A New York Mansion is set to be sold after it was seized. Why? The owner acquired the mansion after perpetrating one of the largest ponzie schemes in history. The mansion will help satisfy a tiny portion of the billions owed thousands of investors cheated out of a fortune. As much as 65 billion dollars could be missing, though regulators who failed to catch on to the ponzi scheme for years estimate the loss at about 18 billion dollars.
Peter Maddoff is the brother to Bernard Maddoff of the Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC. Regulators suspect the penny stock firm created by Madoff may never have been legitimate. At the least, the company has been defrauding it's investors since the early 1990's.
Maldoff Mansion, retouched
For his role in the scheme, Peter Maddoff received a 10 year prison sentence. He pled guilty to a series of charges including falsifying documents and lying to investors. He agreed to forfeit his assets as part of the short 10 years he is scheduled to serve in prison. Bernard Maddoff received a much tougher sentence, 150 years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed.
Maldoff Mansion retouched
The U.S. Marshall's service, the agency in charge of seizing assets, is seeking the highest buck possible from the sale of the mansion located 34 Pheasant Run in Old Westbury on Long Island Sound.
Maldoff Mansion retouched
The property sports a two bedroom pool house, tennis courts, a winding lane entering the property and of course the white mansion proper. The asking price is $4.495 million. Presumably, the next buyer won't have acquired the money by bilking thousands of people out of their hard earned savings.
Denver, CO. Elizabeth Hammel gave a good run down on the immigration reform plan in front of Congress. Hammel is an organizer of Rights For All People (RAP) or Derechos Para Todos, in Spanish. Hammel appeared on the radio program Un Dia Sin Fronteras/Podemos Mejorar with Tim Paynter and Willie Rouge.
According to Hammel, over 300 proposed amendments are in front of Congress. There are so many amendments it is hard to keep up with them. Some amendments would prevent immigrants from ever becoming citizens. Others would expand the Dream Act to include people who go to school but miss the arrival deadline requiring they arrived in the U.S. before age 16 and are not over the age of 30.
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Hammel said RAP is a local organization in Aurora, Colorado, which works mostly on local issues affecting the immigrant community. For example, RAP went to bat for immigrants with the Aurora Police Department, seeking to end the arrest for driving without a license which leads to many deportations. Most citizens only get a ticket for the same offense.
While local issues are important, Hammel said the most important issue to RAP members is immigration reform. Hammel and other organizers work with a team of immigrants and allies to insure just treatment in the legal and civil systems.
Hammel said RAP is seeking new members and the price is right. A small $15.00 donation is all it takes to become a member. Anyone can join. Hammel asked people to call the RAP office at 1400 Dayton St. Denver, CO 80010 for more information or an opportunity to become a member. Please call 303-893-3500. Tell 'em you heard it from Tim Paynter!
Computer Programmer gets 15 years for setting up wireless internet.
The third world is desperately in need of a country which can serve as a model for it's people. Many countries have tried, including Venezuela and Cuba. Unfortunately, Cuban leaders continue to cast darkness over the island by keeping their people away from all media sources not approved by the state and by unjust imprisonment of anyone who attempts to give Cubans access to the free press.
Computer programmer Allen Gross brought a hi-tech computer system into the country. His goal was to establish an internet system for the Jewish community living in Cuba. Little did Gross realize how the Cuban government would look upon a stranger bringing Cubans access to a free world wi-fi hot-spot.
Gross brought with him a satellite telephone which he could link to his computer. The 9201 Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) kit allowed the computer to connect to the internet which gives you access to this story. With the computer acting as a hub for a hot spot, some Cuban citizens could finally read the Wall Street Journal,http://www.wikipedia.org and anything else they wanted to research. Cubans could also gain access to points of view which are contrary to state controlled media.
Gross insists that was not his intention.
Gross Stated: I have never, would never, and will never purposely or knowingly do anything personally or professionally to subvert a government or political system, or bring harm to anyone ... How any sovereign nation, other than the U.S., governs itself is not my business, nor is it my practice or business to express an opinion about the government of any country in which I am a guest.” -- Alan Gross, March 4, 2011
Cuba has had 50 years to convince it's people one government, one party, and "the revolution" is all that counts. If their concept of the state owning nearly everything and controlling everything is so beneficial, then they should have no fear if their people have free access to information. The philosophy will win out. If the people choose an alternative government structure, as altruistic stewards of the country, the ruling class should go along. Perhaps there was a time when a military government had to make tough decisions in Cuba. That time has passed.
