Ethic Soup

Out of the Sewers, Into Federal Prison: Birmingham's Langford Gets 15 Years

 

'Langford In The Sewer'

Copyright by Sharon McEachern   

 

Larry Langford is headed to Federal Prison. Sentencing was this week -- 15 years. He says he'll be appealing his 60-count conviction, but...

Birmingham's Mayor, that's ex-mayor now, has been the focus of five Ethic Soup posts (following with links) -- the first when arrested, the second when convicted on 60 counts, the third about Birmingham's bankruptcy exposure, the fourth on Birmingham's new mayoral race with 14 candidates and the fifth is this post on sentencing.

In Langford's trial, after six days of testimony, a federal jury took less than two hours to convict the mayor on 60 counts including bribery, fraud and money laundering. The conspiracy took place from July 2002 until May 2007, during which the former mayor took $241,000  in bribes in exchange for giving $7.2 million in sewer-bond and derivatives business to a friend who was an investment banker.

Ethically-Challenged Sarah Palin Criticizes Obama, Does Same Herself

OOPS! THE HYPOCRITE IS CAUGHT.

Sarah Palin both frightens and angers me, so much so that I really don't trust myself to write about her. Sooner or later, I might cross my own boundaries for acceptable behavior -- even though I believe she is dangerous for our country and some say that danger-factor allows one to cross such boundaries.

Still, for today, I'll let others do most of the talking, in response to Palin's recent comments, particularly at the Tea Party Convention this week.

QUICK PAYBACK KARMA

Sometimes when you act unethically, as Palin did, you get immediate feedback/payback and you don't have to wait for a karma return. Actually, learning is much faster that way. Just saying, if you have to wait until you reincarnate in your next life, you're not going to remember. Hey, just flying through that tunnel towards the light will be enough to wipe out my memory cells. 

Sadly, I haven't seen much evidence that Palin learns from her mistakes. Problem is, I believe, we just repeat the same mistakes over and over again, until we finally learn the lesson. For some it takes more than one lifetime.

Yesterday was Sarah Palin's birthday, you betcha. She turned 46.

She still looks pretty good which I gotta say is one big reason for her popularity. She's a good looking woman who flirts alot. She bats her eyes, winks a lot and is willing to show some leg -- that's a lot of fantasy fodder. Now, I understand, old white men really like this type of woman. Yes, it does sound like members of the Republican Party, including former running mate McCain.

HYPOCRISY AT TEA PARTY CONVENTION

Palin was the keynote speaker this week at the big Tea Party Convention, when some folks noticed there was some writing on her hand, crib notes. During her speech, she mocked President Obama for his use of a teleprompter. Here's the hypocrisy -- close inspection of photos of Palin during her speech reveals notes written on her left hand.Clearly visible were the words "Energy", "Tax" and "Lift American Spirits." Additionally the words "Budget cuts" appear, but the word "Budget" was crossed out.

California Councilman's Hateful Rhetoric: "I'm a Proud Racist!"

Photo by John McCoy, Contra Costa Times.

A crowd of demonstrators shouted-out heated exchanges, pointing fingers and waving the American flag Tuesday, outside Santa Clarita City Hall in California.

They were incited by comments from Councilman Bob Kellar, who defined himself as a "proud racist," during an anti-illegal immigration rally two weeks ago.

WHAT RACISM? ME?

Kellar, pictured right, now insists his comments weren't intended to "express animosity towards non-whites."

In his heated speech at the rally, the Santa Clarita city councilman referred to a statement from President Theodore Roosevelt who said the United States only has room for one flag and one language, reported the Los Angeles Daily News.

You decide. Here's what he said:

"The only thing I heard back from a couple of people was 'Bob, you sound like a racist.' I said "That's good. If that's what you think I am because I happen to believe in America, then I'm a proud racist. You're darn right I am.' " 

Cindy McCain Supports Same-Sex Marriage, Helps Gay Rights Group

John McCain may still be opposed to gay marriage, but his wife, Cindy McCain is pro gay marriage and has posed for an ad endorsing pro-gay marriage forces in California.

The photo shows Mrs. McCain with "NOH8" painted on her cheek -- a gay rights group challenging Proposition 8, which was passed by California voters in 2008 banning same-sex marriage. 

