So somebody charged with stealing from one union has also been suspected of diverting/misusing the funds of another. Some would call these co-inky-dinks a red flag, but not the seemingly color-blind officials in the second union. A story worth watching as it unfolds further.
Author Archives: Dr. O
Petraeus Tragedy
Maureen Dowd captures the Petraeus mess–sad, tragic, even comic, yet real-world, an affair fueled by the same hubris so often center-stage in Washington’s policy games. Oh, and talk about a crush, I’m ready to pin up Dowd’s writing on my wall. I don’t always agree with her but passages such as “His fall started with Sophocles . . .” make my knees weak.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/14/opinion/dowd-reputation-reputation-reputation.html?smid=pl-share
Horse Breeder–Civil Servant
So to fund her horse-breeding activities, among other things, this woman stole $53 million from the 16,000 citizens of Dixon, Illinois, where she was comptroller. This equals $3300 from every man, woman and child–some probably distant relatives of Ronald Reagan, a Dixon native. “What’s wrong with small town financial controls?” you ask. Better question is “What financial controls?”
Shameless Plug–Nothing More
I don’t know what it is about seeing one’s name in print. Narcissism? NYPD oversight is eyed at panel discussion | Nation & World | The Seattle Times.
Lend This Man a Dime
Well, this lowly trader has to pony up $6 billion, having compromised his French bank’s trading systems six ways to Sunday on his way to wracking up huge losses. Maybe he can get a payday loan. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/business/global/court-in-france-upholds-kerviel-sentence-and-fine.html?smid=pl-share
Neither Fish Nor Fowl, Part II
In wartime or for overseas conflicts, national guard units get federalized but otherwise are state operations reporting to the governor–though commanding officers and most members generally have a strong U.S. military acculturation. These structural issues often leave the Guard in a twilight zone, where bad things can happen.
Experts: Arizona National Guard reform hard even with Brewer’s support.
Neither Fish Nor Fowl
So, perhaps. foul? When government starts running things like insurance, the corruption potential can rise as executives with fewer market constraints get to think and act like moguls, can dismiss internal critics and discuss deals over fancy meals at classy clubs.
TALLAHASSEE: Citizens eliminates ‘corporate integrity’ office – Florida – MiamiHerald.com.
Drug lab scandal Redux
Another imploding crime lab! So, again, convictions tied to bad practices will be vacated, and the innocent, as well as the truly guilty, will walk. Special courts to hear load of cases in drug lab scandal.
My Poor Old Pennsylvania Home!
So the average Pennsylvania township has a couple of thousand souls but self-governs. For many towns this arrangement is increasingly unsustainable as federal aid is cut and state-level tax slashing guts once-reliable sources of support for schools and roads and social safety nets. Yet service consolidations and mergers between jurisdictions are not only rare, but sometimes fail after the fact. Everybody loves their town! Struggles faced by small Pa. towns.
Self-Interested Professors?
So, says this Dean, more than the academic quality of community college courses is involved when transferring students arrive at a four year college only to discover that not all their courses count towards the bachelor’s degree. Faculty self-interest, helped along by an arcane credit system that dominates academic bean-counting, is also in play. Who’d a thunk? Don’t Forget Self-Interest… | Inside Higher Ed.