Sunday Morning Talk Show Thread 7 Dec 2003

Various big media television networks ^ | 7 Dec 2003 | Various Self-Serving Politicians and Big Media Screaming Faces

[Alas Babylon!]

The Talk Shows

Sunday, December 7th, 2003

Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows:

FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. and former Vermont governor Howard Dean (D).

MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).

FACE THE NATION (CBS): Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card.

THIS WEEK (ABC): Former Israeli justice minister Yossi Beilin, former Palestinian information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY).

LATE EDITION (CNN) : Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Christopher J. Dodd (D-CT); King Abdullah of Jordan; Dore Gold, adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon; former Palestinian information minister Yasser Rabbo; Israeli justice minister Yossi Beilin; and White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card.

[CyberAnt]

Russert doesn't have the guts to say that to Hillary.

[thesummerwind]

She pardoned terrorists, child molesters, and drug dealers on her way out of the White House with the silverware.

What percentage of American voters know those things you mention? 5, maybe 10%? Think about it.

If there is a terrible earthquake killing 20,000 people in Argentina, do I know about it if the media doesn't tell me? Heck no, I go on day to day, without knowing about it.

Same with the removed boos at the NYC 9/11 Concert.

[CyberAnt]

Yeah .. they gave it to the UN .. which is exactly what she's proposing in Iraq. So is Kerry!

[Spyder]

Do you recall the Ren & Stimpy episode where Ren lets his teeth go and they all have exposed nerves? One of the funniest I ever saw.

My husband has that one saved on videotape somewhere. Definitely their best episode, though since hubby is a dentist we're a bit biased on that. It was the nerve ending fairy, right? He left a ball of lint.

[thesummerwind]

Note to Russert, congrats on winning up the "sucking up when you should be asking hard hitting questions" award, you gutless weasel!

You're so right, the little pussy!

As I said before, I thought the chicken-*hit Timmy was going to come right out and ask her if he could be her VP running mate!

[T. Jefferson]

I think Dean can win against Bush. My thinking is that any attack on Dean will help him. I'm thinking of both hard, mean attacks, and funny, satirical attacks both. Dean has a good forehand and backhand both.

Bush will win 46 states. The public completely trusts him and his leadership (exluding radical lefties). You don't switch ships in the middle of WWIII. The economy is going thru the roof, and Dean comes across as a slick freshman used car salesman who can't control his own mouth. The swing group of soccer moms will never choose Dean over Bush. He's a paper bag full of words.

[thesummerwind]

If we fight her the way we talk about her on this forum, she will be the next president.

Truer words were never said.

[Geezerette]

O my goodness!! What a shock to see Bea and Brandy on a FR thread!!

I agree, they couldn't do justice to your fire hydrant like a boy-dog could!! LOL!

g, b and b

[kcvl]

Attorney General Lockyer Files Fraud Suit to Shut down Hollywood Fundraiser Aaron Tonken
Charities Bilked by Tonken Include Ones Supported by Actors and Musicians

March 13, 2003
03-029
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(916) 324-5500

(LOS ANGELES) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today filed a lawsuit against Hollywood fundraiser Aaron Tonken, alleging he has defrauded charities and their donors, diverted donations to bank accounts he controlled and refused to account for more than $1.5 million in contributions to six charitable events he agreed to produce.

"This lawsuit details a sordid scheme to steal money from worthy charities, use it for improper purposes, and refuse to account for the donations," said Lockyer. "In bringing this action, our first priority is to shut down Tonken's operation to ensure he and other defendants cannot continue to defraud charitable causes and their generous donors. Allowing egregious misconduct like this to go unchecked can chill charitable donations and harm the organizations they support."

The defrauded charitable organizations include the Kids Campaign, the Joan English Fund for Women's Cancer Research, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Betty Ford Center, City of Hope, Inner-City Games Foundation, Westside Waldorf School, the Isabelle and Leonard Goldenson Association, and the Robert H. Lorsch Foundation Trust. The ripped off charities include organizations supported by celebrities such as singer Rod Stewart, the pop music group *Nsync and the cast of the TV show Ally McBeal.

The complaint filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeks a permanent injunction barring Tonken and the other defendants from engaging in charitable fundraising, or disbursing donations from the events cited in the lawsuit, until they provide a full accounting of the money. The complaint also asks the court to award general damages of at least $1.7 million, unspecified punitive damages and civil penalties of at least $350,000.

Defendants in the case include: Tonken; Aaron Tonken & Associates, his commercial fundraising firm; Cynthia Gershman, trustee of the Cynthia Gershman Foundation; Los Angeles-area lawyer Kevin Clarke; and Los Angeles resident Robert Freedman.

