This link courtesy of Cathy Martin shows what happens in a bad economy when there is a surplus of out-of-work actors and video editors:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10202129812517526
Mezvinsky Clinton Corrupt Connection
Do you know this guy?
He is Edward “Ed” Mezvinsky, born January 17, 1937.
Then you’ll probably say, “Who is Ed Mezvinsky?”
Well, he is a former Democrat congressman who represented Iowa’s 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives for two terms, from 1973 to 1977.
He sat on the House Judiciary Committee that decided
the fate of Richard Nixon.
He was outspoken saying that Nixon was a crook and a disgrace to politics and the nation and should be impeached.
He and the Clintons were friends and very politically
intertwined for many years.
Ed Mezvinsky had an affair with NBC News reporter Marjorie Sue Margolies and later married her after his wife divorced him.
In 1993, Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, then a freshman Democrat in Congress, cast the deciding vote that got President Bill Clinton’s controversial tax package through the House of Representatives.
In March 2001, Mezvinsky was indicted and later pleaded guilty to 31 of 69 counts of bank fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud.
Ed Mezvinsky embezzled more than $10 million dollars from people via both a Ponzi scheme and the notorious Nigerian e-mail scams.
He was found guilty and sentenced to 80 months in federal prison.
After serving less than five years in federal prison, he was released in April 2008 and remains on federal probation.
To this day, he still owes $9.4 million in restitution to his victims.
About now you are saying, “So what!”
Well, this is Marc and Chelsea Mezvinsky.
That’s right; Ed Mezvinsky is Chelsea Clinton’s father-in law.
Now Marc and Chelsea are in their early thirties and purchased a 10.5 million dollar NYC apartment (after being married in George Soros’ mansion).
Has anyone heard mention of any of this in any of the media?
If this guy was Jenna or Barbara Bush’s, or better yet, Sarah Palin’s daughter’s father-in- law, the news would be an everyday headline and every detail would be reported over and over.
And yet liberals say there are no double standards in political reporting.
And people are already talking about Hillary as our next President!
And then there is possibly Chelsea for president in our future!
The cycle never ends!
Lying and corruption seem to make Democrat candidates more popular.
When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty. ~~ Thomas Jefferson
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
~ ~Abraham Lincoln
Mezvinsky Clinton Corrupt Connection
Hat tip Judy McGrane
HIV Explodes Says WHO
The World Health Organization (WHO) released a warning, July 11, that HIV infections are “exploding” among gay men.
The group is now 19 times more likely than the general population to be infected with HIV says Gottfreid Hirnschall of WHO.
The organization says that “transgender women” and injecting drug users are about 50 times more likely than the general population to get HIV.
WHO is recommending that all men who have sex with men to take antiretroviral drugs prophetically.
Here’s an outside-of-the-box suggestion: How about men just don’t have sex with men?
Hat tip Agence France Presse (AFP)
HIV Explodes Says WHO
Avrum Lapin Finding Emerging Donors
By Avrum Lapin
I am often surprised, even after three decades in the fundraising industry , by the often slow and resistant responses from many leading organizations in the Jewish community to the demands of the new circle of lead and major donors. Emanating from an ill – perceived notion of history and position, or from a sense of entitlement, many oganizations are slow to recognize that the emerging “class” of major donors – increasingly entrepreneurs and creators of ideas and solutions – is quite different from those who preceded them , and expect different things from the organizations and causes t hat they support.
Let me enumerate a few areas where things have continued to evolve and , in doing so, are transforming the narrative and many ways in which the nonprofit world functions and communicates.
1. Survival (or even existence) is not a goal. –Focus is on results Just because an organization exists does not automatically entitle it to support. Just because an organization has been around for a decade or a century no longer compels a donor to give. Donors are more interested in what you do, not so much that you have been doing it for years. The pace of change is so rapid today , and new actors pop up regularly and are aggressively competing for and entering the space historically occupied by traditional “ legacy” organizations. This phenomenon is happening largely because they tend to be more focused, they bring visions to the discussion that are contemporary , appealing and functional in today’s multi – channel world, and are more agile and less encumbered in their operations . Groups that do not see or resist this trend do so at their peril.
