NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF TELEPHONE NEWS CONFERENCE
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN CALLS FOR SAUDI ARABIA TO RELEASE IMPRISONED BLOGGER, THREATENS TO "QUARANTINE" SAUDI ARABIA IF THE SAUDI REGIME DOES NOT STOP DENYING HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUE PROCESS OF LAW TO ITS CITIZENS.
"TAKE YOUR OIL AND SHOVE IT," SAYS ANDY MARTIN
(CHICAGO)(January 1, 2008) U. S. Senate candidate and international human rights activist Andy Martin will hold a January 1st telephone news conference to demand that the Saudi Arabian regime immediately release imprisoned blogger Fouad al-Farhan.
"Saudi Arabia has learned nothing from its terrorist attack on New York on 9/11. By denying Saudi citizens due process of law and free speech, Saudi Arabia exports its terrorism to other countries in the Middle East as well as on 9/11 to the United States. Saudi jihadists are in Iraq killing American troops. This is unacceptable. I hold Saudi Arabia accountable for the 9/11 attacks and for the loss of every American life in Iraq. Saudi Arabia finances madrassas that teach hatred and foment terror.
"Saudi citizens from Osama Bin Laden on down to the lowliest jihadi have consistently been the instigators in terrorism and anti-Americanism. The Saudi government has to stop creating conditions at home that export terrorism abroad.
"It is time for the era of human rights to dawn in Saudi Arabia. A first step would be to release imprisoned blogger Fouad al-Farhan. Thereafter the government should guarantee full free speech rights to Saudi citizens, as well as due process of law. Access to the Internet, free speech and freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention are basic human rights.
"I am sick and tired of the Saudis running a repressive police state and exporting all of their fanatics to Iraq, where they kill Americans, and to New York where they killed New Yorkers on 9/11. Enough already.
"I promise the people of Illinois that unless Saudi Arabia completely ceases being a terrorist incubator state and a state that violates the human rights of its own citizens, I will fight to enact a U. S. policy that quarantines the regime. They can take their oil and shove it. Their dollar-crooked hands have caused the loss of thousands of American lives; this slaughter of the innocents by crazed Saudis has to end.
"Imprisoning critics of the Saudi regime, and imprisoning people who want to assemble and associate to demand human rights, is the wrong way to go. Saudi citizens should enjoy the same human rights and due process rights as we do.
"I first went to Saudi Arabia in 1971, 37 years ago. Conditions have not improved significantly since then. The people are repressed, the Saudi regime encourages fanatic religious police, women are abused, and young Saudis turn on their own country by killing innocent Americans. This is ridiculous.
"The day I enter the U. S. Senate will be the dawn of a new era for every American. If Saudi Arabia cannot conform its behavior to international standards of human rights and due process, then we need to cut off our expansive relationship and restrict ourselves to minimum contacts. I am not going to the Senate to coddle a regime that wages terror against its own citizens, and that creates conditions which are so abhorrent the majority of attackers on 9/11 were Saudi citizens," Martin will state.
"It is time for a U. S. Senator who will stand up to the Saudis and stand up for America, for human rights and for due process of law. Everywhere. We have coddled the Saudi regime too long. Dick Durbin and the other U.S. 99 Senators are virtually Saudi patsies.
"For myself, I have this to tell the Kingdom: either respect your citizens and stop human rights abuses, or take your oil and shove it.
"You can start by freeing Fouad al-Farhan."
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Telephone news conference:
Toll-free call-in number: (866) 295-5950
Worldwide number: (978) 964-0031
Participant code: 2090340
WHEN: Tuesday, January 1, 2008 3:00 P.M. (CST)
WHAT: Andy Martin demands that Saudi regime
release imprisoned blogger, respect human rights
MEDIA
CONTACT: (866) 706-2639; (312) 440-4124
WEBSITES: AndyforUSSenator.com; ContrarianCommentary.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and world events with over forty years of experience. He has 37 years of experience in the Middle East, and is America’s most respected independent foreign policy and intelligence analyst. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Remarks are also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com and AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com. See also ContrarianCommentary.com.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
"Don't Gamble on Illinois' Future," by Andy Martin
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
A New Year's message from Andy Martin
DON'T GAMBLE ON ILLINOIS' FUTURE
(CHICAGO)(January 1, 2008) I am a candidate for the United States Senate. As such, during the course of campaigning I try to restrict my campaign activity to "national" issues that I would be called on to deal with as a senator. I am not running for the Illinois General Assembly nor do I propose to tell our state legislators how to vote.
Nevertheless, one issue which is under consideration by the General Assembly is of such critical importance to the future of our state that I feel compelled to make my personal views known, and strongly:
Don't Gamble on Illinois' Future by Expanding Gambling.
Democrats and Republicans are debating, considering, negotiating and horse trading whether to expand gambling in Illinois as a means of rebuilding mass transit and rebuilding our road system. Rebuilding both our dilapidated mass transit system and rebuilding our decayed and deteriorated highway system are essential. But gambling is not the way to fund these critical government operations.
First, we need honest and mature leadership in Springfield, if that is possible. We need leaders who will tell the People of Illinois what we don’t want to hear.
We have been underinvesting in our road and transit systems for so long that they now need massive investment just to get them operational again. Someone who drives on our state's highways should not be risking their life. Likewise, riding the CTA, Metra or PACE should not impose a death sentence on the unlucky traveler caught in a breakdown.
The actions of our leaders have been scandalous. I have filed a lawsuit against the CTA/RTA to ban "funny money" bookkeeping. They have been making payroll out of capital funding accounts. Business executives would go to jail for such legerdemain. So should RTA/CTA officials who engage in similar deceptive behavior.
And so, initially, we need to admit to ourselves that our leaders have been deceiving us about the true cost of a decent highway program and decent mass transit. They have been promising something-for-nothing and we have been only too eager to believe these false representations. Good government, good roads, good transit all cost money. We have not been paying the bill, and the deferred bill can no longer be ignored or delayed any further.
Secondly, we can avoid new taxes and new debt if we work together to expand economic opportunity in Illinois. Instead of raising taxes, let's try to raise the amount of tax revenue we generate through productive economic activity. Proposals for ruinous tax increases on business do not create the kind of investment climate we need. We scare away new businesses, new investments, and new jobs with such vindictive legislation.
Likewise, suggestions that we can afford to offer socialized medicine to everyone in Illinois who needs more medical care are similar pie-in-the-sky proposals. I will do my best to deal with health care at the national level. That's going to be my job, and I will succeed. It is not a job for local legislators or governors. Merely labeling discretionary social welfare programs as "rights" does not convert lead into gold. The gold is missing.
As our U. S. Senator I will do my best to see we get a fair slice of the federal pie. But I can't promise relief overnight. I can't promise to secure funding for programs in Illinois that other senators also want for their states, until we enact national policies. So we are back where we must of necessity begin, having to pay our own way and having to decide what our priorities will be. The reality is we don’t have money for frills, because we have past due bills to pay for the basics.
Gambling is a seductive option. But it is also an inefficient and immoral one.
Gambling encourages spending by those who can least afford it. Back in the 1980's I helped file one of the first "gambling addiction" lawsuits that identified gambling as an addictive activity. I do not gamble but I am very familiar with the evils that it fosters: organized crime, prostitution and other similar calamities for our communities. And destitution. The last thing we need to do is encourage more addictive activity by either our own citizens or visitors to Illinois.
Gambling also has a moral dimension. I find it abhorrent that we are trying to encourage people to "gamble" as a means of achieving the basics of life that we should be working together to provide through economic opportunity: through better education, better jobs and a better economic environment for business. Illinoisans are capable of greatness, great opportunities, great energies and great potential, all among our citizens. Let’s strive for greatness, and unlock and unleash our potential to build a future without resort to gambling and all of the evils that accompany that activity.
In the short run, relying on gambling as a way of financing basic public services in our state is a losing gamble. In the long run, relying on fanciful funding for basic public services is a prescription for disaster and social decay.
For the sake of our children and grandchildren, and for our own sake and self-respect, I implore Illinois legislative leaders to work together to solve our problems without resort to expanded gambling in Illinois.
I want to restore Illinois to greatness, and to our rightful place at the center of this great nation; the General Assembly will be diminishing our future if it chooses gambling as a solution to our problems. Honesty, integrity and mature, adult leadership are essential to rebuilding and building a great Illinois. Vote NO on new gambling.
Andy Martin
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
A New Year's message from Andy Martin
DON'T GAMBLE ON ILLINOIS' FUTURE
(CHICAGO)(January 1, 2008) I am a candidate for the United States Senate. As such, during the course of campaigning I try to restrict my campaign activity to "national" issues that I would be called on to deal with as a senator. I am not running for the Illinois General Assembly nor do I propose to tell our state legislators how to vote.
Nevertheless, one issue which is under consideration by the General Assembly is of such critical importance to the future of our state that I feel compelled to make my personal views known, and strongly:
Don't Gamble on Illinois' Future by Expanding Gambling.
Democrats and Republicans are debating, considering, negotiating and horse trading whether to expand gambling in Illinois as a means of rebuilding mass transit and rebuilding our road system. Rebuilding both our dilapidated mass transit system and rebuilding our decayed and deteriorated highway system are essential. But gambling is not the way to fund these critical government operations.
First, we need honest and mature leadership in Springfield, if that is possible. We need leaders who will tell the People of Illinois what we don’t want to hear.
We have been underinvesting in our road and transit systems for so long that they now need massive investment just to get them operational again. Someone who drives on our state's highways should not be risking their life. Likewise, riding the CTA, Metra or PACE should not impose a death sentence on the unlucky traveler caught in a breakdown.
The actions of our leaders have been scandalous. I have filed a lawsuit against the CTA/RTA to ban "funny money" bookkeeping. They have been making payroll out of capital funding accounts. Business executives would go to jail for such legerdemain. So should RTA/CTA officials who engage in similar deceptive behavior.
And so, initially, we need to admit to ourselves that our leaders have been deceiving us about the true cost of a decent highway program and decent mass transit. They have been promising something-for-nothing and we have been only too eager to believe these false representations. Good government, good roads, good transit all cost money. We have not been paying the bill, and the deferred bill can no longer be ignored or delayed any further.
Secondly, we can avoid new taxes and new debt if we work together to expand economic opportunity in Illinois. Instead of raising taxes, let's try to raise the amount of tax revenue we generate through productive economic activity. Proposals for ruinous tax increases on business do not create the kind of investment climate we need. We scare away new businesses, new investments, and new jobs with such vindictive legislation.
Likewise, suggestions that we can afford to offer socialized medicine to everyone in Illinois who needs more medical care are similar pie-in-the-sky proposals. I will do my best to deal with health care at the national level. That's going to be my job, and I will succeed. It is not a job for local legislators or governors. Merely labeling discretionary social welfare programs as "rights" does not convert lead into gold. The gold is missing.
As our U. S. Senator I will do my best to see we get a fair slice of the federal pie. But I can't promise relief overnight. I can't promise to secure funding for programs in Illinois that other senators also want for their states, until we enact national policies. So we are back where we must of necessity begin, having to pay our own way and having to decide what our priorities will be. The reality is we don’t have money for frills, because we have past due bills to pay for the basics.
Gambling is a seductive option. But it is also an inefficient and immoral one.
Gambling encourages spending by those who can least afford it. Back in the 1980's I helped file one of the first "gambling addiction" lawsuits that identified gambling as an addictive activity. I do not gamble but I am very familiar with the evils that it fosters: organized crime, prostitution and other similar calamities for our communities. And destitution. The last thing we need to do is encourage more addictive activity by either our own citizens or visitors to Illinois.
Gambling also has a moral dimension. I find it abhorrent that we are trying to encourage people to "gamble" as a means of achieving the basics of life that we should be working together to provide through economic opportunity: through better education, better jobs and a better economic environment for business. Illinoisans are capable of greatness, great opportunities, great energies and great potential, all among our citizens. Let’s strive for greatness, and unlock and unleash our potential to build a future without resort to gambling and all of the evils that accompany that activity.
In the short run, relying on gambling as a way of financing basic public services in our state is a losing gamble. In the long run, relying on fanciful funding for basic public services is a prescription for disaster and social decay.
For the sake of our children and grandchildren, and for our own sake and self-respect, I implore Illinois legislative leaders to work together to solve our problems without resort to expanded gambling in Illinois.
I want to restore Illinois to greatness, and to our rightful place at the center of this great nation; the General Assembly will be diminishing our future if it chooses gambling as a solution to our problems. Honesty, integrity and mature, adult leadership are essential to rebuilding and building a great Illinois. Vote NO on new gambling.
Andy Martin
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Andy Martin on "Who killed Benazir Bhutto?"
ANDY MARTIN
Executive Editor
ContrarianCommentary.com
“Factually Correct, Not
Politically Correct”
PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN: A TWO-PART SERIES
PART ONE: A TRAGIC DAY FOR PAKISTAN, AND FOR U. S. FOREIGN POLICY
WHO KILLED BENAZIR BHUTTO?
[Web posting:
http://www.pr-inside.com/andy-martin-analyzes-the-murder-of-r364192.htm]
(CHICAGO)(December 28, 2007) When a friend suggested going to see the new film "Charlie Wilson's War," I readily accepted. I had been in Afghanistan with the Mujaheddin, and was familiar with operations at both ends of the country. One of my best friends, an Afghan refugee to the United States, was later killed by the Northern Alliance. But before I could see the movie, tragedy struck in Pakistan yesterday.
My own connections to Pakistan go back to the early days of my life, when I met Pakistani students at a prep school in England. Who were all of these people, and where did they come from? I soon learned. I became very close with my Paki pals. And thus I was familiar with the area when I ended up in Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion. In Iran I teamed up with my Afghan buddy and we slipped into Afghanistan from the west, starting in Meshad, Iran. For two decades I was probably the last American to enter Afghanistan in that manner. We linked up with the Mujaheddin.
In the meantime, in the east, Pakistan was being overrun by Afghan refugees fleeing into Peshawar, a city that became a living version of a film noir. Every warlord had his refugee group, and their followers marched through the streets claiming they were ready to take on and takeout the Soviet Union. The Red Army was slaughtering the Afghans, trying to break the back of resistance to the Soviet invasion.
Simultaneously, Pakistan was being undermined by its military dictator, Zia al-Huq, who appears in the movie. Zia killed the elected leader of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto's father, and installed Muslim holy law, or Shariah, to tamp down the free spirits of secular Pakistanis. The last thirty years have been a disaster for Pakistan, and for us.
So who killed Benazir Bhutto? I believe that Pakistani intelligence will try to on the assassination on "Islamic militants." But this is probably one time when the fundamentalists are not guilty.
The current military dictator, Pervez Musharraf, who styles himself a president, and was once known as "Busharraf" because of the mutual fawning between himself and President Bush after 9/11, is most likely at fault for this murder. Ironically, the dictator's brother lives in the Chicago area, quietly, where he is a respected doctor.
While neighboring India has firmly planted democratic roots in recent years, Pakistan remains a military dictatorship. India has become a leading nation of the world. Pakistan is a basket case. When British India was divided in 1947, most people would have wagered that it was Pakistan, not India, which would eventually prosper and succeed. Because the British had favored the Punjabis, the dominant group in Pakistan, Pakistan received most of the combined region's managerial and military class. A solid social structure was in place.
Because Pakistan was Muslim, but only nominally so, a free society could have developed. Sadly, under military dictatorships, Pakistan has become a disaster. The United States has welcomed India into the expanding circle of influential nations while Pakistan has become more and more unstable.
Musharraf has been under relentless pressure to end his military dictatorship. He has come under increasing scrutiny for misdirecting and squandering $10 billion in American military and economic aid. And Senator Barack Obama has even suggested we bomb Pakistan "tribal areas" if we find Osama Bin Laden and the Pakistanis are reluctant to act.
Musharraf grudgingly made a deal with Bhutto, under U. S. pressure, and then reluctantly readmitted her rival for power Nawaz Sharif into Pakistan after initially deporting him. But Musharraf has kept recalcitrant Pakistan Supreme Court Judges and lawyers under house arrest. All in all, Musharraf faces a very untidy and potentially explosive situation.
Why does Pakistan matter? Of today's Islamic countries, Pakistan still has more potential to become a beacon of Islamic moderation and stability than any other nation. Americans probably passed over the pictures of Pakistani judges and lawyers protesting Musharraf's recent repression and his bogus "state of emergency." But there, in public, was proof positive that despite all of the chaos of the past 30 years, Pakistan still had the infrastructure, and superstructure of a civil society in place. Pakistan is still a place where the future holds great promise both for Islam and for freedom.
The demonstrating judges and attorneys were crying out for our help. Once again we choose to back the dictator Musharraf and ignore cries from the Pakistani people. Although Pakistan is vastly more unstable and radicalized than it was in my era 30 years ago, Pakistan is still worth saving and must be saved. The nation has nuclear weapons
So why do I believe Musharraf killed Bhutto? First, the killing looks suspicious. The way the attack unfolded, with firearms first and explosions second, leads me to believe the detonations were designed to cover up the killing and indeed to create chaos as a cover for escape of the perpetrators. The bomb explosions were incidental to the murder of Bhutto. Assassins planning to use a bomb do not shoot first and bomb second.
Second, I see the security situation around Bhutto as incredibly lax and ineffective. When Bhutto landed in Pakistan several weeks ago, another bombing attack led to massive death. She had virtually no protection moments before yesterday's attack. Either she was incredibly foolhardy, or she had been poorly advised to unnecessarily expose herself.
One of the failings of military dictatorships is that the military ceases to be the servant of the state, and becomes its oppressor. And having arrogated power to itself, Pakistan's military is not anxious to see a restoration of civilian control. And so, the easiest way to derail a return to civil society was to kill the emissary of future democracy. Benazir Bhutto.
Sadly, her death will likely create even more unstable conditions. American foreign policy stands on the brink. We have banked on Musharraf, but his bank is bankrupt. His military has swallowed our billions with very little to show, and he lacks any future. He has lost the people. The tribal areas have become a Taliban suburb. His regime is likely to become increasingly despotic, as he tries to blame "Islamic fundamentalists" for Bhutto's death.
