"Government has simply become too big, too expensive, and too intrusive in our lives and businesses.
...In the Senate, Thom will be a stalwart conservative reformer, pushing at every opportunity for the tough decisions it will take to balance the budget every year by cutting spending, and reducing our outrageous $17 trillion national debt. Thom believes in the "Cut, Cap, and Balance" approach - cut spending now, cap spending in the future, and require a balanced budget every year."
http://thomtillis.com/meet-thom/
3/6/14
Libertarian North Carolina US Senate candidate Sean Haugh's answers to some economic questions from The People's Alliance
PA question #1: What do you see as the primary sources of our current economic problems? How would you begin to reduce the federal deficit? Is this an issue of not enough revenue or of overspending? What are some of the possible negative consequences of your proposed solutions?
My answer: It's super simple math, people. We are spending more money than we have. We need to cut spending drastically, starting with the war budget and corporate welfare. We also need to audit the Federal Reserve and stop their inflationary policies of printing more money. We need to base our economy on the needs of all the people, not just the bankers. I don't know if there's a way to do that without completely privatizing money. There are obviously never any negative consequences to any of my solutions, except maybe to those who make their living off of looting the economy.
https://www.facebook.com/HaughForSenate
My answer: It's super simple math, people. We are spending more money than we have. We need to cut spending drastically, starting with the war budget and corporate welfare. We also need to audit the Federal Reserve and stop their inflationary policies of printing more money. We need to base our economy on the needs of all the people, not just the bankers. I don't know if there's a way to do that without completely privatizing money. There are obviously never any negative consequences to any of my solutions, except maybe to those who make their living off of looting the economy.
https://www.facebook.com/HaughForSenate
On the March 6, 2014 News and Record Civil Rights Museum article
“...I think people are suspicious of how long it took for the museum to come online and how much money it took to build the museum,” said Mayor Nancy Vaughan, who holds a seat on the museum’s board because of her position.
Some perceptions involving the museum are real (millions were raised and spent before construction began)...
Alston, for one, isn’t worried about what he calls the “few squeaky wheels” who are always accusing him of using the museum as a piggy bank.
Richard “Skip” Moore, the retiring executive director of the Weaver Foundation, was among the business leaders whose foundations and companies donated $4 million when the Sit-In Movement, the nonprofit group created to form the museum, estimated that that amount would be sufficient to finish what its leaders then envisioned as an $8 million project.
Some of those who were involved in the museum very early on either did not return phone calls or did not want to be part of this article.
In those early days, millions of dollars had been raised and spent, with the idea of a civil rights museum seemingly stuck in neutral.
Costs and shifting opening dates renewed criticism over the project.
People wondered what happened to the money that had been raised.
Museum officials blamed the aging building for unforeseen costs. Millions were spent in structural reinforcement.
The original budget for climate-control and waterproofing issues, for example, was $600,000. But it would cost more than $3 million.
...a September 2006 report from the N.C. Auditor’s Office ... questioned some of its money-handling practices and the care with which the project had been planned.
...Former City Councilman Tom Phillips said... “I don’t think anybody pocketed that money — maybe they didn’t spend it as judiciously as they could have,” he said. “I think it’s mismanagement more than anything else. I really think they didn’t know what to do.
“And, no matter who you put on the board, with Skip and Earl behind the scenes, then nothing really changes.”
“You can’t be incompetent and competent at the same time,” said [Doug] Harris the attorney, who remains on the board. “If you are competent enough to navigate the IRS … and get $24 million into town, you can’t be so incompetent at the same time that you don’t know what you are doing,”
Observers say the city taking over the museum or even a fresh board could draw more support, but some observers don’t see that happening.
“The truth of the matter is that it’s part of their legacy,” said Bob Davis, an N.C. A&T sociology professor who has kept tabs on the project. “And then you are asking (Alston and Jones) to walk away from it. I don’t know how realistic that is.”
Alston said he doesn’t have any plans to leave the museum’s board of directors, even though he stepped down as its chairman last year.
Davis acknowledged that as long as Alston and Jones are involved, some people will continue to hold it against the museum.
“We have to have a couple of more funerals, and then it won’t be an issue,” Davis said.
http://www.news-record.com/news/government/article_b6b8cd34-a4f0-11e3-8a84-001a4bcf6878.html
Some perceptions involving the museum are real (millions were raised and spent before construction began)...
Alston, for one, isn’t worried about what he calls the “few squeaky wheels” who are always accusing him of using the museum as a piggy bank.
By retaining fiduciary control,
the City of Greensboro determined that Skip and Earl
could profit from the facility in the future via a taxpayer funded bailout.
City staff and council were informed before the vote
that some money the museum was to receive
did not look like it was merely meant to pay off loans tied to saving the facility,
but connected to Skip Alston and Earl Jones maintaining control
and being in a position to profit from the taxpayer bailout
if the museum became profitable in the future.
that some money the museum was to receive
did not look like it was merely meant to pay off loans tied to saving the facility,
but connected to Skip Alston and Earl Jones maintaining control
and being in a position to profit from the taxpayer bailout
if the museum became profitable in the future.
Richard “Skip” Moore, the retiring executive director of the Weaver Foundation, was among the business leaders whose foundations and companies donated $4 million when the Sit-In Movement, the nonprofit group created to form the museum, estimated that that amount would be sufficient to finish what its leaders then envisioned as an $8 million project.
$8 million turned into $24 million.
Some of those who were involved in the museum very early on either did not return phone calls or did not want to be part of this article.
In those early days, millions of dollars had been raised and spent, with the idea of a civil rights museum seemingly stuck in neutral.