Under statutory and common law, commercial fundraisers for charities owe a fiduciary duty both to donors and the charities for which they solicit money. Additionally, they must ensure contributions are used for the charitable purposes for which they are raised. State law also requires such fundraisers to register with, and provide annual financial reports to, the Attorney General's Office.

The lawsuit alleges Tonken and his firm fraudulently solicited charitable donations, diverted donations to non-charitable purposes, improperly commingled funds, refused to account for the money and failed to comply with registration and financial reporting mandates. The complaint further alleges Gershman, Clarke and Freedman aided and abetted Tonken. Gershman also breached her fiduciary duty to the Gershman Foundation and engaged in self-dealing, the lawsuit states, by allowing Tonken to spend Foundation money to repay personal loans to Gershman, and to pay for Gershman's public relations expenses.

Cases detailed in the complaint include:



Family Celebration 2001 – President Clinton and Hillary Clinton served as honorary chairpersons; TV producer David E. Kelley and actress Michelle Pfeiffer as chairpersons. Beneficiaries included charities designated by the Ally McBeal cast and *Nsync. Tonken produced the event, which was held April 1, 2001 and which raised at least $1.5 million. The complaint alleges Tonken diverted some of the donations to accounts he controlled. To date, an unknown amount of the diverted contributions has not been turned over to the charities.


Celebrating Diana – This Tonken-produced event was supposed to benefit the Joan English Fund for Women's Cancer Research, the Robert H. Lorsch Foundation Trust and charities designated by TV producer Loreen Arbus. Tonken took in at least $550,000 in donations, loans and expense payments for the event and has failed to account for any of the money. The event never was held. The complaint alleges Tonken and Clarke diverted a substantial portion of the $550,000 to improper uses, including directing $200,000 to Freedman. Tonken falsely told the event's fiscal agent he needed the $200,000 to secure the appearance of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela.


Hollywood Gala Salute to Milton Berle – This event, also produced by Tonken, was supposed to raise money for the Westside Waldorf School, Women of Washington and charities designated by actress Whoopi Goldberg. No money raised from the event, which took place July 22, 2001, has gone to the Westside Waldorf School or Women of Washington. The complaint alleges Tonken diverted $100,000 of the contributions to Clarke's law firm, the Ronin Law Group.


Unified in Great Cause for an Evening to Remember – Produced by Tonken, this event was supposed to benefit the City of Hope, Inner-City Games Foundation and Knowledge Is Power. The event was held at Rod Stewart's home Sept. 19, 2002. To date, no donations from the event have been made to the City of Hope or Inner-City Games. It is unclear how much money, if any, went to Knowledge Is Power.


The Kids Campaign Event – This Tonken-produced event was supposed to benefit the Kids Campaign, the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and the Children's Craniofacial Association. Tonken solicited $100,000 in donations for the express purpose of underwriting the event. The complaint alleges Tonken subsequently convinced the Kids Campaign to give $60,000 of that money to Freedman, under the false pretense the money would help cover the event's expenses. The event has not taken place, and Tonken has refused to provide an accounting.

[thesummerwind]

her continuing anti American stance make me respond in a way I hate.

That very uncomfortable feeling that you are getting, I think many of us are getting.

[CyberAnt]

Yeah .. I loved Dean's answer that the CIA missed some of the "chatter" .. which to me means that if the CIA missed it .. how could Bush have known it ..?? Hmmmm??

I understand Dean has taken so much heat over this statement, he is now backing away from it big time.

[T. Jefferson]

Hillary is smooth. She's building her resume and her husband's legacy.

Bill's legacy is a corrupt impeached President who did more damage to his own party than anyone in history. They lost the house, senate, governorships, legislatures, and presidency, ie, everything. Although I suspect Hillary could somehow outdo him. She's definitely lose 46 states, if not 48. Would be a great finishing touch to their legacy.

[Bullish]

Hillary has American blood on her hands IMO

Not to mention gassing and burning women and children that they trapped in their own church.

Hillary and her ilk are evil personified.

[thesummerwind]

She would have to do FNS and she would come off as a real doofus in a debate.

There's a line from Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid for you, lawdude; "You just keep thinking, Butch, that's what you're good at." ;)

[CyberAnt]

"the failure to get Bin Laden is why we"re having to do all this"

Wow! She actually made a truthful statement. However, she left off the fact that it was HER HUSBAND WHO REFUSED TO TAKE BIN LADEN WHEN OFFERED 3 TIMES.

She's trying to make it look like Bush is at fault .. so what else is new ..??

[kcvl]

The sophisticated targets of Vanity Fair's monthly dish of celebrity gossip and kinky fashion ads will be far more entertained by "The Golden Fleece," the story of a strange scam artist who apparently made millions in Hollywood by duping A-list stars and politicians such as Cher, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hillary Clinton.

