AmeriCrooks: Obama’s crony scandal, continued
Photoshop credit: Leo Alberti
Last week, I told you about First Lady Michelle Obama’s meddling intervention in reshuffling the fraud-friendly AmeriCorps management. Inspector General Gerald Walpin got the boot after refusing to turn a blind eye to the likely squandering of AmeriCorps funds by Obama supporter/Sacramento mayor/former NBA star Kevin Johnson and also, as I noted, because of his recent IG report auditing the wasteful Teaching Fellows Program, run by the Research Foundation of the City University of New York, which is AmeriCorps’s largest and most expensive program.
Byron York at the Examiner.com interviewed Walpin about the firing:
The White House’s decision to fire AmeriCorps inspector general Gerald Walpin came amid politically-charged tensions inside the Corporation for National and Community Service, the organization that runs AmeriCorps. Top executives at the Corporation, Walpin explained in an hour-long interview Saturday, were unhappy with his investigation into the misuse of AmeriCorps funds by Kevin Johnson, the former NBA star who is now mayor of Sacramento, California and a prominent supporter of President Obama. Walpin’s investigation also sparked conflict with the acting U.S. attorney in Sacramento amid fears that the probe — which could have resulted in Johnson being barred from ever winning another federal grant — might stand in the way of the city receiving its part of billions of dollars in federal stimulus money. After weeks of standoff, Walpin, whose position as inspector general is supposed to be protected from influence by political appointees and the White House, was fired.
Walpin learned his fate Wednesday night. He was driving to an event in upstate New York when he received a call from Norman Eisen, the Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform. “He said, ‘Mr. Walpin, the president wants me to tell you that he really appreciates your service, but it’s time to move on,’” Walpin recalls. “Eisen said, ‘You can either resign, or I’ll tell you that we’ll have to terminate you.’”
At that moment, Walpin says, he had finished not only a report on the Sacramento probe but also an investigation into extensive misuse of AmeriCorps money by the City University of New York, which is AmeriCorps’ biggest program. Walpin says he told Eisen that, given those two investigations, neither of which was well-received by top Corporation management, the timing of his firing seemed “very interesting.” According to Walpin, Eisen said it was “pure coincidence.”
Rule number one of the Chicago political machine: There’s no such thing as “pure coincidence” in Obama-land.
***
It’s time for First Lady Michelle Obama’s role in all this to get the scrutiny it deserves.
***
President Obama co-sponsored the Inspector Generals Reform Act last year, which is now law. It states:
“If an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer.”
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- Obama’s Hypocrisy On Americorps « NEOAVATARA
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- Americorruption | EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
- goin’ to chicago, baby don’t you wanna go « Word-Drum
- Obama broke a law he co-sponsored firing of Inspector General Gerald Walpin | Fire Andrea Mitchell!
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lol, yeah, that will happen.
Anyone else see the irony in this?
Obama can fire anybody he wants. Remember God answers to nobody! Welcome to Marxism.
The question is whether this guy could file for wrongful termination due to being some sort of Whistle Blower?
Where are the ethical congress people standing up for the rule of law? Oh sorry, that’s a dichotomy (ethics and congress never to be used in same sentence). But again I will ask, when will the people stand up and start filing law suits against the Administration’s continued law breaking?
How long will all this just continue as “business as usual”?
Since Congress won’t do anything – what can We the People do?
Another reason Conservatives or Republicans for that matter should never vote for a Democrat for anything. Even if he says he’s a “conservative” Democrat. It’s going to be a long haul to the 2010 elections.
I love the name “AmeriCrooks”.
It captures the Obama/Democrat Culture of Corruption very well.
Corrupt thugs from Chicago, home of the Communist Party USA, are running (and ruining) our government.
Yet I have not heard any MSM outlet report about this except for Fox News.
Welcome to Chicago Land business ways folks!
Michelle, Michelle, Michelle..
When will you learn that laws don’t apply to democrats???
Thanks much for using my newest creation:)
No, Laws don’t apply to congress, or any politician that can get away with it.
Unfortunately the constitution doesn’t state: Congres shall enact no law which exempts Congress from any federal law, rule or regulation nor any law which gives Congress any right or priviledge over and above any US Citizen.
Laws cannot regulate the lawmakers, only the constitution and an unbiased judicary can. Good luck with that anytime soon.
katablog said: “How long will all this just continue as “business as usual”?
Since Congress won’t do anything – what can We the People do?”
I’m thinking we need to shift our focus from trying to get Congress to change–since they are all self interested politicians and are interested only in staying in power–to the media. That’s where the real power is. The media are the “interpreters” between government and the people. Why is Obama able to get away with everything? Because the media don’t challenge him. Why was Bush so hated by so many people? Because the media reported every possible damaging thing they could, even made it up if they had to.
We need to stop trying to get our Congress people to listen to us, and focus on changing the media.
Suggestions how to do this? Haven’t finished thinking it through.
Follow
‘da
money…!!!!
