Hersh Interviewed About U.S. Government Assassination Squads

Blast From The Past


And, More Recently:

Today,
Via
DemocracyNow!

Seymour Hersh:
Secret US Forces Carried Out Assassinations
In A Dozen Counties, Including In Latin America

Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Seymour Hersh created a stir earlier this month when he said the Bush administration ran an “executive assassination ring” that reported directly to Vice President Dick Cheney. “Under President Bush’s authority, they’ve been going into countries, not talking to the ambassador or to the CIA station chief, and finding people on a list and executing them and leaving,” Hersh said.

Complete Article

Cheney's "Stay Behind" Back Channel In U.S. Government

Sy Hersh Spills Beans On Murder Inc., Government Style

Basketball Factories: The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Cheat

Via
NY Daily News

The latest alleged perp -- no real surprise here -- is UConn and its coach, Jim "Not-A-Dime-Back" Calhoun ... Calhoun's players have a disgraceful graduation rate hovering around 30%. This is even worse. The charges appear to reflect an outlaw program with systemic-wide problems.

Complete Article

Turning A Blind Eye

Calhoun Legacy On The Line

Yahoo! Sports: UConn Basketball Broke Recruiting Rules

Buffoon To Yahoo! Sports: Shut Up

College Basketball's Seamy Underbelly

Comprehensive & Compelling Coverage Of Bristol, CT Hit-And Run, Including Police Suppression Of Public Records

As Noted
In Steve Collins BristolToday Blog

Cool Justice Editor's Note:
You can judge the health of a community by the quality of its newspaper ...

BristolToday

Bristol Press Features Interviews With Suspect's Estranged Son, Ex-Wife

Police Have An Obligation To Reveal The Truth

Dodd Hires Top Gun For 2010 Campaign

Via
Congressional Quarterly

About Jay Howser

He guided Democratic challenger Brad Ellsworth to a convincing upset victory over then-Rep. John Hostettler in Indiana's conservative 8th District in 2006 and ran Mary L. Landrieu's successful bid for a third Senate term last year in Louisiana, a state where Barack Obama won just 40 percent of the vote as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Complete Article

Yahoo! Sports: UConn Basketball Broke Recruiting Rules

The University of Connecticut violated NCAA rules in the recruitment of former guard Nate Miles, a six-month investigation by Yahoo! Sports has found.

Complete Article

Dennie Williams To Calhoun, Auriemma: Stop Hiding The Numbers

“I never saw so many Archie Bunkers in one room in my life”

Small Business Owner Speaks Out
At Meeting On Litchfield, CT Synagogue

From The Register Citizen:
Michael Ponte came to the meeting because he is a friend of the rabbi and wanted to hear everyone’s questions. Ponte expressed misgivings about the people who asked questions critical of the Jewish congregation’s plans to build a new structure.

“I never saw so many Archie Bunkers in one room in my life,” Ponte said, referring to the bigoted television character. “The sentiment here is unfortunate. For me, it is not an issue of the building per se; it is an issue of what the building represents.”

And, Today,
In A Brief Chat
With The Cool Justice Report:

"If he was not going to change that building at all, there would still be opposition," Ponte said. "There is prejudice all over, not just in Litchfield. People have been so isolated they are afraid of someone who is different."

Editor's Note: Ponte sold his interest in Litchfield's Cinema Cafe several months ago. He currently operates a different business.

Star Of David OK For Churches, But Not For Litchfield Synagogue

Register Citizen

Two Priests Stand Up For Litchfield Synagogue

You Don't Have To Be An Einstein To Figure Out What Was Going On Here

Podcast On Litchfield Synagogue Roadblocks

Litchfield Hysterical District Sets Up Court Battle

Pending Tax Increase For Litchfield Courtesy Of Kuhne, Brickload et al

Reader Appreciates Springtime For Hitler Lyrics

AIG, Congress, Meet James Madison

Laws that are enacted in anger and haste are no less problematic than the angry letter to a spouse or friend that seemed justified at the time ...

By RICHARD MEEHAN
The Cool Justice Report
www.cooljustice.blogspot.com
March 25, 2008

EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is available for reprint courtesy of The Cool Justice Report, http://cooljustice.blogspot.com


"Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, and laws impairing the obligations of contracts, are contrary to the first principles of the social compact, and to every principle of sound legislation. ... The sober people of America are weary of the fluctuating policy which has directed the public councils. They have seen with regret and indignation that sudden changes and legislative interferences, in cases affecting personal rights, become jobs in the hands of enterprising and influential speculators, and snares to the more-industrious and less-informed part of the community."
-- James Madison, in the Federalist Papers (Number 44, 1788).

Art. 1 section 9 of the US Constitution: "No bill of attainder or ex post facto law will be passed."

The Bill or Writ of Attainder was viewed as trial by the legislature -- not the judiciary -- and thus this constitutional prohibition was aimed at preserving the separation of powers.

An ex post facto law is one that is passed after an event that is made to alter the legal ramifications of that event. Generally, such laws are viewed as unconstitutional.

These ancient common law concepts were important to the framers of the Constitution as our country sought to define its social compact. Through the evolution of our jurisprudence they rarely have been invoked.

From time to time, however, well-meaning legislators seek to impose quick solutions to imminent social and political issues.

The Congress's response to the AIG bonus fiasco is one such instance. While moral outrage and indignation are appropriate responses to the apparent greed of a select few, legislating responses to these specific acts invites constitutional scrutiny. Even more so, enacting a tax amendment to purportedly target these recipients, while appeasing the populace, is creating a dangerous effect.

Laws that are enacted in anger and haste are no less problematic than the angry letter to a spouse or friend that seemed justified at the time but on later sober reflection only served to exacerbate a difficult situation.

Congress failed to properly restrict the use of the bailout money that was ultimately filtered to the AIG bonus recipients. To atone, this series of confiscatory tax bills have been proposed, in an effort to seize the money back. That may all be well and good to assuage the collective guilt of Congress, but the fear is that, as with any knee-jerk reaction to an aggravating event, it may result in a much broader sweep. Without careful study and debate, hastily passed tax increases could affect many more than the handful of AIG employees who continue to retain the bonus money.

When the Cheshire murders were reported the public outrage led to an immediate moratorium on parole releases. The public was horrified that those alleged to be responsible for these horrific crimes had been recently released on parole. That outrage, and the knee jerk reaction to it, created a massive logjam in the parole process.