Musharraf probably believed his rule would be cemented in place by the death of Bhutto. I believe he was very wrong. And I think it would be wrong to blame the fundamentalists for Bhutto's death. Potentially, they stood to gain if Bhutto became a growing threat to Musharraf. I would not rule out a fundamentalist plot, but right now I believe Musharraf is the guilty party.
So where do we go from here? The United States must (i) conduct its own independent investigation into Bhutto's death. Such an investigation will not be easy, because we will receive no cooperation from Pakistani intelligence services, all of which are still loyal to Musharraf. (ii) We need to inventory the Pakistani nuclear weapons stockpiles as best we can, and be ready to seize them if the government falls. (iii) As distasteful as it will be to the State Department, we need to begin a new opening to Nawaz Sharif, who remains the only civilian leader likely to stem the collapse of this nation.
None of these options is pleasant, and all of them involve more and more risk, but right now we have to double up, or we will surely be doubled down by the unfolding events in Pakistan.
Tomorrow: my review of the movie, "Charlie Wilson's War."
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and world events with forty years of experience. He has almost forty years of experience in the Middle East, and is America’s most respected independent foreign policy and intelligence analyst. Andy is currently a candidate for U. S. Senator from Illinois. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com.
Executive Editor
ContrarianCommentary.com
“Factually Correct, Not
Politically Correct”
PAKISTAN AND AFGHANISTAN: A TWO-PART SERIES
PART ONE: A TRAGIC DAY FOR PAKISTAN, AND FOR U. S. FOREIGN POLICY
WHO KILLED BENAZIR BHUTTO?
[Web posting:
http://www.pr-inside.com/andy-martin-analyzes-the-murder-of-r364192.htm]
(CHICAGO)(December 28, 2007) When a friend suggested going to see the new film "Charlie Wilson's War," I readily accepted. I had been in Afghanistan with the Mujaheddin, and was familiar with operations at both ends of the country. One of my best friends, an Afghan refugee to the United States, was later killed by the Northern Alliance. But before I could see the movie, tragedy struck in Pakistan yesterday.
My own connections to Pakistan go back to the early days of my life, when I met Pakistani students at a prep school in England. Who were all of these people, and where did they come from? I soon learned. I became very close with my Paki pals. And thus I was familiar with the area when I ended up in Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion. In Iran I teamed up with my Afghan buddy and we slipped into Afghanistan from the west, starting in Meshad, Iran. For two decades I was probably the last American to enter Afghanistan in that manner. We linked up with the Mujaheddin.
In the meantime, in the east, Pakistan was being overrun by Afghan refugees fleeing into Peshawar, a city that became a living version of a film noir. Every warlord had his refugee group, and their followers marched through the streets claiming they were ready to take on and takeout the Soviet Union. The Red Army was slaughtering the Afghans, trying to break the back of resistance to the Soviet invasion.
Simultaneously, Pakistan was being undermined by its military dictator, Zia al-Huq, who appears in the movie. Zia killed the elected leader of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto's father, and installed Muslim holy law, or Shariah, to tamp down the free spirits of secular Pakistanis. The last thirty years have been a disaster for Pakistan, and for us.
So who killed Benazir Bhutto? I believe that Pakistani intelligence will try to on the assassination on "Islamic militants." But this is probably one time when the fundamentalists are not guilty.
The current military dictator, Pervez Musharraf, who styles himself a president, and was once known as "Busharraf" because of the mutual fawning between himself and President Bush after 9/11, is most likely at fault for this murder. Ironically, the dictator's brother lives in the Chicago area, quietly, where he is a respected doctor.
While neighboring India has firmly planted democratic roots in recent years, Pakistan remains a military dictatorship. India has become a leading nation of the world. Pakistan is a basket case. When British India was divided in 1947, most people would have wagered that it was Pakistan, not India, which would eventually prosper and succeed. Because the British had favored the Punjabis, the dominant group in Pakistan, Pakistan received most of the combined region's managerial and military class. A solid social structure was in place.
Because Pakistan was Muslim, but only nominally so, a free society could have developed. Sadly, under military dictatorships, Pakistan has become a disaster. The United States has welcomed India into the expanding circle of influential nations while Pakistan has become more and more unstable.
Musharraf has been under relentless pressure to end his military dictatorship. He has come under increasing scrutiny for misdirecting and squandering $10 billion in American military and economic aid. And Senator Barack Obama has even suggested we bomb Pakistan "tribal areas" if we find Osama Bin Laden and the Pakistanis are reluctant to act.
Musharraf grudgingly made a deal with Bhutto, under U. S. pressure, and then reluctantly readmitted her rival for power Nawaz Sharif into Pakistan after initially deporting him. But Musharraf has kept recalcitrant Pakistan Supreme Court Judges and lawyers under house arrest. All in all, Musharraf faces a very untidy and potentially explosive situation.
Why does Pakistan matter? Of today's Islamic countries, Pakistan still has more potential to become a beacon of Islamic moderation and stability than any other nation. Americans probably passed over the pictures of Pakistani judges and lawyers protesting Musharraf's recent repression and his bogus "state of emergency." But there, in public, was proof positive that despite all of the chaos of the past 30 years, Pakistan still had the infrastructure, and superstructure of a civil society in place. Pakistan is still a place where the future holds great promise both for Islam and for freedom.
The demonstrating judges and attorneys were crying out for our help. Once again we choose to back the dictator Musharraf and ignore cries from the Pakistani people. Although Pakistan is vastly more unstable and radicalized than it was in my era 30 years ago, Pakistan is still worth saving and must be saved. The nation has nuclear weapons
So why do I believe Musharraf killed Bhutto? First, the killing looks suspicious. The way the attack unfolded, with firearms first and explosions second, leads me to believe the detonations were designed to cover up the killing and indeed to create chaos as a cover for escape of the perpetrators. The bomb explosions were incidental to the murder of Bhutto. Assassins planning to use a bomb do not shoot first and bomb second.
Second, I see the security situation around Bhutto as incredibly lax and ineffective. When Bhutto landed in Pakistan several weeks ago, another bombing attack led to massive death. She had virtually no protection moments before yesterday's attack. Either she was incredibly foolhardy, or she had been poorly advised to unnecessarily expose herself.
One of the failings of military dictatorships is that the military ceases to be the servant of the state, and becomes its oppressor. And having arrogated power to itself, Pakistan's military is not anxious to see a restoration of civilian control. And so, the easiest way to derail a return to civil society was to kill the emissary of future democracy. Benazir Bhutto.
Sadly, her death will likely create even more unstable conditions. American foreign policy stands on the brink. We have banked on Musharraf, but his bank is bankrupt. His military has swallowed our billions with very little to show, and he lacks any future. He has lost the people. The tribal areas have become a Taliban suburb. His regime is likely to become increasingly despotic, as he tries to blame "Islamic fundamentalists" for Bhutto's death.
Musharraf probably believed his rule would be cemented in place by the death of Bhutto. I believe he was very wrong. And I think it would be wrong to blame the fundamentalists for Bhutto's death. Potentially, they stood to gain if Bhutto became a growing threat to Musharraf. I would not rule out a fundamentalist plot, but right now I believe Musharraf is the guilty party.
So where do we go from here? The United States must (i) conduct its own independent investigation into Bhutto's death. Such an investigation will not be easy, because we will receive no cooperation from Pakistani intelligence services, all of which are still loyal to Musharraf. (ii) We need to inventory the Pakistani nuclear weapons stockpiles as best we can, and be ready to seize them if the government falls. (iii) As distasteful as it will be to the State Department, we need to begin a new opening to Nawaz Sharif, who remains the only civilian leader likely to stem the collapse of this nation.
None of these options is pleasant, and all of them involve more and more risk, but right now we have to double up, or we will surely be doubled down by the unfolding events in Pakistan.
Tomorrow: my review of the movie, "Charlie Wilson's War."
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and world events with forty years of experience. He has almost forty years of experience in the Middle East, and is America’s most respected independent foreign policy and intelligence analyst. Andy is currently a candidate for U. S. Senator from Illinois. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com.
Andy Martin discloses that Andy McKenna repeatedly gave campaign cash to Dick Durbin
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN SAYS ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN ANDY MCKENNA IS "CHRONIC CASH" CONTRIBUTOR TO SENATOR DICK DURBIN, MUST STEP DOWN OR FACE ACTION
STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ASKED TO SET ASIDE "ENDORSEMENT" OF DURBIN STOOGE AS REPUBLICAN PARTY "ENDORSED" CANDIDATE
[Web text of release:
http://www.pr-inside.com/andy-martin-charges-illinois-republican-chairman-r363764.htm]
(CHICAGO)(December 28, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a telephone news conference Friday, December 28th at 2:00 P.M. to document that Illinois Republican Party leader Andy McKenna has been a chronic contributor to Senator Dick Durbin.
"Andy McKenna is the 'Manchurian Candidate' of Illinois Republicans," Martin will state. "McKenna has given campaign cash to Dick Durbin on four and possibly five occasions, and he persists in his charade of seeking candidates to 'oppose' Durbin. McKenna got the members of the State Central Committee to 'endorse' a Durbin stooge as my primary opponent. This is sickening, disgusting, and crooked 'Combine' politics. There is no way to de-emphasize or understate what McKenna is doing to corrupt, destroy and defeat the Illinois Republican Party.
"The public records speak for themselves. Republicans can click on the links, and then weep at what has happened to them:
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=IL&last=McKenna&first=Andrew&city=&zip=&xst=&next=75
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=IL&last=McKenna&first=Andrew&city=&zip=&xst=&next=100
Federal Election Commission database (searchable):
MCKENNA, ANDREW J JRMORTON GROVE, IL 60053SCHWARZ PAPER CO
DURBIN, RICHARD J VIA FRIENDS OF DICK DURBIN COMMITTEE
10/28/1999
1000.00
20020011458
10/28/1999
1000.00
20020011458
"Andy McKenna's manipulation of the members of the State Central Committee, his concealment of his conflicts of interest, and his seeming efforts to confuse campaign contributions by his father—who also gave campaign cash to Barack Obama—have made a joke of the Republican Party's leadership. McKenna's Durbin cash is clearly delineated as cash given by 'Jr.'
"McKenna and his father have only one interest, one goal in politics, the 'Combine's' interest, to give cash and to get political favors in return. Durbin was already known as a flaming liberal when McKenna gave Durbin cash—over and over again.
"The fact that McKenna convened a State Central Committee meeting earlier this month, without a printed agenda, and then made an oral motion to endorse his stooge who is being used to undermine Republicans and reelect Durbin, calls into question the competence of every SCC member. Dr. Steve Durbinberg should be cast out of the Republican Party as an imposter and fraud.
"I call on McKenna to resign and, if he does not do so, appropriate action will be taken against every SCC member who participated in McKenna's corrupt endorsement. For shame.
"How can Illinois news media, particularly newspapers, be
conducting 'endorsement' interviews of senate candidates without being aware or being made aware that McKenna, who is sponsoring Sauerberg, has been a Durbin supporter and is using his stooge Durbinberg to corrupt the February 5th primary?
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Telephone news conference:
Toll-free call-in number: (866) 295-5950
Participant code: 2090340
WHEN: Friday, December 28, 2007 2:00 P.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin attacks Durbin Contributor Andy McKenna
for corrupting the Illinois Republican Party and State
Central Committee, calls for McKenna's resignation and threatens committee members for conspiring to endorse Durbin stooge in the Republican primary
MEDIA
CONTACT: (866) 706-2639
WEBSITES: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN SAYS ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN ANDY MCKENNA IS "CHRONIC CASH" CONTRIBUTOR TO SENATOR DICK DURBIN, MUST STEP DOWN OR FACE ACTION
STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ASKED TO SET ASIDE "ENDORSEMENT" OF DURBIN STOOGE AS REPUBLICAN PARTY "ENDORSED" CANDIDATE
[Web text of release:
http://www.pr-inside.com/andy-martin-charges-illinois-republican-chairman-r363764.htm]
(CHICAGO)(December 28, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a telephone news conference Friday, December 28th at 2:00 P.M. to document that Illinois Republican Party leader Andy McKenna has been a chronic contributor to Senator Dick Durbin.
"Andy McKenna is the 'Manchurian Candidate' of Illinois Republicans," Martin will state. "McKenna has given campaign cash to Dick Durbin on four and possibly five occasions, and he persists in his charade of seeking candidates to 'oppose' Durbin. McKenna got the members of the State Central Committee to 'endorse' a Durbin stooge as my primary opponent. This is sickening, disgusting, and crooked 'Combine' politics. There is no way to de-emphasize or understate what McKenna is doing to corrupt, destroy and defeat the Illinois Republican Party.
"The public records speak for themselves. Republicans can click on the links, and then weep at what has happened to them:
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=IL&last=McKenna&first=Andrew&city=&zip=&xst=&next=75
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=IL&last=McKenna&first=Andrew&city=&zip=&xst=&next=100
Federal Election Commission database (searchable):
MCKENNA, ANDREW J JRMORTON GROVE, IL 60053SCHWARZ PAPER CO
DURBIN, RICHARD J VIA FRIENDS OF DICK DURBIN COMMITTEE
10/28/1999
1000.00
20020011458
10/28/1999
1000.00
20020011458
"Andy McKenna's manipulation of the members of the State Central Committee, his concealment of his conflicts of interest, and his seeming efforts to confuse campaign contributions by his father—who also gave campaign cash to Barack Obama—have made a joke of the Republican Party's leadership. McKenna's Durbin cash is clearly delineated as cash given by 'Jr.'
"McKenna and his father have only one interest, one goal in politics, the 'Combine's' interest, to give cash and to get political favors in return. Durbin was already known as a flaming liberal when McKenna gave Durbin cash—over and over again.
"The fact that McKenna convened a State Central Committee meeting earlier this month, without a printed agenda, and then made an oral motion to endorse his stooge who is being used to undermine Republicans and reelect Durbin, calls into question the competence of every SCC member. Dr. Steve Durbinberg should be cast out of the Republican Party as an imposter and fraud.
"I call on McKenna to resign and, if he does not do so, appropriate action will be taken against every SCC member who participated in McKenna's corrupt endorsement. For shame.
"How can Illinois news media, particularly newspapers, be
conducting 'endorsement' interviews of senate candidates without being aware or being made aware that McKenna, who is sponsoring Sauerberg, has been a Durbin supporter and is using his stooge Durbinberg to corrupt the February 5th primary?
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Telephone news conference:
Toll-free call-in number: (866) 295-5950
Participant code: 2090340
WHEN: Friday, December 28, 2007 2:00 P.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin attacks Durbin Contributor Andy McKenna
for corrupting the Illinois Republican Party and State
Central Committee, calls for McKenna's resignation and threatens committee members for conspiring to endorse Durbin stooge in the Republican primary
MEDIA
CONTACT: (866) 706-2639
WEBSITES: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Andy Martin says his opponent, "Gun control Sauerberg," lies about Sauerberg’s "health care" plan to reward rich doctors
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2007
“GUN CONTROL SAUERBERG” LIES AGAIN ABOUT HEALTH CARE
SAUERBERG TRIES TO DENY THAT HIS “HEALTH” PLAN TO ENRICH WEALTHY DOCTORS WOULD DEPRIVE VICTIMS OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE OF JURY TRIALS
(CHICAGO)(December 20, 2007) Dr. Steve Sauerberg, the increasingly embarrassing puppet of Illinois Republican leader Andy McKenna and a cabal of corrupt statewide Republicans, was lying again Thursday night, and standing silent again before a group of northeastern Illinois gun owners and sportsmen.
At a candidates’ forum sponsored by the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club and attended by numerous candidates, Sauerberg blatantly lied about his “health plan,” whose real purpose is intended to make wealthy doctors’ bank balances even healthier.
Challenged by Andy Martin on Sauerberg’s plan to deny victims of medical malpractice jury trials, Sauerberg responded “My plan would not deny 'trials'…” Indeed. Sauerberg’s “trials” would be conducted by panels dominated by doctors, and conducted in secret, not in public before a judge and jury. In Sauerberg’s own words (his “Scoop”) here’s the “Scoop:” (be sure to bring a pooper scooper):
Under the Sauerberg Your Healthcare – Your Choice plan, the federal government will offer financial assistance to states to establish Administrative Health Courts tasked with determining whether a healthcare provider is responsible for a patient’s injury in each medical malpractice case, and if so, what remedy is appropriate. Administrative Health Courts will be chaired by a citizen’s advocate and consist of a panel of six independent experts – three legal experts and three medical experts – that will be tasked with making a determination about the case. Access to state appellate courts will be available if either party is unhappy with decisions made by Administrative Health Courts. However, a party appealing a decision of the Administrative Health Court will have to agree to pay the costs associated with defending the appeal if the appeal failed in state court.
SOURCE: http://www.sauerbergforussenate.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=2435
“Administrative Health Courts?” says Martin. “Sauerberg’s plan is just plain looney. He can’t take away the constitutional right to a jury trial. That's nuts. The only thing Dr. Sauerberg wants to do is blow kisses--and cash--at his wealthy colleagues. And he says Durbin is for special interests? The fact that Sauerberg is now forced to lie about his health plan, and to mislead voters, is a sure sign he knows his campaign is dead. Bakacht. How can a Republican candidate stand up and say he favors ‘special rights’ and ‘special privileges,’ only for doctors who are sued? I thought Republicans were against ‘special rights’ and ‘special privileges.’”
Martin noted that that after he challenged Sauerberg on Sauerberg’s plan for more gun control, Sauerberg did not deny the accusation. “It was surreal,” says Martin. “I got up in front of a bunch of gun owners and told them Sauerberg wanted ‘a little’ more gun control and Sauerberg did not deny the accusation.
[Source: Daily Herald, August 2, 2007 http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=11341]
“He was probably still trembling from having to lie about his ‘jury trial’ denial to victims of medical malpractice. Sauerberg’s failure to deny that he favors more gun control is the equivalent of Sherlock Holmes’ ‘dog that didn’t bark.’
