tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post3476174304904236515..comments2024-03-29T00:30:47.101-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Allentown Mayor Pawlowski Falsely Claims No Donors in Campign ReportBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61954806241794048882009-01-02T11:20:00.000-05:002009-01-02T11:20:00.000-05:00Good thing we have a watchdog like Bernie O'Hare. ...Good thing we have a watchdog like Bernie O'Hare. I hope you'll keep Cunningham honest too. He's already raising money to run for governor and those numbers will be much highr.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-43386835681447597812008-12-31T13:58:00.000-05:002008-12-31T13:58:00.000-05:00Bernie...thank you. Here is one example of someon...Bernie...thank you. Here is one example of someone who did what has gone on, on a grand scale, to fund Obama's campaign. Just brief research will you the millions donated via untraceable "gift cards," all bought with the same credit card. And the parade of obviously fake names....<BR/><BR/>This is all easily investigated, with search warrants, court orders, et cetera...but the next DOJ will not pursue it. On that I'd bet my pension.<BR/><BR/>"We noted here and elsewhere the astonishing degree of fraud that has fueled Barack Obama's record fundraising. The ultimate instance of Obama-fraud was achieved by a reader of The Corner:<BR/><BR/>So I went to the Obama website this afternoon and clicked on the "Donate" button.<BR/><BR/>I used my real MasterCard number (but was not asked for the 3 digit security code).<BR/><BR/>Used the following information and it was accepted...<BR/><BR/>First name: Fake<BR/>Last Name: Donor<BR/>Address: 1 Dollar To Prove A Point<BR/>City: Fraudulent<BR/>State: AL<BR/>Zip / Post: 33333<BR/>Email Address: allmyinfoismadeup@mediabias.com<BR/>Phone Number: 2125551212<BR/>Employer: Mainstream Media<BR/>Occupation: Being in the Tank<BR/><BR/>And incredibly, my $5 donation was ACCEPTED!!!<BR/><BR/>I then went to the McCain site and used the exact same information (and WAS asked for the 3 digit security code for my MasterCard). There, my contribution was rejected with the following message: "Your transaction was not approved for the following reason(s): Invalid data", and then: "We have found errors in the information that you have submitted. Please review the information below and try again."<BR/><BR/>I have screen shots and printouts of all of this as well.<BR/><BR/>Please tell me what I can do with this information? Is this a violation of FEC law by the Obama Campaign? How do we publicize this??? <BR/><BR/>Everyone knows that Barack Obama has created the biggest money-machine of any politician in American history. But it is becoming increasingly evident that Obama's money-machine is largely fraudulent and therefore criminal. One can imagine a world in which newspaper reporters think it's a serious matter when a Presidential candidate tries to buy an election with illegal and fraudulent contributions. That, of course, is not the world that we live in."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-2066705941767622912008-12-31T09:35:00.000-05:002008-12-31T09:35:00.000-05:00Ron in A-town,If what you are saying is true, then...Ron in A-town,<BR/><BR/>If what you are saying is true, then Obama has engaged in the same kind of dirty politics we see from King Ed. I'm certainly no Obamafile and will agree with you if this is conducted on a wide scale. My understanding is that most of this "untraceable" money is just small donations. I have no doubt there is some fraud. It is hard to mount a major campaign without escaping some of that. But I will certainly research the questions you raise.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-20022546187842042622008-12-31T09:06:00.000-05:002008-12-31T09:06:00.000-05:008:28 Way to be. Bernie doesn't care. He's in the...8:28 <BR/><BR/>Way to be. Bernie doesn't care. He's in the boat with the rest of Oprah's fans. Perhaps its typical paternal racism fueled by white guilt. <BR/><BR/>Obama and his money are politically filthy, but there will be no serious investigation. Credit card fraud using millions of small transactions on jacked cards or untraceable prepaids is easy to perpetrate and widespread. Just ask any First Star Bank debit card holder who was victimized this month.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-84415352165192721322008-12-31T08:28:00.000-05:002008-12-31T08:28:00.000-05:00Bernie....I quote you here.."Collected a large num...Bernie....I quote you here..<BR/><BR/>"Collected a large number of very small sums, as Obama did, is no indication that his money is muddy. It's instead an indication that he's quite popular and that was borne out by the elecxtions returns. I'd suggest you look at them to answer your question about his money."<BR/><BR/>I respectfully call your attention to the obcvious fraudulent contributions, many made from the same pre-paid credit card, with such obviously false names as to make a mockery of the system, and to demonstrate the ridiculous ease with which campaign finance laws are violated on the national level. There are too many examples to list them here, and I am fairly sure that an Obama DOJ will not even look into them.<BR/><BR/>Your support for Obama in tyhe election is, of course, your right. And I enjoy your column ("blog") very much. Just please be honest and admit that "The One," whose background is the cesspool that is Chicago politics, has apparently engaged in the same kind of raud as Pawloski.