Hundreds of deserving inmates who had dutifully worked at their rehabilitation were put on hold while the public's anger simmered. Granted, the parole process doesn't always work. Recidivism will always be a problem; but there are those for whom incarceration is a life changing process. Many of those people, ready to return and rebuild their lives, saw their opportunities for release delayed as politicians attempted to atone for some having made a bad decision releasing those accused of the Cheshire murders.

As with the letter written in anger, Congress should take time to consider what collateral damage hasty remedial efforts may create before any drastic, pointed measures are enacted on emotion.

Bridgeport attorney Richard Meehan Jr. was the lead defense counsel for former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim's corruption trial. Meehan is certified as a criminal trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1994 and serves on the organizations Board of Examiners. He is a Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America -- Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Meehan has also obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex medical and dental malpractice and personal injury litigation. He is a past president of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association and appears regularly on Court TV. His column also appears in the Sunday Norwich, CT Bulletin. Website, www.meehanlaw.com

Meehan law firm

Torrington Paper Notes Meeting On Litchfield Synagogue, Congregation

Star Of David:
OK For Churches,
But Not For Litchfield Synagogue ...

Star Of David Not Quite Right For Our Neighborhood

Among The Comments
@
Register Citizen Site:

"As a resident in the Borough for over forty years, ans a member of the episcopal church, I am embarrassed, and shocked at the bigoted comments.

I was present at two meetings of the Historic Commission, you had to be not see their atisemetical feelings, no star of David, no ISRAEL stone.

Wake up friends, we are in the great USA, where even JEWS have rights. "

-- Borough Resident


SHE'S BACK!
[in spirit, at least...]



" take it somewhere else rabbi
ur not getting it in the historic district, so dont waste ur time "

Cool Justice Report Editor's Note:
With the resurfacing of anti-semitic chatter regarding the establishment of a synagogue in Litchfield, it seemed appropriate to bring back the poster girl for these battle cries. As noted in the link, Blond Nazi Background, this mug originally appeared on another site.

Blond Nazi Background

" There's no reasoning with bigots. Therefore Chabad Lubavitch of Litchfield County should fight the decision by the Litchfield Hysterical District Commission all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Brownshirts of Litchfield, your day has passed. "

--
Jewish group to hold meeting on proposed complex
By DAVID HUTTER



“There are no words to describe the sadness of the commission’s denial,” Eisenbach said. “We are trying to reverse the unfriendly and unwelcoming spirit of the historic commission.”


LITCHFIELD — Chabad Lubavitch of Litchfield County invites the public to take part in an informational meeting today aimed at clarifying the congregation’s plans to establish its own house of worship in town.

Rabbi Joseph Eisenbach, the spiritual leader of Chabad Lubavitch of Litchfield County, invites residents to listen and ask questions during a meeting at the Litchfield Community Center, at 421 Bantam Road in Litchfield, today at 7:30 p.m. People are allowed to ask anything about the congregation, he said.

“We are open to anything and everything,” Eisenbach said. “This should be an eye-opener, a chance to clarify a lot of information that has been going around our town.”

The Chabad Lubavitch of Litchfield County submitted a request to the Litchfield Historic District Commission to establish a Jewish house of worship. The congregation’s request was rejected in the fall of 2007 by the historic district commission. Eisenbach said that the meeting today is strictly a spiritual meeting, and that it has nothing to do with the legal proceedings on the issue.

“There are no words to describe the sadness of the commission’s denial,” Eisenbach said. “We are trying to reverse the unfriendly and unwelcoming spirit of the historic commission.”

Two Catholic spiritual leaders in Litchfield wrote a letter addressed to the residents of Litchfield in which they notify them of the meeting today and encourage them to take part. In the letter, the Rev. Robert Tucker of Saint Anthony of Padua and the Rev. William Considine wrote: “There have been many misconceptions and misinformation about the project and we want to give you the opportunity to hear about it firsthand. As we all are children of God, it is imperative upon us to reach out and educate ourselves about our neighbors.”

David Hutter can be reached by e-mail at dhutter@registercitizen.com.
-

Register Citizen

Two Priests Stand Up For Litchfield Synagogue

You Don't Have To Be An Einstein To Figure Out What Was Going On Here

Podcast On Litchfield Synagogue Roadblocks

Litchfield Hysterical District Sets Up Court Battle

Pending Tax Increase For Litchfield Courtesy Of Kuhne, Brickload et al

Reader Appreciates Springtime For Hitler Lyrics

Hartford Courant's Latest Battle Plan

Via
Courant Alumni Association & Refugee Camp

The Hartford Courant’s new news coverage plan, fashioned out of the remains of a staff once three or four times its size, came better into focus Friday.

Complete Article

Two Priests Stand Up For Litchfield Synagogue

Are The Other Ministers
Sitting On their Hands?

You Don't Have To Be An Einstein To Figure Out What Was Going On Here

Podcast On Litchfield Synagogue Roadblocks

Litchfield Hysterical District Sets Up Court Battle

Star Of David Not Quite Right For Our Neighborhood

Pending Tax Increase For Litchfield Courtesy Of Kuhne, Brickload et al

Reader Appreciates Springtime For Hitler Lyrics

Crazy Teacher Videos: DON'T LOOK, Teacher Union Warns

News Item:
A Norwalk, CT High School math teacher was suspended with pay in 2006 after a cellphone video posted on the Internet showed him calling a student a homophobic slur. A year later, in Arizona, a teacher was placed on administrative leave after she performed a cheerleading routine in class that was later shown on YouTube. Supporters in both cases said the videos were taken out of context.

State Rep. Andrew Fleischmann, D- West Hartford, who is co-chairman of the education committee, said he was ambivalent about whether to move the measure forward. Fleischmann and other committee leaders have until April 6 to screen scores of bills and decide which ones to advance or shelve.

Restricting images that students can document would likely invite free speech arguments, and courts in the country have generally limited teachers' privacy rights in the classroom. But since the measure is "simply a proposal to study the issue, it's pretty innocuous," Fleischmann said this week.
-- Hartford Courant

YouTube Links To Crazy Teacher Videos

Cool Justice Report Editor's Note:
Only the incompetent and the deranged need fear such videos. By incompetent and deranged, we refer to "leadership" of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, the Connecticut Association of Schools, the Connecticut Education Association and other enemies of free speech, as evidenced in the testimony cited below.

Testimony On CT Free Speech Bill

POLITBURO AGAINST FREE SPEECH

Connecticut Association Of Boards Of Education

Connecticut Association Of Schools

Teachers Of Conscience Should Burn Their Union Cards On This Issue

Connecticut "Education" Association

--

An Abu Ghraib Teaching Moment ...