Costs and shifting opening dates renewed criticism over the project.
People wondered what happened to the money that had been raised.
So what did happen to the money?
Museum officials blamed the aging building for unforeseen costs. Millions were spent in structural reinforcement.
The original budget for climate-control and waterproofing issues, for example, was $600,000. But it would cost more than $3 million.
$24 million - $3 million = $21 million - $8 million = $13 million
What happened to the $13 million?
...a September 2006 report from the N.C. Auditor’s Office ... questioned some of its money-handling practices and the care with which the project had been planned.
...Former City Councilman Tom Phillips said... “I don’t think anybody pocketed that money — maybe they didn’t spend it as judiciously as they could have,” he said. “I think it’s mismanagement more than anything else. I really think they didn’t know what to do.
“And, no matter who you put on the board, with Skip and Earl behind the scenes, then nothing really changes.”
“You can’t be incompetent and competent at the same time,” said [Doug] Harris the attorney, who remains on the board. “If you are competent enough to navigate the IRS … and get $24 million into town, you can’t be so incompetent at the same time that you don’t know what you are doing,”
$8 million turned into $24 million.
Observers say the city taking over the museum or even a fresh board could draw more support, but some observers don’t see that happening.
“The truth of the matter is that it’s part of their legacy,” said Bob Davis, an N.C. A&T sociology professor who has kept tabs on the project. “And then you are asking (Alston and Jones) to walk away from it. I don’t know how realistic that is.”
Alston said he doesn’t have any plans to leave the museum’s board of directors, even though he stepped down as its chairman last year.
Davis acknowledged that as long as Alston and Jones are involved, some people will continue to hold it against the museum.
Skip Alston and Earl Jones among others
need to legally step away from any interest in the museum,
and a non-connected chairperson installed.
As the Greensboro Four were college students,
NC A&T University student government association members
should be provided with permanent representation on the board.
“We have to have a couple of more funerals, and then it won’t be an issue,” Davis said.
http://www.news-record.com/news/government/article_b6b8cd34-a4f0-11e3-8a84-001a4bcf6878.html
Public monies were distributed in a rush just before a city election
and without a signed contract.
Zack Matheny was reported to describe the events
as an “absolute voter manipulation to try and get some people elected.”
Public monies were distributed in a rush just before a city election
and without a signed contract.
3/4/14
"NC tax changes mean new admission charges for arts and sporting events" Including what could be the Steven Tanger Performing Arts Center
"A new law that takes effect Jan. 1 expands the state sales tax to a broad range of admissions charges – including movies, college and professional sporting events, concerts, plays and museums.
The sales tax applied to those events includes both the 4.75 percent state rate plus additional sales tax levied at the county level.
That boosts the total tax from 6.75 percent to 7.5 percent, depending on the location.
Despite the Jan. 1 starting date, the impact on ticket prices will be delayed for many events. That’s because tickets that initially go on sale before Jan. 1 aren’t subject to the new tax – even if those tickets aren’t purchased until 2014.
...The sales tax change was ordered in a new law that also reduced personal and corporate income tax rates."
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/11/24/3404082/nc-tax-changes-mean-new-admission.html#storylink=cpy
The sales tax applied to those events includes both the 4.75 percent state rate plus additional sales tax levied at the county level.
That boosts the total tax from 6.75 percent to 7.5 percent, depending on the location.
Despite the Jan. 1 starting date, the impact on ticket prices will be delayed for many events. That’s because tickets that initially go on sale before Jan. 1 aren’t subject to the new tax – even if those tickets aren’t purchased until 2014.
...The sales tax change was ordered in a new law that also reduced personal and corporate income tax rates."
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/11/24/3404082/nc-tax-changes-mean-new-admission.html#storylink=cpy
From and on the "Steven B. Tanger Center for the Performing Arts Fact Sheet", dated March 3, 2014, provided by the City of Greensboro Communications Manager
"To date, the City has committed to providing $30 million in funding, inclusive of $11.5 million used to acquire property for the project, and the foundation has worked with community leaders to raise corporate and individual pledges for the project, exceeding $35 million in pledges..."
Steven B. Tanger Center for the Performing Arts Fact Sheet, on March 3, 2014 by the City of Greensboro and CFGG
http://yescurrent.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/city-releases-tanger-center-fact-sheet/
.
.
I believe the Fact Sheet cited above was in response to; On GPAC; To whom it may concern, please confirm, criticize, question or deny the following before Monday, March 3, 2014's Yes Weekly's 10am deadline for next Wednesday's Hartzman column.;
.
.
"Mayor and Members of Council (bcc):
Attached is a Tanger Center fact sheet compiled by City and CFGG staff. The document outlines specifics within the proposed agreement and the financing arrangement. Tomorrow, I will provide this to George Hartzman in response to his email to the Council and community below. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Donnie"
.
.
The fact sheet does not deny the following, which I now consider to be truthful;
If the City of Greensboro doesn't cover shortfalls of the private sector pledges with more than the $30 million the City has already committed, the lender or lenders can foreclose on and acquire the performing arts center.
The City of Greensboro is not in possession of legally binding donor commitments on about $35,448,920 of privately pledged assets.
The City of Greensboro doesn't know where the $35,448,920 is actually located.
The City of Greensboro doesn't know what the $35,448,920 is invested in.
The City of Greensboro doesn't have a detailed time line showing how much of the $35,448,920 is supposed to appear when over a 10 year time span.
The City of Greensboro doesn't know what would happen to the $35,448,920 if financial markets fall 20%, or 30% within the five years following the project’s approval.