“Sauerberg’s lies and fumbling are typical of what happens when rich people decide to buy political nominations. Sauerberg has no visible qualifications to face a political heavyweight such as Dick Durbin and he is making a laughingstock of himself. And the Republican Party leaders who ‘endorsed’ this clown? What does that say about what they are? Clowns,” says Martin.
"The Sportsmen’s Club recorded the candidate session. Maybe they will release the tape to confirm my accusations. Or maybe Sauerberg will not deny them, again,” Martin chortled.
COMING NEXT: Andy McKenna’s Latest Dirty Tricks.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is Executive Editor of ContrarianCommentary.com. Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com. MEDIA CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2007
“GUN CONTROL SAUERBERG” LIES AGAIN ABOUT HEALTH CARE
SAUERBERG TRIES TO DENY THAT HIS “HEALTH” PLAN TO ENRICH WEALTHY DOCTORS WOULD DEPRIVE VICTIMS OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE OF JURY TRIALS
(CHICAGO)(December 20, 2007) Dr. Steve Sauerberg, the increasingly embarrassing puppet of Illinois Republican leader Andy McKenna and a cabal of corrupt statewide Republicans, was lying again Thursday night, and standing silent again before a group of northeastern Illinois gun owners and sportsmen.
At a candidates’ forum sponsored by the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club and attended by numerous candidates, Sauerberg blatantly lied about his “health plan,” whose real purpose is intended to make wealthy doctors’ bank balances even healthier.
Challenged by Andy Martin on Sauerberg’s plan to deny victims of medical malpractice jury trials, Sauerberg responded “My plan would not deny 'trials'…” Indeed. Sauerberg’s “trials” would be conducted by panels dominated by doctors, and conducted in secret, not in public before a judge and jury. In Sauerberg’s own words (his “Scoop”) here’s the “Scoop:” (be sure to bring a pooper scooper):
Under the Sauerberg Your Healthcare – Your Choice plan, the federal government will offer financial assistance to states to establish Administrative Health Courts tasked with determining whether a healthcare provider is responsible for a patient’s injury in each medical malpractice case, and if so, what remedy is appropriate. Administrative Health Courts will be chaired by a citizen’s advocate and consist of a panel of six independent experts – three legal experts and three medical experts – that will be tasked with making a determination about the case. Access to state appellate courts will be available if either party is unhappy with decisions made by Administrative Health Courts. However, a party appealing a decision of the Administrative Health Court will have to agree to pay the costs associated with defending the appeal if the appeal failed in state court.
SOURCE: http://www.sauerbergforussenate.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=2435
“Administrative Health Courts?” says Martin. “Sauerberg’s plan is just plain looney. He can’t take away the constitutional right to a jury trial. That's nuts. The only thing Dr. Sauerberg wants to do is blow kisses--and cash--at his wealthy colleagues. And he says Durbin is for special interests? The fact that Sauerberg is now forced to lie about his health plan, and to mislead voters, is a sure sign he knows his campaign is dead. Bakacht. How can a Republican candidate stand up and say he favors ‘special rights’ and ‘special privileges,’ only for doctors who are sued? I thought Republicans were against ‘special rights’ and ‘special privileges.’”
Martin noted that that after he challenged Sauerberg on Sauerberg’s plan for more gun control, Sauerberg did not deny the accusation. “It was surreal,” says Martin. “I got up in front of a bunch of gun owners and told them Sauerberg wanted ‘a little’ more gun control and Sauerberg did not deny the accusation.
[Source: Daily Herald, August 2, 2007 http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=11341]
“He was probably still trembling from having to lie about his ‘jury trial’ denial to victims of medical malpractice. Sauerberg’s failure to deny that he favors more gun control is the equivalent of Sherlock Holmes’ ‘dog that didn’t bark.’
“Sauerberg’s lies and fumbling are typical of what happens when rich people decide to buy political nominations. Sauerberg has no visible qualifications to face a political heavyweight such as Dick Durbin and he is making a laughingstock of himself. And the Republican Party leaders who ‘endorsed’ this clown? What does that say about what they are? Clowns,” says Martin.
"The Sportsmen’s Club recorded the candidate session. Maybe they will release the tape to confirm my accusations. Or maybe Sauerberg will not deny them, again,” Martin chortled.
COMING NEXT: Andy McKenna’s Latest Dirty Tricks.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is Executive Editor of ContrarianCommentary.com. Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com. MEDIA CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Andy Martin calls on Steve Sauerberg to withdraw as U. S. Senate candidate
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2007
ANDY MARTIN ISSUES CALL FOR DR. STEVE SAUERBERG TO STEP DOWN AS CANDIDATE, SAYS THE DOCTOR IS AN EMBARRASSMENT, ESPECIALLY TO HIS SUPPORTERS BUT TO ALSO TO EVERY ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN
CONFRONTATION EXPECTED THURSDAY NIGHT AT AURORA SPORTSMEN’S CLUB CANDIDATE FORUM
“SAUERBERG IS PROPOSING TO TAKE AWAY YOUR SEVENTH AMENDMENT, AND YOUR ILLINOIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS; WHAT’S NEXT?” MARTIN WILL ASK GUN OWNERS
(CHICAGO)(December 20, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidates Andy Martin and his principal opponent Dr. Steve Sauerberg will collide Thursday evening at a candidates’ forum sponsored by the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club in Sugar Grove. Martin will call on Sauerberg to withdraw as a candidate because Sauerberg is an embarrassment to every Illinois Republican.
“What were they thinking when they coaxed ‘Dr. Steve’ to run against me,” Martin will ask. “Who will take the blame for this fiasco?”
“Steve Sauerberg claims he is not a ‘special interest’ candidate,” http://www.sauerbergforussenate.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=2720
Martin will state. “But his first major proposal was a ‘health plan’ to deny victims of medical malpractice jury trials, to give doctors special rights when they are sued. His first proposal was a special interest gift to his medical colleagues and contributors. Sauerberg makes Durbin look like a beacon of integrity, a paragon of political virtue. Yeekh.
“Sauerberg’s idea is legally defective and morally wrong. His ‘plan’ to do away with jury trials and to substitute ‘Administrative Health Courts’ when doctors are sued is flagrantly unconstitutional. http://www.sauerbergforussenate.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=2435
“Who dreams up this nonsense for Sauerberg?
“What he really wants is to protect the financial health of wealthy doctors, not the health of malpractice victims.
Sauerberg’s ideas are the epitome of chutzpah, for a doctor to propose shielding other doctors from liability for their malpractice, by taking away jury trials from the American People. What was this man thinking? What were the people thinking who proposed this clown as a candidate for statewide office?
“I call on Steve Sauerberg to step down as a candidate, and I suggest he ask that his name be removed from the ballot.
“I have this to say to the members of the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club: If Dr. Steve will take away you Seventh Amendment rights and your Illinois Constitutional rights, what will he give up next? The answer is obvious. In August, Sauerberg waffled on ‘assault weapons’ and Second Amendment rights. He should be running against Durbin--in the Democratic primary. [Source: Daily Herald, August 2, 2007 http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=11341] Sauerberg was quoted as saying he is not a ‘big gun control guy.’ Does that mean he is ‘a little’ gun control guy? What gives?
“Sauerberg thinks he can play games with Durbin and the Democrats. But he can’t hide his cockamamie health plan. He took the genie out of the bottle himself. In over forty years in politics, I have never seen a more incompetent, a more embarrassing candidate at the statewide level than Dr. Steve.
“Steve, before the ballot closes it’s time to say by, by. And go back to being a rich doctor. Take the million dollars you promised to spend on your campaign, and run. For the door,” Martin will state.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is Executive Editor of ContrarianCommentary.com. Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com. MEDIA CONTACT: (312) 440-4124; Cell phone (917) 664-9329.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2007
ANDY MARTIN ISSUES CALL FOR DR. STEVE SAUERBERG TO STEP DOWN AS CANDIDATE, SAYS THE DOCTOR IS AN EMBARRASSMENT, ESPECIALLY TO HIS SUPPORTERS BUT TO ALSO TO EVERY ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN
CONFRONTATION EXPECTED THURSDAY NIGHT AT AURORA SPORTSMEN’S CLUB CANDIDATE FORUM
“SAUERBERG IS PROPOSING TO TAKE AWAY YOUR SEVENTH AMENDMENT, AND YOUR ILLINOIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS; WHAT’S NEXT?” MARTIN WILL ASK GUN OWNERS
(CHICAGO)(December 20, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidates Andy Martin and his principal opponent Dr. Steve Sauerberg will collide Thursday evening at a candidates’ forum sponsored by the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club in Sugar Grove. Martin will call on Sauerberg to withdraw as a candidate because Sauerberg is an embarrassment to every Illinois Republican.
“What were they thinking when they coaxed ‘Dr. Steve’ to run against me,” Martin will ask. “Who will take the blame for this fiasco?”
“Steve Sauerberg claims he is not a ‘special interest’ candidate,” http://www.sauerbergforussenate.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=2720
Martin will state. “But his first major proposal was a ‘health plan’ to deny victims of medical malpractice jury trials, to give doctors special rights when they are sued. His first proposal was a special interest gift to his medical colleagues and contributors. Sauerberg makes Durbin look like a beacon of integrity, a paragon of political virtue. Yeekh.
“Sauerberg’s idea is legally defective and morally wrong. His ‘plan’ to do away with jury trials and to substitute ‘Administrative Health Courts’ when doctors are sued is flagrantly unconstitutional. http://www.sauerbergforussenate.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=2435
“Who dreams up this nonsense for Sauerberg?
“What he really wants is to protect the financial health of wealthy doctors, not the health of malpractice victims.
Sauerberg’s ideas are the epitome of chutzpah, for a doctor to propose shielding other doctors from liability for their malpractice, by taking away jury trials from the American People. What was this man thinking? What were the people thinking who proposed this clown as a candidate for statewide office?
“I call on Steve Sauerberg to step down as a candidate, and I suggest he ask that his name be removed from the ballot.
“I have this to say to the members of the Aurora Sportsmen’s Club: If Dr. Steve will take away you Seventh Amendment rights and your Illinois Constitutional rights, what will he give up next? The answer is obvious. In August, Sauerberg waffled on ‘assault weapons’ and Second Amendment rights. He should be running against Durbin--in the Democratic primary. [Source: Daily Herald, August 2, 2007 http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=11341] Sauerberg was quoted as saying he is not a ‘big gun control guy.’ Does that mean he is ‘a little’ gun control guy? What gives?
“Sauerberg thinks he can play games with Durbin and the Democrats. But he can’t hide his cockamamie health plan. He took the genie out of the bottle himself. In over forty years in politics, I have never seen a more incompetent, a more embarrassing candidate at the statewide level than Dr. Steve.
“Steve, before the ballot closes it’s time to say by, by. And go back to being a rich doctor. Take the million dollars you promised to spend on your campaign, and run. For the door,” Martin will state.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is Executive Editor of ContrarianCommentary.com. Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com. MEDIA CONTACT: (312) 440-4124; Cell phone (917) 664-9329.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Bugling the Economy, Part One by Andy Martin
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Note: I originally distributed this column on August 10th. You may have missed it at the time. Look again. I think you will agree my analysis was prescient, and accurately predicted the chaos to come. The economic tragedy is still unfolding. As a trained economist who worked for a senator who was a great economist, I have the unique qualifications to confront Dick Durbin on his incompetent leadership in the senate. Look for my second installment, Part Two, this week.
Andy Martin]
CONTRARIAN COMMENTARY FOR AUGUST 10, 2007
HOW DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE BUNGLING THE ECONOMY
A TWO-PART SERIES:
PART ONE: WHY BUSH IS WRONG ON THE ECONOMY, FINANCIAL MARKETS AND THE HOUSING INDUSTRY
THE “LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES” ENDANGERS WALL STREET AS WELL AS MAIN STREET
(Chicago, August 10, 2007) A hundred years ago, financial contractions were called “panics.” When the stock market collapsed and the economy faltered in 1929-1930, President Hoover assured citizens not to worry. There would be no “panic,” only a little “depression.” The Great Depression which followed threatened the very foundations of the United States. The “little ‘depression’” that turned into the “Great Depression” scarred more than a generation of Americans.
I don’t think we are on the verge of an economic collapse. Far from it. But I also think that both Democrats and Republicans are bungling the economy. The worst may be yet to come.
The unsettled conditions in financial markets are the result of government-induced errors, not family financial errors. The little people are paying the price for Washington’s mismanagement. Earlier this year, government officials began to criticize conditions in the “sub-prime” mortgage markets. Sub-prime borrowers are those individuals who for various reasons do not have the highest credit rating. Lending to such persons is admittedly slightly more risky than lending to affluent consumers. But only a tiny fraction of sub-prime loans were delinquent when regulators triggered a panic.
The sub-prime mortgage market did not originate in thin air. For decades, since the Great Depression, the policy of both Republicans and Democrats has been to encourage and expand home ownership. Home ownership has been growing and recently reached record levels, before starting to taper off. So government allowed lenders to lend, and allowed markets to function, in furtherance of a national economic policy to encourage home ownership. And it worked. There is nothing like owning your own home.
When the “panic” began earlier this year, financial columnists predicted that an overextended dollar could prove very troublesome. That is, Americans as an economy were consuming more than we were saving, and some day we would have to pay the piper. Ironically, the “housing boom” was helping to stabilize the economy, because housing demand meant mortgage demand, and mortgage demand sucked up excess liquidity (available funds) in the world economy. The United States was a good place to invest. It still is.
But regulators decided to “crack down” on the nonexistent “excesses” in the sub-prime market. There were relatively few excesses and minimal fraud. Rather, some people were overextended; and some mortgages were due to be adjusted to reflect higher market rates. The higher “market” rates, however, were not due to any misfeasance by homeowners. Rather, market rates were increasing to finance the ever-growing deficit economy of the United States. So consumers were being asked to pay higher mortgage rates to finance a deficit that they were consuming. And they are now expected to lose their homes to protect and correct the economy. Go figure.
But consumers were not the only people who were overextended. As so often happens in life, regulators shot at one target, and inadvertently hit someone else. Regulators wanted to “crack down” on sub-prime borrowers, who were really not that much of a problem. Yes, delinquency rates were higher for sub-prime borrowers; but those delinquencies could have been worked through on a gentle basis by individual lenders. When the government demanded action, lenders were forced to tighten up. The result: a government-created panic in which low income consumers were largely the innocent victims.
But they were not the biggest victims. Inadvertently, the tightening of credit standards for small borrowers lead to a weakening of the worldwide financial markets where billions and billions of dollars are traded daily. That’s when the law of unintended consequences kicked in. Instead of shaking only the foundations of sub-prime borrowers, federal regulators have endangered the foundations of the very financial system they were trying to protect.
First the small sub-prime lenders began to fail. Then dominoes started falling, unnecessarily and inadvertently. Wall Street vultures moved in to profit from the misery of Main Street. But soon the failures became larger and larger, and in time the vultures themselves were swallowed by the emerging panic. Greed begat greed begat chaos and possible collapse.
Yesterday. President Bush tried to “calm the markets.” Usually, when business executives or politicians try to “calm markets” they have precisely the opposite effect. Just ask President Hoover. Bush said he expected a “soft landing” for the economy. I’m not so sure.
First, I am not certain the president understands “markets.” Initially, markets are driven by greed, “good” greed to make a profit, to establish financial stability. Eventually emotion and excess take over. Markets, however, rarely correct on a balanced basis. Rather, excess is the linchpin of market “corrections.”
The president thinks that we may have a “little ‘depression’” in the financial markets. It could become worse. Few observers predicted or expected the tech collapse of 1999-2000. Solid companies were swallowed up in the panic that consumed the week enterprises. Today, people who only recently touted homebuilding stocks are contemplating bankruptcies by the same companies.
I have seen this chaotic and uncontrolled situation develop over the past few months while versions of this column were drafted. I think the president is wrong on two grounds. Maybe I can help him by explaining his mistaken assumptions.
First, having successfully pushed a homeownership policy, he should now stretch himself and the Republican Party to protect these new homeowners. He should not be diluting or endangering his successful homeownership legacy. What are Republicans about if not encouraging economic opportunity and risk taking?
Second, relying on the market to correct itself, when the market imbalances were created by government regulators and government excesses, may be unrealistic.
As a young law student, I studied one of the landmark Supreme Court decisions of the Great Depression, Home Building & Loan v. Blaisdell, 290 U. S. 398 (1934). The divided 5-4 court allowed states to modify contracts to prevent foreclosures. Sitting back and naively expecting “markets” to correct excesses that were triggered by government mismanagement of the economy is, to me, unrealistic. We need to act.
Expecting people whom the president characterized as having failed to read the “fine print,” and in need of “financial education,” to bear the brunt of government’s mistaken economic policies is inhumane.
The first step, always, is to admit and confess a mistake was made. Then corrective action can begin. Our own financial profligacy as a nation has created perilous times. But that is no excuse to do nothing. We are still the masters of our own economy. We can acknowledge that regulators attacked a minor problem and have created a major problem. And we can fix the problem.
We, that is the American people and the U. S. government, encouraged people to buy homes and borrow money. Now we want to stand back and do nothing because other financial conditions we created are bearing down on homeowners? I do not believe we are or should be so helpless or callous.
Republicans should awaken to the challenge, and come to the assistance of homeowners. I do not believe that sitting back while people are thrown on the streets and lose their homes—and lose their faith in the American Dream--is what Americans should tolerate. We should realize that mistaken government policies created the excesses, and we should try to engineer a soft landing instead of standing idly by and hoping the market engineers a “soft landing” all by itself. It won’t.
How about it, President Bush?