Gulf War Illnesses Debate Rages On for 18 Years: No End in Sight for the Sick

Via
Truthout


By THOMAS D. WILLIAMS

"Our war (the first Gulf War) was the most toxic as far as exposures ever in history," said Denise Nichols, a retired US Air Force registered nurse and veterans' advocate, who herself suffers from wartime illness. "How can parents or the American citizens trust their government or encourage their young to enlist when this history of neglect and denial of gulf war illness is allowed to fester … [the US Department of Veterans Affairs] has betrayed us. [The Department of Defense] has betrayed us. The government for 17 years betrayed the trust we as soldiers, airmen, marines, or sailors had, and our trust must be regained by [incoming President Barack Obama]."

Medical records show Melissa Sterry, 46, a New Haven, Connecticut, resident, who cleaned up radioactive depleted uranium dust in tanks during the Gulf War, has post-traumatic stress, chronic headaches, upper respiratory infections and repeating pneumonia ...

Complete Article

Dennie Williams To Calhoun, Auriemma: Stop Hiding The Numbers

Thomas "Dennie" Williams is a former state and federal court reporter, who specialized in investigations, for the Hartford Courant. Since the 1970s, he has written extensively about irregularities in the Connecticut Superior Court, Probate Court systems for disciplining both judges and lawyers for misconduct and the failures of the Pentagon and the VA to assist sick veterans returning from war. He is now a freelance writer for several Internet sites including The Cool Justice Report, Truthout.org and The Public Record. He can be reached at denniew@optonline.net

San Francisco's Largest Indie Bookstore Closes

Via
SFGate

Tears And Deals

Cheney To Pen Bush’s Memoir

First Vice-President In History
To Write President’s Book

But according to sources close to the former president, Mr. Cheney was his second choice to write the memoir after Mr. Bush was turned down by his first choice, author James Frey.

By ANDY BOROWITZ
www.borowitzreport.com

One day after publisher Random House signed former President George W. Bush to write a presidential memoir entitled Decision Points, Mr. Bush announced that he had tapped former Vice President Dick Cheney to write the memoir for him.

"This book will detail the twelve greatest decisions I've made in my life," Mr. Bush told reporters in Crawford, Texas today. "The thirteenth greatest decision was hiring Dick Cheney to write about the other twelve."

By getting the nod, Mr. Cheney will become the first vice-president in history to write a president's memoir for him.

Mr. Bush said he decided to seek a ghostwriter after realizing that he faced several obstacles to writing the book himself, such as learning to spell.

But according to sources close to the former president, Mr. Cheney was his second choice to write the memoir after Mr. Bush was turned down by his first choice, author James Frey.

Mr. Bush, who reportedly "likes the way he makes things up," had asked Mr. Frey to pen the memoir under the title A Million Little Decision Points.

A spokesman for Dick Cheney said that he would finish writing the memoir in 2009 and would finish redacting it in 2010.

Andy Borowitz's Books at Amazon.com

Column Talk: Pagani-Rennie

Via
Media Attache


"When they call me to talk about something they’d like me to write about, I tell those insiders they should not hesitate to denounce me to their friends or ignore me in public. People in and around politics possess a heightened sense of self-interest. Whatever code they adhere to is shaped by how events affect their interests."

Complete Article

4 [more] Pagani Interviews

Fired Cop: "That Was Me Being Gentle ... "

Via
Meriden Record-Journal



"That Was Me Being Gentle, You Cock-Sucking Fuck"
-- Former Meriden Police Officer Brian T. Lawlor,
After Pistol-Whipping And Beating A Suspect
And Falsely Reporting Collision, Shots Fired

Officer's Gun Suffered Serious Injury
He Gets Suspended Sentence

"He Was Bent On Delivering Punishment Outside The Law"
-- Police Chief Jeffry Cossette

Cool Justice Report Editor's Note:
This video was suppressed for three years. In contrast, police have been known to release videos of other crimes caught on tape before charges are lodged.

Complete Article

Issues In The Ct State Trooper Whistleblower Lawsuit

Via
Rachel M. Baird Blog

Whether or not Mr. Blumenthal informs his state clients of conflicts and obtains waivers from them may be answered in the federal lawsuit filed by the eight state troopers.

Complete Article

Rachel M. Baird represents individuals and small enterprises against large corporate and governmental agencies in a wide range of matters, including employment, criminal allegations, and civil rights violations. Ms. Baird is the sole attorney and owner of her firm, the Law Offices of Rachel M. Baird, with locations in Torrington and Hartford, Connecticut.

Rich Meehan: Madoff Family Forfeiture Of All Assets Likely

The burden would rest on the Madoffs to prove that the wife is an innocent third party ...


By RICHARD MEEHAN

The Cool Justice Report
www.cooljustice.blogspot.com
March 18, 2009

EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is available for reprint courtesy of The Cool Justice Report, http://cooljustice.blogspot.com

Mega-scammer Bernie Madoff pleaded guilty plea last week to all the federal charges pending against him -- without the benefit of a traditional plea agreement.

Generally, when an attorney recognizes the client's exposure, efforts are made to negotiate a resolution with the government. The system favors plea resolutions over trials. Trials are expensive and require an extensive dedication of personnel and resources that could be better used conducting other investigations.

Without this agreement, the door is wide open for government action against all Madoff-related assets.

Madoff Accountant Busted

Although federal speedy trial rules appear to mandate that indictments come to trial within months of the entry of a not guilty plea, the reality in complex cases is that pre-trial preparation by both sides can often exceed a year or better. This is particularly so in cases of factual complexity or multiple defendants.

The recognition that the system favors plea deals is reflected in the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reduction in sentencing exposure for "acceptance of responsibility." The penitent defendant who agrees to plead guilty early in the process is a candidate for a two -to-three level reduction in the offense severity level used by the court to establish the guidelines sentencing range. That reduction can translate into months and even years saved from prison.

In typical plea deals defense counsel and the prosecutor strive to negotiate parameters of the plea which are them memorialized in a written plea agreement. The agreement serves as a sort of contract to plead guilty between the defendant and the government. It is not binding on the sentencing judge but is binding on the government and the defendant. Thus, an agreement may reflect that the parties agree to a particular guidelines sentencing range, but that does not bind the judge. If however, having struck such an agreement, the defendant reneges on his part, the government is free to disregard the limits it has previously acknowledged and seek harsher sanctions.

Typical provisions may include a stipulation of relevant conduct, which is important for determination of the appropriate sentencing guidelines range; recognition that the plea satisfies all criminal liability in the district; an agreed figure for forfeiture or restitution; an acknowledgement of acceptance of responsibility.