Now is the time for those so-called conservatives in elected office to start the ball rolling for legal challenges and investigating ethics violations. They have ways they can jam up the legislative process if they so choose. If Obama violated a law he supported, there must be a recourse. Enforcement of the law didn’t stop when Obama was elected. He and his cronies would like us to believe it has. The populace didn’t elect a dictator or king. I’m sorry, but this usurper isn’t above the law.
Remember how lefties used to sneeringly refer to “The Bush Crime Family” and “BushCo?” We need a slick moniker to describe the Obama Mafia.
File to WHO? They are all in the tank. Soon, Obama will have everything and all the power and we won’t have any chance for justice. I would think the lawyers in this country would start to fear for their jobs. If you can’t get justice any more, why bother to hire a lawyer?
Exactly! Mass boycotts of products on MSM would have an effect. It would take a huge boycott to really make a difference, but with all the tea party people on board, it would work. Start with one program that does outrageous and corrupt reporting, boycott their sponsors…go on from there. It shouldn’t take long.
Well, so far, he is!! You have probably heard this but…What is the difference between God and Obama? God doesn’t think He is Obama.
I read the whole article by York, and the question I was left with is: Why, if Johnson was the impediment to the stimulus dollars, was there no steps to remove him, instead the answer was to remove Walpin and sweep the whole investigation under the rug? It seems to be a recurring pattern with the Obama administration, that when faced with improper doings by their favorites the knee-jerk reaction is to ignore said wrong doings and go on to business as usual. There is obviously a disregard for the rule of law and ethics in this administration that needs careful scrutiny.
1. This article contains no new information. It does have an interview with one of the players, who says (surprise) that he is in the right, as he said last week.
2. The statement: “Last week, I told you about First Lady Michelle Obama’s meddling intervention in reshuffling the fraud-friendly AmeriCorps management.” is partly true. Last week it was alleged.
3. A balanced version of the story would also carry the fact that Walpin was fired after being accused of shoddy investigations.
Bottom line: you got nothin’, twice. (adapted from a famous review of “Waiting for Gogot”: “Nothing happens, twice.”)
Just switched on my handy dandy lgm code speak interpreter.
Read the law. You know…the one Obama voted for as a Senator.
Now, did BIG BRO follow the law in this instance? Yes or no, please.
Read the letter by Mr. Grassley. What element of that letter to you quibble with?
Well lgm, shouldn’t there at least be an investigation into this??
Oh wait, there was. The investigater got fired AFTER the results were found.
Nothing to see here….
Where’s Sheriff Joe…?!!?!
Isn’t he supposed to be guarding the till?
Where is that glass-like transparency…???
HMMM…lgm…???
There is no fraud, lie, or chicanery that lgm will not defend when perpetrated by Democrats. Intellectual slavery.
LGM…for the love of God, will you please shut up. Your statements are so blatantly stupid, you can’t possibly believe what you write. Just be honest for once and admit you are doing this on purpose to goad us and disrupt our debate.
I have been chastened. I have been told that my posts aren’t relevant. Sob. It has been suggested that I post while drunk or stoned. Well, I have a confession: I never post on MichelleMalkin.com under the influence of drugs or alcohol (I know, shocking, huh).
However, in order to conform to the highest standards always on display here, I have resolved to only post things that are thoughtful, insightful and relevant.
Here goes:
Bugs Bunny: “I darest you to step across that line.”
Yosemite Sam: “I’m a steppin Rabbit, I’m a steppin…”
My husband’s nephew was in the Americorps about 10 years ago. This coming weekend, he will be travelling to Spain, courtesy of Americorp. No, he is not in it any more, but the trip is a “reward” for his great work when he was. Is this actually supposed to be a non-profit organization funded by the taxpayers? Our nephew will certainly enjoy his luxury trip thanks to all of us.
Laura Ingham (sp) is interviewing Walpin right now.
This guy has SERIOUS chops, and an impeccable background.
Listen up.
Johnson NEVER presented anything to refute the allegations.
He admitted them.
This is political, top-to-bottom, side-to-side, front-to-back.
It is a violation of the LAW THAT OBAMA CO-SPONSORED.
Obama is so incredibly corrupt, he isn’t even hiding it any more. Yet Bill O’Reilly is still giving him the benefit of the doubt. Geez. When will this all hit the fan? It probably won’t until the MSM decides to start honest reporting again. I don’t see that happening. They think they are doing the right thing in supporting this administration and all its cover-ups!
Ameri-Gate?
lgm; mr nixon, you can’t fire archibald cox. yes i can. mr obama; you can’t fire a whistleblower either. the msm will hve no choice but to investigate this. like the little blue dress deal, when you leave a trail of misdeeds, even the msm will stumble upon it in order to win a pulitzer.
Apparently, Johnson has been destroying evidence which was under a subpoena.
If so, this is a felony.
Yes, and there is proof!! They followed him to a trash bin on the street where he deposited some shredded documents. I’m sure they can figure out some way to reconstruct them. As soon as I stop typing, I will be rubbing my hands together and doing a Cheney “evil chuckle”.