The City of Greensboro doesn't know what would happen to the $35,448,920 if interest rates rise even more from their historically relatively very low levels within the five years following the project’s approval.
The City of Greensboro is unaware of the statistical likelihood that the $35,448,920 in pledges will or won't appear.
The CFGG and City of Greensboro's financing mechanism attaches what would be a jointly owned GPAC between the City and a non profit without assets other than the property which would be used as collateral to obtain a loan to pay for construction costs before the pledges actually appear.
The CFGG will have no financial commitment to the project, yet stands to acquire the entire project without risk or taxes as detailed in item G4 of the Memorandum of Understanding At the Council work session on Tuesday, February 25th.
The City of Greensboro does not know how the CFGG is going to supply the loan interest payments for the financing.
The City of Greensboro's finance department has not underwritten, reviewed or signed off on the legally binding donor commitments, the potential taxpayer liability above the $30 million City Council authorized for the performing arts center, the private sector lending agreement, a time line of how much of the $35,448,920 is supposed to appear and when, the statistical likelihood of how much of the $35,448,920 in pledges may or may not appear or hypothetical asset return projections concerning the $35,448,920 in private pledges.
.
.
The fact sheet does say "The MOU and its financing provisions have been specifically structured so that the taxpayers will not be liable for any shortfalls of private donor commitments."
After reading the MOU several times, the problem with the above sentence is the MOU attached to the agenda item on pdf page 99 doesn't say anything about the structure not being "liable for any shortfalls of private donor commitments."
It doesn't say anything about what taxpayer are not liable for anywhere in the attachment MOU.
The above sentence in the fact sheet appears to be a factual in-exactitude.
How can the city fund a $65 million dollar PAC, of which $35 million in private pledges the city's finance department has never seen, has no taxpayer responsibility attached, if the pledges fail to reach $35 million, and the collateral for the loan is a facility jointly owned by a non profit funded by nothing other than the pledges, and the City of Greensboro?
I believe City of Greensboro taxpayers are being sold a bridge.
Steven B. Tanger Center for the Performing Arts Fact Sheet, on March 3, 2014 by the City of Greensboro and CFGG
http://yescurrent.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/city-releases-tanger-center-fact-sheet/
.
.
I believe the Fact Sheet cited above was in response to; On GPAC; To whom it may concern, please confirm, criticize, question or deny the following before Monday, March 3, 2014's Yes Weekly's 10am deadline for next Wednesday's Hartzman column.;
.
.
"Mayor and Members of Council (bcc):
Attached is a Tanger Center fact sheet compiled by City and CFGG staff. The document outlines specifics within the proposed agreement and the financing arrangement. Tomorrow, I will provide this to George Hartzman in response to his email to the Council and community below. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Best,
Donnie"
.
.
The fact sheet does not deny the following, which I now consider to be truthful;
If the City of Greensboro doesn't cover shortfalls of the private sector pledges with more than the $30 million the City has already committed, the lender or lenders can foreclose on and acquire the performing arts center.
The City of Greensboro is not in possession of legally binding donor commitments on about $35,448,920 of privately pledged assets.
The City of Greensboro doesn't know where the $35,448,920 is actually located.
The City of Greensboro doesn't know what the $35,448,920 is invested in.
The City of Greensboro doesn't have a detailed time line showing how much of the $35,448,920 is supposed to appear when over a 10 year time span.
The City of Greensboro doesn't know what would happen to the $35,448,920 if financial markets fall 20%, or 30% within the five years following the project’s approval.
The City of Greensboro doesn't know what would happen to the $35,448,920 if interest rates rise even more from their historically relatively very low levels within the five years following the project’s approval.
The City of Greensboro is unaware of the statistical likelihood that the $35,448,920 in pledges will or won't appear.
The CFGG and City of Greensboro's financing mechanism attaches what would be a jointly owned GPAC between the City and a non profit without assets other than the property which would be used as collateral to obtain a loan to pay for construction costs before the pledges actually appear.
The CFGG will have no financial commitment to the project, yet stands to acquire the entire project without risk or taxes as detailed in item G4 of the Memorandum of Understanding At the Council work session on Tuesday, February 25th.
The City of Greensboro does not know how the CFGG is going to supply the loan interest payments for the financing.
The City of Greensboro's finance department has not underwritten, reviewed or signed off on the legally binding donor commitments, the potential taxpayer liability above the $30 million City Council authorized for the performing arts center, the private sector lending agreement, a time line of how much of the $35,448,920 is supposed to appear and when, the statistical likelihood of how much of the $35,448,920 in pledges may or may not appear or hypothetical asset return projections concerning the $35,448,920 in private pledges.
.
.
The fact sheet does say "The MOU and its financing provisions have been specifically structured so that the taxpayers will not be liable for any shortfalls of private donor commitments."
After reading the MOU several times, the problem with the above sentence is the MOU attached to the agenda item on pdf page 99 doesn't say anything about the structure not being "liable for any shortfalls of private donor commitments."
It doesn't say anything about what taxpayer are not liable for anywhere in the attachment MOU.
The above sentence in the fact sheet appears to be a factual in-exactitude.
How can the city fund a $65 million dollar PAC, of which $35 million in private pledges the city's finance department has never seen, has no taxpayer responsibility attached, if the pledges fail to reach $35 million, and the collateral for the loan is a facility jointly owned by a non profit funded by nothing other than the pledges, and the City of Greensboro?
I believe City of Greensboro taxpayers are being sold a bridge.
Maps; What if a few in Ukraine retaliate against Russia by blowing up a few gas pipelines supplying Western Europe?
