tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post7236284056998508110..comments2024-03-28T09:13:18.996-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: The Case Against Political Consultant Tom "Scissorhands" SeversonBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-80181756076810994752008-06-20T21:11:00.000-04:002008-06-20T21:11:00.000-04:00This is a very involved story. Both papers did rep...This is a very involved story. Both papers did report the grand jury investigation. But I agree this is big.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-17787707284323986262008-06-20T20:15:00.000-04:002008-06-20T20:15:00.000-04:00Bernie: why is the Mcall and press times barely no...Bernie: why is the Mcall and press times barely noting this? <BR/><BR/>Severson has been collecting so much unreported cash from clients like Seyfried, Morganelli etc for years from 3rd parties.<BR/><BR/>That is indeed the crime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-88756647638745562382008-06-13T07:36:00.000-04:002008-06-13T07:36:00.000-04:00"Lies, all Lies. The beautiful thing about this, n..."Lies, all Lies. The beautiful thing about this, no matter how politcally motivated the AG is - Severson will never spend a minute in jail."<BR/><BR/>I keep reading this and similar statements, but the charges seem to be increasing in number and seriousness. <BR/><BR/>I suggest the Severson-Morganelli crowd get a quick divorce amid a very loud announcement and stop trying to fight a losing political battle together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-86969928667823905832008-06-12T23:57:00.000-04:002008-06-12T23:57:00.000-04:00If you think THIS is journalism, I am glad you did...If you think THIS is journalism, I am glad you didnot teach my children.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-69813483655427996832008-06-12T21:07:00.000-04:002008-06-12T21:07:00.000-04:00Retired ASD teacher here.Anon 7:37, not journalism...Retired ASD teacher here.<BR/><BR/>Anon 7:37, not journalism? If only The Morning Call was still capable (and inclined) to report so completely, and to question what's really going on in the Lehigh Valley.<BR/><BR/>This is EXACTLY the kind of piece that serves to keep everyone on their toes. <BR/><BR/>I'm glad you (and many others) are able to read this kind of report.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-13382896285096027472008-06-12T20:06:00.000-04:002008-06-12T20:06:00.000-04:00Lies, all Lies. The beautiful thing about this, n...Lies, all Lies. The beautiful thing about this, no matter how politcally motivated the AG is - Severson will never spend a minute in jail. His business won't be adversely affected and Bernie will still be a very bitter man who hates everything because he's made such a mess of his own life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-79691351172623134502008-06-12T19:54:00.000-04:002008-06-12T19:54:00.000-04:00Looks like you hit a nerve. Thank you for shining ...Looks like you hit a nerve. Thank you for shining a light on this asshole. Nobody else would have the cojones. Now let's expose and work to defeat all candidates (R and D) who use his services.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-74075073615824655582008-06-12T19:37:00.000-04:002008-06-12T19:37:00.000-04:00This was a pick and chose hit job. If O 'Hare lik...This was a pick and chose hit job. If O 'Hare likes you he plays soft or not at all. There are a lot of conclusions based on incomplete facts.<BR/>It's his blog and he can write what he pleases but please don't confuse it with journalism.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-52562736179113389432008-06-12T17:15:00.000-04:002008-06-12T17:15:00.000-04:00Most Lehigh Valley campaigns are hard-fought and h...Most Lehigh Valley campaigns are hard-fought and hard-won. All of the nonsense generated by tactics like these take away from the real public debate on issues. A well done campaign piece on an opponent's record is fair game, but smear tactics are merely vitriolic and ill-minded. I really can't think of someone who has done well as a candidate by employing these tactics in recent history. Any candidate who allows it on their behalf and engages in campaigning this way have earned their association with Severson. Those that still use him might want to think twice because you can't play next to the mud pit without getting splashed. I'd rather lose with respect than win with rancor. Tsk, tsk...just unnecessary, immature and a shame for the public.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-34720774954368855482008-06-12T16:31:00.000-04:002008-06-12T16:31:00.000-04:00BernieGood reporting on your part and obvioulsy by...Bernie<BR/>Good reporting on your part and obvioulsy by the footnotes a lot of hard work. I know Tom, his wife and daughter. I also know the DA from his days at Liberty High School. Needless to say it is sad to see things like this. If all this is true, and I have no doubt that it is because you do exemplary work, I say let the chips fall where they may and let the guilty be appropriately be punished.Chris Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02141116246755465629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18292309647255395932008-06-12T15:44:00.000-04:002008-06-12T15:44:00.000-04:00Good job Bernie. I have seen the research on thi...Good job Bernie. I have seen the research on this myself and your reporting and figures are spot on<BR/>correct. The people involved, the actions and the apparent conclusions are all accurate.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for helping to expose this blight on our government and political system.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-51775056136724295442008-06-12T15:43:00.000-04:002008-06-12T15:43:00.000-04:00"Morganelli and Severson are friendly, and John pr..."Morganelli and Severson are friendly, and John properly feels it would be a conflict to investigate him. But whenever he has referred a question to the state AG, it has always been a half-hearted request at best that frames the facts in a light favorable to Severson."<BR/><BR/>The headline below the fold.<BR/><BR/>Compare Morganelli to a class act like Jack Panella and you realize how much better NorCo has to offer the state than its most opportunistic climber.