Posted on 09/16/2005 3:17:45 PM PDT by abb
9/16/2005, 4:41 p.m. CT The Associated Press BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Less than a year after he took the post, state Democratic Party Chairman Jim Bernhard stepped down from the leadership job Friday, saying he needs to focus on his engineering and construction company — which is heavily involved in Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts. "The people of our state who have been so tremendously and adversely affected by this disaster require all the available help that exists, and I feel an obligation to contribute to those needs," Bernhard said in his resignation letter, released by the Louisiana Democratic Party. The letter was addressed to Mary Lou Winters, vice chair of the party, who takes over Bernhard's position. Andrew Koneschusky, spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said Bernhard's resignation didn't have anything to do with political upheaval because of the slow response to Katrina and criticisms of state officials over the handling of emergency response. Koneschusky said Bernhard is so busy in the hurricane reconstruction and recovery efforts that "he doesn't even know what's going on politically." Bernhard took over the post in January, replacing Mike Skinner, a former U.S. attorney who resigned after a series of stinging disappointments in the fall's congressional elections — the loss of several congressional seats and the election of Louisiana's first Republican U.S. senator since Reconstruction, David Vitter.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies and cuts through and captures the essence of evolutionary spirit. Greed in all of its forms, greed for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And greed, you mark my words, will not only save Teldare Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA."
Thought you'd like to see this.
James Carville to replace...LOL
You are so right. It imposible to be the democrat party leader is an utterly corrupt state like Louisiana, Illinois or New Jersey and not be a complete opportunistic sociopath.
These guys become multimillionaires from all the bribes and theft. Like the Clintons or Terry McAwful.
excerpt from the Shaw Group Inc.
"J.M. Bernhard, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Shaw commented, "This significant contract from the Corps, combined with our award from FEMA, enhances our ability to make an immediate and pronounced impact on the restoration efforts in New Orleans, South Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region. With nearly 5,000 of our own employees living and working here in our home state, we have been personally impacted by this devastating storm. We are committed to this region and we are grateful for the opportunity to play a leadership role in the rebuilding of Louisiana and our sister city, New Orleans."
Shaw is currently performing services under existing contracts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NASA, the Louisiana National Guard, the U.S. Navy, Jefferson Parish and other government agencies and entities. Shaw is presently providing temporary roofing and repairs under its existing "Blue Roof" contract. The company is providing critical logistical support to the U.S. Postal Service to restore mail service and has been providing critical food water and supplies to hospitals in the area. Shaw has provided emergency communications capabilities to both the city of New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish."
And the 'RATS are always pissin' and moanin' about Halliburton. This should be thrown right in their filthy faces.
He cut and run.
It's just like rats deserting the sinking ship.
RATS abandoning sinking ship.
It seems like the wrong person always resigns.
Memphis politics must rival New Orleans for corruption. But then, corruption is a piece of cake when your constituents just don't give a damn how crooked their elected officials are. This week in a special election in Memphis: Ophelia Ford, aunt of Congressman Harold Ford, (who's running for Frist's Senate Seat), won the state senate seat formerly held by her brother, the disgraced John Ford. Here's more on him:
"Memphis, TN - Tennessee State Senator John Ford has received $20,000 bond in the FBI bribery case against four Tennessee lawmakers, a former lawmaker, and two others. Ford was in federal court Friday morning. The special magistrate put several restrictions on Ford. The Senator can only travel in west Tennessee. He cannot go to Nashville unless he is going to testify. Ford is under house arrest and must wear an electronic monitoring device. He can only go to work from 8:00am until 5pm and he can only meet with his attorney, go to church, or go to court.
There was also some damaging video shown in court. The video shows Ford accepting cash from FBI undercover agents and making threats against witnesses. On the video at his downtown Memphis office, Ford is shown meeting with a representative of the fake company called 'E-cycle'. The company was made-up by the FBI. An undercover agent is shown giving Ford 10-thousand dollars in 100 dollar bills in exchange for Ford's support to get the company a state contract. There is also evidence of Ford insisting on being paid three to five thousand dollars a month on the front end and be given stock options if the bill passed.
In another conversation, Ford is reported to have said he would shoot anyone from E-cycle who came back to his Memphis office. He also allegedly threatened to kill anyone who turned him into the Feds. The FBI said it did recover two guns in John Ford's desk at his Memphis office. State Senator John Ford was jailed Thursday on charges of accepting bribes and threatening witnesses. Four Tennessee lawmakers and a former legislator were also arrested on charges of taking bribes from F-B-I agents, who were posing as representatives of a phony company.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - U-S Representative Harold Ford Junior said he does not expect his race for the U-S Senate to be hurt by his uncle's indictment yesterday on public corruption charges. The uncle, state Senator John Ford, was among a group of state lawmakers indicted by a federal grand jury on bribery charges. He said voters know his record and should not confuse him with his uncle."
Louisiana, Memphis, New Jersey = Putrid politics
Oh boy. I'm sure they're doing a top-notch job, too.
Now no conflict of interest to get moolah from the state "philanthropic" fund Blanco set up while so, so busy.
Thanx....I just watched that the other night on AMC.
Follow the money...
Not to mention he is going to make a bazillion dollars as CEO of the non-bid company that will be doing major work.
he'll be a multimillionaire very soon, the contracts to his construction company will be huge. he doesn't need the job anymore as Dem chairman.
"Democratic Party Chairman Jim Bernhard stepped down from the leadership job Friday, saying he needs to focus on his engineering and construction company..."
LOL! I'll bet.
Somebody always gets over, no matter what bad happens.
That's what they said about the Texas RAT party about 15 years ago.
Yeah, sure. The "company" was probably created right after Pres. Bush's speech last night!
Yessir! Boy know he'll be raking in the rebuilding dough with nice contracts from his gummint buddies when he gives them a nice kickback. Plenty of money for everyone! No need for us ALL to have these crummy political jobs.
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