TOMORROW: PART TWO: THE DEMOCRATS ALSO BUNGLED THE ECONOMY
--------------------------Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. He is a chronicler of all things Midwestern and the authentic Voice of Middle America. Copyright Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and international politics with forty years of personal experience. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. He holds a B.S. in Economic History and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Illinois. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639 Web sites: AndyforUSSenator.com
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Note: I originally distributed this column on August 10th. You may have missed it at the time. Look again. I think you will agree my analysis was prescient, and accurately predicted the chaos to come. The economic tragedy is still unfolding. As a trained economist who worked for a senator who was a great economist, I have the unique qualifications to confront Dick Durbin on his incompetent leadership in the senate. Look for my second installment, Part Two, this week.
Andy Martin]
CONTRARIAN COMMENTARY FOR AUGUST 10, 2007
HOW DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE BUNGLING THE ECONOMY
A TWO-PART SERIES:
PART ONE: WHY BUSH IS WRONG ON THE ECONOMY, FINANCIAL MARKETS AND THE HOUSING INDUSTRY
THE “LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES” ENDANGERS WALL STREET AS WELL AS MAIN STREET
(Chicago, August 10, 2007) A hundred years ago, financial contractions were called “panics.” When the stock market collapsed and the economy faltered in 1929-1930, President Hoover assured citizens not to worry. There would be no “panic,” only a little “depression.” The Great Depression which followed threatened the very foundations of the United States. The “little ‘depression’” that turned into the “Great Depression” scarred more than a generation of Americans.
I don’t think we are on the verge of an economic collapse. Far from it. But I also think that both Democrats and Republicans are bungling the economy. The worst may be yet to come.
The unsettled conditions in financial markets are the result of government-induced errors, not family financial errors. The little people are paying the price for Washington’s mismanagement. Earlier this year, government officials began to criticize conditions in the “sub-prime” mortgage markets. Sub-prime borrowers are those individuals who for various reasons do not have the highest credit rating. Lending to such persons is admittedly slightly more risky than lending to affluent consumers. But only a tiny fraction of sub-prime loans were delinquent when regulators triggered a panic.
The sub-prime mortgage market did not originate in thin air. For decades, since the Great Depression, the policy of both Republicans and Democrats has been to encourage and expand home ownership. Home ownership has been growing and recently reached record levels, before starting to taper off. So government allowed lenders to lend, and allowed markets to function, in furtherance of a national economic policy to encourage home ownership. And it worked. There is nothing like owning your own home.
When the “panic” began earlier this year, financial columnists predicted that an overextended dollar could prove very troublesome. That is, Americans as an economy were consuming more than we were saving, and some day we would have to pay the piper. Ironically, the “housing boom” was helping to stabilize the economy, because housing demand meant mortgage demand, and mortgage demand sucked up excess liquidity (available funds) in the world economy. The United States was a good place to invest. It still is.
But regulators decided to “crack down” on the nonexistent “excesses” in the sub-prime market. There were relatively few excesses and minimal fraud. Rather, some people were overextended; and some mortgages were due to be adjusted to reflect higher market rates. The higher “market” rates, however, were not due to any misfeasance by homeowners. Rather, market rates were increasing to finance the ever-growing deficit economy of the United States. So consumers were being asked to pay higher mortgage rates to finance a deficit that they were consuming. And they are now expected to lose their homes to protect and correct the economy. Go figure.
But consumers were not the only people who were overextended. As so often happens in life, regulators shot at one target, and inadvertently hit someone else. Regulators wanted to “crack down” on sub-prime borrowers, who were really not that much of a problem. Yes, delinquency rates were higher for sub-prime borrowers; but those delinquencies could have been worked through on a gentle basis by individual lenders. When the government demanded action, lenders were forced to tighten up. The result: a government-created panic in which low income consumers were largely the innocent victims.
But they were not the biggest victims. Inadvertently, the tightening of credit standards for small borrowers lead to a weakening of the worldwide financial markets where billions and billions of dollars are traded daily. That’s when the law of unintended consequences kicked in. Instead of shaking only the foundations of sub-prime borrowers, federal regulators have endangered the foundations of the very financial system they were trying to protect.
First the small sub-prime lenders began to fail. Then dominoes started falling, unnecessarily and inadvertently. Wall Street vultures moved in to profit from the misery of Main Street. But soon the failures became larger and larger, and in time the vultures themselves were swallowed by the emerging panic. Greed begat greed begat chaos and possible collapse.
Yesterday. President Bush tried to “calm the markets.” Usually, when business executives or politicians try to “calm markets” they have precisely the opposite effect. Just ask President Hoover. Bush said he expected a “soft landing” for the economy. I’m not so sure.
First, I am not certain the president understands “markets.” Initially, markets are driven by greed, “good” greed to make a profit, to establish financial stability. Eventually emotion and excess take over. Markets, however, rarely correct on a balanced basis. Rather, excess is the linchpin of market “corrections.”
The president thinks that we may have a “little ‘depression’” in the financial markets. It could become worse. Few observers predicted or expected the tech collapse of 1999-2000. Solid companies were swallowed up in the panic that consumed the week enterprises. Today, people who only recently touted homebuilding stocks are contemplating bankruptcies by the same companies.
I have seen this chaotic and uncontrolled situation develop over the past few months while versions of this column were drafted. I think the president is wrong on two grounds. Maybe I can help him by explaining his mistaken assumptions.
First, having successfully pushed a homeownership policy, he should now stretch himself and the Republican Party to protect these new homeowners. He should not be diluting or endangering his successful homeownership legacy. What are Republicans about if not encouraging economic opportunity and risk taking?
Second, relying on the market to correct itself, when the market imbalances were created by government regulators and government excesses, may be unrealistic.
As a young law student, I studied one of the landmark Supreme Court decisions of the Great Depression, Home Building & Loan v. Blaisdell, 290 U. S. 398 (1934). The divided 5-4 court allowed states to modify contracts to prevent foreclosures. Sitting back and naively expecting “markets” to correct excesses that were triggered by government mismanagement of the economy is, to me, unrealistic. We need to act.
Expecting people whom the president characterized as having failed to read the “fine print,” and in need of “financial education,” to bear the brunt of government’s mistaken economic policies is inhumane.
The first step, always, is to admit and confess a mistake was made. Then corrective action can begin. Our own financial profligacy as a nation has created perilous times. But that is no excuse to do nothing. We are still the masters of our own economy. We can acknowledge that regulators attacked a minor problem and have created a major problem. And we can fix the problem.
We, that is the American people and the U. S. government, encouraged people to buy homes and borrow money. Now we want to stand back and do nothing because other financial conditions we created are bearing down on homeowners? I do not believe we are or should be so helpless or callous.
Republicans should awaken to the challenge, and come to the assistance of homeowners. I do not believe that sitting back while people are thrown on the streets and lose their homes—and lose their faith in the American Dream--is what Americans should tolerate. We should realize that mistaken government policies created the excesses, and we should try to engineer a soft landing instead of standing idly by and hoping the market engineers a “soft landing” all by itself. It won’t.
How about it, President Bush?
TOMORROW: PART TWO: THE DEMOCRATS ALSO BUNGLED THE ECONOMY
--------------------------Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. He is a chronicler of all things Midwestern and the authentic Voice of Middle America. Copyright Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and international politics with forty years of personal experience. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. He holds a B.S. in Economic History and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Illinois. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639 Web sites: AndyforUSSenator.com
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Andy Martin news conferences in Rockford, Rock Island, Peoria launch “One Illinois” high-speed rail plan
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 12
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN UNVEILS “ONE ILLINOIS” RAIL PLAN TO BRING HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE TO ROCKFORD, QUAD CITIES, PEORIA
ENHANCED NETWORK WOULD STRETCH FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO THE QUAD CITIES, FROM MILWAUKEE TO ST. LOUIS AND CARBONDALE
“THE ISSUE IS ON THE CAMPAIGN AGENDA!” SAYS MARTIN “ALL ABOARD”
(CHICAGO)(December 12, 2007) U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold news conferences in Rockford, Rock Island and Peoria Thursday, December 13th to announce his plans for new high-speed dedicated rail passenger service linking cities in the Midwest.
“I am very proud to once again be of service to the People of Illinois by proposing the only comprehensive, statewide program to unite our great state with ‘One Illinois,’” Martin will state. “We need to build dedicated rail high-speed passenger service if Illinois’ economy is to recover and prosper. The issue is on the campaign agenda! As long as I am a candidate I will fight for Midwest high-speed rail service.
“The incumbent has had a quarter century to do something; he has done very little. Both parties are at fault. And the people have suffered. Families are torn apart as young graduates move on to cities to find jobs and opportunities. Local economies wither. Hope is lost, futures diminished.
“The State of Illinois is ‘studying’ new rail service but they are not studying a dedicated rail high-speed network. More of the same will not do. We need a 21st century system for a 21st century economy.
“For too long we have thought of Illinois as a series of principalities and powers, the City, the suburbs and ‘Downstate.’ If this state is going to regain its national significance and economic power, we must begin to think as ‘One Illinois.’
“Unlike most candidates, that blow hot air, or yell ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative’ and do little else, I can point to ‘concrete’ results: The Chicago Tribune recognized in 1978 my successful fight to upgrade US 51 to interstate standards. I succeeded where others had failed. Today Interstate 39 is testimony to my ability to get things done.
“My proposal improves service from Chicago to Carbondale via Champaign, and north to Milwaukee, east to Indianapolis and west to the Quad Cities.
“We need to invest in Illinois’ future and our families’ futures. ‘One Illinois’ is a blueprint that will guide me as a U. S. Senator in Washington. All Aboard!”
ROCKFORD NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Main entrance, Winnebago County Courthouse
400 W. State Street (look for easel outside)
Rockford
WHEN: Wednesday, December 13, 2007 8:45 A.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin vows to extend high-speed dedicated
rail passenger service to Rockford, Rock Island and Peoria as part of a new Midwest network
ROCK ISLAND NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHERE: Main entrance, Rock Island County Courthouse
210 15th Street (parking lot) (look for easel outside)
Rock Island
WHEN: Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:45 A.M.
PEORIA NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHERE: Main Street entrance, Peoria County Courthouse
324 Main Street (look for easel outside)
Peoria
WHEN: Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:45 P.M.
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124 Cell phone (917) 664-9329
(Cell phone conference/contacts all day)
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is Executive Editor of ContrarianCommentary.com. Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com, ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 12
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN UNVEILS “ONE ILLINOIS” RAIL PLAN TO BRING HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE TO ROCKFORD, QUAD CITIES, PEORIA
ENHANCED NETWORK WOULD STRETCH FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO THE QUAD CITIES, FROM MILWAUKEE TO ST. LOUIS AND CARBONDALE
“THE ISSUE IS ON THE CAMPAIGN AGENDA!” SAYS MARTIN “ALL ABOARD”
(CHICAGO)(December 12, 2007) U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold news conferences in Rockford, Rock Island and Peoria Thursday, December 13th to announce his plans for new high-speed dedicated rail passenger service linking cities in the Midwest.
“I am very proud to once again be of service to the People of Illinois by proposing the only comprehensive, statewide program to unite our great state with ‘One Illinois,’” Martin will state. “We need to build dedicated rail high-speed passenger service if Illinois’ economy is to recover and prosper. The issue is on the campaign agenda! As long as I am a candidate I will fight for Midwest high-speed rail service.
“The incumbent has had a quarter century to do something; he has done very little. Both parties are at fault. And the people have suffered. Families are torn apart as young graduates move on to cities to find jobs and opportunities. Local economies wither. Hope is lost, futures diminished.
“The State of Illinois is ‘studying’ new rail service but they are not studying a dedicated rail high-speed network. More of the same will not do. We need a 21st century system for a 21st century economy.
“For too long we have thought of Illinois as a series of principalities and powers, the City, the suburbs and ‘Downstate.’ If this state is going to regain its national significance and economic power, we must begin to think as ‘One Illinois.’
“Unlike most candidates, that blow hot air, or yell ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative’ and do little else, I can point to ‘concrete’ results: The Chicago Tribune recognized in 1978 my successful fight to upgrade US 51 to interstate standards. I succeeded where others had failed. Today Interstate 39 is testimony to my ability to get things done.
“My proposal improves service from Chicago to Carbondale via Champaign, and north to Milwaukee, east to Indianapolis and west to the Quad Cities.
“We need to invest in Illinois’ future and our families’ futures. ‘One Illinois’ is a blueprint that will guide me as a U. S. Senator in Washington. All Aboard!”
ROCKFORD NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Main entrance, Winnebago County Courthouse
400 W. State Street (look for easel outside)
Rockford
WHEN: Wednesday, December 13, 2007 8:45 A.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin vows to extend high-speed dedicated
rail passenger service to Rockford, Rock Island and Peoria as part of a new Midwest network
ROCK ISLAND NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHERE: Main entrance, Rock Island County Courthouse
210 15th Street (parking lot) (look for easel outside)
Rock Island
WHEN: Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:45 A.M.
PEORIA NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHERE: Main Street entrance, Peoria County Courthouse
324 Main Street (look for easel outside)
Peoria
WHEN: Thursday, December 13, 2007 2:45 P.M.
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124 Cell phone (917) 664-9329
(Cell phone conference/contacts all day)
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. He is Executive Editor of ContrarianCommentary.com. Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com, ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Andy Martin says he is "free at last" to tell the truth about the moribund Illinois Republican Party leadership
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
Executive Editor
ContrarianCommentary.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN THANKS HIS OPPONENTS FOR ENDORSING THE "BIGGEST LOSER IN ILLINOIS POLITICAL HISTORY"
"MCKENNA'S MUNCHKINS" ARE LEADING REPUBLICANS TO DEFEAT, MARTIN SAYS.
BURSTS OF LAUGHER GREET "ENDORSEMENT" BY MORIBUND GOP CABAL
(CHICAGO)(December 8, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin greeted the endorsement of his primary opponent by a secret cabal of GOP leaders as "the biggest joke in Illinois political history." Martin responded to a column posted on ChicagoTribune.com by Rick Pearson, a Tribune reporter who is known as a toady of the old guard Republican leadership. Martin will hold a telephone news conference Sunday, December 9th to announce further responses (details below).
"When I was invited to a 'debate' at the Chicago Tribune last week, and neither Sauerberg nor Pearson showed their faces, I suspected the 'fix' was in. And apparently it was," Martin said.
"The endorsement of my opponent by my opponents is not a vote of confidence, it is an act of desperation," Martin stated. "Sauerberg's supporters have become frightened by his totally incompetent campaign and his inability to project any presence as a candidate. They think they can salvage the primary by endorsing a dead duck.
"Now we can have a real primary, and a real fight for the future of the Republican Party. As long as the Andy McKennas and Torbert Chisums and all of the other unelected 'leaders' of this party exercise control, the Republican Party will be a joke.
"Primary voters now have a clear choice, between McKenna's past, and his destructive efforts to make the Republican Party into the 'Combine Party,' and my plans to open up the party and to develop a future where candidates can work together to win elections. Up until now, we have all had to play 'nice' with each other. But since McKenna has many more enemies in the Republican Party than I do, McKenna has made a classic mistake in showing his true colors.
"McKenna has thrown down the gauntlet, and I willingly
accept. If voters want a future, they can vote for me and vote for an aggressive campaign to confront Dick Durbin and his anti-American carnival.
"If voters want to destroy what remains of the party, and allow it to wither into irrelevance, Steve Sauerberg is their champion. I relish the prospect of an up-or-down vote, and I welcome the opportunity to take my case to primary voters, not self-selected party bosses.
"How this putrid deed was orchestrated is instructive. No one announced that any endorsement was on the agenda. It was a secret, planned stab-in-the-back set up by McKenna and his Munchkins. They concealed their plans so no one could challenge them, held a rump endorsement session in violation of Republican Party rules, and had their lapdog Rick Pearson at their side to announce the results and write his usual smears.
"Pearson made no effort to contact opposing campaigns to
get reaction comment. He is an embarrassment to the Tribune.
"I say it's 'politics as usual' in the Illinois GOP. It bears emphasizing that these 'state committeemen,' unlike their Democratic Party counterparts, are not elected by voters and are not accountable to voters. Rather, party leaders vote for themselves to be their own leaders. This is not democracy. This is classic 'Combine' politics.
"In any event, I humbly thank Andy McKenna and his Munchkins (Elves?) for playing Santa Claws before Christmas. They have given me the best gift anyone could want: a open highway to primary voters to tell them the truth about the corrupt and incompetent leadership of their party, and the urgent need for a total change in leadership. I have one thing to say to McKenna and Co. 'Ho, ho, ho.'
"I will have my delayed present for them on February 5th, and they will not be happy campers when they receive it. As for me, I'm 'free at last' to run against the corrupt leadership of my party, and to work to rebuild the Republican presence in Illinois. Desperate men took desperate steps today; they will live to regret their actions when the votes are counted on Election Day," Martin chortled.
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Telephone news conference:
Toll-free call-in number: (866) 295-5950
Participant code: 2090340
WHEN: Sunday, December 9, 2007 2:00 P.M. (CDT)
WHAT: Andy Martin attacks corrupt 'endorsement'
by his Republican opponents
MEDIA
CONTACT: (866) 706-2639
WEBSITES: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyMart20@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
Executive Editor
ContrarianCommentary.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE
U.S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN THANKS HIS OPPONENTS FOR ENDORSING THE "BIGGEST LOSER IN ILLINOIS POLITICAL HISTORY"
"MCKENNA'S MUNCHKINS" ARE LEADING REPUBLICANS TO DEFEAT, MARTIN SAYS.
BURSTS OF LAUGHER GREET "ENDORSEMENT" BY MORIBUND GOP CABAL
(CHICAGO)(December 8, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin greeted the endorsement of his primary opponent by a secret cabal of GOP leaders as "the biggest joke in Illinois political history." Martin responded to a column posted on ChicagoTribune.com by Rick Pearson, a Tribune reporter who is known as a toady of the old guard Republican leadership. Martin will hold a telephone news conference Sunday, December 9th to announce further responses (details below).
"When I was invited to a 'debate' at the Chicago Tribune last week, and neither Sauerberg nor Pearson showed their faces, I suspected the 'fix' was in. And apparently it was," Martin said.
