Obama fires Inspector General for doing his job

[Bbucko]

That's the kind of investigative journalism I have been paid money to produce, VB: good work!

 

[Trinity]

So, let's do something that the OP would never do in a case like this... How about a nice game of "Connect The Dots"? :biggrin:

You couldn't connect the dots if you tried.

According to the hack job of information our beloved OP has posted,

There was no hack job.

Obama fired Gerald Walpin, the former Inspector General of the Corporation for National and Community Service that was appointed by George W. Bush in 2006. If your read through the article, you see a detailed account on how Walpin was fired, according to the reliable "Republican investigators" (because for some reason, the OP thinks you can COMPLETELY trust this side of the political fringe but not the other). However, towards the end of it they state that the key motive behind the firing was due to Walpin's aggressive investigation of misuse of AmeriCorps funds by Kevin Johnson.

The facts support the findings of the Republican investigators that Obama fired the Inspector General simply for doing his job. You seem to think that Republicans are "political fringe" and none of their findings can be trusted.

So, who is Kevin Johnson? Besides being a former basketball player (and rather sexy to boot, but let's not get sidetracked), he is the mayor of Sacramento, California as well as an ally of President Obama. He also founded an organization called the St. Hope Academy, a nonprofit community development corporation which sought out to revitalize communities through public education, civic leadership, economic development and the arts, in 1989 and served as its CEO till January 2008. They've also created seven public schools that provide education to almost 2000 students.

In April of this year, an announcement was made that St. Hope Academy had agreed to pay slightly more than $400K over ten years in a settlement over an argument that blames them for not using funds provided by AmeriCorps adequately, which incidentally represents half of the money that was issued to the St. Hope Academy over a period of three years from 2004 through 2007. In this settlement, St. Hope Academy admitted that they made mistakes in documenting a portion of the grants given to them by AmeriCorps, although the actual amount has yet to be provided nor do we know what this money was actually spent on... for now. The St. Hope Academy was suspended from receiving anymore federal funding until September of last year when The Corporation for National and Community Service reversed it, allowing St. Hope Academy to receive stimulus funds.

So far so good...problem is you think you have a point that negates my original post - AND YOU DON'T.

Just so we don't go on for pages on it I'll make it easy and just say right here everything you stated supports the article I posted. The reversal you speak of...just more evidence of political misconduct on the part of the Obama's appointees:

At the end of May, Mr. Walpin's office recommended that Mr. Johnson, an assistant and St. HOPE itself be "suspended" from receiving federal funds. The Corporation's official charged with suspensions agreed, and in September the suspension letters went out. Mr. Walpin's office also sent a civil and/or criminal referral to the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California.
So far, so normal. But that all changed last fall, when Mr. Johnson was elected mayor of Sacramento. News of the suspension had become public, and President Obama began to discuss his federal stimulus spending. A city-hired attorney pronounced in March that Sacramento might be barred from receiving stimulus funds because of Mr. Johnson's suspension.
The news caused a public uproar. The U.S. Attorney's office, which since January has been headed by Lawrence Brown -- a career prosecutor who took over when the Bush-appointed Attorney left -- had already decided not to pursue criminal charges. Media and political pressure then mounted for the office to settle the issue and lift Mr. Johnson's suspension. Mr. Walpin agreed Mr. Johnson should pay back money but objected to lifting the suspension. He noted that Mr. Johnson has never officially responded to the Corporation's findings and that the entire point of suspension is to keep federal funds from individuals shown to have misused them.
Mr. Brown's office responded by cutting off contact with Mr. Walpin's office and began working directly with the Corporation, the board of which is now chaired by one of Mr. Obama's top campaign fundraisers, Alan Solomont. A few days later, Mr. Brown's office produced a settlement draft that significantly watered down any financial repayment and cleared Mr. Johnson. Mr. Walpin told us that in all his time working with U.S. Attorneys on cases he'd referred, he'd never been cut out in such fashion.
Mr. Walpin brought his concerns to the Corporation's board, but some board members were angry over a separate Walpin investigation into the wrongful disbursement of $80 million to the City University of New York. Concerned about the St. HOPE mess, Mr. Walpin wrote a 29-page report, signed by two other senior members of his office, and submitted it in April to Congress. Last Wednesday, he got a phone call from a White House lawyer telling him to resign within an hour or be fired.

Wall Street Journal

Nobody knows for certain the exact details of Walpin’s investigation. But in July he filed a lawsuit seeking his reinstatement on the grounds that his firing violated a 2008 law meant to protect government watchdogs. He also stated that his termination was "politically motivated" all due to the investigation he was conducting on Johnson. Another key piece of information not stated in the OP's original post OR the article linked was that U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California, Lawrence G. Brown, said the inspector general was "out of bounds" in pushing his case against the mayor and hindered the prosecutor's own investigation.