At the present rate, Hope-a-Dope’ third memoir title already suggests itself:
“Because I Could: How a Donkey Congress and a Donkey Media helped me to ‘Come Out of the Water Dry’”
Seriously, even if Hope-a-Dope complies with the requirement to report his reasons to Congress, they’re donks. They’re not going to lift a pinky finger against The Maximum Leader.
And anyone “hoping” for the media to follow up on the story needs to also bear in mind: they’re donks. They’re not going to say or write a thing that doesn’t portray their idol as anything other than basking in the light of his own halo.
This story is going down the memory hole, right after “stories” like how Pelosi could accuse the CIA of serially committing felonies, refuse to back up those claims with any evidence at all, then walk away with a breezy, “I’ve said all I have to say on the matter” and get away with it.
The donks are in a position of absolute power. And we all know what that means. It’s just a race now to see whether they can put the fixes in for 2010 and 2012 in time to make sure that they’ll never lose that absolute power.
Which says nothing relevant; as you stated in #2, the so-called shoddy investigations are only “alleged” and, according to the Tapper/ABCNews article you linked to on another thread, made by highly partisan sources and lacking in both credibility and concrete substance.
Why are people compelled to state that he supported the law that is *alledgedly* being broken??? Irony, I suppose.
Do I only need to follow the laws that I feel are valid??
It should not matter who supported the law’s passage and who did not. If the law was broken, that’s it. period.
The allegation of “shoddy investigations” is certainly not borne out in this instance.
Johnson did what he is alleged to have done.
The DOJ found enough to make criminal charges.
No, friends, this was a pure political hatchet job….
When obvious issues like this go unaddressed in the media, and pertinent questions remain unasked by a lapdog WH press corp, what is the public to think but that they, the media, are in Obama’s back pocket?
beachmom said:
Yes. The fact that Obama would ask his Special Counsel for Ethics to illegally fire Walpin speaks volumes about his hubris and his real view on ethics. Despite his lip service to ethics in government, this incident shows that ethics is just a means to an end for Obama. He is using it as a cover for unethical behavior. He thinks that if his ethics czar does it, no one will question if it is ethical. If he gets away with this, it will prove that Americans are as stupid as Obama thinks we are.
What happens when those in authority ignore and abuse the law? What happens when law-abiding citizens can no longer trust elected officials to do what’s right? What happens when early on, following an election, the people are unable to recall, impeach, or vote out of office, the corruptocrats and their criminal entourages?
Maybe lynching in the old west was true “Country justice?” I’m not condoning that approach, but I am making a statement of understanding. “For every action, there is an equal, and opposite reaction.”
Your observation was on-point.
The Vigilante movement was a natural civil response to lawlessness in the Bay Area, and was INITIALLY very praiseworthy.
Nature abhors a vacuum, and that includes a vacuum in governmental integrity.
The atmosphere generated nation-wide, comes from a Democrat Party controlled congress. At it’s head, is Obama, who, more or less, controls that atmosphere which lacks integrity. My only conclusion is;
The atmosphere, the ill wind, (Congress) blows, and the vacuum-inducing mouthpiece, (Obama) sucks!
I think “The Obama ThugNation” has a nice ring to it…
Fosnizzle it makes me go all shizzle!
Let’s see, will Congress investigate this obvious abuse of power (sort of similar to Nixon’s White House, in many respects), or will the Department of Justice? No, of course not, and don’t expect to see stories about this on NBC, CBS or ABC. There is more transparency in Obamaland that he knows — it is transparent that the Administration is chock-a-block full of liars and crooks, from the top on down.
Someone please help me explain something…
We’ve all heard about how corrupt, thuggish, and leftist leaning Chicago is, right? We know it’s history in politics. Obama, and many in his administration are from Chicago, or have political/financial ties to Chicago, okay? So, one, why is anyone surprised at allegations of wrong-doing, tampering, or thuggish behavior coming out of the Obama sphere of influence? Is this a case of ignore the past, focus on the future mentality?
It’s like you know fire will burn you if you put your hand in it, but you do it anyway, and act surprised when it hurts. I just don’t get it. People elected this facade knowing his questionable history.
Why is everything connected with the current administration put on the fast track, with little investigation, no oversight, no understanding of intent, but plenty of Democrat Party partisanship and demagoguery?
Why does no one legally challenge the constitutionality of Obama’s obviously illegal actions, in courts of law?
What needs to happen for Joe American, to stand up, and articulate clearly, “Dude….ENOUGH!”…?
Maybe I am impatient, but I can see no reason in letting Obama “have a chance” to incorporate his idea of change, which by the way, is still unclear to many (NOT ME…I KNOW PRECISELY WHAT HE’S DOING…AND SO DO MANY OF YOU)!
How can this best be illustrated to the generally dependent population…via cartoons, or a video game? Help!
Well, science catches up to what most of us already knew.
Nice to have a profiler confirm the intuition, though.
I just went to DU to see how they were reacting to this story. Using the search function there took me to ONE DU thread….and only one. It was posted 2 DAYS AGO and has exactly two comments in response. They are studiously avoiding the subject as it it were redioactive. LOL! Now on to KOS and Huffington to see if they are doing the same.
lgm, please get your head out of your ass.