Posted on 10/20/2006 10:34:49 AM PDT by Miami Vice
Edited on 10/20/2006 10:45:19 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Philadelphia - A special three-judge panel of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals convened Wednesday to hear arguments on whether a Federal Civil Rights suit may proceed against Gov. Ed Rendell and overturn a 2003 lower court ruling that there was insufficient evidence. Rendell is charged with conspiring to suppress the First Amendment rights of protesters by having Teamsters Local 115 beat them while they demonstrated outside Philadelphia's City Hall during a Democratic fundraiser featuring President Bill Clinton.
Rendell, who was mayor of Philadelphia at the time, admitted in a deposition following the Oct. 2, 1998 beatings to personally inviting Teamsters Local 115 Secretary-Treasurer John Morris and instructing the union to "drown-out" the Clinton protesters.
"I specifically said I didn't want any interaction with the demonstrators. I wanted this to be extremely peaceful and extremely positive," Rendell also claimed in the deposition, which was taken two years after the fact.
Morris was caught on video by local media placing a fedora over protester Don Adams' head, signaling the Teamsters to knock him to the ground and assault him. Adams was treated at a nearby hospital for a concussion, lacerations and multiple bruises. His sister, Teri, sustained minor injuries.
Testimony from Morris' chief of staff revealed that, after the beatings, Rendell called Morris about the Teamsters who participated in the attack and said, "nothing is going to happen to these guys," and "I know how these things go." He then suggested that Morris and the Teamsters file a criminal complaint against Adams, which they did two days later on Oct. 4, 1998, alleging that he struck a woman in their group.
Even though there was no police reports supporting the Teamster's claim, the incident was caught on video, and the District Attorney's Office pursued trial against Adams, who filed suit against the Teamsters and Rendell several months later.
At one point, the Teamsters offered to drop their charges against him if he dropped his case. During that time, they launched a media campaign and accused Adams of being a woman-beater. Adams rejected the deal and was found not guilty on July 8, 1999. Five teamsters then pled guilty to various charges of assault and were granted probation, and Morris died in 2001.
Arguments surrounding Rendell's involvement center not on how convincing the evidence is, but whether his interaction with Morris after the fact - consoling the Teamsters and advising them to sue Adams - can be used as evidence to support the charge of conspiracy.
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in United States vs. Smith in 2002 that concerted actions to conceal unlawful behavior are relevant to a finding of conspiracy. The Supreme Court reached a similar conclusion in United States vs. Brodie last year.
However, Philadelphia Law Department attorney Jane Lovitch Istvan, who represents Rendell, argued in brief, "The alleged conversation in this case ... contained no evidence of attempted concealment, nor is there a pattern of other alleged attempts to conceal."
"I think he might have a case," Circuit Judge Restani said during oral arguments surrounding Adams' claim.
The three circuit judges were appointed to hear the case from outside the Third Circuit Court's jurisdiction after a motion asking the entire Circuit to recuse itself was granted. This recusal was issued due to the fact that Rendell's wife, Judge Marjorie Rendell, sits on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
I wonder how many of the people getting those licenses to operate slots .... Don't stop there. In order to GET slots, corporations have been made where the slots have to be ordered,maintained, and calibrated. So, instead of a casino owner calling Las Vegas (where they are made) and saying "How much for 300 slot machines? $10,000 a piece? OK." They must call a middle man (read politically connected) and say"....$22,000 a Piece? That's outrageous. What? Yeah I need them. OK, send them over."
"I am a UAW member, and I'm none of the above."
I see.
Of course your experience is purely anecdotal and you're the exception, not the rule.
The reality of America's unions & an overwhelming number of their membership, OTOH, is quite different.
What the American union movement once meant, was used to accomplish (primarily collective bargaining) is today almost totally a matter of &/or covered by civil law.
Thanks in no small part to American union leadership support of candidates almost entirely from the Democrat Party over at least the past 100 years.
In the strangest juxtaposition of fate union *leaders* never imagined their steadfast longterm support of leftist candidates would result in an incremental & massive amount of legislation over the past century effectively governing nearly every facet of labor, and, ultimately rendering union representation unnecessary if not altogether obsolete.
In short in an effort to secure power, [job] security & political influence for themselves, the unions (via their leadership) have successfully destroyed themselves.
It's a hellova an irony, X.
What's left of today's unions are more Liberal-Socialist in nature than ever, supporting and endorsing Liberal-Socialist candidates (from the Democrat Party) who in turn support enemies of America who're by their very nature anti-American.
So again unless you know something I don't, let's have it.
While I commend you for your conservatism *&* patriotism given your union participation/association, yours is the proverbial rock & a hard place.
Hell I come from union people so while I'm not completely unsympathetic, I also have some insight into what I'm saying.
OK?
Nevertheless the original poster's comments were, for the most part, absolutely true and I felt not "over the top" given the reality of the situation concerning unions (et al).
...today in the USA.
That's not any worse than a guy I know that votes dim because his dad and grandpa always voted dim.
There are plenty of conservative women to offset the idiot dog lover you referenced.
Swann?
Probably not.
Sure. Call in a bunch of brown shirted socialist union thugs in the name of peace. Yeah. Right.
Thank You. I apologize for the misleading statements. I knew it was someone from his office, I thought it was Sleazy Eddie though.
Oh, nothing to apologize for, I will even find you the exact quote. : )
If you are not a union member, if all that you speak of is sourced from news articles and what other people say, than your knowledge and experience is anecdotal.
My experience is real and up close and personal.
Frankly, I think you are a bigot as well, that is what we call people who paint a group of people with a single brush.