"The endorsement of my opponent by my opponents is not a vote of confidence, it is an act of desperation," Martin stated. "Sauerberg's supporters have become frightened by his totally incompetent campaign and his inability to project any presence as a candidate. They think they can salvage the primary by endorsing a dead duck.
"Now we can have a real primary, and a real fight for the future of the Republican Party. As long as the Andy McKennas and Torbert Chisums and all of the other unelected 'leaders' of this party exercise control, the Republican Party will be a joke.
"Primary voters now have a clear choice, between McKenna's past, and his destructive efforts to make the Republican Party into the 'Combine Party,' and my plans to open up the party and to develop a future where candidates can work together to win elections. Up until now, we have all had to play 'nice' with each other. But since McKenna has many more enemies in the Republican Party than I do, McKenna has made a classic mistake in showing his true colors.
"McKenna has thrown down the gauntlet, and I willingly
accept. If voters want a future, they can vote for me and vote for an aggressive campaign to confront Dick Durbin and his anti-American carnival.
"If voters want to destroy what remains of the party, and allow it to wither into irrelevance, Steve Sauerberg is their champion. I relish the prospect of an up-or-down vote, and I welcome the opportunity to take my case to primary voters, not self-selected party bosses.
"How this putrid deed was orchestrated is instructive. No one announced that any endorsement was on the agenda. It was a secret, planned stab-in-the-back set up by McKenna and his Munchkins. They concealed their plans so no one could challenge them, held a rump endorsement session in violation of Republican Party rules, and had their lapdog Rick Pearson at their side to announce the results and write his usual smears.
"Pearson made no effort to contact opposing campaigns to
get reaction comment. He is an embarrassment to the Tribune.
"I say it's 'politics as usual' in the Illinois GOP. It bears emphasizing that these 'state committeemen,' unlike their Democratic Party counterparts, are not elected by voters and are not accountable to voters. Rather, party leaders vote for themselves to be their own leaders. This is not democracy. This is classic 'Combine' politics.
"In any event, I humbly thank Andy McKenna and his Munchkins (Elves?) for playing Santa Claws before Christmas. They have given me the best gift anyone could want: a open highway to primary voters to tell them the truth about the corrupt and incompetent leadership of their party, and the urgent need for a total change in leadership. I have one thing to say to McKenna and Co. 'Ho, ho, ho.'
"I will have my delayed present for them on February 5th, and they will not be happy campers when they receive it. As for me, I'm 'free at last' to run against the corrupt leadership of my party, and to work to rebuild the Republican presence in Illinois. Desperate men took desperate steps today; they will live to regret their actions when the votes are counted on Election Day," Martin chortled.
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Telephone news conference:
Toll-free call-in number: (866) 295-5950
Participant code: 2090340
WHEN: Sunday, December 9, 2007 2:00 P.M. (CDT)
WHAT: Andy Martin attacks corrupt 'endorsement'
by his Republican opponents
MEDIA
CONTACT: (866) 706-2639
WEBSITES: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyMart20@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Andy Martin demands bipartisan investigation of CIA torture tape destruction
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN DEMANDS BIPARTISAN INVESTIGATION OF CIA TAPE DESTRUCTION
MARTIN SAYS TORTURE HAS DISHONORED THE UNITED STATES, JOINS SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN IN CALLING FOR THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN ANTI-TORTURE LEGISLATION
(CHICAGO)(December 8, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a sidewalk news conference Saturday, December 8 to announce that he has joined calls for an investigation of CIA tape destruction.
“I want to underscore my own concern that CIA records were destroyed,” Martin will state. “Like most government agencies, the CIA destroys almost nothing. The claim that the head of DO directed the destruction of tapes is simply not believable. He must be sworn and interrogated. The fact that the existence of the tapes was concealed from the 9/11 Commission is also unbelievable. The argument that the CIA was protecting the identities of interrogators is an insult to the intelligence.
“I am asking the Attorney General to investigate, and I would also suggest that Congress consider creating a bipartisan committee or special commission to investigate the destruction of this evidence. What we do not need to tear this country apart on a partisan basis.
“Republicans should be just as outraged as Democrats that evidence was destroyed, that government agencies (9/11 Commission) and, apparently, courts were deceived. As a former judge, the Attorney General is obviously aware of the seriousness of those implications.
“Senator John McCain and I are of one mind as to the uselessness and counter productivity of torture. There are many ways to deal with recalcitrant witnesses and torturing them is not one of the options. The fact that tapes of these abominations existed, and that conflicting claims are now being made as to who was notified and when, is just the latest installment in a tawdry series of disclosures about an essential government agency that was misused and abused for political purposes during the Iraq era. Make no mistake, we need the CIA, and almost all of the people who work at the CIA are honest and honorable and decent. I have met Porter Goss and I would be very surprised if his hands are dirty. The full truth has to come out to condemn the evil doers, and to exonerate the innocent.
“What no one has yet asked is, ‘Where were the tapes made?’ I think that is the first question I want answered. Were these ‘interrogations’ performed in Amman, as I suspect? Somewhere else? We need a full disclosure of the relevant facts. To date all we have had is another installment of cover-up. I believe that copies of these tapes still exist. We need to coax out these copies from those who have them.
“I strongly support the bipartisan proposal which is going through Congress to ban torture and to disassociate the United States from any questionable techniques in the future. I strongly urge the President to sign such legislation and to avoid any threats of a veto.
“Horrendous mistakes have been made. Shameful mistakes. Disgraceful mistakes. As a nation we have been dishonored by those who claimed super powers to ignore the constitution, to violate our laws and to attack the core of our democracy, which is respect for human rights and due process of law. We have laws and we have courts precisely because we cannot trust individuals who hold temporal and temporary power to hold the lines clear and true between that which is allowed and that which is condemned.
“That I why Senator McCain and I stand shoulder to shoulder in demanding an end to torture or the acceptance and toleration of torture. We have seen the consequences.
“I am sure we do not remotely have the entire truth even yet. But we must begin and continue the process of reconciliation and disclosure. The truth can set us free, but only if we expose and confront the truth. The events of the past couple of days indicate that some people in Washington still do not realize it is truth-telling time.
“Finally, on a political level, in a few days we will enter a new year, and a new political calendar. Republican candidates should not be asked to campaign while bearing the burden of continuing disclosures about abhorrent activity. The sooner the full truth is out, the better. If politicians understand little else, they do understand self-preservation,” Martin will state.
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Sidewalk news conference, Southeast Corner
of Huron & Wabash Streets (St. James cathedral)
(or inside if necessary)
WHEN: Saturday, December 8, 2007 11:00 A.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin joins demands for investigation of CIA
tape destruction
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124; Cell (917) 664-9329
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and world events with forty years of experience. He has almost 40 years of experience in the Middle East and served in Baghdad during 2003 as a bureau chief; he has written extensively for intelligence web sites based on his experiences in Viet-Nam and the Middle East. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN DEMANDS BIPARTISAN INVESTIGATION OF CIA TAPE DESTRUCTION
MARTIN SAYS TORTURE HAS DISHONORED THE UNITED STATES, JOINS SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN IN CALLING FOR THE PRESIDENT TO SIGN ANTI-TORTURE LEGISLATION
(CHICAGO)(December 8, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a sidewalk news conference Saturday, December 8 to announce that he has joined calls for an investigation of CIA tape destruction.
“I want to underscore my own concern that CIA records were destroyed,” Martin will state. “Like most government agencies, the CIA destroys almost nothing. The claim that the head of DO directed the destruction of tapes is simply not believable. He must be sworn and interrogated. The fact that the existence of the tapes was concealed from the 9/11 Commission is also unbelievable. The argument that the CIA was protecting the identities of interrogators is an insult to the intelligence.
“I am asking the Attorney General to investigate, and I would also suggest that Congress consider creating a bipartisan committee or special commission to investigate the destruction of this evidence. What we do not need to tear this country apart on a partisan basis.
“Republicans should be just as outraged as Democrats that evidence was destroyed, that government agencies (9/11 Commission) and, apparently, courts were deceived. As a former judge, the Attorney General is obviously aware of the seriousness of those implications.
“Senator John McCain and I are of one mind as to the uselessness and counter productivity of torture. There are many ways to deal with recalcitrant witnesses and torturing them is not one of the options. The fact that tapes of these abominations existed, and that conflicting claims are now being made as to who was notified and when, is just the latest installment in a tawdry series of disclosures about an essential government agency that was misused and abused for political purposes during the Iraq era. Make no mistake, we need the CIA, and almost all of the people who work at the CIA are honest and honorable and decent. I have met Porter Goss and I would be very surprised if his hands are dirty. The full truth has to come out to condemn the evil doers, and to exonerate the innocent.
“What no one has yet asked is, ‘Where were the tapes made?’ I think that is the first question I want answered. Were these ‘interrogations’ performed in Amman, as I suspect? Somewhere else? We need a full disclosure of the relevant facts. To date all we have had is another installment of cover-up. I believe that copies of these tapes still exist. We need to coax out these copies from those who have them.
“I strongly support the bipartisan proposal which is going through Congress to ban torture and to disassociate the United States from any questionable techniques in the future. I strongly urge the President to sign such legislation and to avoid any threats of a veto.
“Horrendous mistakes have been made. Shameful mistakes. Disgraceful mistakes. As a nation we have been dishonored by those who claimed super powers to ignore the constitution, to violate our laws and to attack the core of our democracy, which is respect for human rights and due process of law. We have laws and we have courts precisely because we cannot trust individuals who hold temporal and temporary power to hold the lines clear and true between that which is allowed and that which is condemned.
“That I why Senator McCain and I stand shoulder to shoulder in demanding an end to torture or the acceptance and toleration of torture. We have seen the consequences.
“I am sure we do not remotely have the entire truth even yet. But we must begin and continue the process of reconciliation and disclosure. The truth can set us free, but only if we expose and confront the truth. The events of the past couple of days indicate that some people in Washington still do not realize it is truth-telling time.
“Finally, on a political level, in a few days we will enter a new year, and a new political calendar. Republican candidates should not be asked to campaign while bearing the burden of continuing disclosures about abhorrent activity. The sooner the full truth is out, the better. If politicians understand little else, they do understand self-preservation,” Martin will state.
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Sidewalk news conference, Southeast Corner
of Huron & Wabash Streets (St. James cathedral)
(or inside if necessary)
WHEN: Saturday, December 8, 2007 11:00 A.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin joins demands for investigation of CIA
tape destruction
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124; Cell (917) 664-9329
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
Chicago-based Internet journalist, broadcaster and media critic Andy Martin is the Executive Editor and publisher of ContrarianCommentary.com. © Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin covers regional, national and world events with forty years of experience. He has almost 40 years of experience in the Middle East and served in Baghdad during 2003 as a bureau chief; he has written extensively for intelligence web sites based on his experiences in Viet-Nam and the Middle East. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Columns also posted at ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com. Comments? E-mail: AndyMart20@aol.com. Media contact: (866) 706-2639. Web sites: ContrarianCommentary.com.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Andy Martin is ready to lead Illinois Republicans in the U. S. Senate campaign against Dick Durbin
ANDY MARTIN
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-ANDY
Toll-free fax (866) 707-ANDY
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
December 6, 2007
Mark Thompson, Esq.
Maine Township Committeeman
MTRRO
via fax and e-mail
Dear Mark:
I want to thank you for inviting me to your endorsement session on December 13th. I desperately would like to come because it appears to me you are conducting a fair procedure. That is to the credit of your committee.
But, you know as an attorney, scheduling is everything. We had already planned a statewide series of news conferences for the 13th concerning a very important regional topic. We have locked in commitments that can’t be changed. I don’t think we will be back until 8:00 P.M. at the earliest.
I am going to try and send a surrogate, but I generally I like to come in person. My experiences are somewhat unique and it is hard to transmit them via someone else.
I wonder if there is any way I could be heard on a speaker phone? I could call in from the road as we are returning from Peoria.
I don’t know where you stand on the McKenna wars, but I have tried to deal quietly with Andy. It hasn’t worked. Unfortunately, he keeps trying to promote my principal opponent for the nomination. Reluctantly, I have given up on Andy McKenna being a fair and impartial chairman in the primary.
My impression of Steve Sauerberg is that Steve is a decent guy. I have not conducted a negative campaign against him, nor do I have any plans to do so.
But you as an attorney know how important the right to trial by jury is in our Illinois Constitution and in the U.S. Constitution. Sauerberg wants to abolish trial by jury to protect doctors from malpractice liability. You can see his proposal on his website; this claim is not something I dreamed up. If Sauerberg is willing to give up on the Seventh Amendment, what’s next on his hit list? The Second Amendment?
First, it is obscene that a doctor who claims he is running to demonstrate higher morals than Durbin, manifests the same low morals as Durbin by promoting special interest legislation that would benefit him and his doctor friends, and serve him as a fund-raising tool with wealthy contributors. In Springfield we used to call that kind of proposal a “fetcher,” because it was being used to “fetch” campaign contributions.
Second, as you also know, abolition of jury trials for medical malpractice would clearly require an amendment to the Illinois Constitution. There is no way the People of this state are going to surrender their right to a jury trial. It won’t happen. So not only is Sauerberg promoting special interest legislation for himself and his doctor friends, he is trying to sell pie-in—the-sky that makes him (and anyone who "endorses" him) look like a laughingstock.
Finally, Steve is a rookie. He would never suggest that you go to a doctor who had never seen a patient before, but he is perfectly comfortable trying to join the political process by running for the third highest national office. (President, Vice, U. S. Senator). Steve constantly manifests lack of experience. Running against a powerful pro like Durbin is no time for the Republican Party to nominate a rookie. A U. S. Senate campaign is no place for on-the-job training or amateur hour. Durbin & Co. are going to make Steve look bad, very bad, for promoting legislation in which he has a conflict of interest; that’s what abolishing jury trials and amending the Constitution would do.
And so while I assume Steve is a nice guy, and that is my honest impression of him, he has already reflected embarrassing inexperience in his campaign, and locked himself into proposals that makes him look bad.
I am a powerful campaigner who knows how to hit Do-Nothing Durbin hard. Next year I celebrate forty (40) years of broadcasting experience (1968-2008). I repeat, a U. S. Senate race is no place for beginners. Moreover, my experience in the Middle East and in fighting corruption provide a unique opportunity to confront Durbin on his poor record in those areas. See AndyforUSSenator.com.
And so I close with what I said at the start about Steve: I think he is a nice guy, and I bear him no ill will. But he is simply in way, way over his head in trying to start in politics by running against the Democrats’ champion and an acknowledged campaign pro, Durbin.
I would like to distribute this letter to your committeemen in case I am unable to make it to your meeting. Is there any way you could e-mail it for me?
I have stated my case simply and directly. I find it is best to be honest and straightforward. That is the way I have campaigned for the nomination, and that is the way I will campaign against Durbin starting February 6th. That is the only way to beat Durbin. I know him well; we worked in the same office.
And, if you don’t believe I know how to run against Dick Durbin, remember thirty years ago the Chicago Tribune said I knew how to campaign like no one else. I have improved since then. I am at the top of my game. Sadly, Sauerberg has no game. No one can seriously suggest he is a “campaigner.” If you don’t believe me, just listen to him on the 13th. Can you really confer an “endorsement” on him? I don’t think so.
Again, if there is any way you can distribute this letter for me, I would appreciate it. I want to thank you for your invitation and hope you conduct a fair and above board endorsement process. Frankly, my preference would be that MTRRO endorse no one for the senate.
Please feel free to call me, or have any of your committeemen, call me on the phone. Unlike Sauerberg, you can actually get me on the phone.
With warmest holiday wishes for your committee, and best regards for your celebration,
Sincerely yours,
ANDY
AM:sp
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-ANDY
Toll-free fax (866) 707-ANDY
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
December 6, 2007
Mark Thompson, Esq.
Maine Township Committeeman
MTRRO
via fax and e-mail
Dear Mark:
I want to thank you for inviting me to your endorsement session on December 13th. I desperately would like to come because it appears to me you are conducting a fair procedure. That is to the credit of your committee.
But, you know as an attorney, scheduling is everything. We had already planned a statewide series of news conferences for the 13th concerning a very important regional topic. We have locked in commitments that can’t be changed. I don’t think we will be back until 8:00 P.M. at the earliest.
I am going to try and send a surrogate, but I generally I like to come in person. My experiences are somewhat unique and it is hard to transmit them via someone else.
I wonder if there is any way I could be heard on a speaker phone? I could call in from the road as we are returning from Peoria.
I don’t know where you stand on the McKenna wars, but I have tried to deal quietly with Andy. It hasn’t worked. Unfortunately, he keeps trying to promote my principal opponent for the nomination. Reluctantly, I have given up on Andy McKenna being a fair and impartial chairman in the primary.
My impression of Steve Sauerberg is that Steve is a decent guy. I have not conducted a negative campaign against him, nor do I have any plans to do so.
But you as an attorney know how important the right to trial by jury is in our Illinois Constitution and in the U.S. Constitution. Sauerberg wants to abolish trial by jury to protect doctors from malpractice liability. You can see his proposal on his website; this claim is not something I dreamed up. If Sauerberg is willing to give up on the Seventh Amendment, what’s next on his hit list? The Second Amendment?
First, it is obscene that a doctor who claims he is running to demonstrate higher morals than Durbin, manifests the same low morals as Durbin by promoting special interest legislation that would benefit him and his doctor friends, and serve him as a fund-raising tool with wealthy contributors. In Springfield we used to call that kind of proposal a “fetcher,” because it was being used to “fetch” campaign contributions.
Second, as you also know, abolition of jury trials for medical malpractice would clearly require an amendment to the Illinois Constitution. There is no way the People of this state are going to surrender their right to a jury trial. It won’t happen. So not only is Sauerberg promoting special interest legislation for himself and his doctor friends, he is trying to sell pie-in—the-sky that makes him (and anyone who "endorses" him) look like a laughingstock.
