherein he has a personal bias or prejudice, we also firmly
believe that the conduct of each of you, Justices O'Connor, Scalia and Thomas
were further in violation of the Code of Professional Responsibility and/or the
Disciplinary Rules of the various Rules of Court which set forth the minimum
level of conduct below which no lawyer can fall without being subject to
disciplinary action which includes conduct: involving dishonesty, fraud,
deceit, or misrepresentation; and/or that is prejudicial to the administration
of justice.
Unless we hear that you have agreed to voluntarily disbarment that will restore
honor and dignity to our judicial system, we will be filing formal disciplinary
proceedings with your respective bar associations.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
PHILIP J. BERG Attorney for 2,750+
The Petition To Disbar Is: http://www.petitiononline.com/senate/petition.html
"Jack" - John H. Fisher - TaxSe...@aol.com
Philadelphia, Pa - Atlantic City, NJ - West Wildwood, NJ
My Newsgroups & Boards at: http://members.aol.com/TaxService/index.html
Where Ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise!=:)
John H. Fisher
>The text of the letter is: (which bandwidth did not carry to AOL) is as
follows:
ScottFrazr
live in his own fantasy land. This guy has run for a number of posts and can't
get elected. When he ran for Senate he got less than 5% of the vote in the
Democratic primary. Here's a list of his "accomplishments" form his web site:
Phil Berg has been very active in the community: Politically, having been a
candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in 1990 and 1998 and Lt. Governor in
1994; Chairperson, Montgomery County Democratic Committee 1986-88; Democratic
State Committeeperson, 8 years; PA Representative to Democratic National
Convention Platform Advisory Committee on Government Reform 1980; Secretary, PA
delegation & Elected Delegate 1978 Democratic National Mini-Convention; Elected
Delegate 1992 Democratic National Convention; Committeeperson for 29 years"
John H. Fisher
(ScottFrazr) writes:
Sounds like a dedicated citizen to me!!!=:) What bothers you that he's been
so active in the community for so many years??? Longstreet and many others
have dedicated their lives to politics and have often not championed the
Democrats, ever since Clark, and the Democrats, brought this great city up from
the devastation, and corrupt politics that existed up to the time of Barney
Samuels.
Honorable men may have goals that we do not anticipate!!! Certainly,
Longstreet ran more out of faithfulness to his party, without great
expectations, and kept his nose ('n socks) pretty clean!!!=:) 'cept, of
course, at 80 he's now decided to divorce his lovely (physically impaired)
spouse and hook up with a beauty 30 years younger than he and his current
spouse!!!=(: Damned Viagra!!!!=:)
Now if you want to go into other areas, talk about somebody like Loper, or the
poor fellow who would be governor 'til he hit someone and ran!!! Try not to
denegrate honorable people, Scott!!! It's more of a reflection on your own
character than that of the people you try to diminish!!! (IMVHO) As a
qualifier, when it comes to my admonitions, I don't believe Dumbya is an
honorable person!!!=(:
John H. Fisher
taxse...@aol.compliance (John H. Fisher) writes:
Please edit!!! When speaking of Thatcher Longstreth, I guess, as I thought of
Mayor, and those who ran for mayor, a cross between Longstreth and Street came
into my mind!!!=:) Often Longstreth was also, affectionately, called
"Longstretch"!!=:)
Sorry 'bout that!!!-:)
"Jack"
>
Speaking of Berg:
Sssscold
have dedicated their lives to politics >>
And he has NOTHING to show for it - nothing.
<< at 80 he's now decided to divorce his lovely (physically impaired)
spouse and hook up with a beauty 30 years younger than he and his current
spouse!!! >>
Grow up: Thacher has had girlfriends for more than 30 years. This one is just
his latest.
John H. Fisher
(Sssscold) writes:
ssss, I really didn't care!! I happened upon a piece, just this am, at the
Hall of Shame, where fundamentalists against divorce were bringing him to
task!!! Apparently, they're horrified!!!=:) Yet, when it comes to Reagan,
they don't seem to care to make an issue of it!!!! Frankly, I wouldn't care
if he had ten affairs, ten wives, had a man every other day, or paid for a
little (or a lot) on the side!!!=:) It's just none of my business!!!=:) Let
them sleep around, if they like!!! The only thing that bothers me is the
triple facedness of some!!!!=:)
http://www.protectingmarriage.org/phwshame.htm
There must be loads of money in these hate oriented issues!!!=:)
I don't know what they have on Berg but I'm happy he's taken a stand!!!=:)
Gary J. English
>All this proves is that there is one more partisan Democrat that continues to
>live in his own fantasy land. This guy has run for a number of posts and can't
>get elected.