2. Loyalty is no longer the sole determinant of support We live in an increasingly competitive philanthropic marketplace – one that, as noted above, values outcomes , not only history or position. Understanding this should motivate organizations large and small to think about how they allocate resources and how that frames and communicates their “selling propositions.” And let’s stay with the notion of “selling.” We live increasingly in a transactional world, where value is determined by what you do, not only what you say you have done. And while we try not to be totally cynical, I am always struck by the number of times I see a prospective donor turn down a cause that should, by objective measure – including giving history, be a “slam dunk,” and who resists making the gift because of (lack of) efficiency, mission creep, market share, etc. Connecting with Major Donors
3. Bang for the Buck – Investing Charitable Dollars I was approached recently by a major donor at the close of a n event who asked me about my thoughts regarding the consolidation of asks for related organizations that occupy the same or overlapping program space . He complained that they were competing for resources, potentially diminishing the impact of the dollars that were donated to achieve a goal – not just support an organization. My response was the following: what was historically called the charitable are na has become the philanthropic marketplace , and that as a marketplace it is increasingly a venue where ideas compete and organizations were being rewarded at the intersection of relationship and results , not on relationship and history alone.
He went on to ask if I thought that we could create an appeal that would raise funds to achieve a goal and a solution, not necessarily fund a particular organization, and decide as part of the activity where the funds would be directed. He felt that the diminishment of loyalty and the focus on results would make it successful. I am thinking about it as well. In this vein, I also reiterate something that I have written and spoken about for years…the need for all successful nonprofits to invest energy and purpose in a business plan. This dynamic document concretizes the vision and makes it actionable financially. It demonstrates, with accountability, how it that vision would be realized and implemented over the ensuing months and years, with programmatic and financial milestones, deliverables and projected outcomes. And it would meet the expectations of many of today’s emerging major donors who seek to use their philanthropy to “invest” rather than just to “give.” While the functional end product for the organization may be the same – at least for the time being , the prompt for the donor is quite different. They want to see something happen rather than just funding an organization to do something.
Today’s emerging major donor is stepping up to leadership at a time w here the marketplace is still governed to some degree by uncertainty. This drives the expectation that, while they are prepared to be charitable, they want to see their money work and put to good and productive use. Successful nonprofits today must accommodate this imperative because it is not going away; in fact it is intensifying and becoming ever sharper. We therefore encourage our friends , many of who m lead very important organizations throughout the nonprofit world, to embrace this challenge. To continue to expect support because you believe that you should have it simply won’t work anymore.
Avrum Lapin is the President at The Lapin Group , LLC, a prominent fundraising consulting firm located in suburban Philadelphia
Finding Emerging Donors
Public Unions Why State Suffers
Scott Wagner, the Tea Party candidate who spanked the GOP establishment to win a special election, March 18, to represent the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate sent out this message on July 10 concerning the state’s budget problems.
Yes, he included the Pennsylvania State Educational Association content that was “intended for use by PSEA members and their immediate families” LOL.
Good job Scott.
(Ed note: the link above takes you to Sen. Wagner’s Wikipedia entry which says he was “born in 1955 or 1956”. A man of mystery is he it seems.)
Good Afternoon –
I would like to give all of you an update on the budget process in Harrisburg.
I am asked repeatedly why nothing has gotten done in Harrisburg.
Here is the number one reason: The Public Sector Unions.
Of the public sector unions, the PSEA (Pennsylvania State Education Association – teacher’s union) is the most powerful union in Harrisburg.
This morning at a press conference, Governor Corbett announced he signed the 2014-2015 budget. He announced that he is blue lining parts of the budget, which would stop funding increases to the legislature.
It is a tragedy that with a Republican Governor, Republican Senate and Republican House that paycheck protection, pension reform, liquor privatization and property tax reform did not get passed.
