flyupsidedown
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This can of worms needs to be openedBank says it needs subpoena from Issa's panel
By Silla Brush
Posted: 06/24/09 12:15 AM [ET]
Bank of America signaled late Tuesday that it would cooperate if Congress subpoenaed details of a VIP loan program that doled out cut-price mortgage deals to senators and other government officials.
In a written response to questions from Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), ranking member on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the bank said it would not respond without subpoena. The committee has not issued a subpoena so far, and Issa's letter seeking information came without the signature of committee chairman Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.).
Issa is looking into the "Friends of Angelo" VIP program at Countrywide, a subsidiary that BoA acquired last year, which offered lower fees and rosier mortgage terms to government officials, including Democratic Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). Issa is seeking eight years worth of records, between 2000 and 2008, related to the loan program named after Countrywide's former CEO Angelo Mozilo.
Steven Ross, an Akin Gump lawyer and counsel to Bank of America, wrote to Issa on June 18 that the bank would consider providing information about beneficiaries of the VIP program that Issa is seeking . . .
http://thehill.com/leading-the-ne...-from-issas-panel-2009-06-24.html
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coastie
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You're right, fly. Hopefully, the details of Dodd's sweet mortgage will come to light.
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Outsider
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Issa quote:
| Quote: | Issa is looking into the "Friends of Angelo" VIP program at Countrywide, a subsidiary that BoA acquired last year, which offered lower fees and rosier mortgage terms to government officials, including Democratic Sens. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). Issa is seeking eight years worth of records, between 2000 and 2008, related to the loan program named after Countrywide's former CEO Angelo Mozilo.
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Funny Issa only mentions democrats. Yes, the sweet mortgage deals should come to light. All of them!!! Including Bush crony Alphonso Jackson, Bush's H.U.D. Secretary who was in charge of the Dept. under Bush, when the housing industry went south. H.U.D regulates real estate settlements. We all now know how well he was enforcing those regulations.
| Quote: | Jackson, the former H.U.D. secretary, borrowed $346,331 from Countrywide in June 2003 to refinance his Alexandria, Virginia, townhouse. That December, he applied for a $308,000 mortgage to buy a vacation home on a golf course in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The loan came through on January 21, 2004, a week before President Bush named him to the H.U.D. post. He resigned in March 2008 amid unrelated cronyism allegations.
H.U.D. has wide-ranging relationships with Countrywide and other lenders. It regulates real estate settlements and closing costs, and runs the Federal Housing Administration, which guarantees mortgages.
The former employee says that Jackson received discounts on both loans. Defending his transactions, Jackson said he was a Countrywide borrower long before he met Mozilo or worked for H.U.D. Asked if he received any breaks on the loans, he said, “Not to my knowledge. If I did, it certainly wasn’t discussed with me.”
http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/top-5/2008/06/12/Countrywide-
Housing Secretary Jackson to Resign, Official Says
By: AP | 31 Mar 2008 | 02:20 AM ET
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson is resigning Monday, according to a government official.
Jackson is under criminal investigation at the same time the housing industry is in a crisis so serious that it has imperiled the nation's credit markets, placing the country on the brink of what some economists predict will be a major recession.
The department has scheduled a 10 a.m. announcement Monday. The government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement, did not disclose the reason for Jackson's resignation.
Jackson's plans to resign were first reported on the Web site of the Wall Street Journal.
Jackson, 62, has been fending off allegations of cronyism and favoritism involving HUD contractors for the past two years.
The FBI has been examining the ties between Jackson and a friend who was paid $392,000 by Jackson's department as a construction manager in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
When the existence of the criminal probe was revealed in October, the White House said President Bush supports Jackson and that Jackson "expects that the investigation will clearly establish that he did nothing improper or unethical."
In another controversy, the housing authority in Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit alleging that Jackson tried to punish the agency for nixing a deal involving music-producer-turned-developer Kenny Gamble, a friend of Jackson.
At a congressional hearing this month, Jackson repeatedly refused to answer questions about the Philadelphia redevelopment deal.
Last year, the inspector general at Jackson's department found what it called "some problematic instances" involving HUD contracts and grants, including Jackson's opposition to money for a contractor whose executives donated exclusively to Democratic candidates.
In 2006, Jackson triggered the IG inquiry when he said publicly that he revoked a contract because the applicant who thanked him said he did not like President Bush.