HA!!
You're quite welcome, pal. :o)
"If you are not a union member, if all that you speak of is sourced from news articles and what other people say, than your knowledge and experience is anecdotal."
I see.
Using your logic then if one hasn't served in the military they know nothing of military matters?
Or one hasn't children they know nothing of family issues?
Haven't served time in a prison know nothing of criminality & on and on.
You're right where you belong bucko, in a union.
A marriage made in Heaven.
"My experience is real and up close and personal."
As an X-USW member so was mine.
My father held a number of executive positions with his local up to & including President also & your view's, at best, a convoluted one.
Their taking the money out of your check before you ever see it must what you meant by, "up close & personal" then, huh. :o)
Hey X, best find a new occupation because your present one's on the endangered species list. ;^)
"Frankly, I think you are a bigot as well, that is what we call people who paint a group of people with a single brush."
Frankly I think you're an idiot, an useful idiot.
...that's what *we* call union members. ;^)
Let me just say this, there a few bad apples in the union barrel, as there are in the GOP. Most union rank and file are working men and women trying to support their families.
Many union members that I know, I'm in Michigan, so I do know quit a few, fall into that aforementioned catagory.
I'm noticing a growing number of rank and file that are starting to question the political mantra of the union leadership.
For the record, My sister has been the president of her local in Flint, Mi, My older sister is active in the MEA in Saginaw, Mi, My brother just retired fron GM in Saginaw, Mi, My baby sister is MEA in Kalamazoo, MI, And I'm proudly supporting our troops manufacturing Bradly fighting vehicle transmissions in Muskegon, Mi at UAW local 113, one of the oldest surviving locals in this fine country of ours.
My entire family for generations has been as conservative as any.
Many of our close friends are conservative as well.
I choose not to enter into a flame war with you, I'll let your insults slide right off. I've not only been insulted by better men than you, I work right along side several, evrey day.
Good day, sir.
Me too, X.
"I have defended your right to defame me, and would do it all again. Even die for YOUR right to verbally abuse me."
Me too, X.
"Let me just say this, there a few bad apples in the union barrel, as there are in the GOP."
Yup, there sure are.
Mind you a "bigot" who "paints with a broad brush" is in agreement with you, X. ;^)
"Most union rank and file are working men and women trying to support their families."
Glad to hear it, X.
It's about time if *not* a matter of survival.
"Many union members that I know, I'm in Michigan, so I do know quit a few, fall into that aforementioned catagory."
If they [read: you] work at Ford, GM etc I'd say the state of matters today demands union membership take an active & proactive role.
Your leaders are betraying you.
"I'm noticing a growing number of rank and file that are starting to question the political mantra of the union leadership."
Hearing this (from you) is a good thing.
I sincerely pray for the good of all American labor it's not too late.
The UAW & specifically your well being (visa vi your membership) are in for some mighty rough waters.
To be sure.
"For the record, My sister has been the president of her local in Flint, Mi, My older sister is active in the MEA in Saginaw, Mi, My brother just retired fron GM in Saginaw, Mi, My baby sister is MEA in Kalamazoo, MI, And I'm proudly supporting our troops manufacturing Bradly fighting vehicle transmissions in Muskegon, Mi at UAW local 113, one of the oldest surviving locals in this fine country of ours."
Sounds like you hail from a proud, noble family.
I salute you all.
"My entire family for generations has been as conservative as any."
Wouldn't you say yours is *somewhat* rare?
Coming from a union family (in Milwaukee, WI) I sure do, if my anecdotal experience counts for anything.
"Many of our close friends are conservative as well."
"I choose not to enter into a flame war with you..."
Nor me, you.
However during what began as a civil debate calling me a "bigot" is, well, kind of bigoted?
Punch counter punch, X.
FWIW I do not hold grudges.
"I'll let your insults slide right off."
Good for you.
I've been an amateur pugilist in my day (& presently hold a Black Belt in a martial art) & one thing I've learned is rarely does one punch drop an opponent.
When they have it wasn't much of an opponent.
Glad to hear you can take a proverbial punch, X.
But make no mistake I never for an instant considered you an "opponent", an "enemy" or anything but an Allie.
Even if you're a union member & I a "bigot" where my personal feeling(s) toward unions (et al) are less than favorable.
"I've not only been insulted by better men than you..."
I certainly hope so, there're still a few left.
I'll go ahead & assume there's a valid reason behind your thin skin & let it go at that (as all bigots would :o) ).
"I work right along side several, evrey day."
Let us hope they're *not* "conservatives" you're having these dust ups.
"Good day, sir."
Yes.
...it 'tis a good day. ;^)
People are paid to write like this!
Once again, thank you for your graciousness.
Divine justice.
Be so very careful. As a unhappy Teamster I have just spoken out in meetings and have had my tires slashed for it.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL!
You are quite welcome. I think you should contact the Evening Bulletin and maybe have them interview you.
I only started reading the Bulletin because Michael P. Tremoglie is my favorite writer. I think he is better than Don Feder, Walter Williams, Michael Barone, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin or any of the rest because unlike them he has real life experiences about a lot of the subjects he writes about and when he doesn't have direct experience his common sense show through. He also has an awesome novel called A Sense of Duty just published and sold on Amazon.com and some Philly bookstores.
( Sorry I went on a rant)
Anyhow contact the Bulletin unlike the Inky and Daily News they will probably write more about this and treat it more fairly.
Yo maybe you can apply to be an editor.
Posting this article did us a great service and really helped to get out the news. Thank you once again!
Per, you might want to read this article from the Philadelphia Bulletin.
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