Yes, it is easy to slam anyone who has run for office. Even shout an
expletive, like calling him a "politician" *smirk. The fact is, he
did sacrifice his time and money to run for office. What have you
done to make change?
>When he ran for Senate he got less than 5% of the vote in the
>Democratic primary. Here's a list of his "accomplishments" form his web site:
The electability of any candidate is primarily predicated the amount
of financial backing a candidate can muster and support from local
committees of their party affiliation. For the most part, politicians
sell their souls, cut deals in order to raise the funds. Then, who
are they representing? The citizenry or special interests?
By the way, how much money did Mr. Berg raise for his campaign to get
5% of the vote. How much PAC and corporate money influenced his
challengers?
>Phil Berg has been very active in the community: Politically, having been a
>candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania in 1990 and 1998 and Lt. Governor in
>1994; Chairperson, Montgomery County Democratic Committee 1986-88; Democratic
>State Committeeperson, 8 years; PA Representative to Democratic National
>Convention Platform Advisory Committee on Government Reform 1980; Secretary, PA
>delegation & Elected Delegate 1978 Democratic National Mini-Convention; Elected
>Delegate 1992 Democratic National Convention; Committeeperson for 29 years"
By the way, I had the opportunity to hear him at a candidates' debate
at the University of Pittsburgh. There were several issues I
disagreed with Mr. Berg on. Especially his stance on pro-life v.
choice. However, he was right on target about the extortion and
unconstitutionality of the stadium funding in Pittsburgh and Philly.
In case you forgot, he did file a lawsuit on that issue as well.
Scott, try doing more than critizing in usenet. Get active.
Gary J. English
VoicePAC.org
Gary J. English
Fisher) wrote:
(snip)
>
>I don't know what they have on Berg but I'm happy he's taken a stand!!!=:)
Though I haven't full knowledge on the issue, I admire anyone's civic
activism to make change and hold elected officials accountable.
Gary J. English
VoicePAC.org
Sssscold
activism to make change and hold elected officials accountable.
>>
So you admire David Dukes?
Sssscold
did sacrifice his time and money to run for office. >>
Which doesn't qualify him for sainthood.
<< What have you
done to make change? >>
There are countless things one can do to help make change without running for
office. The latter requires only an extremely inflated ego.
<< However, he was right on target about the extortion and
unconstitutionality of the stadium funding in Pittsburgh and Philly.
In case you forgot, he did file a lawsuit on that issue as well. >>
Which presumably tells us all we need to know about his legal skills.
Gary J. English
>(snip)
><< Though I haven't full knowledge on the issue, I admire anyone's civic
>activism to make change and hold elected officials accountable.
> >>
>
>So you admire David Dukes?
It has nothing to do with admiration. Simply re-stated, I admire
anyone's civic activism to make change and hold elected officials
accountable.
One position I do share with Mr. Berg is the stadium funding farce.
Atleast he tried to stop the sports extortion with a lawsuit filed in
State Court.
What have you done lately?
Gary J. English
>VoicePAC.org
Gary J. English
><< The fact is, he
>did sacrifice his time and money to run for office. >>
>
>
>Which doesn't qualify him for sainthood.
Oh, holier than thou....
>
><< What have you
>done to make change? >>
>
>There are countless things one can do to help make change without running for
>office. The latter requires only an extremely inflated ego.
sssscold, are you having problems with comprehension?
I asked what you have done to make change and you respond by talking
about someone else's ego.
I guess your answer is, you've done nothing other than flame &
complain.
><< However, he was right on target about the extortion and
>unconstitutionality of the stadium funding in Pittsburgh and Philly.
>In case you forgot, he did file a lawsuit on that issue as well. >>
>
>Which presumably tells us all we need to know about his legal skills.
Your ignorance is bliss.
I can see you haven't changed in the past two years. Still flaming
away at the keyboard
Gary J. English
VoicePAC.org
Sssscold
It has nothing to do with admiration. Simply re-stated, I admire
anyone's civic activism to make change and hold elected officials
accountable. >>
So you admire it when someone like David Dukes attempts to make change?
<< What have you done lately? >>
You mean other than doing volunteer writing for a gubernatorial candidate,
writing funding requests, at no cost, for worthwhile non-profit organizations,
accepting writing assignments at less than my usual fees for causes in which I
believe, tutoring kids in math, coaching a youth basketball team, and tithing?
Not much, I guess.
Sssscold
about someone else's ego. >>
Asked and answered.
Gary J. English
><< >So you admire David Dukes?