Finally, Steve is a rookie. He would never suggest that you go to a doctor who had never seen a patient before, but he is perfectly comfortable trying to join the political process by running for the third highest national office. (President, Vice, U. S. Senator). Steve constantly manifests lack of experience. Running against a powerful pro like Durbin is no time for the Republican Party to nominate a rookie. A U. S. Senate campaign is no place for on-the-job training or amateur hour. Durbin & Co. are going to make Steve look bad, very bad, for promoting legislation in which he has a conflict of interest; that’s what abolishing jury trials and amending the Constitution would do.
And so while I assume Steve is a nice guy, and that is my honest impression of him, he has already reflected embarrassing inexperience in his campaign, and locked himself into proposals that makes him look bad.
I am a powerful campaigner who knows how to hit Do-Nothing Durbin hard. Next year I celebrate forty (40) years of broadcasting experience (1968-2008). I repeat, a U. S. Senate race is no place for beginners. Moreover, my experience in the Middle East and in fighting corruption provide a unique opportunity to confront Durbin on his poor record in those areas. See AndyforUSSenator.com.
And so I close with what I said at the start about Steve: I think he is a nice guy, and I bear him no ill will. But he is simply in way, way over his head in trying to start in politics by running against the Democrats’ champion and an acknowledged campaign pro, Durbin.
I would like to distribute this letter to your committeemen in case I am unable to make it to your meeting. Is there any way you could e-mail it for me?
I have stated my case simply and directly. I find it is best to be honest and straightforward. That is the way I have campaigned for the nomination, and that is the way I will campaign against Durbin starting February 6th. That is the only way to beat Durbin. I know him well; we worked in the same office.
And, if you don’t believe I know how to run against Dick Durbin, remember thirty years ago the Chicago Tribune said I knew how to campaign like no one else. I have improved since then. I am at the top of my game. Sadly, Sauerberg has no game. No one can seriously suggest he is a “campaigner.” If you don’t believe me, just listen to him on the 13th. Can you really confer an “endorsement” on him? I don’t think so.
Again, if there is any way you can distribute this letter for me, I would appreciate it. I want to thank you for your invitation and hope you conduct a fair and above board endorsement process. Frankly, my preference would be that MTRRO endorse no one for the senate.
Please feel free to call me, or have any of your committeemen, call me on the phone. Unlike Sauerberg, you can actually get me on the phone.
With warmest holiday wishes for your committee, and best regards for your celebration,
Sincerely yours,
ANDY
AM:sp
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Andy Martin claims big victory against Associated Press, Chicago Tribune in court hearing
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASSOCIATED PRESS ADMITS TO CENSORING U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN
CHICAGO TRIBUNE’S ATTORNEYS SUGGEST LEGAL BILLS HAVE EXCEEDED $250,000 IN FIGHTING MARTIN’S CHARGES OF MEDIA BIAS
MARTIN CLAIMS “BIG WIN” AS COURT HEARING EXPOSES MEDIA BIAS AND CORRUPTION; “CENSOR THIS!” ANDY SAYS
“I’M GOING TO WIN THE NOMINATION WITHOUT EITHER THE AP OR THE TRIBUNE, AND PUT BOTH OF THEIR TITS IN THE WRINGER,” “COUNTRYPOLITAN” CANDIDATE SAYS
(CHICAGO)(December 5, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin today said he was pleased after a nasty Chicago court hearing in which the Associated Press admitted to censoring Martin’s campaign, and the Chicago Tribune charged Martin was punishing the newspaper financially.
“Today was a sad day for the Associated Press,” Martin stated. “The AP got up in open court and admitted they were lying to their newspaper subscribers, and lying to their readers. They said they had a ‘right to lie’ and censor the news, and cited a 1922 Lenin-era court opinion for their ‘right’ to do so. A lot has changed since 1920, and I doubt many subscribers to the AP are aware that the company has internal policies censoring some candidates. I have ‘news’ for the AP. Not-for-profit news organizations do not have the right to publish propaganda masquerading as news and receive tax benefits. Or lie to their readers. Courts are not helpless to intervene, as they were 90 years ago.
“The Tribune’s Christi Parsons attacked me in the Tribune’s Sunday Magazine. Parsons did not contact me before running the paper’s latest smear. She didn’t want to be bothered with either the facts or the truth. Some reporter; she publishes lies instead of the truth. What she was really publishing was Durbin propaganda. What about the Tribune’s giant picture of Durbin in the toy store? Or the giant picture of Durbin at the beekeeping enterprise? This is news? This is Tribune/Durbin propaganda.
“The Chicago Tribune’s lawyers hissed that the paper had spent a quarter of a million dollars defending my accusations of rigged polls. I offered to settle the case almost two years ago, but these arrogant million-dollar-law firms want to keep fighting and keep billing. The Chicago Tribune’s General Counsel was in court today. I guess they are taking the case very seriously. When you offer to settle, and the lawyers want to fight, whassup? You guessed it. The ‘Combine’ wants to strangle my campaign the way they are strangling the People of Illinois.
“People know me as a reasonable person who has run a clean, hard hitting campaign for senator. What are they going to do when I win the primary and stand next to Durbin? Abandon Lenin and adopt Stalinist-era tactics and clip me out of their pictures?
“Judge Stuart Palmer became enraged when I said I had exposed the Tribune’s questionable polling firm, and put the Tribune’s ‘tit in the wringer.’ Well, what can you expect from a crooked Cook County ‘Combine’ judge? Justice? Phooey.
“I was the clear winner of the court hearing because I exposed the venom and corruption of the AP’s and Tribune’s reporting against me. A transcript of the court hearing is being prepared.
“The more the media fight me, the stronger I become. People have lost faith in the ‘mainstream media.’ They can censor their newspapers and news services, but they have lost the power to censor the truth. And the truth is out there, everywhere. Andy Martin is fighting for the little people and working families in both parties, while Hollywood Durbin is the king of fund raising and special interests.
“I have something to say to the AP and Tribune: Censor This!” Martin chortled.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASSOCIATED PRESS ADMITS TO CENSORING U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN
CHICAGO TRIBUNE’S ATTORNEYS SUGGEST LEGAL BILLS HAVE EXCEEDED $250,000 IN FIGHTING MARTIN’S CHARGES OF MEDIA BIAS
MARTIN CLAIMS “BIG WIN” AS COURT HEARING EXPOSES MEDIA BIAS AND CORRUPTION; “CENSOR THIS!” ANDY SAYS
“I’M GOING TO WIN THE NOMINATION WITHOUT EITHER THE AP OR THE TRIBUNE, AND PUT BOTH OF THEIR TITS IN THE WRINGER,” “COUNTRYPOLITAN” CANDIDATE SAYS
(CHICAGO)(December 5, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin today said he was pleased after a nasty Chicago court hearing in which the Associated Press admitted to censoring Martin’s campaign, and the Chicago Tribune charged Martin was punishing the newspaper financially.
“Today was a sad day for the Associated Press,” Martin stated. “The AP got up in open court and admitted they were lying to their newspaper subscribers, and lying to their readers. They said they had a ‘right to lie’ and censor the news, and cited a 1922 Lenin-era court opinion for their ‘right’ to do so. A lot has changed since 1920, and I doubt many subscribers to the AP are aware that the company has internal policies censoring some candidates. I have ‘news’ for the AP. Not-for-profit news organizations do not have the right to publish propaganda masquerading as news and receive tax benefits. Or lie to their readers. Courts are not helpless to intervene, as they were 90 years ago.
“The Tribune’s Christi Parsons attacked me in the Tribune’s Sunday Magazine. Parsons did not contact me before running the paper’s latest smear. She didn’t want to be bothered with either the facts or the truth. Some reporter; she publishes lies instead of the truth. What she was really publishing was Durbin propaganda. What about the Tribune’s giant picture of Durbin in the toy store? Or the giant picture of Durbin at the beekeeping enterprise? This is news? This is Tribune/Durbin propaganda.
“The Chicago Tribune’s lawyers hissed that the paper had spent a quarter of a million dollars defending my accusations of rigged polls. I offered to settle the case almost two years ago, but these arrogant million-dollar-law firms want to keep fighting and keep billing. The Chicago Tribune’s General Counsel was in court today. I guess they are taking the case very seriously. When you offer to settle, and the lawyers want to fight, whassup? You guessed it. The ‘Combine’ wants to strangle my campaign the way they are strangling the People of Illinois.
“People know me as a reasonable person who has run a clean, hard hitting campaign for senator. What are they going to do when I win the primary and stand next to Durbin? Abandon Lenin and adopt Stalinist-era tactics and clip me out of their pictures?
“Judge Stuart Palmer became enraged when I said I had exposed the Tribune’s questionable polling firm, and put the Tribune’s ‘tit in the wringer.’ Well, what can you expect from a crooked Cook County ‘Combine’ judge? Justice? Phooey.
“I was the clear winner of the court hearing because I exposed the venom and corruption of the AP’s and Tribune’s reporting against me. A transcript of the court hearing is being prepared.
“The more the media fight me, the stronger I become. People have lost faith in the ‘mainstream media.’ They can censor their newspapers and news services, but they have lost the power to censor the truth. And the truth is out there, everywhere. Andy Martin is fighting for the little people and working families in both parties, while Hollywood Durbin is the king of fund raising and special interests.
“I have something to say to the AP and Tribune: Censor This!” Martin chortled.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Andy Martin attacks Senator Dick Durbin over Chicago rail crash
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
312) 440-4124
ATTENTION DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANDY MARTIN SAYS SENATOR DICK DURBIN “HAS BLOOD ON HIS HANDS” BECAUSE OF FRIDAY’S CHICAGO RAIL COLLISION, CHARGES DURBIN HAS ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING TO BUILD A MODERN RAIL SYSTEM FOR ILLINOIS
(CHICAGO)(December 1, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold an angry news conference Saturday, December 1st, to charge that Senator Dick Durbin has “blood on his hands” because of the senator’s failure to fight for dedicated, high-speed passenger rail service, in light of the Amtrak/NS train collision in Chicago on Friday. In a preview of a slashing U. S. Senate campaign set to debut on February 6th, Martin will accuse “Hollywood Durbin” of being more interested in fund raising than passenger safety.
“If Dick Durbin spent a fraction of the time fighting for high-speed, dedicated passenger rail service for Illinois that he spends as ‘Hollywood Durbin’ working to raise campaign cash, we might have avoided the tragic crash Friday in Chicago,” Martin says. “Durbin has blood on his hands. He has spent over 25 years in Congress accomplishing nothing, and our rail service has deteriorated to the point where you risk your life to ride the rails. This is unacceptable and Friday it became tragically unacceptable.
“Our prayers are with the victims of the crash. But our eyes must be focused on the future, to avoid continuing risks by developing high-speed passenger rail service for the Midwest that runs on dedicated tracks.
“Durbin doesn’t really care about passenger trains because he rides in lobbyist limos. Rail service out of Chicago is pathetic. Every time I take the train to Springfield we sit on the side while freight trains pass us.
“There are also economic consequences to Durbin's inaction. The economy of the Midwest is atrophying because of lack of adequate transportation.
“Chicago is a ‘dream’ center for high-speed rail. We are the capital of the Midwest. Distances to Milwaukee, Rockford, the Quad Cities, Peoria, Springfield, Carbondale, Champaign-Urbana and Indianapolis are ideal for passenger service. Durbin has given lip service to passenger rail, but he has no record of producing trains on the tracks. Durbin’s talk has been too little and too late, and usually timed to his reelection years.
“Anyone who has tried to book a plane ticket to Peoria or Springfield knows you can fly to London (England) for less than it takes to get to Illinois cities. High fares and infrequent service are strangling our regional economy. High-speed, dedicated passenger rail service would boost the economy of Illinois, as well as all of the surrounding states. But most importantly, dedicated track, high-speed passenger rail service would enhance safety.
“Do-Nothing Durbin has done nothing to advance Illinois’ regional needs for safe, high-speed dedicated-track passenger service. In Washington I will champion the need for enhanced rail service, and enhanced safety. It is sad that at a time when every civilized nation in the world is developing outstanding train service, we rely on Toonerville Trolleys and risk our lives to ride passenger trains. I’m angry about Durbin’s incompetence and inattention. I intend to take action when I get to Washington.”
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: 30 E. Huron (indoors-see concierge)
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007 11:00 A.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin says Senator Dick Durbin has “blood on his
Hands” because of his failure to fight for high-speed
dedicated passenger rail service
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
312) 440-4124
ATTENTION DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANDY MARTIN SAYS SENATOR DICK DURBIN “HAS BLOOD ON HIS HANDS” BECAUSE OF FRIDAY’S CHICAGO RAIL COLLISION, CHARGES DURBIN HAS ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING TO BUILD A MODERN RAIL SYSTEM FOR ILLINOIS
(CHICAGO)(December 1, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold an angry news conference Saturday, December 1st, to charge that Senator Dick Durbin has “blood on his hands” because of the senator’s failure to fight for dedicated, high-speed passenger rail service, in light of the Amtrak/NS train collision in Chicago on Friday. In a preview of a slashing U. S. Senate campaign set to debut on February 6th, Martin will accuse “Hollywood Durbin” of being more interested in fund raising than passenger safety.
“If Dick Durbin spent a fraction of the time fighting for high-speed, dedicated passenger rail service for Illinois that he spends as ‘Hollywood Durbin’ working to raise campaign cash, we might have avoided the tragic crash Friday in Chicago,” Martin says. “Durbin has blood on his hands. He has spent over 25 years in Congress accomplishing nothing, and our rail service has deteriorated to the point where you risk your life to ride the rails. This is unacceptable and Friday it became tragically unacceptable.
“Our prayers are with the victims of the crash. But our eyes must be focused on the future, to avoid continuing risks by developing high-speed passenger rail service for the Midwest that runs on dedicated tracks.
“Durbin doesn’t really care about passenger trains because he rides in lobbyist limos. Rail service out of Chicago is pathetic. Every time I take the train to Springfield we sit on the side while freight trains pass us.
“There are also economic consequences to Durbin's inaction. The economy of the Midwest is atrophying because of lack of adequate transportation.
“Chicago is a ‘dream’ center for high-speed rail. We are the capital of the Midwest. Distances to Milwaukee, Rockford, the Quad Cities, Peoria, Springfield, Carbondale, Champaign-Urbana and Indianapolis are ideal for passenger service. Durbin has given lip service to passenger rail, but he has no record of producing trains on the tracks. Durbin’s talk has been too little and too late, and usually timed to his reelection years.
“Anyone who has tried to book a plane ticket to Peoria or Springfield knows you can fly to London (England) for less than it takes to get to Illinois cities. High fares and infrequent service are strangling our regional economy. High-speed, dedicated passenger rail service would boost the economy of Illinois, as well as all of the surrounding states. But most importantly, dedicated track, high-speed passenger rail service would enhance safety.
“Do-Nothing Durbin has done nothing to advance Illinois’ regional needs for safe, high-speed dedicated-track passenger service. In Washington I will champion the need for enhanced rail service, and enhanced safety. It is sad that at a time when every civilized nation in the world is developing outstanding train service, we rely on Toonerville Trolleys and risk our lives to ride passenger trains. I’m angry about Durbin’s incompetence and inattention. I intend to take action when I get to Washington.”
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: 30 E. Huron (indoors-see concierge)
WHEN: Saturday, December 1, 2007 11:00 A.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin says Senator Dick Durbin has “blood on his
Hands” because of his failure to fight for high-speed
dedicated passenger rail service
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
SAUERBERG EXPOSÉ: Doctor/candidate wants to abolish jury trials for malpractice victims
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
SAUERBERG EXPOSÉ: DOCTOR/CANDIDATE WANTS TO ABOLISH JURY TRIALS FOR MALPRACTICE VICTIMS
ANDY MARTIN CALLS SAUERBERG’S PROPOSAL “THE DEATH KNELL TO SAUERBERG’S CAMPAIGN; THE LAST AND FINAL ACT OF INCOMPETENCE”
IS STEVE SAUERBERG A MEDICAL QUACK, OR JUST AN INSINCERE CANDIDATE WHO WANTS TO MAKE DOCTORS RICHER AND ORDINARY PEOPLE POORER, BY TAKING AWAY ACCESS TO JURY TRIALS AND JUDGES?
(CHICAGO)(November 29, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin exposed his primary opponent, Dr. Steve Sauerberg, as sponsoring a “health” plan proposing an end to jury trials and judges in malpractice cases. Under Sauerberg’s “health” plan, victims of malpractice would be denied access to courts to collect damages. The right to a jury trial would be abolished.
“We promised a ‘Demolition Day’ for Steve Sauerberg and Andy McKenna, and I believe we are delivering. The only ‘health’ that would be improved by Sauerberg’s proposal is the health of his colleagues’ bank balances,” Martin chortled.
“If this were a medical proposal, Sauerberg would be prosecuted for quackery,” Martin said. “Sauerberg neglects to tell people his ‘plan’ to abolish jury trials and judges requires an amendment to the U.S. Constitutions. An amendment that will never happen.
“If someone told you that a doctor was going to run for statewide office with a ‘health plan’ protecting his friends and colleagues by abolishing jury trials and abolishing courts to resolve malpractice claims, you would have to say no one could imagine such an outrageous candidate and campaign. Meet Steve Sauerberg.
“Sauerberg’s plan is loony. He wants to create a form of doctors’ royalty. Like kings, doctors would enjoy immunity from lawsuits in courts of law, and jury trials would be abolished. Doctors could buy more expensive cars and homes with all the money they saved by not having to pay for injuring their patients.
“Sauerberg would require that victims who want to appeal to an appellate court guarantee in advance to pay the doctors’ appellate legal bills. Since only 3% of appeals succeed, and most victims of malpractice are incapacitated, victims could not guarantee to pay massive legal bills in advance. The public would be excluded from the judicial system. It’s all there in black-and-white in Sauerberg’s ‘plan.’ (links and text below)
“In my humble opinion, Sauerberg’s plan is an embarrassment to Andy McKenna who recruited him, an embarrassment to Illinois Republicans who have endorsed this medical quack, and an embarrassment to anyone who takes Sauerberg seriously. His health plan is the death knell of his campaign.