Below is an email from the PSEA President, Mike Crossey, claiming victory over the defeat of these much needed reforms that I have been fighting for in Harrisburg.
This is a slap in the face for every taxpayer.
By sending this email out on July 3rd, 2014, the PSEA has declared war on Pennsylvania Taxpayers.
I have a lot of respect for teachers and for the job they do educating our children. I have friends who are teachers and I genuinely believe they are good people, but they have no idea who they’re being represented by and how their dues are being spent.
Government Unions Use Dues For Politics.
Government unions spend dues money on mailers in support of candidates, lobbying, and TV and radio ads.
The PSEA sent mailers to Pennsylvania voters endorsing Barack Obama in the last Presidential election.
The PSEA has sent newsletters mocking Governor Corbett to fundraise for its PAC.
In fact some PSEA union members may be outraged to know that some of their dues were sent to Wisconsin to support the recall of Gov. Scott Walker.
The PSEA has over 185,000 members and will collect almost $100,000,000 (100 million) in dues from it’s members in 2014 through the use of taxpayer resources. That is what we’re up against in Harrisburg.
Since I took office, I have been asked repeatedly if I am getting frustrated. I give every person the same answer: I do not get frustrated, I get more motivated.
It is emails like this that fuel my fire to keep fighting for you, the taxpayers, in Harrisburg.
I ask that you share this email with as many people as you know in Pennsylvania.
Thank you,
Scott Wagner
From: Mike Crossey <noreply@psea.org>;
Subject: State budget scorecard – YOU made the DIFFERENCE
Sent: Thu, Jul 3, 2014 6:24:08 PM
To ensure that this newsletter is delivered to your inbox, add noreply@psea.org to your address book
State Budget Scorecard: YOU made the DIFFERENCE
Once again, Gov. Tom Corbett and his legislative allies attempted to ram through a range of attacks on our schools, our students, and our profession, along with the state budget. Thanks to the tireless advocacy and resolve of PSEA members like YOU, we were able to beat back the worst of them.
There remains no doubt that we need to send Tom Corbett packing in the fall and elect Tom Wolf as our next governor to win much-needed victories for public education. As governor, Tom Wolf will reverse Gov. Corbett’s nearly $1 billion in school funding cuts, protect our jobs, and defend the pensions we’ve earned and paid for.
You have done an outstanding job of speaking up for public education, and, believe me, legislators are listening. Thousands of your emails, your calls, and your letters made it clear that educators and support professionals oppose these attacks and that legislators have an obligation to protect our public schools and the students who learn there.
Thank you for all you do each and every day.
Here is a look at what your advocacy has accomplished:
Pensions: Gov. Corbett made a strong push for passage of a pension proposal that fails to fix the problems that need fixing. Pension experts said the plan, sponsored by Rep. Mike Tobash, would NOT save the pension system much money or help balance the budget but would make drastic cuts to retirement benefits for younger teachers, bus drivers, nurses, and other public employees.
The result: REJECTED.
Even when Gov. Corbett threatened to take hostages – school funding for Philadelphia and the budget itself – in order to get this bad pension bill passed, lawmakers from both parties stood on principle and refused to give in. In the end, leaders in both the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate adjourned for the summer without voting on it. In the words of Republican Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, there were “too many unanswered questions about this proposal.”
This happened because of YOU.
You called and emailed your lawmakers to tell them that this pension plan fails to address the real problem – the cost of paying the debt that employers now owe after putting their pension payments on a credit card over a decade ago, while you continued to make your full contributions.
School funding and the state budget: This year marked one of the most difficult state budget debates we have faced in years. A $1.5 billion funding gap threatened to erase even the modest increases in school funding that lawmakers were proposing.
The result: ADOPTED – BUT AWAITING GOV. CORBETT’S SIGNATURE.
The House and Senate sent a budget to Gov. Corbett on June 30 that takes a small step in the right direction by increasing education funding, but much more needs to be done to reverse Gov. Corbett’s nearly $1 billion in cuts to public school classrooms.