"Russian natural gas monopoly Gazprom will discontinue discounts on gas deliveries to Ukraine starting early April, Chief Executive Alexei Millier was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying Tuesday.
He cited Ukraine’s failure to fulfil its contractual obligation as the reason behind the decision, according to Interfax.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called Gazprom’s actions “justified” and ordered the country’s finance ministry to look into potential risks or providing a $2 billion-$3 billion loan to Ukraine so that it can repay its gas deliveries debt to the company, the agency reported.
Medvedev also said that Ukraine hasn’t yet made full payment for February gas deliveries, according to the news agency."
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gazprom-to-end-gas-discounts-to-ukraine-interfax-2014-03-04
"simmering political tensions in Ukraine, that are aggravated by inadequate economic conditions, may cause disruptions of gas supplies to Europe."
He cited Ukraine’s failure to fulfil its contractual obligation as the reason behind the decision, according to Interfax.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev called Gazprom’s actions “justified” and ordered the country’s finance ministry to look into potential risks or providing a $2 billion-$3 billion loan to Ukraine so that it can repay its gas deliveries debt to the company, the agency reported.
Medvedev also said that Ukraine hasn’t yet made full payment for February gas deliveries, according to the news agency."
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gazprom-to-end-gas-discounts-to-ukraine-interfax-2014-03-04
 |
| http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-03-04/it-begins-gazprom-warns-european-gas-supply-disruptions-possible |
"On March 1, Gazprom’s spokesperson Sergai Kupriyanov said the gas holding could cancel its gas supply discount for Ukraine as its overdue debt for gas reached $1.5 billion."
"Russia...still supplies around 30% of Europe's gas."
"The company...was once headed by the former president (and current prime minister) Dmitry Medvedev"
 |
| http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-03-04/it-begins-gazprom-warns-european-gas-supply-disruptions-possible |
Blogger sent to prison for critical posts
"A dissident blogger was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday for posting online criticism of Vietnam's authoritarian government...
The verdict against Truong Duy Nhat was the latest in an intensifying crackdown against advocates of free speech and greater democracy in the Communist-ruled country, where the Internet is enabling more opportunities for organizing and spreading dissent.
...Nhat was convicted of "putting the country's leadership in a bad light," in a series of articles on his blog, his lawyer Tran Vu Hai said. He said Nhat maintained his acts did not constitute a crime.
...Nhat was a reporter at a state-run newspaper before quitting more than three years ago to focus on his blog, "Another Point of View."
...The 50-year-old was arrested at home last May, a month after posting an article that called for the resignation of Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, accusing them of being responsible for what he described as the country's "political chaos," ''slumping economy" and their failure to fight rampant corruption.
Human Rights Watch says the number of people sentenced in political trials has increased every year since 2010 and at least 63 people were imprisoned for peaceful political expression last year."
http://news.yahoo.com/vietnam-sends-blogger-prison-critical-posts-074854410.html
The verdict against Truong Duy Nhat was the latest in an intensifying crackdown against advocates of free speech and greater democracy in the Communist-ruled country, where the Internet is enabling more opportunities for organizing and spreading dissent.
...Nhat was convicted of "putting the country's leadership in a bad light," in a series of articles on his blog, his lawyer Tran Vu Hai said. He said Nhat maintained his acts did not constitute a crime.
...Nhat was a reporter at a state-run newspaper before quitting more than three years ago to focus on his blog, "Another Point of View."
...The 50-year-old was arrested at home last May, a month after posting an article that called for the resignation of Communist Party Chief Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, accusing them of being responsible for what he described as the country's "political chaos," ''slumping economy" and their failure to fight rampant corruption.
Human Rights Watch says the number of people sentenced in political trials has increased every year since 2010 and at least 63 people were imprisoned for peaceful political expression last year."
http://news.yahoo.com/vietnam-sends-blogger-prison-critical-posts-074854410.html
3/3/14
Random twitter and other stuff, stuff 3/24/2014
Weaker countries are reaching the point where they can't borrow more $, or stronger country's won't guarantee their debt anymore."
56 percent of Americans believe that it is okay for the government to track "the telephone records of millions of
Americans" in order to keep us safe.
Harsh Iowa winter kills off up to 70% of bees
29 percent of all Americans under the age of 35 are living with their parents.
Being attracted costs more than being attractive.
Some campaign contributions are legal extortion.
Attachment is suffering.
56 percent of all Americans are considered to have "subprime credit"
justice is whatever the strongest can get away with...
"Cabinetpreneur"
53 percent of all Americans do not even have a 3 day supply of nonperishable food and water in their homes.
"29 percent of Americans believe that "cloud computing" involves an actual cloud.
My first five Yes Weekly Articles; 3/19/2014; ON CRONY CAPITALISM IN GREENSBORO
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-first-five-yes-weekly-articles.html?spref=tw
Should a married pregnant unemployed high school drop out who knows the child will have AIDS and autism, have to receive permission from her imprisoned husband to get an abortion after being raped by her schizophrenic brother-in-law?
Should gay, married Islamic couples let their adopted kids protect the family's marijuana plants with guns?
Tech has created employment gaps within our local economy,
and left behind the people. # unsustainable
what was the thing u did when your mom was most mad at u?
EPA knew of faulty pipe at Dan River Steam Station in 2009
1) FEC finds Congressman violated the law.
2) FEC finds excuse to not penalize said lawbreaker.
3) Repeat.
when is a withheld doc illegally withheld?
Christie Campaign Donors Won Huge Contracts
"politics is where the worst of human nature congregates,
like flies to shit.