Aaron Tonken, reports Bryan Burrough in excruciating detail, is a high school dropout and fast-talking loner with a serious facial tick and a bundle of insecurities who is commonly described as a "schlemiel" and a "loser."

Yet Tonken was able to use his celebrity schmoozing skills to organize a series of star-studded fund-raisers beginning in the late 1990s that raised millions for various charities -- large piles of which he allegedly looted for himself and his shady "investors."

Tonken, now deep in debt and legal trouble, is being investigated by at least six state and federal agencies, including the FBI and the IRS. Although Vanity Fair shows pictures of him schmoozing with Hillary and/or Bill Clinton at four gala Hollywood fund-raisers, the Clintons -- understandably -- have distanced themselves as far away from him as they can. Tonken's name isn't even in the index of Hillary's new book, "Living History."

[thesummerwind]

Maybe next week someone could make individual threads for each sunday talk show so if H. Clinton is on any of them those of us who are sick of her can read another thread!

Just think how sick of her you'll be when she's your President.

[Bullish]

The witch just called herself a ''NATIVE NEW YORKER''

She's a psychopath, just like Bill.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm? After 3 years CNN finally noticed ..??

[kcvl]

Paul takes the fall? Accused of securities and bank fraud, colorful Hollywood promoter Peter Paul says he was targeted as the bad guy at Stan Lee Media Inc. to protect, among others, Bill and Hillary Clinton and the fund-raisers of the Democratic Party. (Cover Story).

Insight on the News, Oct 1, 2002, by Paul M. Rodriguez


What do Bill and Hillary Clinton, alleged mobsters, Stan Lee, presidential pardons, federal indictments for fraud, the Democratic Party and Hollywood luminaries such as Barbra Streisand, John Travolta, Cher and Diana Ross have in common?

The answer is a man charged with robbing Peter to pay Paul through an elaborate scheme of alleged securities and bank fraud that involve the creator of Spiderman and the X-Men comic superheros, securities firms such as Merrill Lynch and Spear Leeds & Kellogg, political heavyweights David Rosen, Aaron Tonken and Terry McAuliffe.

Now, the 54-year-old Peter Paul, aka Eric Becket, aka Solomon Posnack, who claims to have been Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-N.Y.) single largest donor, sits in a prison in Silo Paulo, Brazil. Paul is awaiting extradition to the United States, he has said in interviews with INSIGHT, to defend himself against two multicount federal indictments and at least one class-action lawsuit brought by shareholders of now-bankrupt Stan Lee Media Inc. (SLM).

As the New York Post reported in April, Paul has been in negotiations with Department of Justice (DOJ) officials about a possible plea deal. INSIGHT has confirmed that DOJ sent investigators to Brazil to speak with Paul and that his lawyers in Washington and New York are in contact with senior prosecutors who sources say are conducting a high-level inquiry into possible money-laundering and campaign-law violations.

What ties all this together is Paul himself and his attempts during the summer of 2000 to wheel and deal in the rarified atmosphere of Washington politics. He says he entered the fund-raising business to promote and protect the company he cofounded with legendary comic-book-hero creator Stan Lee. His goal was to get outgoing President Clinton interested in joining the board of SLM.

To do this, according to Paul, he was courted and then snookered by Democratic Party bigwigs into playing host to and paying for increasingly expensive political events, luncheons, dinners--and then a star-studded Hollywood tribute to Bill Clinton in August 2000 that was twinned with a massive fund-raising drive for Hillary Clinton's senatorial bid in New York.

All in all, based on volumes of bank ledgers, canceled checks and securities margin-account statements reviewed by INSIGHT, Paul spent nearly $2 million to entice political heavyweights to promote SLM. This included at least one luncheon at Spago's, the trendy Hollywood restaurant where he played host to Hillary Clinton.

To pay for such extravaganzas, Paul tapped into margin accounts he held at Merrill Lynch that were collateralized by about 3 million shares of SLM stock he had acquired as a cofounder of the company, an Internet startup that promoted and distributed new products by pop-culture artist Lee.

As with countless other startups in the go-go Clinton era, hype generated interest that attracted some of the brightest and wealthiest to SLM. Banks and securities dealers such as Merrill Lynch and Spear, Leeds & Kellogg eagerly embraced the venture. Now, of course, after the bursting of the tech bubble and exposure of corporate scandals involving Enron, WorldCom, Global Crossing and others, fingers are pointing among officers and directors of boards, banks, securities firms and accounting companies.

More...6 pages of information


http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:TWF-4MeGNM0J:www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m1571/37_18/92589574/p1/article.jhtml+Tonken,+clinton&hl=en&ie=UTF-8