Unfortunately, the largest chunk of new school funding in the budget, $100 million, will be distributed with strings attached through the Governor’s “Ready to Learn” block grant. However, we succeeded in loosening many of the strings Gov. Corbett wanted to attach to the use of these grant funds, making the program more flexible and effective for school districts.
This budget also skirts the most difficult decisions by raiding special funds, using a variety of accounting gimmicks, and inflating next year’s revenue estimates. It is a testament to why we need Tom Wolf in the Governor’s Office, so that we can build a budget that relies less on short-term budget fixes and more on long-term, fair, and sustainable revenues.
What happens next remains to be seen. Gov. Corbett has so far refused to sign the budget, citing his disappointment that the Legislature has not adopted a flawed pension bill. During a July 2 press conference, he said that he was still considering all his options, including a veto of the budget.
Payroll deduction: Right-wing groups spent an incredible amount of time and money over the past five months attacking our right to pay association dues through voluntary payroll deductions. In the waning days of the summer session, a group of legislators made a last-ditch effort to force a vote on this bill.
The result: REJECTED.
When it counted, you flooded the General Assembly with letters, phone calls, and emails calling out this campaign for what it really is: a politically driven attack aimed at bullying middle-class Pennsylvanians like us. You explained how it unfairly singled out teachers, nurses, and public safety workers by prohibiting their voluntary payroll deductions – but continued to allow deductions that go to insurance companies, big banks, and financial companies.
In the end, neither the House nor the Senate had the votes to get it done.
Teacher furloughs: Legislators in the House tried to advance a bill that would give Pennsylvania school boards free reign to furlough you and your colleagues at will without regard to seniority.
The result: REJECTED.
Special interest groups, with the backing of deep-pocketed corporate donors, tried to use Pennsylvania’s school funding crisis to take away our seniority protections. Their bill would have allowed school boards to furlough employees for economic reasons and tie furloughs to the new educator evaluation system that has not even been fully implemented yet.
You fought back, telling your lawmakers to focus on finalizing a state budget rather than making it easier to fire good teachers. The bill languished in committee.
The Senate is scheduled to return for a brief voting session on Tuesday, July 8, and is expected to take up the following issues:
Special education: Lawmakers have spent several months debating legislation that enacts a new special education funding formula, based on the recommendations of a bipartisan legislative commission that received input from parents, educators, and special education experts, including PSEA.
The result: APPROVED IN HOUSE; AWAITING SENATE ACTION AND GOV. CORBETT’S SIGNATURE.
The House passed the new formula, providing a fair and equitable distribution of special education funding that more closely reflects the actual costs of educating students with special needs. The budget also includes a $20 million increase in special education funds – after six years of flat funding and rising costs for school districts.
Charter school pension double dip: Since the charter school law passed in 1997, school districts have been required to include in their payments to charter and cyber school operators an amount equal to 100 percent of a charter’s employee pension costs. On top of this, charter operators receive a reimbursement from the state for 50 percent of pension costs. This means that charter school operators get paid twice.
The result: APPROVED IN HOUSE; AWAITING SENATE ACTION AND GOV. CORBETT’S SIGNATURE.
The House put an end to the pension double dip for charter operators in a companion bill to the budget.
How did PSEA end this contentious legislative session with so many victories? Because YOU spoke out. And legislators listened.
We have more work to do in the months and years ahead. But, if we keep making our voices heard, we will WIN.
Contribute to the ‘Defeat Tom Corbett’ Fund
Let’s make sure this budget is Gov. Corbett’s last.
From pensions to school funding to the future of our profession, Gov. Corbett has pushed for policies that will take Pennsylvania in the wrong direction. It is time to say enough is enough.
We need every member to go All In to defeat Tom Corbett and elect Tom Wolf, who will be a pro-public education governor. This is not an election to take for granted. Gov. Corbett’s re-election campaign will have the backing of deep-pocketed corporate donors and anti-public education groups.
Every dollar you contribute to PSEA-PACE will go directly to defeating Gov. Corbett in November and electing pro-public education candidates. Remember, no dues dollars go to PSEA-PACE, and contributions are voluntary.