Jackson later told the IG's investigators that "I lied" when he made the remark about taking back the contract. |
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Outsider
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Looks like your boy Issa has a few Skeleton's in his closet.
Maybe someone should check the serial numbers on his cars!!
Looks like another republican hypocrite setting up there trying to make it look like he is doing something. LOL
| Quote: | Allegations of criminal involvement in early years
In 1971, Issa allegedly stole a Dodge sedan from an Army post near Pittsburgh. The allegation was made by a retired Army sergeant, and published in a 1998 newspaper article. Issa denied the allegation. No charges were filed.[12][13]
In 1972, Issa and his brother allegedly stole a red Maserati sports car from a car dealership in Cleveland. He and his brother were indicted for car theft, but the case was dropped.[12][13]
Also in 1972, Issa was convicted in Michigan for possession of an unregistered gun. He received three months probation and paid a $204 fine.[14]
On December 28, 1979, Issa and his brother allegedly faked the theft of Issa's Mercedes Benz sedan. Issa and his brother were charged for felony auto theft, but the case was dropped by prosecutors for lack of evidence. Later, Issa and his brother were charged for misdemeanors, but that case was not pursued by prosecutors. Issa accused his brother of stealing the car, and said that the experience with his brother was the reason he went into the car alarm business.[12][13]
A day after a court order was issued, giving Issa control of automotive alarm company A.C. Custom over an unpaid $60,000 debt, Issa allegedly carried a cardboard box containing a handgun into the office of A.C. Custom executive, Jack Frantz, and told Frantz he was fired. In a 1998 newspaper article, Frantz said Issa had invited him to hold the gun and claimed extensive knowledge of guns and explosives from his Army service. In response, Issa said, "Shots were never fired. ... I don't recall having a gun. I really don't. I don't think I ever pulled a gun on anyone in my life."[14]
[edit] Blackwater controversy
On February 7, 2007, during a hearing in which four mothers, wives, and daughters of four security guards killed in Iraq testified in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Issa made controversial remarks, implying that the hearing was partisan and insinuating that the women's testimony was written by their attorney. The families have sued North Carolina-based Blackwater USA, the company that employed their relatives as security guards, to gain information about the circumstances surrounding the men’s deaths, and to seek compensatory damages. [15] Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky of Illinois lambasted Issa saying, "I also wanted to take exception to questions about who wrote this, first of all, because I think clearly the implication was that somehow these wonderful women could not possibly have written that wonderful, heartfelt testimony and that it took a lawyer in order to put it together and I resent that very much."[16] [9] |
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jhofficial
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| Outsider wrote: | Looks like your boy Issa has a few Skeleton's in his closet.
Maybe someone should check the serial numbers on his cars!!
Looks like another republican hypocrite setting up there trying to make it look like he is doing something. LOL
| Quote: | Allegations of criminal involvement in early years
In 1971, Issa allegedly stole a Dodge sedan from an Army post near Pittsburgh. The allegation was made by a retired Army sergeant, and published in a 1998 newspaper article. Issa denied the allegation. No charges were filed.[12][13]
In 1972, Issa and his brother allegedly stole a red Maserati sports car from a car dealership in Cleveland. He and his brother were indicted for car theft, but the case was dropped.[12][13]
Also in 1972, Issa was convicted in Michigan for possession of an unregistered gun. He received three months probation and paid a $204 fine.[14]
On December 28, 1979, Issa and his brother allegedly faked the theft of Issa's Mercedes Benz sedan. Issa and his brother were charged for felony auto theft, but the case was dropped by prosecutors for lack of evidence. Later, Issa and his brother were charged for misdemeanors, but that case was not pursued by prosecutors. Issa accused his brother of stealing the car, and said that the experience with his brother was the reason he went into the car alarm business.[12][13]
A day after a court order was issued, giving Issa control of automotive alarm company A.C. Custom over an unpaid $60,000 debt, Issa allegedly carried a cardboard box containing a handgun into the office of A.C. Custom executive, Jack Frantz, and told Frantz he was fired. In a 1998 newspaper article, Frantz said Issa had invited him to hold the gun and claimed extensive knowledge of guns and explosives from his Army service. In response, Issa said, "Shots were never fired. ... I don't recall having a gun. I really don't. I don't think I ever pulled a gun on anyone in my life."[14]
[edit] Blackwater controversy
On February 7, 2007, during a hearing in which four mothers, wives, and daughters of four security guards killed in Iraq testified in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Issa made controversial remarks, implying that the hearing was partisan and insinuating that the women's testimony was written by their attorney. The families have sued North Carolina-based Blackwater USA, the company that employed their relatives as security guards, to gain information about the circumstances surrounding the men’s deaths, and to seek compensatory damages. [15] Congresswoman Janice Schakowsky of Illinois lambasted Issa saying, "I also wanted to take exception to questions about who wrote this, first of all, because I think clearly the implication was that somehow these wonderful women could not possibly have written that wonderful, heartfelt testimony and that it took a lawyer in order to put it together and I resent that very much."[16] [9] |
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You guys try so hard to top FLY, but you just cant do it. You quote all these "skeletons". Yet he has one conviction in 1970 what for a firearm volition that was so egregious it had a penalty of a whole $204 fine. This is why I hardly ever read or reply to your fantasy world post. keep on keeping on FLY
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Outsider
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jhofficial wrote:
| Quote: | | This is why I hardly ever read or reply to your fantasy world post. |
Thanks, likewise. 