US Minimum wage in 1960 was $1.00.
Four 1960 quarters are worth $15.25 today.
Prices haven't risen - dollar has been debased.
#FedHistory
Blogger sent to prison for critical posts
Sometimes I think Greensboro's population are like mushrooms. Kept in the dark and fed excrement by local media.
"She makes me feel like I belong under the sun
The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world,
are the ones that do
I think we don't live in a free market capitalistic democracy anymore
"Fascism in the 21st century"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/fascism-in-21st-century.html?spref=tw
It is neither wealth nor splendor;
but tranquility and occupation that give you happiness.
Thomas Jefferson
56 percent of Americans believe that it is okay for the government to track "the telephone records of millions of
Americans" in order to keep us safe.
Harsh Iowa winter kills off up to 70% of bees
29 percent of all Americans under the age of 35 are living with their parents.
Being attracted costs more than being attractive.
"The duty of a patriot
is to protect his country from its government."
.
Thomas Paine
Some campaign contributions are legal extortion.
"There are two levels of justice in this country,
one for the people with power and money and one for everyone else."
.
Edward Kaufman
Attachment is suffering.
56 percent of all Americans are considered to have "subprime credit"
Reaction
- a boat which is going against the current
but which does not prevent the river from flowing on.
~Victor Hugo
justice is whatever the strongest can get away with...
"Cabinetpreneur"
"A real entrepreneur
is somebody who has no safety net underneath them."
.
Henry Kravis
53 percent of all Americans do not even have a 3 day supply of nonperishable food and water in their homes.
"29 percent of Americans believe that "cloud computing" involves an actual cloud.
My first five Yes Weekly Articles; 3/19/2014; ON CRONY CAPITALISM IN GREENSBORO
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-first-five-yes-weekly-articles.html?spref=tw
Should a married pregnant unemployed high school drop out who knows the child will have AIDS and autism, have to receive permission from her imprisoned husband to get an abortion after being raped by her schizophrenic brother-in-law?
Should gay, married Islamic couples let their adopted kids protect the family's marijuana plants with guns?
Tech has created employment gaps within our local economy,
and left behind the people. # unsustainable
what was the thing u did when your mom was most mad at u?
"The production of too many useful things
results in too many useless people."
.
Karl Marx #smartphonetc...
1) FEC finds Congressman violated the law.
2) FEC finds excuse to not penalize said lawbreaker.
3) Repeat.
when is a withheld doc illegally withheld?
Christie Campaign Donors Won Huge Contracts
A mother is a person who seeing there are only 4 pieces of pie for 5 people,
announces she never did care for pie.
- Tenneva Jordan
"politics is where the worst of human nature congregates,
like flies to shit.
US Minimum wage in 1960 was $1.00.
Four 1960 quarters are worth $15.25 today.
Prices haven't risen - dollar has been debased.
#FedHistory
Blogger sent to prison for critical posts
Sometimes I think Greensboro's population are like mushrooms. Kept in the dark and fed excrement by local media.
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe
is that none of it has tried to contact us."
.
Bill Watterson
"She makes me feel like I belong under the sun
"I used to desire many, many things,
but now I have just one desire,
and thats to get rid of all my other desires."
- John Cleese
The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world,
are the ones that do
"No one knows what’s next, but everybody does it."
- George Carlin
I think we don't live in a free market capitalistic democracy anymore
The less you know, the more you believe.
-Bono
"Fascism in the 21st century"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/fascism-in-21st-century.html?spref=tw
President Woodrow Wilson; United States and World War I / Barack Obama; Ukraine, Russia, Syria etc..., 2014
"...At the outbreak of the war, the United States pursued a policy of non-intervention, avoiding conflict while trying to broker a peace. When a German U-boat sank the British liner RMS Lusitania on 7 May 1915 with 128 Americans among the dead, President Woodrow Wilson insisted that "America is too proud to fight" but demanded an end to attacks on passenger ships.
Wilson unsuccessfully tried to mediate a settlement.
...In January 1917, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, realizing it would mean American entry.
...The German Foreign Minister, in the Zimmermann Telegram, invited Mexico to join the war as Germany's ally against the United States. In return, the Germans would finance Mexico's war and help it recover the territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
...After the sinking of seven U.S. merchant ships by submarines and the publication of the Zimmerman telegram, Wilson called for war on Germany, which the U.S. Congress declared on 6 April 1917."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I
.
.
Afganistan.
Iraq.
Egypt.
Syria.
Turkey.
Thailand.
Africa.
Today; What appears to be the same thing, only different.
A US president who looks weak.
A foriegn power who has been appeased and doesn't seem to care about US or European response.
Currency debasement.
Economic stagnation.
Income inequality, created in many ways by the US printing money after 2008.
Food price inflation in Emerging Economies.
World wide social unrest.
Rising prices and unemployment for the middle and bottom.
Background;
ON Ukraine with Maps; Remember when Russia invaded Georgia during the Olympics?
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/on-ukraine-with-maps-remember-when.html
"The Math That Predicted The Revolutions Sweeping The Globe"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-math-that-predicted-revolutions.html
Rail Traffic is a Leading Economic Indicator
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/rail-traffic-is-leading-economic.html
"Wall Street high-tech/low-tech weapons used ...to control their casinos:"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/wall-street-high-techlow-tech-weapons.html
"The Merger of State and Commerce"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-merger-of-state-and-commerce.html
"Fascism in the 21st century"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/fascism-in-21st-century.html
"...45,000 [Chinese] mainlanders were seeking to emigrate to British Columbia alone, with an estimated minimum combined wealth of not less than ...$11.6 billion."