I left that out huh? Did you even read what you yourself typed below? Maybe you just don't comprehend it:

And earlier this month, Walpin announced that he was cleared by the Integrity Committee of the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency for "overstepping his authority" in the investigation.

What Brown (Obama's new appointee who wanted to make all of it go away because Johnson was an Obama supporter and because it would look bad for Stimulus misuse to be front and center in the news) accused Inspector General Walpin of...Walpin was cleared of!

Which now brings forth the following question: Why was Walpin doing his own snooping on the matter when an investigation was already under way? Perhaps this additional info holds some more clues...

*sigh* you are seriously dense. Walpin was not doing his own snooping.
According to he WSJ article the federal agency which oversees volunteer programs like Americorps, the Corporation for National and Community Service asked Walpin to investigate "reports of irregularities at St. HOPE in April 2008.

St. HOPE had received an $850,000 AmeriCorps grant, which was supposed to go for three purposes: tutoring for Sacramento-area students; the redevelopment of several buildings; and theater and art programs.

WSJ

This is the type of information Trinity purposely leaves out in threads. It’s info that is also conveniently left out of the story she linked to, in another ill-witted attempt to say that Obama is “beating up” on innocent people who are just doing their job.

I didn't leave out information. Obama and his appointees fired Inspector General Walpin simply for doing his job - period.

Although I don’t know enough to say whether or not Walpin deserved to get fired from his job, nor would I speculate on whether or not his actions were appropriate in investigating Kevin Johnson, St. Hope Academy, CUNY or The NYC Teaching Fellows Program, I will pose this final question. If investing AmeriCorp funds, or an estimated $80 Million taxpayer dollars in our nation’s poor youth to help them get a better education is not in our best interest, then WHAT THE FUCK IS?

That's why Inspector General Walpin should not have been fired by Obama for political cronyism. You are seriously dense when you type that much information only to miscomprehend the information and actually to reiterate my point.

This next part had me rolling...

So to the OP or any other so-called “enlightened” anti-government people out there who claim that people like me don’t "comprehend" anything... who claim I don't know the full story, or are quick to label me as a “blind liberal” who worships Obama… do you have any worthy, non polarizing comments regarding this? I mean, now that we know a LOT MORE to this story, we can now discuss something in more detail. That is, of course, if this was the OP’s real intention to begin with (alas, we already knew beforehand that it wasn’t).

Your silence is deafening.

The deafening silence is in the space between your ears.

You still lack the ability to comprehend what you read.

 

[Ericsson1228d]

Seriously, forum troll, can you dream up another 50,000 ways to say someone is stupid for not agreeing with you? My GOD, you'd think after all of the insults you've been bashed with on the birther thread you'd have more material than this.

More evasion, name-calling and obfuscation from VB... oh, will wonders never cease.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

Dearest Trinity,
If I could come up with one thought to describe the utter failure in your latest attempt to debunk my opposing argument, perhaps this would be appropriate.

Jumping up and down, saying something is what it is "period" doesn't mean shit around here. Now, unless you can really debate this topic using actual facts and not other opinionated editorials from politically slanted sites, then you should shut the fuck up. Then again, I know you won't... so please, follow up with your usual "Whateva, whateva! I'll do what I want" response. We'll be waiting.

 

[Trinity]

Dearest Trinity,
If I could come up with...

anything that didn't make you look intellectually challenged...you wouldn't have posted that lame response.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

anything that didn't make you wook intewwectuawwy chawwenged...you wouwdn't have posted that wame wesponse.

I don't know what it is, but the sadistic pleasure I get from making you look stupid is more satisfying than a dog's urge to piss on a fire hydrant. Ironically, both metaphors end up with you looking all wet. Coincidence? :biggrin1:

Again, have anything worthy to contribute besides your Tourette-like rants about something being what it is because it is... period? Or perhaps you're having one and you just can't take it that your ass is once again being handed to you?

Last chance, Twinity... you scwewy wabbit.

 

[Trinity]

Last chance, Twinity... you scwewy wabbit.

You lost a long time ago. You prove yourself ignorant over and over again Vinyl.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

You lost a long time ago. You prove yourself ignorant over and over again Vinyl.

I get your gameplan now.
Call your enemy stupid over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again until someone actually believes you. Gee, maybe your argumentative style does have at least one redeeming factor. Because now, after enduring three posts of your repeated nonsense I can summarize that you are one stupid son of a b****... period.

Now, debate the facts or go back to defending your "honor" in the birther thread. And here, I'll even help you. Here's a few questions to ponder:

1. Why do you think Walpin was merely "doing his job" when Lawrence Brown, the U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of California, concluded that he was overstepping his authority?