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jhofficial
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| Outsider wrote: | jhofficial wrote:
| Quote: | | This is why I hardly ever read or reply to your fantasy world post. |
Thanks, likewise. |
Once again smart azz reply without addressing the actual content. Cure has taught you well.
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Outsider
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| Quote: | | Once again smart azz reply without addressing the actual content. Cure has taught you well. |
Thanks for the compliment. Keep on keeping on Cure!!
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Kestrel
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Issa must have a good lawyer, or be a smooth fellow. Suspected four times, only convicted once.
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jhofficial
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| Kestrel wrote: | | Issa must have a good lawyer, or be a smooth fellow. Suspected four times, only convicted once. |
Why not falsely accused?
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Kestrel
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| jhofficial wrote: | | Kestrel wrote: | | Issa must have a good lawyer, or be a smooth fellow. Suspected four times, only convicted once. |
Why not falsely accused? |
Of course that is possible, since he isn't black. 
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jhofficial
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| Kestrel wrote: | | jhofficial wrote: | | Kestrel wrote: | | Issa must have a good lawyer, or be a smooth fellow. Suspected four times, only convicted once. |
Why not falsely accused? |
Of course that is possible, since he isn't black. |
What could that possibility have anything to do with it?
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Kestrel
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| jhofficial wrote: | | Kestrel wrote: | | jhofficial wrote: | | Kestrel wrote: | | Issa must have a good lawyer, or be a smooth fellow. Suspected four times, only convicted once. |
Why not falsely accused? |
Of course that is possible, since he isn't black. |
What could that possibility have anything to do with it? |
Plenty to some folks.
Another reason he could be falsely accused is that he is republican.
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Outsider
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Kestrel wrote:
| Quote: | Another reason he could be falsely accused is that he is republican.
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He couldn't be falsely accused of being simple.
Yeah, I say check his serial numbers!!
| Quote: | Rep. Issa: 9/11 was ’simply’ a plane crash.
During a hearing Tuesday on an aid bill for sick New Yorkers, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) callously dismissed the 9/11 attacks as “simply” a plane crash. The New York Daily News reports:
2151463.jpg The California congressman who called the Sept. 11 attacks “simply” a plane crash ran for cover Wednesday under a barrage of ridicule from fellow Republicans, first responders and victims’ families.
San Diego GOP Rep. Darrell Issa was under siege for suggesting the federal government had already done enough to help New York cope with “a fire” that “simply was an aircraft” hitting the World Trade Center.
Rep. Peter King (R-NY) sharply criticized his fellow conservative’s remarks, stating, “New York was attacked by Al Qaeda. It doesn’t have to be attacked by Congress.” In his statement yesterday, Issa tried to insist that he only “asked tough questions about the expenditures” during the hearing. |
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flyupsidedown
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What is it about tax-and-spend you don't understand?Gee, like this was a big surprise. You liberals are going to be constantly wiping egg off of your face as you realize Obama's folly. I can't believe you actually put your trust in a 'community organizer' with no executive experience. You might as well have handed a three year old a loaded gun and hoped for the best.
