From AOL:

Former President Bill Clinton approached Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Penn.) at the request of the White House to suggest that the congressman drop his Senate bid in exchange for a position in the Obama administration.

The revelation is in a report by Bob Bauer, the White House counsel, who conducted an internal investigation into the matter. Despite the information about Clinton’s efforts, Bauer states definitively, “We have concluded that allegations of improper conduct rest on factual errors and lack a basis in the law.” …

Click here to read the full article.

From NEWSMAX / AP:

The American military death toll in Afghanistan surpassed 1,000 at a time when President Barack Obama’s strategy to turn back the Taliban is facing its greatest test — an ambitious campaign to win over a disgruntled population in the insurgents’ southern heartland.

More casualties are expected when the campaign kicks into high gear this summer. The results may determine the outcome of a nearly nine-year conflict that became “Obama’s war” after he decided to shift the fight against Islamist militancy from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan, where Afghan insurgents find sanctuary…

Click here to read the full article.

From the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER:

Despite a rough start, Pennsylvania’s tax-amnesty program is worth the effort.

The state is giving tax cheats until June 18 to pay up. Revenue Secretary Daniel Hassell told the Inquirer Editorial Board that 26,000 filers have come forward to date with plans to pay more than $40 million in taxes owed.

State officials hope to recoup $190 million, money that’s badly needed to help plug a budget deficit of more than $1 billion. Overall, the state is owed more than $2 billion in delinquent taxes.

More businesses and individuals should take this rare opportunity to settle up with the state, no questions asked. The state is forgiving all penalties and half of the interest owed. The last amnesty program occurred in 1995-96 under Gov. Tom Ridge…

Click here to read the full article.

Associated Press: Gov. Ed Rendell acknowledged Thursday that his plan to reduce Pennsylvania’s sales tax and boost revenue by extending it to more goods and services is doomed – at least in this election year.

“It’s just very complex and you’d be stepping on the toes of a lot of special interests. I don’t think there’s an appetite to do that this year,” the Democrat said at a Capitol news briefing…

The sales-tax overhaul, expected to generate more than $850 million, had been the centerpiece of a larger package of tax changes.

Article “PAM declares itself bankrupt” goes on to remark “Finally, the new board and [Executive Director Thomas F. ] Godfrey have questions about the moves made in December by the earlier board.”

WATCHDOG: Talk about locking the barn door after the animals are out!

The “moves” have to do with PAM’s prior board turning the academy’s main  building over to UNCB bank and certain other real estate plus valuable instruments to the Ferree foundation of which Paul Ware is the prime benefactor and was the chairman of PAM when all of the ruinous decisions were made pertaining to building and operations.

As have been all of the recent articles re PAM, this is  comprehensive, nuanced and well written.  A wag of the tail!

Editorial “Debt worsens with each passing day” states “In the year-plus that Barack Obama has been president, the national debt has increased at a rate of $4.8 billion a day.  That’s nearly three times the daily average of the Bush administration.  But it doesn’t mean the former president deserves a pass.  The Bush administration spent too much money, too.”

WATCHDOG: The Bush administration didn’t just spend too much money.  It spent much of it on a mindless war in Iraq, now repudiated by almost all …including many of its original supporters.  Furthermore, it reduced taxes on the wealthy.  The combined results were to turn the surpluses during the Clinton Administration into huge Bush Administration deficits.

Moreover, irresponsible adherence to the Chicago School of Economics thoery which allowed that financial institutions and corporations should be allowed to run wild resulted in the worst financial crisis since the 1930’s.  World survival required both the Bush Administration in its last year to enact TARP and the Obama Administration in its first year to pass the Recovery Act , spending a couple of trillion extra dollars to prevent the nation from sinking into another Great Depression.

The New Era is correct that we must cut government expenditures.  This should be done once recovery is well underway.   Moreover, we also need to return past taxes on the rich and estates, cut back on domestic expenditures, and avoid foolish foreign wars.   Our unlimited line of credit from China is about to be cancelled.