California's gay marriage ban is the subject of a current court trial going on in San Francisco, in which two same-sex couples have sued to overturn it, challenging the constitutionality of the law.

Can't you just hear the far right conservatives of the Republican Party discussing this one? "My God, would she have acted this way had McCain won the presidential election and she was the First Lady?" And "Well, this proves it -- McCain can't control his woman." This does mess things up a bit more for the GOP.

Guess who has the real power in this relationship?  Or, perhaps it is actually shared. But, it certainly doesn't appear that this husband can tell his wife what to do.

'Bama's Birmingham Votes to Replace Ousted Mayor: It's 4 mayors in 4 months

BIRMINGHAM NEEDS A MAYOR ever since the last one, Larry Langford, was ousted. Convicted of corruption on 60 federal counts in a bribery scheme linked to a multi-billion dollar municipal debt crisis, Langford was automatically removed from office in October.

Birmingham, Alabama's biggest city, is struggling to prevent what may become the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

The mayor's office is prime real estate, particularly if you want to make money while an elected official. Hot diggity -- bribes will be a comin'. Since Langford was ousted, the city has had two interim mayors.

FOURTEEN FOR MAYOR

There were 14 candidates who signed up to run for mayor in a special election held yesterday. When candidate Ernie Dunn died last week, the field was reduced to 13, not known as a fortuitous number. 

The runoff election, scheduled for Jan.19, will include an Ivy League lawyer and a county commissioner. 

Sesame Street Has Taught Pre-Schoolers Ethics for 40 Years

Sesame Street's Big Bird is now 40 years old. Who knew? Google knew. In fact, today the Google doodle on the search engine's banner is the bottom half of Big Bird -- mostly legs.

To mix it up a little, Google had different banner doodles, depending upon the country served. Below is the doodle for Mexico.

And for Belgium and the Netherlands it's the banner below.

 

If you're older than 40 (I'll say a little prayer for you and all your body parts), the kids' TV shows you watched were Howdy Doody, Ding Dong School, The Mickey Mouse Club and Captain Kangaroo. 

MOST VIEWED KIDS' SHOW IN WORLD

Today, Sesame Street is the most widely viewed children's television show in the world, with 20 independent international versions and broadcasts in over 120 countries.

History was first made on December 12,1970, when First Lady Pat Nixon greeted Big Bird in the White House for a children's Christmas party. She's got a hold on one of his feathers (pictured right).

CURRICULUM INCLUDED ETHICS

Pretty soon Sesame Street's curriculum for pre-schoolers expanded from letters and numbers to include affective topics such as relationships, ethics, and positive and negative emotions.

However, the show that's won 118 Emmy's has had its detractors.

'Great White Hope' : Metaphor for Racist Kansas Politician

 

If you were born and raised in Kansas, I'm so sorry. I feel for you, as I do for myself. It just never stops, does it, the embarrassment?

And now, a new shame to deal with: U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, who represents Kansas's 2nd District, has opened her racist mouth, secure in her belief that her audience -- conservative republicans at a Kansas rally -- would agree with her. So, she needn't pretend that she's not racist. Oops! Someone said something about the something she said.

NOT SO PRETTY INSIDE

Just what did this pretty little Kansas bigot say, revealing her to be oh-so ugly on the inside?

Furious about the new health care reform bill  and its public option supported by President Obama and certainly unhappy that Democrats have control of the House and Senate, just like so many GOP members, Congressperson Lynn Jenkins said that the Republican Party needed a "great white hope," as in Caucasian, to challenge (knock out) President Obama. Oh, yes, she did!

Her statement was on par with the racist comment of our Vice President Joe Biden, back when Barack Obama was his opponent. Joe said: "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man."

'Gangsta' Gov. Sarah Palin Gets Sweet Assault Rifle from NRA: Happy Mothers Day!

 SARAH PALIN will not go away. I had high hopes that Alaska would swallow her back and she'd actually work as the state's governor -- between hunting trips and keeping her eyes on Russia -- leaving we-of-the-lower-48-contiguous at last alone. But NOooo! Now I read that Palin will be part of the National Council for a New America, "an attempt by leaders in Congress and potential 2012 presidential candidates to rebrand the struggling party," says the Washington Post.  Aw, Jeez!