>
>It has nothing to do with admiration. Simply re-stated, I admire
>anyone's civic activism to make change and hold elected officials
>accountable. >>
>
>So you admire it when someone like David Dukes attempts to make change?
Restated:
So you admire it when someone attempts to make change?
Absolutely.
Don't twist the original question by adding a name.
You may like ice cream, but you probably won't like ice cream laced
with cyanide. It does change the complexion of the question by adding
one more ingredient, doesn't it?
><< What have you done lately? >>
>
>You mean other than doing volunteer writing for a gubernatorial candidate,
>writing funding requests, at no cost, for worthwhile non-profit organizations,
Congrats on your writing contributions. However, you shouldn't let
your work become tarnished with usenet flaming.
Gary J. English
VoicePAC.org
Sssscold
your work become tarnished with usenet flaming. >>
Flaming is in the eye of the beholder. In these eyes, you're a flaming idiot.
And your website looks like it hasn't been touched in ages.
ScottFrazr
>Sounds like a dedicated citizen to me!!!=:) What bothers you that he's been
>so active in the community for so many years???
Sounds like a guy who is out of touch with main stream opinion and reality to
me. Kinda like Lindon LaRouch.
John H. Fisher
(ScottFrazr) writes:
Opinion c'n git ya crucified!!! Look what happened to Christ!!!
Gary J. English
><< Congrats on your writing contributions. However, you shouldn't let
>your work become tarnished with usenet flaming. >>
>
>
>Flaming is in the eye of the beholder. In these eyes, you're a flaming idiot.
If you can't be nice, don't waste your precious time. I know how your
burning the candle at both ends with all of that volunteer work.
>And your website looks like it hasn't been touched in ages.
At first sight, you are correct. I do have a full time, non-political
job that consumes much of my time.
Then there was a change of servers that meant reconfiguring the old
files to a new server. However, there is a new issue and new files
have been added. I just haven't linked the issue and made it public
domain yet. In due time, sssscold.
By the way, how are those Philly stadiums coming along? I haven't
heard much news in the Western part of PA.
Gary J. English
VoicePAC.org
Sssscold
When I want your personal advice, I'll ask for it.
<< By the way, how are those Philly stadiums coming along? I haven't
heard much news in the Western part of PA. >>
You're not following our news as closely as you once did; there was a lengthy
article, I believe in Monday's newspaper, detailing progress on both white
elephants.
Gary J. English
><< If you can't be nice, don't waste your precious time. >>
>
>When I want your personal advice, I'll ask for it.
It's not as much as advice as it is a reminder of common courtesy.
><< By the way, how are those Philly stadiums coming along? I haven't
>heard much news in the Western part of PA. >>
>
>You're not following our news as closely as you once did;
Actually, no more or less. My source of news comes from reading both
of Pittsburgh's major newspapers 7 days a week and a sprinkling of
tv/radio news. What may be a daily saga in Philly news media is not
getting any ink in the western part of the state. That's why I've
asked.
I posted the stadium question in phl.politics on Nov 11th, no one
responded. Apparently, no one seems to care one way or another. I
find it peculiar that the state funding for stadiums is still in place
while the state is facing a budget deficit.
>there was a lengthy
>article, I believe in Monday's newspaper, detailing progress on both white
>elephants.
I'll try looking for it in the Philly Inquirer's archives. Should you
have the url, please post it.
Gary J. English
VoicePAC.org
Sssscold
Again, you're confusing me with someone who gives a fat rat's ass what you
think.
<< What may be a daily saga in Philly news media is not
getting any ink in the western part of the state. >>
Why would it? Why would anyone outside the Phila. area care at all about the
stadiums here?
<< I posted the stadium question in phl.politics on Nov 11th, no one
responded. >>
Are you sure? I haven't seen a post in there in months.
<< I
find it peculiar that the state funding for stadiums is still in place
while the state is facing a budget deficit. >>
Why would you find that peculiar? The state's still spending on Medicaid,
roads, and plenty of other things for which it appropriated money. It made a
commitment of funds to Philadelphia, and while I'd rather see that money spent
elsewhere, Philadelphia and the teams have in turn made commitments based on
the expectation of receiving the money. Also, it's sitting atop a GIGANTIC
rainy day fund that it can spend if it REALLY needs money. Finally,
Pennsylvania's electing a governor next year. If you were a Republican, would
you risk alienating such a large group of voters so close to that election.
Even those of us who don't want stadiums would be infuriated by such a move.
Greg Dubrow
>ssss, I really didn't care!!
>task!!!