Madoff admitted guilt in all the existing charges with no restrictions on the government's ability to continue its investigation and take an aggressive posture toward sentencing and forfeiture of assets. News accounts suggested that Madoff unsuccessfully sought an agreement not to prosecute his wife or sons, and exempt family assets from seizure and forfeiture.

The goal of forfeiture is to take the profit out of crime. Criminal forfeiture is part of the criminal prosecution, requiring that the government indict the asset obtained from the crime along with the defendant. Typically these forfeitures accompany drug cases, racketeering (RICO), and money laundering and obscenity violations.

Civil judicial forfeiture is an action brought against the property itself without the necessity of criminal charges against the owner. Even without indictment, Mrs. Madoff is exposed to an action seeking the forfeiture of assets that remain in her name.

The government has filed a notice in the current prosecution of her husband that they are seeking to forfeit all known Madoff family assets. If the prosecutors prove that the defendant -- through his criminal conduct -- acquired the assets, the court can order the property forfeited despite the title appearing in Mrs. Madoff's name. The burden would rest on the Madoffs to prove that the wife is an innocent third party who acquired the assets prior to or independent of her husband's criminal acts.

My money is on the government wining this battle.

Bridgeport attorney Richard Meehan Jr. was the lead defense counsel for former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim's corruption trial. Meehan is certified as a criminal trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1994 and serves on the organizations Board of Examiners. He is a Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America -- Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Meehan has also obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex medical and dental malpractice and personal injury litigation. He is a past president of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association and appears regularly on Court TV. His column also appears in the Sunday Norwich, CT Bulletin. Website, www.meehanlaw.com

Meehan law firm

Diane Does WTIC ... 3 Days This Week

Ray Dunaway is actually taking 3 days off...in a row....for a vacation! I know -- shocking but true. I'll be filling in while he's off Monday 3/16 thru Wednesday 3/18. Tune in to WTIC-1080 from 5:30 til 9 andI will see you on the radio.

diane

WTIC News Talk 1080

Diane Smith Remembers Beverly Eckert And How She Held Government Accountable

Brass File's John Murray Weighs In On Mad Dog Millionaire

... the player looked confused, and then called back to Calhoun, “Coach, which asshole?”



Forget the press conference meltdown, the real issue with Jim Calhoun isn’t his salary, it's his courtside behavior. He swears at his players, kicks chairs, abuses referees and curses at fans. Is this the price of victory?



... Calhoun is alleged to have grabbed a player off the bench and told him to “Go in for that asshole.” The player dashed to the scorer’s table at mid-court to check in before entering the game. A moment later the player looked confused, and then called back to Calhoun, “Coach, which asshole?”

Complete Article

UConn Football Dollars Delineated

Virginia Book Banners Hype Zinn's People's History

Other Authors Should Be So Lucky ...



Via
Arlington, Va. ABC Affiliate

SHOCKER:

They Saw Kids Reading
A People's History Of The United States,
Of Their Own Free Will,
By A Swimming Pool ...

Stafford Co. Residents Scrutinize Recommended AP History Book

A 752-page book is getting a closer reading in Stafford County, as a group of citizens want it off the AP reading list.

The book in question is Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States." The author says the text looks at history through the eyes of people outside the political and economic establishment.

While the book has sold more than one million copies since 1980, it's now up for formal review in a Stafford County High School.

Text & Video

Howard Zinn

Dodd Seeks Consumer Credit Card Protection

Via
CtNewsJunkie

He said there are several ways credit card companies and banks are able to sneak in hidden fees or interest rate increases ...

Complete Article

Stamford, CT Hibernians Display Their Piety

Via
Stamford Advocate


In a two-page letter outlining the reasons for wanting to exclude [State Sen. Andrew] McDonald from the parade, the Hibernians also mentioned his support for legislation requiring all hospitals, including Catholic ones, to provide emergency contraception to sexual assault victims and for stem cell research. According to legislative records, those bills did not originate in the Judiciary Committee and were ultimately supported by many Democrats and Republicans and signed by Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

Complete Article

Threats Against CT Legislators Lawlor, McDonald

Jodi Does Facebook

Via
CtNewsJUnkie


Analysis by Rick's RSS

Rell Enters The World of Social Media
By CHRISTINE STUART

Since starting her Facebook page about three weeks ago Gov. M. Jodi Rell has made 830 friends and since starting her Twitter page last week she has 100 people following her tweets.

Complete Article

"Is there a reason that you have a camera on me?”

Via
NH Indy

-- ON VIDEO:
East Haven, CT police officer David Cari, who wrote in a report he didn’t know what the New Haven priest was holding.

Priest’s Video Contradicts Police Report

by Thomas MacMillan

Father James Manship released video footage Thursday that contradicts an East Haven police report justifying his arrest.

Complete Article

Distinctive Crackers Target Latinos In East Haven, CT

Report On North East White Pride By Southern Poverty Law Center

KKK Alive & Kicking IN 2009

East Haven, CT Cops Steal Priest's Camera, Then Arrest Him

UConn Football Dollars Delineated

Via
Ken Krayeske's 40-Year Plan / Waterbry Rep-Am

By Ken Krayeske

The argument, for the past three weeks, has been that the salaries of Div. I college coaches are justified because they bring in huge profits for the university athletic departments.

These cash-cow sports teams, we are told, have no negative impact on the academic side of the university. In fact, they have a positive impact, the advocates gloat.

Well, what happens when they lose money? And the loss is announced the day after the University hikes tuition by 6 percent and promises to cut 160 jobs?

Let's find out, because according to sports reporter Ed Daigneault in today's Waterbury Republican, UConn football lost $63,406 on its trip to Toronto. The Huskies wanted to break even, but they had to purchase more than $340,000 in unsold tickets because fans didn't give a rat's ass about a second rate bowl game, according to Daigneault.

But for a change in accounting methods in how UConn write-down coaching bonuses, the loss would have been $255,103 Daigneault wrote. Unreal.

Complete Article

The Cost Of A New College Hoop Coach

Q Poll Results On Not-A-Dime Jim

Dennie Williams To Calhoun, Auriemma: Stop Hiding The Numbers

Follow The Money ...

Not-A-Dime Jim Featured @ HuffPo; Lame / Disingenuous Statement By UConn President

NYT: Two Ways Of Looking At It

Krayeske & Calhoun Economic Summit

Sy Hersh Spills Beans On Murder Inc., Government Style

Via
MinnPost.com

Investigative reporter Seymour Hersh describes
'executive assassination ring'

By Eric Black

EXCERPT,
FORUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA,
3-10-09

At the end of one answer by Hersh about how these things tend to happen, [moderator Larry] Jacobs asked: “And do they continue to happen to this day?”