STILL A TOP DRAW

And then I read in the UK's Guardian:  "More proof that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is a top Republican party fundraising draw and remains a star among the party faithful." (Make that "Old Faithful" Republicans -- the old, white men who get all flushed with Palin's good looks.)

Next I read a story that I at first thought was a satire piece. (Satire often trips me up.) It's very funny and a perfect metaphor for Sarah Palin. But, slowly (you see, I was savoring its hilarity) it dawned on me that it was an honest-to-God true story. Are you ready? Set your cup of hot coffee down, please.

The National Rifle Association, of which Palin is a proud member, is honoring her with a custom made "Alaskan Hunter" rifle. It is an AR-15, the civilian model of the M-16 assault rifle widely used by the US military. For God's sake -- it's a war weapon!

Grassley Tells AIG Execs: 'Resign or Commit Suicide'

Senator Charles Grassley offers Hara-Kiri sword  to AIG Execs -- Composite Copyright by Sharon McEachern

 

"Tell us what you really think Senator Grassley," was the Reuters' headline.

Thank God at least one politician said how he felt. We've waited for so long, since Harry Truman was alive. Of course, now that his words have been heard around the world and he's received the publicity he wanted, Chuck Grassley is falling all over himself to take those words back. Harry never did that. It had to do with honor and personal integrity.

A former Iowa farmer, Sen. Chuck Grassley -- known for being colorful and blunt --wants bailed-out insurer American International Group (AIG) executives who are getting hundreds of millions of dollars in bonuses to act-with-honor. (First it was $168 million in bonuses at the bail-out corporations and now we're told it was actually more like $400 million -- Oops!)

TITS AND HARA-KIRI

With all of America outraged, Republican Grassley went with the political flow and expressed his own outrage to the media, suggesting that : "From my standpoint, it's irresponsible for corporations to give bonuses, at this time, when they are so sucking the tit of the taxpayer," as reported by  Reuters.  That is certainly what most taxpayers are thinking. Of course, they think the same about Congress giving themselves raises, sucking the same old sore tit. Grassley was a farmer. Maybe next time he'll bring with him a can of "Tit Balm."  Or, did he hold out and refuse his raise?

America's Mayors Keep Getting Arrested: Hartford, Baltimore, Racine

Gulfport, Mississippi Mayor Brent Warr and wife Laura arrested -- a composite photograph

 

America's mayors keep getting arrested. Some bring their spouses along.

Wanna get lots of money and be a criminal? Just get elected mayor in America and you're almost there. Okay that's a slight exaggeration. There are some honest mayors. And probably quite a few that just haven't been arrested yet.

Ethic Soup first wrote about arrested mayors back in December, "Birmingham Mayor Arrested: Langford Joins Jailed Mayors Club."  It was a round-up article and included Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Fairbanks Mayor James C. Hayes and 9 other mayors. We planned on writing an annual post on the subject -- if warranted. Surprise! It's warranted now -- just three months later. Yep, there's a whole new batch of mayors singing  'Jail House Rock.'

Gulfport, Mississippi:

Mayor Brent Warr and his wife, Laura, were arrested in January charged in a 16-count indictment. They are accused of lying to get federal grant money for a storm-damaged beachfront home they owned, but didn't live in. The charges make Mayor Warr (pictured right with President Bush) the highest ranking official to be accused of fraud related to 2005 Hurricane Katrina. Prosecutors say Warr and his wife applied for FEMA money, lied by claiming the beachfront property was their primary residence and schemed to defraud Lexington Insurance Co. and the government of $222,798.10.

Hartford, Connecticut:

Mayor Eddie Perez went from being a one-time gang leader to become Hartford's first Hispanic mayor and historically one of the city's most powerful mayors -- until his arrest for bribery, by having a city contractor do $40,000 in renovations to his home and not paying for it until confronted by investigators. The contractor was previously awarded a $5 million city streetscape contract. With the bribery charge, the Perez name was added to a long list of crooked politicians which has given the state the "Corrupticut" nickname.