> Apparently, they're horrified!!!=:)
> to make an issue of it!!!!
> ot) on the side!!!=:)
> business!!!=:)
> if they like!!!
> triple facedness of some!!!!=:)
> issues!!!=:)
> taken a stand!!!=:)
I think I saw a Sally Struthers infomerical the other day that mentioned
something about children in Africa deprived of punctuation marks due to
profiligate use of the marks by Americans.
She was very earnest about the need to send our excess punctuation marks
to those needy kids, rather than use them with wild abandon.
g
Pete
Yeah but she won't give em out to the kids unless they accept Jesus as their
savior!!!! Damn religious nuts!!!
Pete
--
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Launch the latest webcast: http://phobos.simpletone.com/losafa/show.ram (32kbs)
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John H. Fisher
dub...@dolphin.upenn.edu (Greg Dubrow) writes:
>She was very earnest about the need to send our excess punctuation marks
>to those needy kids, rather than use them with wild abandon.
>
>g
I prefer they go to YOU!!!=:) Of course, if you don't care for them, I believe
you should be able to filter them!!!
John H. Fisher
> I think I saw a Sally Struthers infomerical the other day that mentioned
>> something about children in Africa deprived of punctuation marks due to
>> profiligate use of the marks by Americans.
>>
>> She was very earnest about the need to send our excess punctuation marks
>> to those needy kids, rather than use them with wild abandon.
>>
>> g
>
>Yeah but she won't give em out to the kids unless they accept Jesus as their
>savior!!!! Damn religious nuts!!!
>
Amen!!!=:) Hey, BTW, why isn't Dumbya asking us to pray for Usama??? He
becomes stronger 'n stronger (publicly), in his affirmation of faith, 'n at the
same time encourages hate instead of love and forgiveness!!! Go fig're!!!!
EVIL MAN???
I wish the hell Dumbya would keep the devils, his gods, or whatever else it is
he worships out of government!!!
Pete
"John H. Fisher" wrote:
>
> Amen!!!=:) Hey, BTW, why isn't Dumbya asking us to pray for Usama??? He
> becomes stronger 'n stronger (publicly), in his affirmation of faith, 'n at the
> same time encourages hate instead of love and forgiveness!!! Go fig're!!!!
> EVIL MAN???
> I wish the hell Dumbya would keep the devils, his gods, or whatever else it is
> he worships out of government!!!
>
Since Jesus taught that we should love our enemies and turn the other cheek, and
since being a Christian means following the teachings of Christ, Dumbya's pretty
far from being a Christian. Hence the lack of a call to prayer for our enemy
from him. It's a simple explaination ya see.
Gary J. English
><< What may be a daily saga in Philly news media is not
>getting any ink in the western part of the state. >>
>Why would it? Why would anyone outside the Phila. area care at all about the
>stadiums here?
How about, the issue started in Pittsburgh in 1997?
In case you forgot, Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) and 10 surrounding
counties voted on a referendum, known as the Regional Renaissance
Initiative, which would increase the sales tax to pay for TWO stadiums
in Pittsburgh. All eleven counties voted it down.
Now, all Pennsylvanians are facing the burden of paying for FOUR new
stadiums in light of the state budget deficit.
That's why "anyone" and/or everyone would care at all about the
stadiums.
><< I posted the stadium question in phl.politics on Nov 11th, no one
>responded. >>
>
>Are you sure? I haven't seen a post in there in months.
Yup, post it myself. Try researching Deja News Nov 11th, "Philly
Stadiums".
><< It's not as much as advice as it is a reminder of common courtesy. >>
>Again, you're confusing me with someone who gives a fat rat's ass what you
>think.
No, I'm not confusing you with someone else, I just forgot that you
lack common courtesy and manners, that's all.
Gary J. English
Sssscold
the
>stadiums here?
How about, the issue started in Pittsburgh in 1997? >>
The stadium issue "started in Pittsburgh"? How do you figure that? The
stadium issue started in Philadelphia in the mid-1980s when then-Eagles owner
Leonard Tose forced the city to build luxury boxes in Veterans Stadium to
prevent him from moving to then-Cardinal-less Arizona. When the talk got
serious in the late 1990s, Pittsburgh was much better prepared than
Philadelphia, but it didn't start there.
<< Now, all Pennsylvanians are facing the burden of paying for FOUR new
stadiums in light of the state budget deficit.
>>
That's right - because sometimes, you have to live up to your commitments. And
the General Assembly, which represents "all Pennsylvanians," voted to spend the
money. And don't sweat it, because we have a massive rainy day fund.