The truth is, Cuba's embargo of free thinking and free ideas has been as destructive to the Cuban people as the embargo of tangible goods and services by the free world.
Many countries are willing to trade with Cuba. When President Barak Obama was elected as president, there was even a strong thaw of U.S. Cuban relations. After taking a major step forward, Cuban authorities shut the door by arresting a Jewish computer programmer who wanted to establish internet for the Jewish community living in Cuba.
The country of Cuba makes a perfect example of what is the matter with Communism. All communistic states are mortally afraid of the truth. Anyone who speaks against the state is at risk for immediate arrest. In Allen's case, to set up a computer network, or import a video camera, was construed to be plotting against the "revolution".
Revolutions are sometimes good things. When revolution leads to the shattering of personal freedom and loss of the inalienable right to investigate information, it is a revolution with a bad ending. Cuba could be the leader of the third world in establishing a place where free thinking and free people choose what is best for themselves.
However, when people don't have free access to information, then they are not free to make their own decisions. Certainly, the U.S. embargo has not helped the economy of Cuba. Now, the biggest obstacle to Cuba normalizing relations and serving as a leader of the third world countries are the people in power who destroy civil liberty.
What Allen Gross was trying to do is nothing more than a Starbucks Coffee or any internet cafe might try to do. Creating internet networks in Cuba without first giving the STATE complete control over what can be seen on those networks is what got Allen 15 years in a hell hole in Cuba. For each person Cuba grabs off of the street, to be held hostage and used as a pawn, Cuba imprisons herself in fear, in lost tourist dollars, in icy relations with a country 90 miles off her coast that could be a big help to Cuba.
The Cuban government is taking glee over the lawsuit filed on behalf of Allen Gross against the company which sent Gross to Cuba. A large settlement was reportedly made for sending Gross into a hostile country without warning him of the risks.
It is always the last laugh that counts. Real progress can be made with President Barack Obama, but not with Cuba jeering at the imprisonment and lawsuit. If Cuba waits until conservative thinkers are swept into office, their chances of normalizing relations and moving their people ahead, could be lost for years.
Picture courtesy of Capitol Hill Cubans
Cuba is lost in it's past with a revolution that is 50 years old. When Cuba allows the light of knowledge to take the island out of darkness, there is a future. Meanwhile, the hostage Cuba took is in failing health and of no value dead. Cuba's actions put all travelers on notice, don't bring wireless hotspots to Cuba. In fact, this is a place tourists should avoid for fear of being made the hostage of a regime whose resentments continue to fester at the expense of the Cuban people.
I was at the Goodwill in Glendale, Colorado. I spotted a Porsche Boxster in the parking lot! Wow! I always wanted one of those but could never afford one. Then I started to wonder, who was driving that car? So I waited outside to find out.
A few minutes later a gorgeous young gal came sashaying out of Goodwill, got into her new boxster and drove away! When she spotted my camera she hit the gas! You can hear her racing through the gears as she races down the street and turns the corner, barely stopping for the stop sign.
When she goes to parties I bet her friends are green with envy!
"Wonder where she bought that dress!" one might think.
"Wow, wish I could afford a dress like that one!" Another might say.
Little do they know, the dress probably cost $40 bucks at the used clothes store, bed bugs and all!
I wish this person the best as I wish all people the best. I never resent people because they have more than me or have been more fortunate than me. Instead, I hope a long lost rich uncle will remember me one day. Not going to happen! At least I know where the rich go shopping!
Washington D.C. - The Senate Judiciary Committee continues to mark up the document which took eight senators several years to create. The Senate will continue it's overview of S.744.
This section deals with Title Four, mostly relating to non-immigrant visas. This section of the new immigration law will affect non-immigrant, temporary visas, especially relating to high and less skilled workers, as well as programs to encourage investment and growth.
At the heart of the issue is how the U.S. can supply the expected need for immigrant workers without placing existing workers at risk. While it is important to insure basic wage rates remain fair, it is also important to meet the technological and labor challengers of the nation as the baby boom heads for retirement.