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/45000-chinese-mainlanders-were-seeking.html
"...the last (and only previous) time ...the US unemployment rate dropped from 10% to 6.6%, [was from June 1983 to December 1986]
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-last-and-only-previous-time-us.html
Courtesy of Goldman Sachs; The further the dot goes to the left, the more the global economy is slowing down
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/courtesy-of-goldman-sachs-further-dot.html
Margin Debt, 1990 - 2013
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/margin-debt-1990-2013.html
"The State of the Union is Crap"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-state-of-union-is-crap.html
If mold continues to multiply after eating half a piece of cheese, what happens when demand exceeds supply?
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/if-mold-continues-to-multiply-after.html
"Sun's Current Solar Activity Cycle Is Weakest in a Century" and bizarre correlations
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/12/suns-current-solar-activity-cycle-is.html
Wilson unsuccessfully tried to mediate a settlement.
...In January 1917, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, realizing it would mean American entry.
...The German Foreign Minister, in the Zimmermann Telegram, invited Mexico to join the war as Germany's ally against the United States. In return, the Germans would finance Mexico's war and help it recover the territories of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
...After the sinking of seven U.S. merchant ships by submarines and the publication of the Zimmerman telegram, Wilson called for war on Germany, which the U.S. Congress declared on 6 April 1917."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I
.
.
Afganistan.
Iraq.
Egypt.
Syria.
Turkey.
Thailand.
Africa.
Today; What appears to be the same thing, only different.
A US president who looks weak.
A foriegn power who has been appeased and doesn't seem to care about US or European response.
Currency debasement.
Economic stagnation.
Income inequality, created in many ways by the US printing money after 2008.
Food price inflation in Emerging Economies.
World wide social unrest.
Rising prices and unemployment for the middle and bottom.
Background;
ON Ukraine with Maps; Remember when Russia invaded Georgia during the Olympics?
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/on-ukraine-with-maps-remember-when.html
"The Math That Predicted The Revolutions Sweeping The Globe"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-math-that-predicted-revolutions.html
Rail Traffic is a Leading Economic Indicator
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/rail-traffic-is-leading-economic.html
"Wall Street high-tech/low-tech weapons used ...to control their casinos:"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/wall-street-high-techlow-tech-weapons.html
"The Merger of State and Commerce"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-merger-of-state-and-commerce.html
"Fascism in the 21st century"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/fascism-in-21st-century.html
"...45,000 [Chinese] mainlanders were seeking to emigrate to British Columbia alone, with an estimated minimum combined wealth of not less than ...$11.6 billion."
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/45000-chinese-mainlanders-were-seeking.html
"...the last (and only previous) time ...the US unemployment rate dropped from 10% to 6.6%, [was from June 1983 to December 1986]
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-last-and-only-previous-time-us.html
Courtesy of Goldman Sachs; The further the dot goes to the left, the more the global economy is slowing down
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/02/courtesy-of-goldman-sachs-further-dot.html
Margin Debt, 1990 - 2013
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/margin-debt-1990-2013.html
"The State of the Union is Crap"
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-state-of-union-is-crap.html
If mold continues to multiply after eating half a piece of cheese, what happens when demand exceeds supply?
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2014/01/if-mold-continues-to-multiply-after.html
"Sun's Current Solar Activity Cycle Is Weakest in a Century" and bizarre correlations
http://hartzman.blogspot.com/2013/12/suns-current-solar-activity-cycle-is.html
Tuesday's Greensboro City Council Agenda with Attachments; Tanger Center (GPAC) Contract
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=23218
Item 22 looks interesting.
The total investment looks like it dropped $1,000,000
.
.
Item 23; GPAC;
"CFGG on behalf of the Private Donors" means the Community Foundation will have no financial obligations to the center, but the Private Donors will use the building as collateral.
As more than two City of Greensboro employees have confirmed, this financing arrangement means the City will be responsible for any donor pledge shortfalls, as the Community Foundation will have legally washed their hands of any liability connected to the project.
Multiple City Council Members will not acknowledge this fact, as the Rhino's John Hammer disagreed as of Saturday afternoon at the Guilford County Republican Convention in a conversation with George Hartzman.
My guess is John never bothered to look at the small print, or is unable to discern the contents.
Multiple City of Greensboro executive staff members have not returned inquiries as to the veracity of the issues of the lack of Private Donor backing other than Greensboro's taxpayers, and the potential windfall for the CFGG.
Last year's City Council tried the same thing the day before the new City Council took over on an $8 million incentive for the downtown Wyndham.
Relatively the same thing happened only different on the Aquatic Center financing.
Specifically, I have been most disappointed by City Council member Mike Barber's lack of reply to my inquiries after the Council workshop session on the taxpayer liability on the financing issue and the clause in the memorandum concerning the Community Foundation's ability to acquire the entire $65 million facility at no cost or taxation to the Foundation;
According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the CFGG (Community Foundation) has no obligation withing the agreement, yet stands to inherit the $65 million facility at the behest of a stacked Council and non-profit board within 50 years of the agreement's initiation.
Mr. Barber doesn't seem to mind taxpayers taking a hit for more than the $30 million already pledged within the contract language, even though he is a practicing attorney and should know better.
Mr. Matheny doesn't seem to mind Greensboro taxpayers being liable for donor pledge or interest payment shortfalls, even though the city hasn't seen any legally binding pledges or the donor current investment information, and even though Mr. Matheny used to be a licensed financial adviser.