<< That's why "anyone" and/or everyone would care at all about the
stadiums. >>
I don't want stadiums, either, but what would you have them do, Gary? Pull the
pilings they've sunk out of the ground? Renege on construction contracts (as
you'd have the legislature do on the funding)? Get out of contracts the teams
have signed with players based on the assumption that there's a better revenue
stream in the offing?
Get real. You fought the good fight against the stadiums but you lost. Live
with it. Don't get like those whiny Al Gore supporters.
Gary J. English
Sssscold, thank you for the civil response. Questions and
clarifications are below.
><< >Why would it? Why would anyone outside the Phila. area care at all about
>the
>>stadiums here?
>
>How about, the issue started in Pittsburgh in 1997? >>
>
>
>The stadium issue "started in Pittsburgh"? How do you figure that?
Serious taxpayer funding did not surface until Tom Usher, Prez of US
Steel floated the idea of a regional sales tax at an economic club
meeting in Pittsburgh back in April of 1997. At that time, work was
already underway for the Regional Rennaissance Initiative legislation.
If you searched my site thoroughly, you'll know I have the RRI bill
and subsequent stadium proponents funding reports on Voice PAC's web
site.
>The
>stadium issue started in Philadelphia in the mid-1980s when then-Eagles owner
>Leonard Tose forced the city to build luxury boxes in Veterans Stadium to
>prevent him from moving to then-Cardinal-less Arizona.
The same could be said with the Civic Arena, now known as the Mellon
Arena. The hockey rink has received three major upgrades, including
two balconies, superboxes, and upgraded rinkside seating.
>When the talk got
>serious in the late 1990s, Pittsburgh was much better prepared than
>Philadelphia, but it didn't start there.
Odd, but if Philly started the stadium extortion issue by broaching
the subject in the 80's, I would have to question why they were ill
prepared to broach the public funding issue first. Philly's stadium
funding was added to Pittsburgh's "Plan B" as either an after-thought
or pacification to help keep up with the " Jones' "
>
><< Now, all Pennsylvanians are facing the burden of paying for FOUR new
>stadiums in light of the state budget deficit.
> >>
>That's right - because sometimes, you have to live up to your commitments.
We'll agree to disagree. I don't believe there were solidified
commitments. Besides, no commitment should violate the State
Constitution. If you remember, the stadium funding with S.B. 10 of
1998, characterized the funding as a "loan". Please refer to Article
8, Section 8 of the PA Constitution.
>And
>the General Assembly, which represents "all Pennsylvanians,"
I say, "notso". My Representative, and may others can not represent
me if they violate their oath of office, the state constitution. One
of the reasons I formed Voice PAC. If you look at the first issue, it
started with the 1995 legislative pay raise. At that point, they were
only representing their own interests, not that of their constituency
or constitution they've sworn to uphold.
>...voted to spend the
>money. And don't sweat it, because we have a massive rainy day fund.
Just because we have a "massive" rainy day fund, doesn't me we have to
use it on sports welfare. If it is that "massive" let's return some
of it to the taxpayers, or reduce the state income tax.
><< That's why "anyone" and/or everyone would care at all about the
>stadiums. >>
>
>I don't want stadiums, either, but what would you have them do, Gary?
If I had my way:
a. File suit for extortion & racketeering and/or
b. Revoke the anti-trust exemption and/or
c. Tax the players & owner to an amount equal to the extortion
>Pull the
>pilings they've sunk out of the ground?
Reset the terms for the pros or invite AA or AAA teams to Major league
classed stadiums. Besides, this level of ball is better than what
Western PA saw last season in the Pgh Pirates.
By the way the Pirates had increased ticket prices for the first year
at PNC Park, had record attendence in 2001 and still lost money.
Pittsburgh baseball fans will face increased ticket prices for the
2002 season.
>Renege on construction contracts (as
>you'd have the legislature do on the funding)? Get out of contracts the teams
>have signed with players based on the assumption that there's a better revenue
>stream in the offing?
>
>Get real. You fought the good fight against the stadiums but you lost.
It wasn't just me that lost, but all of Pennsylvanians. We all lost
millions of our tax dollars, and these so-called rEPRESENTATIVES
violated the Constitution, again.
>Live
>with it. Don't get like those whiny Al Gore supporters.
Just because I'm living with it, doesn't mean I can't continue to
voice my opposition and non-support for it. And as far as Al, it
wasn't an accurate comparison. I also didn't like his buddy Bill,
regardless of whether or not he smoked or inhaled.
Gary J. English
PNC Park aka
P-irates (still) N-eed C-ash
Heinz Field aka
Pickle Park