Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Here we go again...

Yes, I know former Shelby County Commissioner Bruce Thompson (R-05) was indicted today on Mail Fraud and Extortion charges by a Federal Grand Jury looking into MCS construction contracts. Believe me, I'm not thrilled.

What's even worse is that outgoing School Board member and incoming City Councilor (04) Wanda Halbert appears to be right in the middle of all this, as she was alleged to be the recipient of campaign contributions that was to have enticed her to support H&M Construction's bid to build new schools for the City of Memphis. She denies ever receiving any of this money.

Halbert joined outgoing Councilor Tom Marshall, and former School Board members Sara Lewis and Hubon Sandridge in testifying before this Grand Jury, whose work is apparently not over.

How many black eyes can this city take? Damn, Detroit and New Orleans are starting to look CLEAN by comparison, and this is NUTS.

Let me say this clearly and distinctly: if you are in Politics to make money, GET THE FUCK OUT. NOW.

I say this knowing that a lot of (hell, MOST) public servants are underpaid; however, even so, you are NOT supposed to find creative ways to supplement your salary. If Thompson is found not guilty, I will apologize; hell, even werewolves are entitled to a full legal defense, as Hunter S. Thompson (no relation) once said. The anger comes from putting the City and the County in this horrible position.

I refuse to leave Memphis because I believe it's worth saving. However, I am becoming an ever-shrinking minority.

4 comments:

vibinc said...

Hoy Vey! I go out of town for 3 days and the shit storm turns into a tornado.

I don't know Halbert, and have no idea if she's mixed up in this thing, but if she is, she needs to stand down now and give someone else an opportunity to represent District 4 without some legal scandal hanging over their heads.

If she's not, then fine, but with articles like the one about busing here in Memphis out there, and her Grand Jury appearance, she's got a lot of proving to do IMHO.

Save This MG said...

Hey LW, I'm not leaving either. I believe this city is worth saving. I also know that an infection is at its nastiness right before it begins to clear. Once the citizens of this city show that we're serious about demanding accountability from our politicians, the crooks will slither off to other holes.

Tom Guleff said...

My Friend,

Sadly there's probably more to come. I still cannot accept the fact that this was never considered a conflict of interest in the first place.

WGPS said...

Thompson is a prick as I have said several times before. He was paid for before he ever took office. He was all shits and giggles until he was elected then he turned into mega asshole. I have never been around such a manner less asshole as Thompson in my life. I was happy to see him get indicted because if anyone was deserving of an indictment it was him.

How have you been Cracker? I haven't been here in a while. I hope you have missed me.