Giuliani, Very Open? There’s Always a First Time

New York Times ^ | December 15, 2007 | JIM DWYER

[calcowgirl]

A few years back, a man named Russell Harding held a City Hall patronage job that came with a government credit card, which he used to steal more than $250,000.

Crooks happen. What kept Mr. Harding in thievery for three years was that the city government, led by his patron, Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, slammed the door on the one person who sought the Harding credit card records, a reporter with The Village Voice who filed freedom of information requests.

These requests were stalled until the next mayor took office and released the documents. Before long, Mr. Harding was packed off to prison.

In a debate among Republican candidates this week, Mr. Giuliani was asked what promises he would make about running an open White House.

“I would make sure that government was transparent,” Mr. Giuliani said. “My government in New York City was so transparent that they knew every single thing I did almost every time I did it.”

That was a daring claim, considering that prying information out of the Giuliani City Hall required teams of lawyers with the persistence of mules. To cite three of the most prominent examples, he tried to block the release of different batches of public records to the city’s Independent Budget Office, to the city’s public advocate, and to the state comptroller. He was sued on each occasion. He lost every time. He appealed each decision. He lost every appeal.

...During an interview on “Meet the Press” earlier this week... “I couldn’t put out a list of all my clients,” Mr. Giuliani said. “There are confidentiality agreements ...”

The question was put to a spokeswoman for his campaign on Friday: Has Mr. Giuliani asked his clients to release him from the confidentiality agreements?

The campaign did not answer.

[the invisib1e hand]

all of a sudden the nyt matters at fr.

[ARE SOLE]

The crossdresser needs to see that “confidentiality agreements” are with the US citizens, not his clients, not with business, not with the illegals but with the American people. If that doesn’t work for you Trudy, don’t run.

Regards

[calcowgirl]

Corruption has always been important. It doesn’t matter to me who reports it.

[calcowgirl]

It has been reported that the confidentiality agreements with Giliani Partners were at the request of GP, not the clients. So much for honesty and openness.

I guess that only goes for those folks that Rudy wants to put in his database and issue National ID cards--not the boys in his inner-circle.

[NormsRevenge]

In a debate among Republican candidates this week, Mr. Giuliani was asked what promises he would make about running an open White House.

“I would make sure that government was transparent,” Mr. Giuliani said. “My government in New York City was so transparent that they knew every single thing I did almost every time I did it.”

—

transparent.. lol

like Schwarznekennedy’s, no doubt .. how telling.

[Condor51]

Since leaving public office ... Giuliani has made many millions of dollars, but will not say exactly how, or from whom. ....He has .. a partnership in a law firm, and shares in 12 consulting and financial businesses... he said he could not reveal more.

Indict the criminal s.o.b. now.

At least Billy Jeff didn't have us taxpayers pay for Monica's 24/7 armed guard protection and free gubmint taxi service for her and her girlfriends to go shopping.

And when Billy Jeff has the moral high ground you know there's a BIG problem!

[calcowgirl]

From the king of backroom deals:

“I will open up the windows and doors of government.
It is time to let the sun shine in. . . .
No more decisions in the dark.”

—Arnold Schwarzenegger

[the invisib1e hand]

Corruption has always been important. It doesn’t matter to me who reports it.

when the devil calls you a sinner, you have to wonder what he has up his sleeve.

[calcowgirl]

I subscribe to the “distrust and verify” theory.

Rudy’s misdeeds have been verified.

[wagglebee]

Another huge problem is the FReepers who claim to be conservative but are unable to see that Rooty Toot is more corrupt and at least as liberal as BJ Klintoon.

[vilhelmshmoove]

Is there any truth to the rumor that Rudy and Hillary share the same donor list? They use the same bank account for Gods sake.

Is Trent Lott a muti-millionaire yet? Just asking.

I heard recently(can’t verify it)that in 1968 just 65 lobbyists were registered to work in DC, now there’s over 30 thousand. Thirty thousand divided by 535 makes for a big payday.

[the invisib1e hand]

Rudy’s misdeeds have been verified.

but of course, you completely miss the point.

score one more for the times.

[calcowgirl]

I understand your point perfectly.

It still won’t make me ignore, or deny, the obvious.

[highball]

It still won’t make me ignore, or deny, the obvious.

Agreed.

Consider this one of the broken clock's two times if you like. But no amount of distrust of the Times can change the basic fact that Rudy is thoroughly corrupt.

[calcowgirl]

... no amount of distrust of the Times can change the basic fact that Rudy is thoroughly corrupt.

Bump!