Just as important, remember this: Your contribution makes a difference. Nov. 4 is only 123 days away.
Please contribute today.
Get ready for Gettysburg
There are just over two weeks to go until PSEA’s Summer Leadership Conference gets under way in Gettysburg. For those of you who are registered, get ready to spend a week learning innovative skills that will help you become a stronger leader in your local.
This year’s conference runs from July 20-24. Built around a theme of “Effective Leadership… Protecting and Preserving Public Education,” the conference combines learning with fun and is intended to generate the enthusiasm and camaraderie that is vital to good leadership and strong, effective locals.
Check out the Summer Leadership Conference web page for conference materials, including the conference schedule and information on how you can earn three graduate credits and 90 Act 48 hours from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In the coming weeks, you will also find more information about the popular Gburg PSEA mobile app.
Partners for Public Education helps parents understand Keystone Exam remediation
Many of you have made efforts in your schools over the past year to educate parents about the Keystone Exam requirements. At PSEA, we are also doing our part to help parents understand what’s at stake and how they can help their students prepare for the tests and improve their scores.
In the June issue of Partners Post, our sister publication for Partners for Public Education, we offer on overview of these end-of-course tests, including the supplemental instruction available to any student who fails an exam or a part of an exam in any of the three subjects – algebra, biology, and English literature. Check out the post at the Partners web site.
Anyone can join Partners for Public Education for free and receive the monthly Partners Postemail newsletter, full of valuable education news, tips for parents, and information on discounts at stores and restaurants.
Do you have friends, family, or neighbors who might want to become Partners? Tell them about it. Invite them to become a Partner for Public Education today and to Like the Partners’ Facebook Page.
Save some dough on your summer fun
Planning to take any day trips, family outings, or a big vacation this summer? Whether you’re planning some fun in the sun or to cool off indoors, PSEA’s Member Benefits can help you save big on a range of entertainment and recreation opportunities.
Save on admission to big theme parks like Six Flags and Sesame Place, get discounts on car rentals and hotel rooms, and find savings at museums, zoos, and countless other attractions near you.
To learn more, go to www.psea.org/mb/.
Note: This content is intended for use by PSEA members and their immediate families. PSEA-PACE supports friends of education in state and local elections. Contributions to PSEA-PACE are voluntary and members have the right to refuse to contribute without reprisal. A member may contribute more or less than the suggested amount, or not contribute, without it affecting his or her membership status, rights, or benefits in NEA, PSEA or any of PSEA’s affiliates.
Contributions to PSEA-PACE are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal or state income tax purposes. Only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents may contribute to PACE. No dues dollars can be given to political candidates.
Public Unions Why State Suffers
Overspending Bugs Moms
Moms say overspending on unplanned items are the most frustrating part of shopping with or for their family reports eMarketerer.com.
Overspending Bugs Moms
America Movie Oscar Pedigree
Maybe Hollywood is finally waking up. Dinesh D’Souza’s sleeper hit America: Imagine a World Without Her has a pretty good Oscar Pedigree with Gerald Molen, who produced Schindler’s List and co-produced Rain Man, as producer and Gray Frederickson, who produced The Godfather and the Godfather Part II and Apocalypse Now as associate producer.
Frederickson describes what some are thinking in this article on Breitbart.com.
If you are interested in seeing America: Imagine a World Without Her here is where it is playing in Philadelphia’s western suburbs.
FYI, it appears that Costco’s decision to pull the movie’s book companion from its stories was political.
Costco has been been a big donor to Obama whom the book and movie harshly criticize.
Did you know one needs a photo ID to get into a Costco? Of course, it’s not like one is trying to vote or anything.
America Movie Oscar Pedigree
VA Website Never Updated
The Department of Veterans Affairs has not updated its website concerning testimony before Congress since March 21, 2011 albeit clicking the link “Complete List of VA Testimony before Congressional Committees” will take one to Dec. 2, 2011.