Replied Hersh:

“Yuh. After 9/11, I haven’t written about this yet, but the Central Intelligence Agency was very deeply involved in domestic activities against people they thought to be enemies of the state. Without any legal authority for it. They haven’t been called on it yet. That does happen.

"Right now, today, there was a story in the New York Times that if you read it carefully mentioned something known as the Joint Special Operations Command -- JSOC it’s called. It is a special wing of our special operations community that is set up independently. They do not report to anybody, except in the Bush-Cheney days, they reported directly to the Cheney office. They did not report to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff or to Mr. [Robert] Gates, the secretary of defense. They reported directly to him. ...

"Congress has no oversight of it. It’s an executive assassination ring essentially, and it’s been going on and on and on. Just today in the Times there was a story that its leaders, a three star admiral named [William H.] McRaven, ordered a stop to it because there were so many collateral deaths.

"Under President Bush’s authority, they’ve been going into countries, not talking to the ambassador or the CIA station chief, and finding people on a list and executing them and leaving. That’s been going on, in the name of all of us.

"It’s complicated because the guys doing it are not murderers, and yet they are committing what we would normally call murder. It’s a very complicated issue. Because they are young men that went into the Special Forces. The Delta Forces you’ve heard about. Navy Seal teams. Highly specialized.

"In many cases, they were the best and the brightest. Really, no exaggerations. Really fine guys that went in to do the kind of necessary jobs that they think you need to do to protect America. And then they find themselves torturing people.

"I’ve had people say to me -- five years ago, I had one say: ‘What do you call it when you interrogate somebody and you leave them bleeding and they don’t get any medical committee and two days later he dies. Is that murder? What happens if I get before a committee?’

"But they’re not gonna get before a committee.”

Complete Article

Zero Newspaper Towns

Via
NYT

As Cities Go From Two Papers to One, Talk of Zero

By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA

The history of The Seattle Post-Intelligencer stretches back more than two decades before Washington became a state, but after 146 years of publishing, the paper is expected to print its last issue next week, perhaps surviving only in a much smaller online version.

And it is not alone. The Rocky Mountain News shut down two weeks ago, and The Tucson Citizen is expected to fold next week.

At least Denver, Seattle and Tucson still have daily papers. But now, some economists and newspaper executives say it is only a matter of time — and probably not much time at that — before some major American city is left with no prominent local newspaper at all.

Complete Article

A Real Newspaper Rises From The Ashes In Bristol, CT

It's Official: Smith Captain Of The Ship At Bristol Press / New Britain Herald Newsrooms

Threats Against CT Legislators Lawlor, McDonald

Via
Shelly Shindland Blog

Complete Article

Related Comments@ Another Post

Authentic Connecticut Republican has left a new comment on your post "Distinctive Crackers Target Latinos In East Haven,...":

Authentic Connecticut Republican said... GOOD POST!

Now then, since this occured, just where has been their state rep???

Oh, that's right, he was off declaring war on the Catholic Church.

8:04 PM andy thibault said... If in fact Lawlor and McDonald were declaring war against the rapists and thieves in the Catholic Church, they deserve a medal. I take them at their word that they were responding to constituents who believe the church is more than the irresponsible bishops, cardinals and popes who protect the aforementioned criminals at the expense of parishioners and other victims of their heinous deeds.

2:23 AM

--
McDONALD STATEMENT

“It is clear to me that my attempt to create a forum for a group of concerned Catholic constituents to discuss their legislative proposals regarding parish corporate finances has offended a group of similarly devout Catholic parishioners,” McDonald said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

“It was never my intent to offend anyone of faith, nor to cast negative attention on the many trustworthy and responsible parish corporations,” he said. “My only goal was to try my best to represent the concerns of my constituents, some of whom were the victims of fraud.”

“I regret that in my pursuit of their interests, I failed to appreciate and invite into the discussion early on the views of other, equally concerned Catholics.”

Distinctive Crackers Target Latinos In East Haven, CT

CtNewsJunkie Story On Catholic Demo

"Will Count For Food"

Via
Carleton Bryant's
Out Of Context
&
The Letter R

Sesame Street's Count Von Count

Distinctive Crackers Target Latinos In East Haven, CT

-- NH Indy Photo

Complete Article

East Haven, CT Cops Steal Priest's Camera, Then Arrest Him

The Best News On TV

Complete Article / Videos

A Real Newspaper Rises From The Ashes In Bristol, CT

FOLLOW-UP
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

March 10, 2009

To the Bristol Police Department:

Under the state Freedom of Information law, I hereby request the opportunity to review the following records:

A record of all police calls to 132 George St. since March 5, 2009.

911 calls between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2009.

Any accident reports connected to the death of 14-year-old Henry Waye, Jr. on March 6, 2009 on George St.

Any records concerning the transportation of anyone from George Street to Bristol Hospital on March 6, 2009.

Any portions of the PR-1 report from the START team that are complete.

Beyond that, I ask for any and all public records about the accident that took the life of Henry Waye, Jr that are in your possession or control, regardless of where they are stored, whether they are in the police department or an office, home or other computer. These would include any documents that mention Henry Waye, Jr of Hull Street, Logan Costante of George Street, or Robert Park of 132 George St.

I request as well that you act promptly to fill this request. There is no need to wait until everything is complete. I am more than happy to review it as the material is made available.

In addition, because this information is crucial to the public interest and of widespread interest to the community, I hereby request a waiver of any and all fees. Keep in mind, too, that I am asking to review them, not necessarily to obtain copies.

I want you to know that the newspaper will vigorously argue against any attempt to charge for this information. This is a case that clearly meets the criteria for having fees waived.

I appreciate the work that will go into getting this together. I look forward to seeing it soon.

Sincerely,

Steve Collins

BristolTodayBlog

Bristol Press

The Cost Of A New College Hoop Coach

Via
Arizona Daily Wildcat

Everyone's worried about money, including those buying Lute's successor
By: Bryan Roy
Posted: 3/11/09

As the U.S. government spent an unprecedented $787 billion on an economic stimulus package in an effort to relieve the current recession on Wall Street, UA athletics director Jim Livengood looks to stimulate his own athletic department by hiring a big-name men's basketball coach in the next month.

Despite the false perception that sports are immune to economic troubles, the UA athletics department is still feeling the effects of America's current recession.