“First he barely collected enough petition signatures, embarrassing party officials who had endorsed him. Then he held a news conference to discuss immigration, without knowing what 'Anchor babies' were.
“Now he wants to immunize doctors from liability for their malpractice. Any Republican county or township organization that endorses Sauerberg is embarrassing itself and endangering public support for the Republican Party.
“I have run a positive campaign,” Martin concluded. “I have campaigned on the issues and on the breadth of my experience in foreign policy and public policy. I have not attacked Sauerberg's personal life or peccadilloes. But exposing the quackery of his ‘health plan,’ which is solely designed to improve doctors’ bank balances and endow them with royal immunity from jury trials and judges, exposes Sauerberg for what he is: an incompetent candidate who has run an incompetent campaign and who is an embarrassment to Illinois Republicans.
“Truly, today is Demolition day for ‘Combine Candidate’ Sauerberg and his endorser, Andy McKenna.
“As for me, I work for the People of Illinois. I am not a front man for rich doctors,” Martin concluded.
DOCUMENTATION (from Sauerberg’s web site):
Establish Administrative Health Courts to reduce the tax burden of crowded state courts, reduce healthcare fees and ensure a fair decision making process.Under the Sauerberg Your Healthcare – Your Choice plan, the federal government will offer financial assistance to states to establish Administrative Health Courts tasked with determining whether a healthcare provider is responsible for a patient’s injury in each medical malpractice case, and if so, what remedy is appropriate. Administrative Health Courts will be chaired by a citizen’s advocate and consist of a panel of six independent experts – three legal experts and three medical experts – that will be tasked with making a determination about the case. Access to state appellate courts will be available if either party is unhappy with decisions made by Administrative Health Courts. However, a party appealing a decision of the Administrative Health Court will have to agree to pay the costs associated with defending the appeal if the appeal failed in state court.
LINK (to Sauerberg’s “health plan”):
http://www.sauerbergforussenate.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=2435
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
SAUERBERG EXPOSÉ: DOCTOR/CANDIDATE WANTS TO ABOLISH JURY TRIALS FOR MALPRACTICE VICTIMS
ANDY MARTIN CALLS SAUERBERG’S PROPOSAL “THE DEATH KNELL TO SAUERBERG’S CAMPAIGN; THE LAST AND FINAL ACT OF INCOMPETENCE”
IS STEVE SAUERBERG A MEDICAL QUACK, OR JUST AN INSINCERE CANDIDATE WHO WANTS TO MAKE DOCTORS RICHER AND ORDINARY PEOPLE POORER, BY TAKING AWAY ACCESS TO JURY TRIALS AND JUDGES?
(CHICAGO)(November 29, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin exposed his primary opponent, Dr. Steve Sauerberg, as sponsoring a “health” plan proposing an end to jury trials and judges in malpractice cases. Under Sauerberg’s “health” plan, victims of malpractice would be denied access to courts to collect damages. The right to a jury trial would be abolished.
“We promised a ‘Demolition Day’ for Steve Sauerberg and Andy McKenna, and I believe we are delivering. The only ‘health’ that would be improved by Sauerberg’s proposal is the health of his colleagues’ bank balances,” Martin chortled.
“If this were a medical proposal, Sauerberg would be prosecuted for quackery,” Martin said. “Sauerberg neglects to tell people his ‘plan’ to abolish jury trials and judges requires an amendment to the U.S. Constitutions. An amendment that will never happen.
“If someone told you that a doctor was going to run for statewide office with a ‘health plan’ protecting his friends and colleagues by abolishing jury trials and abolishing courts to resolve malpractice claims, you would have to say no one could imagine such an outrageous candidate and campaign. Meet Steve Sauerberg.
“Sauerberg’s plan is loony. He wants to create a form of doctors’ royalty. Like kings, doctors would enjoy immunity from lawsuits in courts of law, and jury trials would be abolished. Doctors could buy more expensive cars and homes with all the money they saved by not having to pay for injuring their patients.
“Sauerberg would require that victims who want to appeal to an appellate court guarantee in advance to pay the doctors’ appellate legal bills. Since only 3% of appeals succeed, and most victims of malpractice are incapacitated, victims could not guarantee to pay massive legal bills in advance. The public would be excluded from the judicial system. It’s all there in black-and-white in Sauerberg’s ‘plan.’ (links and text below)
“In my humble opinion, Sauerberg’s plan is an embarrassment to Andy McKenna who recruited him, an embarrassment to Illinois Republicans who have endorsed this medical quack, and an embarrassment to anyone who takes Sauerberg seriously. His health plan is the death knell of his campaign.
“First he barely collected enough petition signatures, embarrassing party officials who had endorsed him. Then he held a news conference to discuss immigration, without knowing what 'Anchor babies' were.
“Now he wants to immunize doctors from liability for their malpractice. Any Republican county or township organization that endorses Sauerberg is embarrassing itself and endangering public support for the Republican Party.
“I have run a positive campaign,” Martin concluded. “I have campaigned on the issues and on the breadth of my experience in foreign policy and public policy. I have not attacked Sauerberg's personal life or peccadilloes. But exposing the quackery of his ‘health plan,’ which is solely designed to improve doctors’ bank balances and endow them with royal immunity from jury trials and judges, exposes Sauerberg for what he is: an incompetent candidate who has run an incompetent campaign and who is an embarrassment to Illinois Republicans.
“Truly, today is Demolition day for ‘Combine Candidate’ Sauerberg and his endorser, Andy McKenna.
“As for me, I work for the People of Illinois. I am not a front man for rich doctors,” Martin concluded.
DOCUMENTATION (from Sauerberg’s web site):
Establish Administrative Health Courts to reduce the tax burden of crowded state courts, reduce healthcare fees and ensure a fair decision making process.Under the Sauerberg Your Healthcare – Your Choice plan, the federal government will offer financial assistance to states to establish Administrative Health Courts tasked with determining whether a healthcare provider is responsible for a patient’s injury in each medical malpractice case, and if so, what remedy is appropriate. Administrative Health Courts will be chaired by a citizen’s advocate and consist of a panel of six independent experts – three legal experts and three medical experts – that will be tasked with making a determination about the case. Access to state appellate courts will be available if either party is unhappy with decisions made by Administrative Health Courts. However, a party appealing a decision of the Administrative Health Court will have to agree to pay the costs associated with defending the appeal if the appeal failed in state court.
LINK (to Sauerberg’s “health plan”):
http://www.sauerbergforussenate.com/newsDetail.aspx?newsID=2435
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Andy Martin continues battle to protect safety of meat supply
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN VOWS TO CONTINUE CAMPAIGN TO CLEAN UP THE PUBLIC MEAT SUPPLY.
LATEST E. COLI CONTAMINATION IN WISCONSIN SUPPORTS HIS CLAIM THAT THERE MUST BE “ZERO TOLERANCE” FOR PATHOGENS EITHER IN PACKING PLANTS OR INTERSTATE SHIPMENTS, CANDIDATE SAYS
(CHICAGO)(November 26, 2007) U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a toll-free telephone news conference Sunday, November 25th to announce that he will follow up with the U. S. Department of Agriculture to see that the latest E. coli contamination at a Wisconsin meat packing plant is not ignored or treated lightly. Martin is conducting a nationwide campaign to make the U. S. food supply chain completely E. coli free.
Journalists are free to call in from Illinois and around the United States.
“On November 14th I told a Springfield news conference that we were launching a nationwide effort to pursue a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for E. coli infestation in our meat supply chain. As if on cue, a new E. coli contamination has now arisen in the neighboring state of Wisconsin. The foundations for action are in place; I have been in contact with the Secretary of Agriculture. Based on his response I will decide on an appropriate approach. Initially, I sought to ban the sale or shipment of ‘cook only’ E. coli-contaminated beef.
“What makes the case of American Foods Group of Green Bay apodictic is the fact that after processing the contaminated meat, the product was shipped out of state for final packaging. In other words, contaminated meat was moving in interstate commerce. Our standards for processing meat are too lax and present too great a danger to public health.
“As someone with over a third of a century in public advocacy and consumer protection, I will carry that experience into the campaign against Dick Durbin and into the U. S. Senate in January, 2009. I am committed to making our food supply safe for every Illinoisan and every American,” Martin will state.
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Telephone news conference:
Toll-free call-in number: (866) 295-5950
Participant code: 2090340
WHEN: Sunday, November 25, 2007 2:00 P.M. (CDT)
WHAT: Andy Martin will follow up on latest E coli
contamination in Wisconsin
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
WEBSITES: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
ATTENTION: ASSIGNMENT/DAYBOOK EDITORS
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN VOWS TO CONTINUE CAMPAIGN TO CLEAN UP THE PUBLIC MEAT SUPPLY.
LATEST E. COLI CONTAMINATION IN WISCONSIN SUPPORTS HIS CLAIM THAT THERE MUST BE “ZERO TOLERANCE” FOR PATHOGENS EITHER IN PACKING PLANTS OR INTERSTATE SHIPMENTS, CANDIDATE SAYS
(CHICAGO)(November 26, 2007) U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a toll-free telephone news conference Sunday, November 25th to announce that he will follow up with the U. S. Department of Agriculture to see that the latest E. coli contamination at a Wisconsin meat packing plant is not ignored or treated lightly. Martin is conducting a nationwide campaign to make the U. S. food supply chain completely E. coli free.
Journalists are free to call in from Illinois and around the United States.
“On November 14th I told a Springfield news conference that we were launching a nationwide effort to pursue a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for E. coli infestation in our meat supply chain. As if on cue, a new E. coli contamination has now arisen in the neighboring state of Wisconsin. The foundations for action are in place; I have been in contact with the Secretary of Agriculture. Based on his response I will decide on an appropriate approach. Initially, I sought to ban the sale or shipment of ‘cook only’ E. coli-contaminated beef.
“What makes the case of American Foods Group of Green Bay apodictic is the fact that after processing the contaminated meat, the product was shipped out of state for final packaging. In other words, contaminated meat was moving in interstate commerce. Our standards for processing meat are too lax and present too great a danger to public health.
“As someone with over a third of a century in public advocacy and consumer protection, I will carry that experience into the campaign against Dick Durbin and into the U. S. Senate in January, 2009. I am committed to making our food supply safe for every Illinoisan and every American,” Martin will state.
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Telephone news conference:
Toll-free call-in number: (866) 295-5950
Participant code: 2090340
WHEN: Sunday, November 25, 2007 2:00 P.M. (CDT)
WHAT: Andy Martin will follow up on latest E coli
contamination in Wisconsin
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
WEBSITES: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Chicago Tribune invites Andy Martin to debate primary opponents on December 3rd
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN
ACCEPTS CHICAGO TRIBUNE INVITATION
TO DEBATE PRIMARY OPPONENTS DECEMBER 3RD
(CHICAGO)(November 19, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin announced Monday, November 19th that he has accepted an invitation from the Chicago Tribune to debate his primary campaign opponents on December 3rd.
"The Tribune Editorial Board contacted me and very graciously invited me to their debate," Martin said. "And I have accepted. I will be at the Tribune on December 3rd to debate my primary opponents. I will be answering the Tribune's campaign questionnaire shortly. Because there are not going to be a lot of senate primary debates, the Tribune's debate will take on added importance," he added.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN
ACCEPTS CHICAGO TRIBUNE INVITATION
TO DEBATE PRIMARY OPPONENTS DECEMBER 3RD
(CHICAGO)(November 19, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin announced Monday, November 19th that he has accepted an invitation from the Chicago Tribune to debate his primary campaign opponents on December 3rd.
"The Tribune Editorial Board contacted me and very graciously invited me to their debate," Martin said. "And I have accepted. I will be at the Tribune on December 3rd to debate my primary opponents. I will be answering the Tribune's campaign questionnaire shortly. Because there are not going to be a lot of senate primary debates, the Tribune's debate will take on added importance," he added.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Andy Martin begins "Countdown" to "Combine Candidate Demolition Day," November 29th
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
PUBLIC NOTICE:
ANDY MARTIN BEGINS "COUNTDOWN" TO
"COMBINE CANDIDATE DEMOLITION DAY"
ATTENTION: DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE: November 29, 2007
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN BEGINS COUNTDOWN TO "COMBINE CANDIDATE" ANDY MCKENNA/STEVE SAUERBERG "DEMOLITION DAY"
(CHICAGO)(November 19, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin announced Monday, November 19th that he has begun a 10-day "countdown" to November 29th, when he will "demolish" the "Combine Candidate" running against him. Martin will hold a Chicago news conference Thursday, November 29th at 1:00 P.M. to disclose what he believes will be sufficient evidence to make Andy McKenna and Steve Sauerberg political laughingstocks in American politics.
Each day Martin will issue a small clue to the nature of his "Combine Candidate Demolition Day" news conference.
"Thirty years ago," Martin stated Monday, November 19th, "The Chicago Tribune called me an 'absolutely brilliant campaigner,' whose 'public relations skills are masterly.' [February 25, 1978]. Sadly, since then The Tribune and I have had a difficult period of strained relations. But, I want to make it clear, because I quote the Tribune's comments regularly, that I have a reputation to live up to, and I intend to maintain that reputation as a brilliant campaigner right through February 5th and beyond.
"I have not lost any of my speed or creativity or campaign power with the years. I am at the top of my game, which is why many Republicans and media will finally decide, however reluctantly, that I am the only credible candidate to oppose Senator Dick Durbin next November.
"My latest strategy is to begin a 10-day 'countdown' to humiliating Sauerberg and McKenna, or as we call them 'McKennaberg.' There is no question that Andy McKenna and I have had past issues. I tried to move beyond our old differences and I have treated McKenna with respect, and avoided personal conflicts since he became Chairman. But it is sadly clear that Sauerberg is McKenna's stalking horse to harass me in the primary.
"There is also little doubt that on February 6th I will lead a united Republican Party on the war path against Durbin. Other than a few 'regime remnants' of the 'Combine,' who will not accept defeat on February 5th, Republicans want and Republicans will get a real fighter to be their U. S. Senate candidate.
"Tomorrow, the 20th, we will issue our first 'clue' to 'Combine Candidate Demolition Day.' There will be a clue each day. I don't know if anyone will figure out what the 'demolition' issue will be, but if anyone wants to tell me after they read the clues we will acknowledge them on the 29th.
"There is no doubt that there is a corrupt bipartisan 'Combine' in this state that has reduced the Republican Party to ridicule and rubble. We no longer have a two-party state. We have been reduced to a 1-1/2 party political process.
"I did not start my senate campaign to become the successor to U. S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald. But McKennaberg, who constantly and relentlessly play dirty tricks to defeat me, have wrapped me in Fitzgerald's mantle of reformer in the Illinois Republican Party. Fitzgerald was less of a fighter than I am. The 'Combine' forced the senator out of public office, but McKennaberg won’t keep me from running for the Senate in November, 2008.
"After all, I have the Tribune's old editorial to live up to, and I will. I know how to fight, and I will.
"Sauerberg may still be on the primary ballot. But after November 29th he will be considered a fringe candidate, and no longer be seen as a serious contender to compete for national office.
"Stay tuned tomorrow for Clue #1," Martin stated. "It's going to be a doozy."
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Southeast corner of Wabash and Huron Streets,
Chicago, (St. James Cathedral)(weather
permitting, or indoors)
WHEN: Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:00 P.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin "demolishes" the McKenna/Sauerberg
"senate" campaign as Martin takes on the corrupt
bipartisan "Combine" in Illinois politics
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
PUBLIC NOTICE:
ANDY MARTIN BEGINS "COUNTDOWN" TO
"COMBINE CANDIDATE DEMOLITION DAY"
ATTENTION: DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE: November 29, 2007
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN BEGINS COUNTDOWN TO "COMBINE CANDIDATE" ANDY MCKENNA/STEVE SAUERBERG "DEMOLITION DAY"
(CHICAGO)(November 19, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin announced Monday, November 19th that he has begun a 10-day "countdown" to November 29th, when he will "demolish" the "Combine Candidate" running against him. Martin will hold a Chicago news conference Thursday, November 29th at 1:00 P.M. to disclose what he believes will be sufficient evidence to make Andy McKenna and Steve Sauerberg political laughingstocks in American politics.
Each day Martin will issue a small clue to the nature of his "Combine Candidate Demolition Day" news conference.
"Thirty years ago," Martin stated Monday, November 19th, "The Chicago Tribune called me an 'absolutely brilliant campaigner,' whose 'public relations skills are masterly.' [February 25, 1978]. Sadly, since then The Tribune and I have had a difficult period of strained relations. But, I want to make it clear, because I quote the Tribune's comments regularly, that I have a reputation to live up to, and I intend to maintain that reputation as a brilliant campaigner right through February 5th and beyond.
"I have not lost any of my speed or creativity or campaign power with the years. I am at the top of my game, which is why many Republicans and media will finally decide, however reluctantly, that I am the only credible candidate to oppose Senator Dick Durbin next November.
"My latest strategy is to begin a 10-day 'countdown' to humiliating Sauerberg and McKenna, or as we call them 'McKennaberg.' There is no question that Andy McKenna and I have had past issues. I tried to move beyond our old differences and I have treated McKenna with respect, and avoided personal conflicts since he became Chairman. But it is sadly clear that Sauerberg is McKenna's stalking horse to harass me in the primary.
"There is also little doubt that on February 6th I will lead a united Republican Party on the war path against Durbin. Other than a few 'regime remnants' of the 'Combine,' who will not accept defeat on February 5th, Republicans want and Republicans will get a real fighter to be their U. S. Senate candidate.
"Tomorrow, the 20th, we will issue our first 'clue' to 'Combine Candidate Demolition Day.' There will be a clue each day. I don't know if anyone will figure out what the 'demolition' issue will be, but if anyone wants to tell me after they read the clues we will acknowledge them on the 29th.
"There is no doubt that there is a corrupt bipartisan 'Combine' in this state that has reduced the Republican Party to ridicule and rubble. We no longer have a two-party state. We have been reduced to a 1-1/2 party political process.
