Christie Busts Ferierro: Too Little and Too Late....

by: Nick Lento

Wed Sep 10, 2008 at 10:10:19 AM EDT

Yes, Christie clearly deserves some faint praise here; but the timing of these seemingly solid and air tight indictments raises questions.

The corruption is systemic and has been going on forever.  These kinds of sweetheart deals are "normal" in Bergen County and throughout the state.  

What makes this case fairly easy to make is that Ferierro was arrogant and stupid enough to actually have his own name on the ownership papers of the business raking in the cash.

These kinds of influence peddling and kickback schemes go on all the time.....but to bust the systemic corruption would require the use of real investigations, RICO powers and even (heaven forbid!) investigations!

Christie's office has been alerted to various types of irregularities by all manner of whistle blowers and concerned citizens over the years.....yet now, eight weeks before an election, in Christie's final months in power and just before he gets involved running for governor...now, he finally decides to bust Ferierro and a crony.

When corruption, whether it's corporate, governmental or your run of the mill mafia/drug lord types, is systemic; the RICO statutes must be utilized.

It will likely be up to Mr Christie's successor to get convictions in these cases; I hope Christie hasn't left any escape hatches for the perps to squeeze through after November 09 has passed.

Even if Ferierro is eventually convicted, this would be like Capone being busted for tax evasion....the real/deeper network is all still there and that is what must be attacked.

So, let us not get carried away and fall in to the trap of thinking that this one "bust" somehow redeems Christie for all his many sins.  

Christie remains a self serving partisan hack who is finally doing a bit of good work because it burnishes his image in time for a run for governor.

Now, if Christie manages to move guys like Coniglio, Ferierro and Oury to spill their guts and he uses his RICO powers and we see raids on hundreds of newly indicted NJ pols (and their corporate owners) sometime in December; we'll then I'll be pleased to eat my hat!  

Blue Jersey Gut Check

by: Nick Lento

Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 11:23:18 AM EDT

Whether or not law enforcement ever, finally, "nails" Ferierro & Co is almost a secondary issue that says more about the integrity of our state and federal AGs than it does about the guilt or innocence of the machine that Mr Ferierro has erected at the expense of the taxpayers and residents of Bergen County.

It's understandable that the vast majority of BC residents have no idea of who Ferierro is or of what he does "for a living".  

It's understandable that the vast majority of BC residents don't show up to register or vote in the primaries that determine who the CC members are.

The ignorance and passivity of the people is, at the core, what allows pathogens like the Ferierro machine to exist and to thrive.  

What is not understandable, or acceptable, is for someone as intelligent and informed and empowered as Congressman Steve Rothman to "play ball" with the, de facto, corrupt Ferierro Bossed BCDO.

You can't embrace a pig without getting muddied up and smelly.

Thurman called for the following...

A four rating is a vote for Mr. Rothman to publicly state he is for honest and open government - and if that means Joe Ferriero can't get his support, then so be it.

So far, I only see three "votes".

We can do/be better than this.

Steve Rothman is, I believe, a basically decent and intelligent man.  He showed great leadership in being for Obama so early on.  

There is nothing Joe Ferierro has that Steve Rothman needs.   Nothing.

Please support/reinforce Thurman's initiative and manifest this small/easily made, but significant, gesture and send Congressman Rothman a message that whatever "loyalty" or "obligation" he may feel toward Joe Ferierro is far outweighed  by his obligation/loyalty to his real constituents and the loyalty/obligation he should feel to his own conscience.

Ideally, Rothman should need zero prodding from anyone; but as many have pointed out here, we don't live in as ideal world.

Think what a signal it sends that Thurman could make such a call for such a small action on a progressive website, and only a handful of individuals respond positively!

Please make this small gesture.....and maybe then we can go on to discuss even deeper issues/questions.

I would love to see three hundred responses by week's end.

http://www.bluejersey.net/show...

Rothman Blew It: Big Time!!!

by: Nick Lento

Tue Jun 10, 2008 at 11:27:58 AM EDT

Whatever political capital he garnered from being for Obama early and for forcing Boss Joe to back off on the Andrews deception; he's now blown by coming out as a wholly owned subsidiary of BCDO Boss Joseph Ferierro.

Steve; what do they "have" on you???

If you're not being manipulated/intimidated into lying down for Boss Joe and you're doing it totally voluntarily; then that's even worse.

Is there ANYONE who can call themselves a progressive Democrat and still tolerate the de facto corruption of political bossism in general and that of the FBBCDO (Ferierro Bossed Bergen County Democratic Organization)???

Either way, Steve Rothman, shame on you for embracing this corrupt dirty machine politician.

When will politicians realize that they work for the people that vote; not the people that give them money in the form of "contributions"/legalized BRIBES?!!!?

From Frederick Douglass....

If there is no struggle there is no progress......Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.

PS  Please take the time to read and think about the following message from Loretta Weinberg....