Complete Article

Q Poll Results On Not-A-Dime Jim

Internet Police Are Watching Comments & Forums

By RICHARD MEEHAN

The Cool Justice Report
www.cooljustice.blogspot.com
March 11, 2009

EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is available for reprint courtesy of The Cool Justice Report, http://cooljustice.blogspot.com

More people are turning to blogs for news and information. And many mainstream journalists are using blogs to put their spin on the news of the day. Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, reports that in December 2007 the search engine Technorati was tracking 112 million blogs daily.

Personal "blogspots" are becoming a means of instant communication among family and friends, highlighting baby pictures, wedding announcements, anniversaries and the like. The world of the couch potato has certainly expanded.

Not to be confused with blogs are the internet message boards and forums.

Every news site provides an ability to post comments following stories. Forums exist for nearly every hobby, product, political expression, and on and on. Forums are intended to be informational and allow those with a common interest to share ideas.

Nearly all comments are posted under pseudonyms. Anonymity is so empowering. Most sites warn that profane comments violate the terms of use. Since there is no internet forum "court" I don't know what powers of enforcement there are for violators of the forum's self-imposed code of pleasant commentary. I doubt that there are squads of internet police that will storm the profanity user's home and trash his laptop.

Or are there?

Aside from policing profane comments, there are now civil ramifications for vicious and libelous posts. The idea that I can say whatever I wish on a site because it does not reflect any information that would identify me has emboldened many users to make vicious, defamatory statements. The day of the anonymous internet flamer or troll, as they are called, may be coming to a close.

Beware all you angry posters; the courts are allowing your targets to strike back. Early attempts by targets of vile posts to obtain identifying information about the unnamed flamers were rebuffed by courts, citing the First Amendment's right of free speech. Two recent cases have suggested that some judges believe that there should be some reasonable limits on that freedom.

In 2008 anonymous posters on Craigslist accused champagne producer Korbel of destroying Redwood forests and punishing employees who reported sexual harassment; charges the company denied. Korbel struck back by suing Craigslist.

A judge in Santa Clara, California has ordered internet provider, Comcast to turn over identifying information about the users who have made these defamatory comments. The judge has ruled that the unnamed users will be given notice of his order to release their identities and an ability to mount a legal challenge. None of the anonymous commentators appeared in court to argue against the request. To do so would have outed them.

The website, Topix, maintains forums for various news organizations. Recently a judge in Texas has ordered the online news site to reveal identifying information for 178 commenters who posted remarks about a couple who had been charged with sexual assault crimes. The couple was acquitted but the defamatory posts continued. The couple sued the anonymous posters but not Topix itself. The lawsuit described the comments as, "perverted, sick, vile, inhumane accusations."

Despite using a pseudonym, when you hit that "enter" key it leaves a signature that is traceable to your computer's IP address. So if you want to exercise your right to free speech, do so; but don't say anything you wouldn't sign your name to.

Bridgeport attorney Richard Meehan Jr. was the lead defense counsel for former Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim's corruption trial. Meehan is certified as a criminal trial specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 1994 and serves on the organizations Board of Examiners. He is a Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America -- Trial Lawyer Honorary Society. Meehan has also obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex medical and dental malpractice and personal injury litigation. He is a past president of the Greater Bridgeport Bar Association and appears regularly on Court TV. His column also appears in the Sunday Norwich, CT Bulletin. Website, www.meehanlaw.com

Meehan law firm

---
ITEM,
Santa Clara, Calif. Press Democrat:
Lawsuits threaten to chill anonymous speech online, said Ann Brick, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.

"If people have to worry about having their identities revealed, they are going to be reluctant to join the discussion," she said. "There is a real potential to stifle free speech on the Internet."

Korbel worked with Craigslist to remove the comments, but wouldn't say whether the popular online bulletin board revealed the Internet addresses of the posters.

While Craigslist won't comment on the case, its Web site says it may disclose its users' Internet addresses in court cases.

Korbel has determined the unnamed posters are customers of Comcast's Internet service, according to court papers.

Santa Clara, Calif. Press Democrat

Q Poll Results On Not-A-Dime Jim

Via
Shelly Sindland's Blog

Preview

A Slight Majority Approves
Of The Way He Answers Questions

Shelly's Take:
"51% percent of those polled said that they approved of the way Calhoun answered the question , while 43 percent disapproved. That to me, is mind boggling! I don’t understand how it is ever okay to say those things to another human being!"

Ken Krayeske To Hartford Courant Columnist Rick Green:
"I find it astonishing. There was no dignity in that exchange. Is this what we need to do in order to feel good about ourselves?"

Here Are The Poll Results, Via CtNewsJunkie

Not-A-Dime Back Classic Video

Calhoun In His Better Moments, Or, Human Resources / Communications Training Video For Depth And Responsiveness

"Bobby Knight's" Tenure As CT Judge Could Inspire Not-A-Dime Jim

Dennie Williams To Calhoun, Auriemma: Stop Hiding The Numbers

Daily Freedom Watch Notes CT Free Speech Bill Progress, 07 Analysis @ Fox61

Found a great in depth analysis of the Avery Doninger free speech case by Fox61 in September 2007 ...

Complete article

VERBOTEN T-SHIRTS

Also,
From Waterbury, CT Republican-American 3-9-09

[Travesty Kravitz] did agree ... to hear one part of the complaint that fellow students were wrongly prohibited from wearing T-shirts carrying the message "Team Avery." A jury trial has been set for June 4 in New Haven's U.S. District Court.

Testimony On CT Free Speech Bill

Colin & Shelly Talk About Radio & The Future Of Newspapers

To Wit / Colin McEnroe

Shelly Sindland Blog

From A Bristol Press / New Britain Herald Reporter:

"I can't wait to work with someone who actually wants and appreciates real journalism ... To think that only two months ago, we were slated for closure by the worst company in the world... and now, wow."

-- Reporter / Columnist /
BristolToday Blogger Steve Collins

It's Official: Smith Captain Of The Ship At Bristol Press / New Britain Herald Newsrooms

More About New Editor From BristolToday Blog

Bristol Press

New Britain Herald

"Bobby Knight's" Tenure As CT Judge Could Inspire Not-A-Dime Jim

Today's Statement From Not-A-Dime Jim:

It won't be easy, you'll think it strange
When I try to explain how I feel
That I still need your love after all that I've done ...