<BR/><BR/>And the evidence shown by the elections can be interpreted not as his "popularity." Rather, it demonstrates, once again, that races can be bought. $668 million (private, some fraudulent and illegal contributions) to $80 million of public monies (keeping a promise BOTH candidates made says it all.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-69662160982858310382008-12-31T00:37:00.000-05:002008-12-31T00:37:00.000-05:00Would that be the same Jack Bradt Stoffa sucks up ...Would that be the same Jack Bradt Stoffa sucks up to?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-43746590103431606702008-12-30T22:49:00.000-05:002008-12-30T22:49:00.000-05:001) Cunningham is running for governor and needs mi...1) Cunningham is running for governor and needs <B>millions</B> to be a viable candidate. People running for statewide office should not be looked at the same way a local pol is examined. <BR/><BR/>2) Cunningham has never filed a sham campaign finance report. He has always been accessible and is an advocate of transparency. Pawlowski engages in personal attacks, is inaccessible, and files reports that actually lie to the people. <BR/><BR/>3) I have never seen a pol, and I include Reibman in this category, use pay to play on the same level it exists in Pawlowski. <BR/><BR/>4) Cunningham actually tries to help people, especially those without means. Pawlowski throws them to the wolves. While kissing Fegley's ass or sucking up to Jack Bradt, King Ed simultaneously sends letters to 23 low-icome residents of A-town, telling them housing inspectors are coming and they better open their doors or he'll get a search warrant. Yeah, he's a real nice guy. Really cares about the people, at least those who pad his campaigns.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-49528314418862842722008-12-30T22:37:00.000-05:002008-12-30T22:37:00.000-05:00Bernie,I know you hate Ed and that is ok and you r...Bernie,<BR/><BR/>I know you hate Ed and that is ok and you right as an American. But lets be fair the list of Pawlowski donors is no different than Cunninghams and you love him. So pick on Ed if you want but all politicians with long term ambitions play pay to play and until you change election law and have publicly funded elections this will continue to happen. Pick on Pawlowski ok fine, but pick on your buddy too. The list is longer and would better prove your view.<BR/><BR/>No Free Passes Please!! But after all you are Bernie O'hare I don't expect you to be itellectually honest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-17116407290608517982008-12-30T22:13:00.000-05:002008-12-30T22:13:00.000-05:00I disagree.First, I voted for Obama, but it was a ...I disagree.<BR/><BR/>First, I voted for Obama, but it was a very close call for me. I am no Obamaphile and have written posts that ridicule those who worship him. <BR/><BR/>Second, I do believe in transparency. Collected a large number of very small sums, as Obama did, is no indication that his money is muddy. It's instead an indication that he's quite popular and that was borne out by the elecxtions returns. I'd suggest you look at them to answer your question about his money. <BR/><BR/>Third, Pawlowski filed a campaign finance report that actually lies. he claims to have no contributions when the undisputed facts show something else. If you could demonstrate that Obama file a signed and notarized report that actively misled voters, I'd be with you. You can't. I'm not. <BR/><BR/>Fourth, the subject here is Pawlowski, not Obama. We can do something about bad local officials. It's a little harder to do something on a federal level.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-57678499526706829292008-12-30T22:04:00.000-05:002008-12-30T22:04:00.000-05:00Again, Obama's sheep have "changed" their opinions...Again, Obama's sheep have "changed" their opinions regarding transparency. Barry's money is muddier than the Chicago cesspool that belched him forth. But he's a hero here, while Pawlowski gets a full body cavity from another phony Barry worshiper. I'm gonna puke from all this change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-35502835515926551512008-12-30T21:18:00.000-05:002008-12-30T21:18:00.000-05:00Pennsylvania's campaign finance laws are undoubted...Pennsylvania's campaign finance laws are undoubtedly the weakest in the nation. Not only is there no limit on the amount of money a developer or local government contractor can donate, but the laws are so vague and poorly worded that even elections officials themselves are confused by them. And the penalty for violation is always a joke.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-55736522120998270932008-12-30T21:14:00.000-05:002008-12-30T21:14:00.000-05:00I do not understand why there is a $2,500 donation...I do not understand why there is a $2,500 donation limit for Federal races, but a land developer can pump a local candidate $5K. I am not sure if it applies to this case but I read about others.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-67939552444558474902008-12-30T20:02:00.000-05:002008-12-30T20:02:00.000-05:00And that was the 1100 block of Jackson Street in E...And that was the 1100 block of Jackson Street in Easton Heights. <BR/><BR/>Mayor Panto himself was on the scene of that fire. It was pretty bad. <BR/><BR/>They came in and rebuilt the place, in the weeks that followed.<BR/><BR/>House of Crayons can testify to what house it was. He was the back up to the fire.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure someone else who reads this blog came by my old block that month and saw it.J. SPIKE ROGANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09812618604210761080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-39425887188969800912008-12-30T19:59:00.000-05:002008-12-30T19:59:00.000-05:00anon 9:35 (top post)The van that was on the Jackso...anon 9:35 (top post)<BR/><BR/>The van that was on the Jackson street job in march had it.