Mrs. Yvonne Johnson may vote for this structure, supposedly in return for more support of the Civil Rights Museum bailout going forward on top of what has already been improperly allocated via her ill advised advocacy, considering her ties to Skip Alston and Earl Jones.
Nancy Hoffmann appears certain to vote for her friends and her own profitability without telling the truth to her constituents, after taking multiple campaign contributions from some who will do very well as a result of her vote.
The Mayor of Greensboro appears to agree with this scheme.
I have not received any communications from the above City Council members or appropriate city staff concerning these issues, after several inquiries, phone messages and emails.
I believe Greensboro's taxpayers may be betrayed by the above individuals if this contract language is approved.
I believe this financing structure and Walker Sanders' CFGG give away language is blatantly dishonest.
I believe this deal is a potential rip off for Greensboro's taxpayers, with the unwilling or apathetic assent of some prominent local media organizations who have not bothered to find and report the details, or who just decided they want the center more than they feel obligated to tell the public the truth about the implications of some of our elected leader's potential actions Tuesday night.
Item 22 looks interesting.
The total investment looks like it dropped $1,000,000
.
.
Item 23; GPAC;
"CFGG on behalf of the Private Donors" means the Community Foundation will have no financial obligations to the center, but the Private Donors will use the building as collateral.
As more than two City of Greensboro employees have confirmed, this financing arrangement means the City will be responsible for any donor pledge shortfalls, as the Community Foundation will have legally washed their hands of any liability connected to the project.
Multiple City Council Members will not acknowledge this fact, as the Rhino's John Hammer disagreed as of Saturday afternoon at the Guilford County Republican Convention in a conversation with George Hartzman.
My guess is John never bothered to look at the small print, or is unable to discern the contents.
Multiple City of Greensboro executive staff members have not returned inquiries as to the veracity of the issues of the lack of Private Donor backing other than Greensboro's taxpayers, and the potential windfall for the CFGG.
Last year's City Council tried the same thing the day before the new City Council took over on an $8 million incentive for the downtown Wyndham.
Relatively the same thing happened only different on the Aquatic Center financing.
Specifically, I have been most disappointed by City Council member Mike Barber's lack of reply to my inquiries after the Council workshop session on the taxpayer liability on the financing issue and the clause in the memorandum concerning the Community Foundation's ability to acquire the entire $65 million facility at no cost or taxation to the Foundation;
According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the CFGG (Community Foundation) has no obligation withing the agreement, yet stands to inherit the $65 million facility at the behest of a stacked Council and non-profit board within 50 years of the agreement's initiation.
Mr. Barber doesn't seem to mind taxpayers taking a hit for more than the $30 million already pledged within the contract language, even though he is a practicing attorney and should know better.
Mr. Matheny doesn't seem to mind Greensboro taxpayers being liable for donor pledge or interest payment shortfalls, even though the city hasn't seen any legally binding pledges or the donor current investment information, and even though Mr. Matheny used to be a licensed financial adviser.
Mrs. Yvonne Johnson may vote for this structure, supposedly in return for more support of the Civil Rights Museum bailout going forward on top of what has already been improperly allocated via her ill advised advocacy, considering her ties to Skip Alston and Earl Jones.
Nancy Hoffmann appears certain to vote for her friends and her own profitability without telling the truth to her constituents, after taking multiple campaign contributions from some who will do very well as a result of her vote.
The Mayor of Greensboro appears to agree with this scheme.
I have not received any communications from the above City Council members or appropriate city staff concerning these issues, after several inquiries, phone messages and emails.
I believe Greensboro's taxpayers may be betrayed by the above individuals if this contract language is approved.
I believe this financing structure and Walker Sanders' CFGG give away language is blatantly dishonest.
I believe this deal is a potential rip off for Greensboro's taxpayers, with the unwilling or apathetic assent of some prominent local media organizations who have not bothered to find and report the details, or who just decided they want the center more than they feel obligated to tell the public the truth about the implications of some of our elected leader's potential actions Tuesday night.
3/2/14
A Comparison of Hartzman's Yes Weekly Column on the Civil Rights Museum and the News and Record's
You take the blue pill,
the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe.
You take the red pill,
you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.
Morpheus
The Matrix
"...As difficult a puzzle as the museum’s survival seems to be,
it’s actually simple: It starts with a clear plan."
"The ICRCM was deemed “High Risk”
by the City of Greensboro’s Internal Audit Division Civil Rights Museum Financial Review
as of April 30, 2013."
"The museum doesn't have one quite yet.
It does have the first draft of a “sustainability plan”
required by the city as a condition for a loan..."
"The sustainability plan that was received by the city
appears to be short on specifics and overly optimistic
in projecting how the museum will perform.
For instance, 2014 “Contributions/Membership” expectations
rise to $800,000 from $112,758 in 2013.
“Rental Income”, $35,957 in 2013, is projected to be $442,000 in 2014.
After receiving $35,130 in grants during 2013,
the museum expects $700,000 in 2014.
On “Special Event” revenue of $117,096 in 2013,
the plan projects $370,000 for 2014, and $825,000 in 2015."
"Some of its ideas are particularly sensible:
Hiring a development director and a marketing director.
For which the museum appears to not have the money to fund.
Reorganizing the board of directors and adding term limits."
"I believe Skip Alston and Earl Jones among others
need to legally step away from any interest in the museum,
and a non-connected chairperson installed.
As the Greensboro Four were college students,
NC A&T University student government association members
should be provided with permanent representation on the board."
George Hartzman, Yes Weekly, Wednesday, February 26, 2014
"Adding visiting exhibits and acquiring more documents and artifacts."