Don't Cry For Not-A-Dime Jim Theme Song [requires some, if not major adaptation and / or short viewing]

Editor's Note:

BEWARE -- You've Crossed Over Into Connecticut

You Are Pretty Much Beyond The Point Of No Return

Somewhere Up The Road
Coach Jim Calhoun Is Looking For Sanity
He Won't Find It



Instead, In This Era Of Hope,
Coach Calhoun Could Find His Calling
As A Connecticut Superior Court Judge, Or, Even Worse, A Federal Judge

Maybe's There's A New Life For Calhoun Under A Robe …
--

All Rise For Judge Bobby Knight
Law & Justice In Everyday Life, 2nd edition, 2002
ISBN-10: 0962600156
ISBN-13: 978-0962600159

Find the Book:
Law & Justice In Everyday Life by Andy Thibault at Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

Chapter 4, The Politics Of Justice
Page 23

Bobby Knight needed a job.

Knight, recently ousted from his post as coach of the University of Indiana basketball team, wanted a spot where he might only have to murmur, " Show me some respect." He had grown tired of throwing potted plants at framed pictures. He wanted a place where manners and civility really counted.

Of course, if Knight wanted to enforce his own "zero-tolerance" policy, it would be good to have his own Praetorian Guard carry out the mission. Guy and gal weightlifters and maybe a few good old boys would be nice.

That's when Knight heard there were openings for Superior Court judges in Connecticut. He prepared carefully and sent his application to the Judicial Selection Commission. Here's what happened.

Patience was in order. It couldn't happen right away. Knight learned this after just a little bit of research. He found that in some states the voters elect judges, but in Connecticut, three or four votes make all the difference in the world. The votes that really count include the chairman of the Judicial Selection Commission, one or two political leaders who might or might not be on the commission, and the governor.

Knight didn't want to serve 10 or 15 years in the Legislature making nice to other judges. None of his college roommates or home-town pals were among the real voters. So he visited a few judicial districts to discover the best route.

First stop was chambers of a judge affectionately known as "Melon Head."

"They said I couldn't make it 30 days on my own, but I showed 'em," Melon Head told Knight. "I called Lew Rome's office three times a week for three years begging to get a robe. Finally, Rome got sick of me, palmed me off on Tulisano, and here I am!"

Knight learned that Melon Head had a pretty good situation. Most lawyers were afraid to try cases in front of Melon Head. Melon Head didn't want to try cases unless he absolutely had to. The settlement statistics for Melon
Head's court were very impressive.

"This is looking better all the time," Knight thought.

Next stop, the Public Defender's office.

"I was almost indicted for disappearing with a state car," Slick told Knight. "They say I can't walk down the hall without bumping my head on the floor. Now I tell those other lawyers what it really means to administer justice."

Knight reflected before going on to his last stop.

"This is just like coaching basketball in Indiana," the coach thought. "If fear and greed rule the marketplace, the courthouse is just like the basketball court: fear and power are the two driving forces."

Maximum Bill's chambers was the final destination before Operation Judge Knight got off the ground.

"Even when I don't know what I'm doing, which is a lot of the time, it's not really a problem," Maximum Bill told Knight. "I just ask the lawyers how to proceed, right in open court. If I get flustered, I just bang the gavel and yell 35 years. Doesn't even matter what the crime is!"

Turns out some of the powerhouse law firms were fans of Knight. They made the right phone calls and the right donations. Knight passed muster at Judicial Selection and sailed through confirmation. He became the latest gift to the judiciary from the The Big Guys.

Once on the bench, Knight didn't even have to threaten to throw chairs. Once, however, a lawyer dared to object to a ruling. "I don't care what the ruling of the Supreme Court is," Knight said, "this is my ruling. Objection overruled. And next time, call me Mr. Judge Knight."

--

How Did This Go Unreported?
Oh, Yeah, It Did Get Reported

JUDGE TAKES ISSUE WITH LAW TRIBUNE
By LYNNE TUOHY
The Hartford Courant
October 16, 2000

Maybe it was the column earlier this month suggesting that deposed University of Indiana basketball coach Bobby Knight would feel right at home among Connecticut's judiciary. Or the column last week opining that the entire bench needs a course in civility.

Or it might have been the editorial Oct. 2 describing the Judicial Review Council as an "arrogant protection agency" for the very judges whose conduct it is supposed to scrutinize. Judge Robert C. Leuba, chief court administrator for the judicial branch, didn't want to talk specifics
Friday. But he also made no apologies for canceling the branch's subscriptions to the Connecticut Law Tribune because he doesn't like "the attitude that's crept in" to its commentaries.

And when Leuba says "cancel my subscription," he's talking about $16,000 worth of business for the weekly legal publication -- 26 subscriptions to the $365-a-year weekly, plus a dozen books the company also publishes. The subscriptions go to law libraries in courthouses statewide, and to a handful of judges.

Connecticut Law Tribune Publisher and Editor Vincent Valvo said Friday the cancellations don't put a significant dent in his paper's circulation or finances. But, he allowed, "We are not happy that the judiciary as a branch of government has decided to boycott us."

Columnist Andy Thibault wrote the Bobby Knight column, which Valvo characterized as "a parody, and certainly a pointed barb at the judiciary." Valvo said such columns jibe with his commitment to publish diverse viewpoints. He noted that few lawyers are willing to publicly criticize the judiciary, and we have to give that point of view a voice somewhere."

Leuba said it's not his intent to stifle the paper's opinions.

"He can publish whatever he wants to publish, but I'm also free to purchase whatever I want to purchase," Leuba said. "I told [Valvo] I'd be the first one to defend his right to publish anything he wants. But in terms of what we buy and distribute in the judicial branch, we have a choice, and right now we're not buying the Law Tribune.

"There are some attitudes being used editorially which are not helpful to improving communications among the legal community, of which we are a part," Leuba said. Asked if his concerns centered on columns by Thibault and New Haven Attorney Norman Pattis, Leuba declined to name names, citing again the paper's "attitude."

Valvo said Leuba's cancellation was not received in time to halt distribution of today's issue, or include mention of it in the Tribune. However, Pattis already has written a column about the cancellation for the Oct. 23 issue. And Leuba doesn't have to worry about missing that one: Pattis bought him a gift subscription.
-

Not-A-Dime Back Classic Video

Calhoun In His Better Moments, Or, Human Resources / Communications Training Video For Depth And Responsiveness

Now, Transition Back To The Comfort Of Your Own Place And Time …

Somewhere, Even If Not Under A Robe, There's A Place For Not-A-Dime Jim

AND:

JODI TO NOT-A-DIME JIM: YOU'RE AN EMBARRASSMENT

Special Feature

A Mellow Bobby Knight On How To Beat UConn

Dennie Williams To Calhoun, Auriemma: Stop Hiding The Numbers

Fears Of A Clown

Via
NYT

Smarter Republicans know he is not good for them. As the conservative writer David Frum said recently, “If you’re a talk radio host and you have five million who listen and there are 50 million who hate you, you make a nice living. If you’re a Republican party, you’re marginalized.”