2. Why would Walpin need to get clearance for his actions by the Integrity Committee of the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency for overstepping his authority if he was just..."doing his job"?

3. Why did Walpin find the donation of grant money to well known education programs to be something offensive enough to try and raise a criminal investigation upon? And for extra credit... what should the money have been spent on if you think Walpin was right in saying investing taxpayer money in the education of children in America would be better used for other purposes?


Walpin was just doing his job, right? Well then... PROVE THAT HE WAS. Spend more time trying to illustrate this and explain why Walpin's actions were indeed noble, instead of trying to dream up 50,000 ways to deflect the issue with ill-minded attacks that are as pointless as your 18 month long smear campaign on a penis site. Take some time off spilling pig's blood and sticking pins in your Obama Voodoo Doll and argue the facts. Any additional links to opinionated blogs & editorials will be perceived as yet another admittance of you not knowing what the f*** you're talking about.

Ready??????????? Whatever...

 

[Trinity]

I get your gameplan now.
Call your enemy stupid over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over, and over again until someone actually believes you. Gee, maybe your argumentative style does have at least one redeeming factor. Because now, after enduring three posts of your repeated nonsense I can summarize that you are one stupid son of a b****... period.

Now, debate the facts or go back to defending your "honor" in the birther thread. And here, I'll even help you. Here's a few questions to ponder:

1. Why do you think Walpin was merely "doing his job" when Lawrence Brown, the U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of California, concluded that he was overstepping his authority?

2. Why would Walpin need to get clearance for his actions by the Integrity Committee of the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency for overstepping his authority if he was just..."doing his job"?

3. Why did Walpin find the donation of grant money to well known education programs to be something offensive enough to try and raise a criminal investigation upon? And for extra credit... what should the money have been spent on if you think Walpin was right in saying investing taxpayer money in the education of children in America would be better used for other purposes?


Walpin was just doing his job, right? Well then... PROVE THAT HE WAS. Spend more time trying to illustrate this and explain why Walpin's actions were indeed noble, instead of trying to dream up 50,000 ways to deflect the issue with ill-minded attacks that are as pointless as your 18 month long smear campaign on a penis site. Take some time off spilling pig's blood and sticking pins in your Obama Voodoo Doll and argue the facts. Any additional links to opinionated blogs & editorials will be perceived as yet another admittance of you not knowing what the f*** you're talking about.

Ready??????????? Whatever...

I know you are unable to answer those questions for yourself but my explaining the answers to you won't help when you have thoroughly demonstrated you are incapable of comprehending basic information.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

I know you are unable to answer those questions for yourself

WRONG! Unlike you I don't go around speculating on matters that are not 100% clear, then preach about it on a penis site as if it's doctrine. The questions have been posed to spark a discussion if you were actually interested in engaging in a real debate since nobody knows all the details at this time. But alas, we know that discussing political matters in an honest fashion has NEVER been your intention.

I honestly believe Walpin's motives were politically motivated, in the sense that he (along with some other unnamed constituents) wanted to cut funding from certain programs to use for other causes they deemed to be more important. History has proven time and time again that programs in Education are ones of the very first to get reduced or cut from Federal funding, especially ones that fund public school systems since a good number of Conservatives favor private institutions to begin with. Perhaps he would have a little more support in his stance if he was completely honest about his actions. But even the U.S. Attorney stated that Walpin's actions were not only out of line but that he was also withholding information that would have been vital to the investigation. Right there illustrates a blatant attempt to deceive and puts Walpin's actions under scrutiny.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

but my explaining the answers to you won't help when you have thoroughly demonstrated you are incapable of comprehending basic information.

But we all know what YOUR answer is going to be before you even open your legs, you dishonest troll... Since Hilary lost the primary, you never thought Obama could be trusted so ANYTHING that he or the administration engaged in you thought would either fail, backfire, or further destroy his credibility. Under the surface, this is yet another example of that.

I mean, damn... I was even willing to investigate the story further, using the same news source YOU PROVIDED to find out more of the details. Unlike your posts or any of the articles you cited, I went into specifics about Walpin's investigation. Your sources conveniently left out the part that money was going to education programs sponsored by CUNY. Kinda shifty if Walpin thinks this investigation was the primary concern of Obama, his administration and their motives for his termination, ya think? Just saying that it was a "political move" only panders to the lowest common denominator that is easily duped on the lip service. OF COURSE every move in government is politically motivated, you hack.