Doug and Allen
For which the museum appears to not have the money to fund.
"Revisiting a stalled commemorative coin proposal..."
Doug and Allen
I don't think the commemorative coin idea would sell very well
with the same folks in charge of the museum who ran it into the ground.
"Adding self-directed tours, which have been long-promised and long-delayed."
Doug and Allen
Anticipated 2013.....$375,561 tour revenue
Projected with Current and New Self Guided Tour Format beginning in 2015
within the museum's Sustainability Plan;
2014.....$400,000 Current Format Only
2015.....$950,000 Current and New Format - Really?
2016.....$1,050,000 - I believe this projection is highly unlikely
2017.....$1,150,000
"...as a practical matter it should wait until the museum is financially solvent.
While still relying on the kindness of ideologically divided taxpayers for help
seems a less-than-ideal time for the museum to possibly alienate some of them
with what could be seen as political advocacy.
Like allowing Skip and Earl to retain control?
...Now the key to keeping those doors open is by earning the public’s confidence and support."
Power in America…
is control of the means of communication.
Theodore White
Political Journalist
[No mention by any other local news reporting organizations about] "Shah-Khan determined that former mayor and current council member Yvonne Johnson did not have a conflict of interest on the museum vote, which involved fellow Simkins PAC and ICRCM members Alston and Jones. Johnson was listed as a manager on ICRCM documents, before having herself unlisted and then advocating for and voting on the “forgivable” loan."
Not to transmit an experience
is to betray it.
Elie Wiesel
[No mention by any other local news reporting organizations about] "If the city can’t get any of the money back, I believe Shah-Khan and some current City Council members may be partly responsible for losing $750,000 of everyone else’s money."
If they can get you asking the wrong questions,
they don't have to worry about answers.
Thomas Pynchon
"...Shah-Khan provided political cover for Robbie and Denise on this and other items, especially during the run up to a City Council election. Zack Matheny was reported to describe the events as an “absolute voter manipulation to try and get some people elected.”
[No mention by any other local news reporting organizations about] City Council needs to initiate a review of the tax credit structure, along with an accounting of how the monies acquired before the bailout were spent."
Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
Aldous Huxley
[No mention by any other local news reporting organizations about] "Only the obligations necessary to saving the museum should be paid for with tax dollars. The city could purchase the property and its contents for $1 if necessary, leaving the loans not tied to saving the facility or its contents in default..."
http://www.yesweekly.com/triad/article-17199-on-greensbororss-civil-rights-museum.html
Without censorship,
things can get terribly confused in the public mind.
William Westmoreland
American military commander, Vietnam, 1964 - 1968
US Army Chief of Staff, 1968 - 1972
Is there a correlation between acceptance of propaganda
and information consumption from what appears to be legitimate sources
with a track record of deleting news history from the public view?
Is Greensboro's communications/news/information dissemination industry
supposed to keep an eye on the government and its connected rent seekers for the people
or an eye on the people for the government and its cronies?
Did greed and/or fear and apathy lead some to believe the museum's finances were less risky
than they actually were and still are?
Have the few who control much dissemination of most local political opinion,
who enjoy relatively disproportionate levels of influence than the many who don’t
encumbered with track records of being pretty wrong about multiples of issues over the years?
Do many in Greensboro who read the News & Record's Editorial Board museum column
now think what the News & Record's Editorial Board and some others want them to think?
Pontius Pilate was the first great censor,
and Jesus Christ the first great victim of censorship.
Ben Lindsey
Should local opinion sources intentionally misrepresent or omit truth
in the interests of a select few who have more influence than most others?
Is it hard to get entrenched political leadership in Greensboro to understand,
if relative legitimacy with some constituents depends on not understanding?
Is it worse that Greensboro’s political and local opinion writers
didn't see the financial mess at the museum coming,
or that most of our elected leaders and city staff didn't know or didn't want to know,
or that some knew in the run up to the 2013 election the museum was financially unsustainable
and did the deal anyway while keeping the truth from the public,
or that some city staff and candidates who now share relatively high portions of blame,
left the same corrupt museum leadership in place
while espousing how responsible they have been to Greensboro's African American community
to win an election?
3/1/14
George Hartzman will be declaring endorsements for US House of Representative primary races in NC Districts 6 and 12
 |
| Purple = District 12........ Beige = District 6 |
US House of Representatives District 6 Seats to Fill: 1
Democrats;
Davis Bruce
Jamestown NC
Fjeld Laura
Hillsborough NC 27278
.
.
Republicans;
Berger Phil, Jr.
Eden NC 27289
Causey Mike
Greensboro NC 27401
Kopf Kenn
Jamestown NC 27282 2/18/2014
Matheny Zack
Greensboro NC 27408
Phillips Jeff
Jamestown NC 27282
Sutherland Charles
Mayodan NC 27027
VonCannon Bruce
Greensboro NC 27406
Walker Mark
Greensboro NC 27410
Webb Don
High Point NC 27262
 |
| https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/NC/6 |
.
US House of Representatives Unexpired 2012-14 Term Dist 12 Seats to Fill: 1
Democrats;
Adams Alma
Greensboro NC 27406
Battle George
Charlotte NC 28269
Brandon, Jr Marcus
Greensboro NC 27406
Graham Malcolm
Charlotte NC 28269
Mitchell James (Smuggie)
Charlotte NC 28269
Osborne Curtis C
Charlotte NC 28256
.
.
Republicans;
Coakley Vince
Charlotte NC 28269 2/24/2014
Threatt Leon
Matthews NC 28105
 |
| https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/NC/12 |
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