Complete Article

Update On CT Young Writers Competition

Rockville High School English teacher Victoria Nordlund [left] and senior Melanie Lieberman [center] with NBC 30's Tom Monahan after taping of Connecticut Newsmaker's segment on Nov. 28, 2008. The show aired Sun., Dec. 7, 2008. On the desk are copies of Connecticut Review, the literary journal published by the CSU System.

Connecticut State University System Announcement:

Statewide Judging Under Way
For 12th Annual
Connecticut Young Writers Competition

Nearly 600 Entries Compete
For $1,000 Prizes And Dublin Trips

Complete Text @ Young Writers Trust site

Why Twitter?

Via
Politics In The Zeros

5 Reasons

Facebook Responds

Via
Rick's RSS

Facebook V. Twitter

Anchors Do It, Butteflies & Bees Do It ...

Tweet The Press

Surrounded By Twitter

Via
Aldon Hynes' Orient Lodge

Twitter Central

Dennie Williams To Calhoun, Auriemma: Stop Hiding The Numbers

Calhoun does raise hundreds of thousands in funding for charities. His ego, however, is so out of kilter that one has to wonder how helpful it is in the long run for his players' (particularly the stars) attitudes and their development as human beings ...

... When I was a Hartford Courant reporter some years back, a colleague, Matt Kauffman, and myself sought Coach Calhoun's and the university women's basketball coach, Geno Auriemma's outside income, beyond their state salaries, from sports apparel and other companies ...

... Why should you as a state official, paid by state taxpayers, be able to hide what you make in both salary and outside perks. Shouldn't the taxpayers be able to judge on their own if you two are worthy of such huge salaries and perks? Why would you want to hide your finances ...

By Thomas D. Williams
The Cool Justice Report
www.cooljustice.blogspot.com
March 7, 2009

EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is available for reprint courtesy of The Cool Justice Report, http://cooljustice.blogspot.com

As we learn more and more each day, the pay, bonuses, stock options and other benefits of sports figures, movie stars, other celebrities, and particularly corporate officers, have gone into the stratosphere. The average worker, laid off employee, mother, father, child or retiree cannot compute the millions, now billions, flowing into the pockets of these luminaries. And, as that incredible cash flows into the millionaires' and billionaires' numerous businesses, homes and enjoyments, there are millions of homeless, sick and war-wounded around the nation and the world who don't have a dime to spare.

University of Connecticutbasketball coaches, on the other hand, do have thousands of dollars to spare. They are not only being paid large sums by the state, whose governor has just put a freeze on the budget, but they receive huge bucks for advertising products and pushing sports apparel of all sorts.

In an interview recently, Coach Jim Calhoun told a reporter, who said the coach's salary is $1.6 million, and makes him the highest paid state official: "I make a lot more than that."

When the coach was asked if he regretted his hefty salary while the state was suffering through a two billion dollar budget deficit, he replied, "Not a dime back! I'd like to retire some day. I’m getting tired."

Soon afterward, Calhoun told the reporter, Ken Krayeske, and others that he brings in $12 million to the university so he is more than worth what the state pays him. In front of the assembled, he ultimately told Krayeske he had a bit of sage counsel for him: "My best advice to you is to shut up!" Next, Calhoun went on a short rant insulting the reporter.

Calhoun does raise hundreds of thousands in funding for charities. His ego, however, is so out of kilter that one has to wonder how helpful it is in the long run for his players' (particularly the stars) attitudes and their development as human beings. One code of ethics and sports conduct says: "Sports coaches are expected to conform to ethical standards in a number of areas: humanity, relationships, commitment, co-operation, integrity, advertising, confidentiality, abuse of privilege, safety and competence."

The arrogant manner with which Coach Calhoun handled himself in this recent interview with reporters, as well as his tirades toward other reporters, referees and players often doesn't live up to all such standards. So is that why the taxpayers of Connecticut and the advertisers pay him so much money? Certainly, the flow of dollars into Coach Calhoun's pockets don't help him get a grip on reality; just as they don't help reality or contriteness for corporate executives, movie stars and others vastly overpaid today in this universe.

When I was a Hartford Courant reporter some years back, a colleague, Matt Kauffman, and myself sought Coach Calhoun's and the university women's basketball coach, Geno Auriemma's outside income, beyond their state salaries, from sports apparel and other companies. They used an assistant state attorney general and hired their own lawyers to fight us at the State Freedom of Information Commission. Lawyerless, we lost that battle, but eventually found what we needed for a salary plus perks story from the State Ethics Commission.

Recently, it was Coach Auriemma who defended Coach Calhoun from queries about his salary and other perks. ESPN reported: Auriemma, who recently signed a 5-year, $8 million deal, said he doesn't think it's fair to ask someone who has worked as hard as Calhoun whether he deserves the money he makes, especially during a postgame news conference. “I think it's unfair in this setting and I would venture to say it's unfair in any setting," Auriemma said.” How do you answer questions about money, about your personal life," he asked.

My questions for you, Coach Auriemma, and you, Coach Calhoun are: Why should you as a state official, paid by state taxpayers, be able to hide what you make in both salary and outside perks. Shouldn't the taxpayers be able to judge on their own if you two are worthy of such huge salaries and perks? Why would you want to hide your finances, when you two have responsibilities to properly represent, their basketball players, the fans, the university, the state, and its taxpayers?

Thomas "Dennie" Williams is a former state and federal court reporter, who specialized in investigations, for the Hartford Courant. Since the 1970s, he has written extensively about irregularities in the Connecticut Superior Court, Probate Court systems for disciplining both judges and lawyers for misconduct and the failures of the Pentagon and the VA to assist sick veterans returning from war. He is now a freelance writer for several Internet sites including The Cool Justice Report, Truthout.org and The Public Record. He can be reached at denniew@optonline.net

Krayeske Compared With The Original Blogger / Pamphleteer, Thomas Paine, Anarchists And Other Fine Fellows

Mad Dog Millionaire Update

Powell Makes Sense Of Calhoun Imbroglio

Follow The Money ...

Not-A-Dime Jim Featured @ HuffPo; Lame / Disingenuous Statement By UConn President

NYT: Two Ways Of Looking At It

Krayeske & Calhoun Economic Summit