Further, the VA has not updated its veterans legislation page since the 111th Congress which was in session 2009-2010.
Wonder why is that.
We discovered this strange change of policy while searching for Carolyn Lerner’s testimony before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee on July 8.
Ms. Lerner heads the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. She testified that her office was examining 67 claims of retaliation by VA supervisors against employees who filed whistleblower complaints. She said that they have come from 28 states and 45 separate facilities, and are still coming in daily. She said there has been 25 complaints filed since June 1.
This is a serious scandal. That it is seriously under-reported is as big a scandal.
Fortunately you can find her testimony on C-Span as per below:
Hat tip Rodrigo Sermeño at PJMedia.com
VA Website Never Updated
John Fund Independence Hall Speaker, Ukrainians Honored
By Teri Adams
Independence Day, 2014, proved to be a terrific anniversary year in two ways–the film America was introduced into the popular culture and, on a smaller, yet not insignificant note, the Independence Hall Foundation held its first July 4th event.
The Independence Hall Foundation offered an alternative ceremony on Independence Mall for those who would prefer to celebrate their July 4th with folks who truly believe in the blessings and greatness of America, and are not bashful about it.
While the official Philadelphia celebration included Vice President Joe Biden, along with Mayor Michael Nutter –and scant reference to, and praise of, our founding Fathers and Mothers–the Foundation’s Endowed by Our Creator July 4th Celebration featured WPHT talk-show hostDom Giordano, John Fund of the Wall Street Journal, and PA State Representative Richard Saccone, whose powerful messages saluted both the Declaration of Independence and the Founders.
(To read the highlights of the Biden/Nutter remarks, visit here)
The Foundation presented its 2014 Defender of Liberty Award to the Ukrainian People for their struggle against all odds to maintain their independence, just as our founding fathers and mothers did in 1776.
An emotional Natalia Shyrba, a leader of Razom for Ukraine, accepted the award on behalf of her compatriots.
The Foundation supports the right of the Ukrainian people to defend their national integrity and it encourages the US Government and NATO to supply Ukrainian Freedom Fighters with the weapons and other critical supplies they need to defend their nation’s Independence.
Last September, on the eve of the first anniversary of 2012 Benghazi Embassy attack, the Foundation named the four victims–US Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and Tyrone Woods–as recipients of its 2013 Defender of Liberty Award.
In addition, the Foundation honored JD Mullane with the 2013 Franklin Award for Courageous Journalism; Donald Coughlan, with the 2014 George Washington Leadership Award; and Maria Hyland with the 2014 Betsy Ross Activist of the Year Award.
The Reverend Jesse Woods opened the event with a stirring prayer and Tory McClintock provided a moving rendition of the Declaration of Independence.
Megan Rath was on hand to welcome folks to Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District and Jeff Bell stopped by to discuss matters important to New Jersey and our nation.
As well, the Whitehall Guard Fife and Drum turned in a stellar performance–and Anna Little lit up the room with her inspired singing of The Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America.
The Foundation thanks presenters Brandon Posner, Carol Klein, Cort Rosholt and its terrific volunteers!
On a final note, the Foundation wishes to express its deepest appreciation to a very thoughtful and generous benefactor (who wishes to remain anonymous) for offering crucial financial assistance in the 11th hour of this program.
The unsolicited donation was a remarkable blessing that will never be forgotten!
John Fund Independence Hall Speaker
Pennsylvania Best Views
Boathouse Row in Philadelphia is among the 13 best views in Pennsylvania
Marcus Schneck of PennLive has a great article listing 13 places that must be seen to be believed right here in The Keystone State.
The only one in the southeast he cited was Boathouse Row but most are just a few hours away to be seen and it is worth seeing them.
Pennsylvania is an underrated place for natural beauty, albeit we occasionally get the credit that we deserve. In 2009, National Geographic listed The Brandywine Valley Drive which included parts of Delaware and Chester counties as among its 50 greatest scenic routes.
Kudos Marcus
Hat tip Sen. Pat Toomey.