<BR/><BR/>They were working on a house a few doors down from me went on fire.<BR/><BR/>I passed it every day that month.<BR/><BR/>My power supply took a major crap then.<BR/><BR/>So I was not online to read that original post Bernie had.<BR/><BR/>If I had known, I would have stopped and taken a cell phone pic.<BR/><BR/>Although they can probaly not outlaw city line for the sticker. But it would clearly show City line is "politic'n" for work.J. SPIKE ROGANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09812618604210761080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-51390245359410855042008-12-30T19:57:00.000-05:002008-12-30T19:57:00.000-05:00Actually, this has nothing to do with politics or ...Actually, this has nothing to do with politics or Tony Phillips. It has everything to do with transparency and accountability. These are the fundamentals on which good government rests. If you don't have that, you might as well give up.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-4132600294676865332008-12-30T19:14:00.000-05:002008-12-30T19:14:00.000-05:00This is probably the wrong angle Boonie.At the end...This is probably the wrong angle Boonie.<BR/><BR/>At the end of the day, you are trying to convince the valley why Phillips is a better candidate than Pawlowski. If campaign finance reporting is your angle you will fail miserably.<BR/><BR/>Now, Booonie, Armstrong, anyone, please give us one little reason why Phillips is more qualified to be the mayor of Allentown than Pawlowski.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18193676988040440352008-12-30T18:35:00.000-05:002008-12-30T18:35:00.000-05:00Don't you guys know, the way it works in the game ...Don't you guys know, the way it works in the game of politics is simple: some have to account for every penny and some don't. It's simple. <BR/><BR/>In baseball, one pitch will be called one way one day, another the next. It all depends who the umpire is.<BR/><BR/>We all know where the umpires come from these days, don't we?IRONPIGPENhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02365978849801514233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-10105172480812951572008-12-30T16:56:00.000-05:002008-12-30T16:56:00.000-05:00Pam, I give all the credit in the world to Stacey ...Pam, I give all the credit in the world to Stacey Sterner, who recognized what was going on and took the steps to correct it.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-51836802144176830722008-12-30T16:47:00.000-05:002008-12-30T16:47:00.000-05:00Bernie, according to your update the new official ...Bernie, according to your update the new official word from the Voter Reg. office is: "Pawlowski cannot simultaneously report a $0 balance and $1,500 in expenditures to candidates. His campaign committee is being instructed to amend its report."<BR/><BR/>Congratulations. Great job. Every once in a while the people win one.Pamela Varkonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11270746664054911423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-73944406241460091662008-12-30T14:32:00.000-05:002008-12-30T14:32:00.000-05:00Bernie; Very newsworthy story. I agree with the ...Bernie; Very newsworthy story. I agree with the others that the Morning Call is failing its readership by reporting on Christmas Lights and Musik Fest and ignoring these types of local political scandals. For instance, Bill White received 9 combined replies in his last 3 columns, while Paul carpenter fared slightly better with 14 combined replies in his past 3 columns. Don't these guys see that political corruption in Allentown is rampant and newsworthy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-11894119980834511632008-12-30T14:24:00.000-05:002008-12-30T14:24:00.000-05:00The mayor has to fill out the necessary forms and ...The mayor has to fill out the necessary forms and file them with the County not the DOS. Looking at it another way - the campaign finance reports should be filed at the same place as the petitions for a given candidate.<BR/><BR/>DeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-6559998951401321862008-12-30T13:42:00.000-05:002008-12-30T13:42:00.000-05:00I do not believe our illustrious Mayor is excluded...I do not believe our illustrious Mayor is excluded from campaign finance reporting to the DOS. Click on Bernnie’s 12:50 post for the DOS campaign finance reporting law and read section 1626.Fly on the Wallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192631038628327590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-25224387947948538432008-12-30T13:22:00.000-05:002008-12-30T13:22:00.000-05:00So any minute now a Morning Call investigative rep...So any minute now a Morning Call investigative reporter will be contacting you for a quote for this news-breaking expose sure to be posted online by two.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-47092385840066604432008-12-30T13:10:00.000-05:002008-12-30T13:10:00.000-05:00Bernie,Maybe next week you could contact Harrisbur...Bernie,<BR/>Maybe next week you could contact Harrisburg officials to find out what is the truth as far as election laws go. And if what that first county official said is so, voters need to demand change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-84634934898776728582008-12-30T13:06:00.000-05:002008-12-30T13:06:00.000-05:00Bernie,Keep up your investigations. You take a lo...Bernie,<BR/>Keep up your investigations. You take a lot of abuse for it, we know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com