<BR/><BR/>I asked long ago for the full treatment on this and haven't been disappointed. The personal vitriol of responding posts, absent of any refutation of the facts, confirms to me how important this story is.<BR/><BR/>More, please.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-85468420726677974472008-06-12T15:39:00.000-04:002008-06-12T15:39:00.000-04:00Retired ASD teacher here.Listen, this guy (Bernie)...Retired ASD teacher here.<BR/><BR/>Listen, this guy (Bernie) only had water at Shula's.<BR/>As for me, well . . .<BR/><BR/>Brilliant piece of writing, Bernie.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-15587799971075200542008-06-12T15:04:00.000-04:002008-06-12T15:04:00.000-04:00Anon 1:38, My jeep thanks you and loves its new mu...Anon 1:38, My jeep thanks you and loves its new muffler.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-79789462046869925482008-06-12T14:58:00.000-04:002008-06-12T14:58:00.000-04:00Joe, I certainly did dismiss a case without a clie...Joe, <BR/><BR/>I certainly did dismiss a case without a client's consent and once settled a case w/ absolutely no authority to do so. I lost my license in '85 as a result and was publicly discraced. I have never hidden from my past. I have made big mistakes. Although I make no excuses, I know now what I did not know then - I can't handle the booze. I don't mind the daily reminder. That flak just tells me I'm over the target.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-1399041727646635762008-06-12T14:42:00.000-04:002008-06-12T14:42:00.000-04:00Anon 2:30You must have studied at the Pawlowski sc...Anon 2:30<BR/><BR/>You must have studied at the Pawlowski school of diversion. Even if what you advocate is true about Bernie, it changes NOTHING about what he is reporting about.<BR/><BR/>This is typical political spin B.S.<BR/><BR/>Can you refute any facts he posted on this subject?<BR/><BR/>If you wish to 'out' Bernie, post something on your blog or another blog. However, if true, I am sure that Bernie has suffered the consequences of his actions. I don't know if true or not and don't really care too much. I have heard all the innuendos and rumors. Again, I don't care too much.<BR/><BR/>Severson has not suffered consequences for his actions. Or is that okay, in your opinion?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-30065573263814484602008-06-12T14:30:00.000-04:002008-06-12T14:30:00.000-04:00Ask Bernie about the $2.5 million dollar settlemen...Ask Bernie about the $2.5 million dollar settlement he screwed that family out of in Scranton when he forged his signature, again, on a document that would have enabled them to survive after losing their husband and father. Bernie O'Hair is not credible is not credible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-29193759667934725032008-06-12T13:38:00.000-04:002008-06-12T13:38:00.000-04:00bernnice job on scissorhands. known you for a lot...bern<BR/>nice job on scissorhands. known you for a lot of years, some people will never allow anything to just go away, even after we paid for our mistakes. your a good person BOH. Don't let some A-hole get you down. your always in my prayers. P.S. so is your jeep.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-43553029664463580842008-06-12T13:11:00.000-04:002008-06-12T13:11:00.000-04:00Consigliere, Thanks for the nice words. One remark...Consigliere, Thanks for the nice words. One remark like that from you outweigh the personal slams that inevitably result when you pull the curtain away from those who have become too comfortable.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-51568246034248650232008-06-12T12:50:00.000-04:002008-06-12T12:50:00.000-04:00Bernie is a pay to play guy. He took $60.00 as set...Bernie is a pay to play guy. He took $60.00 as settlement in a case against Bethlehem Steel and forged his clients signature because he needed the money to pay a $60.00 filing fee. Wodda guy. And he wonders why he's being called a liar all the time. Would you trust Bernie?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-29722469077618364312008-06-12T11:38:00.000-04:002008-06-12T11:38:00.000-04:00this is really first-rate reporting on something i...this is really first-rate reporting on something important that the news media would never investigate, and wouldn't have the political sensibilities to handle.<BR/><BR/>stories like this are what the blogosphere does best, rather than the snarky back and forth which occupies too many entries.<BR/><BR/>i realize, though, that the extensive research and interviews precludes having daily features like this.<BR/><BR/>all in all, good jobAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-45407676087997205042008-06-12T09:23:00.000-04:002008-06-12T09:23:00.000-04:00Isn't the act by the notary considered a felony un...<EM>Isn't the act by the notary considered a felony under PA law?</EM><BR/><BR/>I doubt that very much. This notary was following the instruction of her boss, who happens to be an attorney. There is no mens rea. I also have immense respect for the Leesons.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-26572039033565068632008-06-12T08:57:00.000-04:002008-06-12T08:57:00.000-04:00I do have copies of some of the mailers. I do have...I do have copies of some of the mailers. I do have an audiotape of one of the phone calls. I do have links to them at the end of my post. Estimates are based on conversations with a number of political consultants.Bernie O'Harehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-1047985867387820232008-06-12T08:42:00.000-04:002008-06-12T08:42:00.000-04:00BernieWhere do you get your estimates of how much ...Bernie<BR/><BR/>Where do you get your estimates of how much money was spent? Do you have copies of the mail pieces? Will you produce them? Do you have tapes of the phone calls? Will you produce them? Anything short of that makes your estimates lies!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-92205136826616795792008-06-12T06:56:00.000-04:002008-06-12T06:56:00.000-04:00Isn't the act by the notary considered a felony un...Isn't the act by the notary considered a felony under PA law?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com