First in a series by Robert E. Field, Publisher

My few months as an adviser to the Business Committee of the Pennsylvania Academy of Music (PAM) gave me a bird’s eye view of how the  insular nature of the Lancaster community leads to bad decisions as a result of an outsized desire to get alongby the many, and the license of a few to bully and mislead for selfish and even vindictive purposes.  This is the first in a several part series, largely based on contemporary correspondence.

I received the assignment as an adviser in large part as a result of my sending the following e-mail to a select group of friends involved with PAM:

“9/ 5/ 2009

…I am stunned by news…that PAM is considering signing over the building to the local bank this coming week.   I can find no justification in such a precipitous and calamitous action.

I have asked to meet with — and — and other members of the board today (despite it being my Sabbath) or certainly by tomorrow.  Otherwise I will consider morally compelled for NewsLanc to break the story both in its periodicals and through its radio spots.

As it happens, I spent an hour and a half with one of the best attorneys in the field of reorganization and bankruptcy just this past Monday when I accompanied a friend who is facing some problems.  At that time we received a thorough briefing on alternatives. …

In my opinion, the circumstances of PAM make it even more propitious for it to threaten to enter reorganization and, if necessary, to do so than even in the case of a private investor.  These problems generally get worked out given time, patience and proper representation.  The bank debts must be somehow funded by the foundations.

The mortgage and interest can be negotiated down with the local bank.  They would look terrible not being cooperative.  Think of who the people are who have contributed millions to the school and how they will react, let alone the general public!!!

I studiously have avoided serving on boards, but if —- wants me to get involved I would, provided I headed a subcommittee to deal with these matters.  But I am insistent that matter be put on indefinite hold.

Millions have been contributed and tens of thousands of hours have been spent to achieve the PAM structure.  It must not be turned over out of ignorance or unwillingness to firmly represent the best interest of the school and the community.”

Robert”

To be continued.

“Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black” – by Tim Wise

Let’s play a game, shall we? The name of the game is called “Imagine.” The way it’s played is simple: we’ll envision recent happenings in the news, but then change them up a bit. Instead of envisioning white people as the main actors in the scenes we’ll conjure – the ones who are driving the action – we’ll envision black folks or other people of color instead. The object of the game is to imagine the public reaction to the events or incidents, if the main actors were of color, rather than white. Whoever gains the most insight into the workings of race in America, at the end of the game, wins.

So let’s begin.

Imagine that hundreds of black protesters were to descend upon Washington DC and Northern Virginia, just a few miles from the Capitol and White House, armed with AK-47s, assorted handguns, and ammunition. And imagine that some of these protesters —the black protesters — spoke of the need for political revolution, and possibly even armed conflict in the event that laws they didn’t like were enforced by the government? Would these protester — these black protesters with guns — be seen as brave defenders of the Second Amendment, or would they be viewed by most whites as a danger to the republic? What if they were Arab-Americans? Because, after all, that’s what happened recently when white gun enthusiasts descended upon the nation’s capital, arms in hand, and verbally announced their readiness to make war on the country’s political leaders if the need arose…

Click here to read the full article.

From LANCASTERONLINE:

The Pennsylvania Academy of Music today filed for bankruptcy reorganization, its interim executive director announced.

Dr. Thomas F. Godfrey said the filing will help PAM resolve a lingering debt of about $100,000…

Godfrey said the bankruptcy process also will help PAM sort out other financial issues, including more than $1 million in unfilled pledges.   PAM continues to operate under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code…

Click here to read the full article.

Franklin and Marshall College  submitted a 206 page amended final report to Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) late Tuesday afternoon and posted it on its web site yesterday.  DEP must act by Tuesday, June 1.  Obviously the public does not know about this document and will not be able to read it and comment.  I am forwarding to you an e-mail I sent to DEP lawyer about three specific issues we are raising.

Law Office of William J. Cluck

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