June 28, 2009
Categories: Health care
Axelrod waffles on Obama no-middle-class-tax-hike vow
The White House seems to be retreating from President Barack Obama’s campaign promise that he would not raise taxes on families making less than $250,000.
Under persistent questioning from ABC’s George Stephanopoulos Sunday, Obama senior adviser David Axelrod declined to restate the vow and left open the possibility that the president might sign health care reform legislation that taxes high-cost, employer-provided insurance plans which some middle-class families currently receive tax free.
“The president had said in the past that he doesn't believe taxing health care benefits at any level is necessarily the best way to go here. He still believes that, but there are a number of formulations and we'll wait and see,” Axelrod said on ABC’s “This Week.” “The important thing at this point is to keep the process moving, to keep people at the table, to the keep the discussions going. We've gotten a long way down the road and we want to finish that journey.”
When Stephanopoulos asked why Obama hadn’t drawn a “line in the sand” over his tax pledge, Axelrod suggested that kind of ultimatum is at odds with the president’s effort to being a new tone to politics . . .
http://www.politico.com/blogs/pol...ddleclasstaxhike_vow.html?showall
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Outsider
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flyupsidedown wrote:
| Quote: | | I can't believe you actually put your trust in a 'community organizer' with no executive experience. |
He now has a few months of "executive experience" under his belt. The repugs will have to drop that talking-typing point by the 2012 election. 
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flyupsidedown
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Great. How much longer will the country have to suffer while he's on this 'learning curve'? So far my great grandchildren are loaded with debt, how far will it go?
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Kestrel
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| flyupsidedown wrote: | | Great. How much longer will the country have to suffer while he's on this 'learning curve'? So far my great grandchildren are loaded with debt, how far will it go? |
LOL Most of that was under Bush. As I recall, you were very quiet back then. Nay a complaint from ol' fly.
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flyupsidedown
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kestrel: | Quote: | | LOL Most of that was under Bush. |
NOT. Silly goose, where in the world do you get that? Most of it? I think not. Whatever mistakes Bush made, Obama has multiplied them by a factor of 10.
And the taxes are a comin'. And the dollar is a droppin'. And inflation is inflatin'. And Obama is a smilin'. And Americans are a worryin'.
I can hear you 3 yrs from now, "Bush did it".
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Kestrel
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| flyupsidedown wrote: | kestrel: | Quote: | | LOL Most of that was under Bush. |
NOT. Silly goose, where in the world do you get that? Most of it? I think not. Whatever mistakes Bush made, Obama has multiplied them by a factor of 10.
And the taxes are a comin'. And the dollar is a droppin'. And inflation is inflatin'. And Obama is a smilin'. And Americans are a worryin'.
I can hear you 3 yrs from now, "Bush did it". |
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/09s0451.pdf
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/09s0452.pdf
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2009/pdf/hist.pdf
Bush started off with a $236 billion surplus in 2000 thanks to Clinton. Went downhill from there. He started a war, hitting a $413 billion deficit in 2004, dropping to a $162 billion deficit in 2007, then jumping back up to a $410 dollar deficit in 2008! And he pushed the bank bailouts, which folks like to pin on Obama.
Year Deficit Bil $
2000 236.2
2001 128.2
2002 −157.8
2003 −377.6
2004 −412.7
2005 −318.3
2006 −248.2
2007 −162.0
2008 estimate −410.0
And how about debt figures? In 2000 it was about $5.6 trillion (58% of GDP), and in 2008 Bush would have jacked it up to $9.7 trillion (68% of GDP). Yeah, I really should trust those republicans, dang big spenders!
Year Debt Bil $ %GDP
2000 5,628.7 58.0
2001 5,769.9 57.4
2002 6,198.4 59.7
2003 6,760.0 62.5
2004 7,354.7 64.0
2005 7,905.3 64.6
2006 8,451.4 64.9
2007 8,950.7 65.5
2008 estimate 9,654.4 67.5
Naa, in 3 years, it'll pretty much be Obama's fault, but he started in a hole due to Bush. But it is amazing that this downturn is all Obama's fault. And come on! The dollar is stronger this year than it was last year under Bush!
It's like changing pilots while the plane is diving at the ground, and then blaming the new pilot for diving at the ground. And if the new pilot manages to recover, you'll be complaining that it was a rough ride!
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