It is difficult to set exact levels for visas because no one can predict our future needs exactly. At some points the economy expands, then contracts, with each cycle requiring more or fewer workers. Whatever system is proposed should keep this goal in mind.
Border Agent Found Not Guilty
Luis Fonseca is a border agent for the Imperial Beach, CA branch of the Border Patrol. Fonseca was processing an immigrant, Adolfo Cejas Espinoza, in the Imperial Branch Office. At one point, Fonseca approaches Cejas and allegedly knees him, strangles him then kicks him.
Apparently, the security camera at the BP office is not monitored. No one seemed to know anything about the alleged abuse. However, after Cejas was deported, he was arrested attempting to cross the border. At the time of the arrest, he was interviewed and conveyed an incredible story about the strangling and kneeing by Agent Fonseca.
After reviewing the case, in a rare moment of protecting immigrants in custody, the U.S. Attorney's office filed charges. Fonseca went to trial and was found NOT guilty. The jury relied upon medical evidence by a doctor, along with other agents who indicated Fonseca was doing as he was trained to do.
Fonseca During Trial
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Always under the law, there is a difference between "not guilty" and "innocent". A not guilty verdict means the jury fulfilled it's duty to construe the evidence in the most favorable light of the defendant. All defendants have this basic right. Fonseca claimed Adolfo Cejas failed to follow basic commands and he had to nip the problem in the bud immediately to continue control. However, that does not mean they are innocent of the crime. It only means there was not enough evidence to convict them.
The Border Patrol is under scrutiny for abusive tactics. Immigrants have been reporting incidents of being roughed up by patrol agents for years. Rarely is there a camera in the field to catch abuses. Moreover, some in the Border Patrol maintain kneeing and body blows are appropriate to maintain control of prisoners. Perhaps they are right. As far as we know, water torture is still considered "non-torture" for the lost souls in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In comparison, Fonseca's Actions are child's play.
More likely, the U.S. must set it's policy on how we treat people we are going to export to another land. If they feel they were fairly treated, if they feel they got a fair shake, most return without ill feelings. However, those who return to their homelands with a grudge against the U.S. become potential terrorist recruits. That is why not forcing immigrants into long and painful poses, or delivery body blows or even choking the person, are important factors in the war against the next suicide bomber.
Pistol found at San Francisco Airport First Week May 2013
Denver, Co. Airline passengers carry the strangest things sometimes. Most people know they are likely to pass through a scanner so sensitive the person monitoring that scanner will see every intimate detail of the passenger's most private spaces, or is that "parts". If they can see how big or small a man is, I presume you follow what I mean, the average clown should deduce the TSA agent is going to see something generally much larger, like a pistol. Yet, this week alone, TSA screeners found a record 50 guns, 45 of which were loaded!
At Denver, International, for example, a stun gun and a deadly sword were found in the possession of two different passengers during the week. We are not sure what excuse the person with the stun gun had, but apparently, the female passenger carrying the concealed dagger big enough to make the Emperor of Japan proud, didn't even know the cane she carried concealed the sword. At least that is what the passenger said.
Two cannister of black powder weighing a pound each
were found at the Honolulu, HI TSA checkpoint.
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When traveling by airline, it is your obligation to know what is concealed in your things. It is also your obligation to 'not forget' when carrying something that could be taken from you and used to turn an airplane ride into a nightmare. That includes any kind of teargas, weapons, bullets, gun powder and belt knives, all of which were found during this past week at International Airports around the country
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The cane on the far right and the belt knife on the left were found at Denver, International, this week. The dagger at top was found at Washington, Dulles, International, one of the brass knuckle knives was found at LaGuardia in New York and Salt Lake City international. The dagger was found at Denver.
These items are considered in your possession even if they are in your luggage. While you may be able to carry some of the items in your luggage, so long as you declare them to the airline, other items are just better left with your spouse where they will be safe. That is a good way for the passenger to avoid spending hours in an airport holding cell waiting to explain how it is he or she was in possession of deadly items at a sensitive point like an airport.
The NEX 7 Is A Killer Camera!
If these are your kind of toys, leaving these things at home is also a good way to keep your fellow passengers from hating you for sending TSA staff into panic. Long delays for everyone are not unusual when explosive material and hand guns are found. Photos courtesy of the TSA and some fairly forgetful or foolish passengers.