"I did not start my senate campaign to become the successor to U. S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald. But McKennaberg, who constantly and relentlessly play dirty tricks to defeat me, have wrapped me in Fitzgerald's mantle of reformer in the Illinois Republican Party. Fitzgerald was less of a fighter than I am. The 'Combine' forced the senator out of public office, but McKennaberg won’t keep me from running for the Senate in November, 2008.
"After all, I have the Tribune's old editorial to live up to, and I will. I know how to fight, and I will.
"Sauerberg may still be on the primary ballot. But after November 29th he will be considered a fringe candidate, and no longer be seen as a serious contender to compete for national office.
"Stay tuned tomorrow for Clue #1," Martin stated. "It's going to be a doozy."
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Southeast corner of Wabash and Huron Streets,
Chicago, (St. James Cathedral)(weather
permitting, or indoors)
WHEN: Thursday, November 29, 2007 1:00 P.M.
WHAT: Andy Martin "demolishes" the McKenna/Sauerberg
"senate" campaign as Martin takes on the corrupt
bipartisan "Combine" in Illinois politics
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Andy Martin hires independent Special Legal Counsel for Illinois investigation
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN CHARGES MCKENNA AND SAUERBERG WITH FEDERAL AND STATE CAMPAIGN LAW VIOLATIONS, RELEASES DOCUMENTS TO CONFIRM ACCUSATIONS
MARTIN HIRES INDEPENDENT SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE MCKENNA/SAUERBERG CAMPAIGN LAW VIOLATIONS
(OAK BROOK, IL)(November 17, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin told a news conference Saturday, November 17th at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott that Illinois GOP State Chairman Andy McKenna and insurance company witness Steve Sauerberg were breaking federal and state campaign laws in running a campaign to defeat Martin. Martin released documents to confirm his allegations.
"The record reflects that in prior correspondence in May and again in October, I have treated State Chairman Andy McKenna with the utmost deference," Martin said. "I also warned McKenna not to commingle his public role as a de facto state official as state chairman, with his personal role as a private citizen. That was George Ryan's downfall. I am saddened to announce that McKenna and his acolyte Sauerberg have become the two latest recruits to the George Ryan School of Illinois Politics: breaking the law.
"I am now distributing documents which confirm my accusations that McKenna and Sauerberg have violated federal and state campaign laws. [The documents are available after the news conference on written request.]
"The documents reflect that McKenna is using the facilities and resources of the Illinois Republican Party to conduct his own personal political business. The State Central Committee has not endorsed any candidate and so far as I am aware the committee has not authorized McKenna to use State Committee Property as his own. McKenna has used the assets and resources of the State GOP to conduct his personal political activity on behalf of Sauerberg. Violation Number One.
"McKenna has also issued e-mails which fraudulently claim that they were not authorized by Sauerberg, when they were not only authorized by 'Berg they were coordinated with his campaign. Violation Number Two.
"There has been a steady stream of illegal documents and abuse of state Committee resources. My documents are illustrative and not exhaustive.
"I realize that because I am engaged in a primary election, some people might think I am making 'political' accusations that have no basis in law. To avoid any appearance of impropriety on my part, and to ensure that this controversy is prosecuted by an independent special counsel, although one paid by me, I have retained a Special Legal Counsel to conduct his own independent investigation of my allegations and to prosecute the claims as he sees fit. While I am paying the Special Counsel I obviously do not control the attorney and I have given his complete independence.
"I would point out that because Illinois Republicans currently have more adherents in federal prison than they have in statewide office, they ought to be scrupulously clean and above board in how they conduct the party's affairs. McKenna and Sauerberg have abysmally failed that test. Sleazy politics has no place in a campaign for federal office.
"McKenna is also endangering other Republicans. The State Party's General Counsel is personally engaged in a primary. As an attorney, he either has to ratify or condemn McKenna's illegal actions. That puts the party's counsel on the hot seat. I will be contacting counsel to put him on record.
"By default, the mantle of leadership as the conscience of the Republican Party, and the leadership of reform efforts to oust the "Republicrat Combine" from control of the party's apparatus, has fallen to me. I will work diligently to see that Republicans have a party and U. S. Senate candidate of which they can be proud, and that election law violations are promptly brought to the attention of legal authorities," Martin stated.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN CHARGES MCKENNA AND SAUERBERG WITH FEDERAL AND STATE CAMPAIGN LAW VIOLATIONS, RELEASES DOCUMENTS TO CONFIRM ACCUSATIONS
MARTIN HIRES INDEPENDENT SPECIAL LEGAL COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE MCKENNA/SAUERBERG CAMPAIGN LAW VIOLATIONS
(OAK BROOK, IL)(November 17, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin told a news conference Saturday, November 17th at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott that Illinois GOP State Chairman Andy McKenna and insurance company witness Steve Sauerberg were breaking federal and state campaign laws in running a campaign to defeat Martin. Martin released documents to confirm his allegations.
"The record reflects that in prior correspondence in May and again in October, I have treated State Chairman Andy McKenna with the utmost deference," Martin said. "I also warned McKenna not to commingle his public role as a de facto state official as state chairman, with his personal role as a private citizen. That was George Ryan's downfall. I am saddened to announce that McKenna and his acolyte Sauerberg have become the two latest recruits to the George Ryan School of Illinois Politics: breaking the law.
"I am now distributing documents which confirm my accusations that McKenna and Sauerberg have violated federal and state campaign laws. [The documents are available after the news conference on written request.]
"The documents reflect that McKenna is using the facilities and resources of the Illinois Republican Party to conduct his own personal political business. The State Central Committee has not endorsed any candidate and so far as I am aware the committee has not authorized McKenna to use State Committee Property as his own. McKenna has used the assets and resources of the State GOP to conduct his personal political activity on behalf of Sauerberg. Violation Number One.
"McKenna has also issued e-mails which fraudulently claim that they were not authorized by Sauerberg, when they were not only authorized by 'Berg they were coordinated with his campaign. Violation Number Two.
"There has been a steady stream of illegal documents and abuse of state Committee resources. My documents are illustrative and not exhaustive.
"I realize that because I am engaged in a primary election, some people might think I am making 'political' accusations that have no basis in law. To avoid any appearance of impropriety on my part, and to ensure that this controversy is prosecuted by an independent special counsel, although one paid by me, I have retained a Special Legal Counsel to conduct his own independent investigation of my allegations and to prosecute the claims as he sees fit. While I am paying the Special Counsel I obviously do not control the attorney and I have given his complete independence.
"I would point out that because Illinois Republicans currently have more adherents in federal prison than they have in statewide office, they ought to be scrupulously clean and above board in how they conduct the party's affairs. McKenna and Sauerberg have abysmally failed that test. Sleazy politics has no place in a campaign for federal office.
"McKenna is also endangering other Republicans. The State Party's General Counsel is personally engaged in a primary. As an attorney, he either has to ratify or condemn McKenna's illegal actions. That puts the party's counsel on the hot seat. I will be contacting counsel to put him on record.
"By default, the mantle of leadership as the conscience of the Republican Party, and the leadership of reform efforts to oust the "Republicrat Combine" from control of the party's apparatus, has fallen to me. I will work diligently to see that Republicans have a party and U. S. Senate candidate of which they can be proud, and that election law violations are promptly brought to the attention of legal authorities," Martin stated.
------------------------------------------
© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web site: AndyforUSSenator.com.
Andy Martin asks State GOP counsel to investigate State Chairman
ANDY MARTIN
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: mailto:AndyforIllinois@aol.com
November 18, 2007
Brien Sheahan, Esq.
5 St. Regis Court
Elmhurst, IL 60126
via fax (866) 796-5676
Re: Andy McKenna illegal and fraudulent use
of Illinois Republican Party resources
in Federal election
Dear Brien:
I held a news conference yesterday in which I indicated Andy McKenna and Steve Sauerberg were violating state and federal election laws by their use of Illinois Republican party resources and instrumentalities.
My understanding is that you serve as General Counsel to the State GOP and in that capacity you advise the state committee as opposed to being McKenna's personal attorney.
I am in the process of retaining an independent Special Legal Counsel to conduct an investigation on my behalf, based on the documents I have in my possession and other uncontroverted evidence.
I would like to respectfully request that you conduct your own independent investigation of McKenna's abuses. Federal elections have very strict standards of behavior for state political committees. I understand (and I have acknowledged in public letters) that McKenna as a private individual is free to endorse whom he wants for the senate primary. However, McKenna is not free to use state GOP resources to assist Sauerberg without violating federal law. Likewise, such tactics in a federal election would violate state law as well. Serious issues are presented by McKenna's conduct.
Out of an abundance of caution and so that you will not be blindsided by this controversy in your own reelection, I am legally advising you of the matter and formally requesting that you conduct an independent investigation on behalf of the committee.
I would also like prompt access to the state party voter vault. Please contact me to make arrangements for access to the voter vault.
Please feel free to contact my office if you have further questions.
Sincerely yours,
ANDY
AM:sp
“He Works for the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406, 30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
Toll-free tel. (866) 706-2639
Toll-free fax (866) 707-2639
Web site: www.AndyforUSSenator.com
E-mail: mailto:AndyforIllinois@aol.com
November 18, 2007
Brien Sheahan, Esq.
5 St. Regis Court
Elmhurst, IL 60126
via fax (866) 796-5676
Re: Andy McKenna illegal and fraudulent use
of Illinois Republican Party resources
in Federal election
Dear Brien:
I held a news conference yesterday in which I indicated Andy McKenna and Steve Sauerberg were violating state and federal election laws by their use of Illinois Republican party resources and instrumentalities.
My understanding is that you serve as General Counsel to the State GOP and in that capacity you advise the state committee as opposed to being McKenna's personal attorney.
I am in the process of retaining an independent Special Legal Counsel to conduct an investigation on my behalf, based on the documents I have in my possession and other uncontroverted evidence.
I would like to respectfully request that you conduct your own independent investigation of McKenna's abuses. Federal elections have very strict standards of behavior for state political committees. I understand (and I have acknowledged in public letters) that McKenna as a private individual is free to endorse whom he wants for the senate primary. However, McKenna is not free to use state GOP resources to assist Sauerberg without violating federal law. Likewise, such tactics in a federal election would violate state law as well. Serious issues are presented by McKenna's conduct.
Out of an abundance of caution and so that you will not be blindsided by this controversy in your own reelection, I am legally advising you of the matter and formally requesting that you conduct an independent investigation on behalf of the committee.
I would also like prompt access to the state party voter vault. Please contact me to make arrangements for access to the voter vault.
Please feel free to contact my office if you have further questions.
Sincerely yours,
ANDY
AM:sp
Saturday, November 17, 2007
U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin is barred from Republican Party “retreat” in Illinois
NEWS FROM:
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
ATTENTION: DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE: November 17, 2007
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN IS BARRED FROM REPUBLICAN “RETREAT” BY “MIDWEST MUSHARRAF” ANDY MCKENNA
MARTIN SAYS REPUBLICAN PARTY CANNOT SURVIVE AS LONG AS MCKENNA IS AT THE HEAD
“I AM NOW FREE TO LEAD REPUBLICANS TO VICTORY, INSTEAD OF LEADING THEM TO SLAUGHTER AS PART OF ANDY MCKENNA’S REPUBLICRAT COMBINE,” MARTIN SAYS.
(CHICAGO)(November 17, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a news conference Saturday, November 17th at 10:00 A.M., at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott, to announce that he was barred Saturday morning from a Republican Party “Leadership Retreat” for issuing a news release critical of state party Chairman Andy McKenna.
McKenna is supporting Martin’s primary opponent, insurance company witness Steve Sauerberg.
“Yesterday I called Andy McKenna a ‘Midwest Musharraf,’” Martin will charge. “Today he acted like one, and barred me from the state party’s ‘Leadership Retreat.’
“Well, I supposed ‘Retreat’ is the right word for what McKenna is conducting in Oak Brook. The Republican Party has been in retreat since he took over. And I saved my $25 registration fee. Party munchkin Jason Hefly returned my check and told me I was not welcome to ‘retreat’ along with McKenna and Sauerberg. That I should retreat to my suite. Whew.
“I am thankful to Chairman McKenna for excluding me from his ‘retreat,’ because ordinary, Main Street Republicans in Illinois are tried of ‘retreating’ from Democratic Power. We have become a 1-1/2 party state under McKenna’s Republicrat Combine leadership.
“Two years ago, McKenna conducted a relatively honest and open primary. This time around he thinks he can get away with dirty tricks and abuses promoting the candidacy of his clown candidate for the U. S. Senate, insurance company witness Sauerberg.
“Today Mr. McKenna made it clear that behind all his pablum and sweet talk, he wants to run the Republican Party as his own personal political machine. But by disassociating me from his Republicrat Combine, McKenna has made it clear and certified me as an honest and independent Republican who will move ahead on February 6th as the Republican Party’s candidate, not the Republicrat Combine’s designated loser, to fight for a Republican victory in November, 2008.
“I am now free to lead Republicans to victory, instead of leading them to slaughter as part of Andy McKenna’s Republicrat Combine,” Martin will state. “The bottom line: Republicrat Combine member Andy McKenna has to go if Republicans are ever again going to have a chance to win statewide office in Illinois.
“McKenna doesn’t want an honest and open primary; he
wants a rigged coronation for his designated loser Sauerberg. And he’s not going to get it. Real Republicans are going to rise up on February 5th and vote against Combine control of their party.”
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Oak Brook Hills Marriott, 3500 Midwest Road
ANDY MARTIN’S SUITE (Penthouse Suite 1107)
Hotel tel. (630) 850-5555
WHEN: Saturday, November 17th, 10:00 A.M.
WHAT: ANDY MCKENNA BARS U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY
MARTIN FROM REPUBLICAN PARTY “LEADERSHIP RETREAT”
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124 Cell phone (917) 664-9329
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web sites: AndyforUSSenator.com, ContrarianCommentary.com. Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com, ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com.
ANDY MARTIN
“He works for
the People of Illinois”
Republican for U. S. Senator
Suite 4406
30 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611-4723
(312) 440-4124
ATTENTION: DAYBOOK/ASSIGNMENT EDITORS
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS CONFERENCE: November 17, 2007
U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY MARTIN IS BARRED FROM REPUBLICAN “RETREAT” BY “MIDWEST MUSHARRAF” ANDY MCKENNA
MARTIN SAYS REPUBLICAN PARTY CANNOT SURVIVE AS LONG AS MCKENNA IS AT THE HEAD
“I AM NOW FREE TO LEAD REPUBLICANS TO VICTORY, INSTEAD OF LEADING THEM TO SLAUGHTER AS PART OF ANDY MCKENNA’S REPUBLICRAT COMBINE,” MARTIN SAYS.
(CHICAGO)(November 17, 2007) Republican U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin will hold a news conference Saturday, November 17th at 10:00 A.M., at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott, to announce that he was barred Saturday morning from a Republican Party “Leadership Retreat” for issuing a news release critical of state party Chairman Andy McKenna.
McKenna is supporting Martin’s primary opponent, insurance company witness Steve Sauerberg.
“Yesterday I called Andy McKenna a ‘Midwest Musharraf,’” Martin will charge. “Today he acted like one, and barred me from the state party’s ‘Leadership Retreat.’
“Well, I supposed ‘Retreat’ is the right word for what McKenna is conducting in Oak Brook. The Republican Party has been in retreat since he took over. And I saved my $25 registration fee. Party munchkin Jason Hefly returned my check and told me I was not welcome to ‘retreat’ along with McKenna and Sauerberg. That I should retreat to my suite. Whew.
“I am thankful to Chairman McKenna for excluding me from his ‘retreat,’ because ordinary, Main Street Republicans in Illinois are tried of ‘retreating’ from Democratic Power. We have become a 1-1/2 party state under McKenna’s Republicrat Combine leadership.
“Two years ago, McKenna conducted a relatively honest and open primary. This time around he thinks he can get away with dirty tricks and abuses promoting the candidacy of his clown candidate for the U. S. Senate, insurance company witness Sauerberg.
“Today Mr. McKenna made it clear that behind all his pablum and sweet talk, he wants to run the Republican Party as his own personal political machine. But by disassociating me from his Republicrat Combine, McKenna has made it clear and certified me as an honest and independent Republican who will move ahead on February 6th as the Republican Party’s candidate, not the Republicrat Combine’s designated loser, to fight for a Republican victory in November, 2008.
“I am now free to lead Republicans to victory, instead of leading them to slaughter as part of Andy McKenna’s Republicrat Combine,” Martin will state. “The bottom line: Republicrat Combine member Andy McKenna has to go if Republicans are ever again going to have a chance to win statewide office in Illinois.
“McKenna doesn’t want an honest and open primary; he
wants a rigged coronation for his designated loser Sauerberg. And he’s not going to get it. Real Republicans are going to rise up on February 5th and vote against Combine control of their party.”
NEWS CONFERENCE DETAILS:
WHO: U. S. Senate candidate Andy Martin
WHERE: Oak Brook Hills Marriott, 3500 Midwest Road
ANDY MARTIN’S SUITE (Penthouse Suite 1107)
Hotel tel. (630) 850-5555
WHEN: Saturday, November 17th, 10:00 A.M.
WHAT: ANDY MCKENNA BARS U. S. SENATE CANDIDATE ANDY
MARTIN FROM REPUBLICAN PARTY “LEADERSHIP RETREAT”
MEDIA
CONTACT: (312) 440-4124 Cell phone (917) 664-9329
WEBSITE: AndyforUSSenator.com
E-MAIL: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com
------------------------------------------© Copyright by Andy Martin 2007. Chicago-based Martin holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Comments? E-mail: AndyforUSSenator@aol.com. Media contact: (312) 440-4124. Web sites: AndyforUSSenator.com, ContrarianCommentary.com. Comments and columns also posted at AndyforUSSenator.blogspot.com, AndyforUSSenator.wordpress.com, ContrarianCommentary.blogspot.com; contrariancommentary.wordpress.com.
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