And to kick your corpse while it's already down for the count, you said this story was "ignored by the mainstream media". Perhaps you were too busy playing with your Obama Voodoo doll to even notice that the New York Times actually covered the story back in JUNE when it was actually news? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/us/politics/18americorps.html?_r=1

The article you posted in your OP was 5 months after the fact. Or do you not find the New York Times, the most popular and accessed newspaper in America, not to be "mainstream"? Top 50 accessed United States newspapers on Onlinenewspapers

And let's be truthful, you know damn well to stay away from these facts because it is these extra bits of information that demonstrates just how much of a deceitful little bitch you are when it comes to political matters. Again, Kevin Johnson wasn't supposed to use grant money to help poor people get an education? This was means for Walpin to play MacGuyver and push for a criminal investigation? Really?!

I may not be able to trust everything the government does, but I'd be damned if I EVER trust a single thing that comes out of your disingenuous ass. Do yourself a favor and go back to the birther thread where you have at least ONE person who sides with you. Or should I expect another one of your withered "I don't understand anything" comments (even though I've posted more information about this story than YOU have). By all means, be stupid and follow your own tired script. It'll only further confirm how you're blinded by your own bigoted, partisan fueled ignorance.

 

[Trinity]

Unlike you I don't go around speculating on matters that are not 100% clear, then preach about it on a penis site as if it's doctrine.

That's exactly what you do actually...but first you miscomprehend the matters get completely confused and mistakenly make the wrong point before you preach about it like its doctrine.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

That's exactly what you do actually...but first you miscomprehend the matters get completely confused and mistakenly make the wrong point before you preach about it like its doctrine.

Following your tired script of self-blinding ignorance as usual. Thank you for once again proving my point, you paranoid bigot. Besides, who are you to talk about which points I should be focusing on? You don't run shit in this thread, even if you started it.

You said Obama fired Walpin for "doing his job" as if he was an innocent person just being picked on by Obama, the bane of your existence. That's bullshit. What Walpin did in his investigation is under scrutiny even if he was "cleared". If a "birther" like yourself continue to look at Obama's eligibility under scrutiny even after he's provided proof, then why stop so short on other political matters that involve him? Don't answer that, because we're sick of your lies, you fraud.

All I did was go further and find out what the investigation was about. I wanted to know more as to why Walpin was investigating Kevin Johnson. I wanted to find out more about why he went after St. Hope Academy & CUNY. I want to know why he thought he was authorized to do so in such a way that it would raise questions from U.S. Attorneys. And, i would still like to know as to why he found issuing out grant money to education programs is not the best way to spend $80 Million in taxpayer dollars. The more we find out about these questions, the better informed we all are on this subject matter which leads to more accuracy in our judgements if we decide to pass one.

People who are really concerned about issues do real research and don't take the word of just one or two newspaper articles. You won't do that because you know the deeper we dig, the more you look like an ass. So please, keep insulting me. Unlike you, I can take them, return the favor, and STILL talk circles around your propaganda. The problem is, you don't know how to deal with it. Which is why you won't even come near me on the facts, while fruitlessly issuing the the same style of insults for more than a year now and you STILL have nobody of any real significance convinced.

Learn when you've been beaten. Just STFU already.

 

[Trinity]

Following your tired script of self-blinding ignorance as usual. Thank you for once again proving my point, you paranoid bigot. Stick to the issues or STFU.

Yes, let's stick to the issues shall we...

Your NBA player Kevin Johnson now has a sex scandal attached to this...but you can research that yourself.

Walpin Is Cleared

After an unjust firing and campaign of character assassination, the former AmeriCorps inspector general has been cleared of acting improperly.

Investors.com, Investor's Business Daily

Here is some of what is disclosed in the new information:

The new documents support the Republican investigators’ conclusion...

Pressed for the reason Walpin was fired, Eisen told House and Senate aides that the White House conducted an “extensive review” of complaints about Walpin’s performance before deciding to dismiss him. According to the new report, Eisen told Congress that “his investigation into the merits of removing Gerald Walpin involved contacting members of the Corporation for National and Community Service [CNCS] board to confirm the existence of a ‘consensus’ in favor of removal.” But Republican investigators later discovered that during that “extensive review,” the White House did not even seek the views of the corporation’s board — the very people whose “consensus” purportedly led to Walpin’s firing.
​

Walpin firing Update, Neo-neocon.com
​

 

[Industrialsize]

Neo-neocon.com????? Where do you find these sites and why do you persist in using OPINION pieces as facts?

 

[Trinity]

Neo-neocon.com????? Where do you find these sites and why do you persist in using OPINION pieces as facts?

I didn't use an opinion piece as fact. This blog article uses the article from the Washington Examiner. You validate The Huffington Post and the Daily Kos but show your bias when you bash other conservative blogs.

Would you care to discuss how Obama fired a man for doing his job to help someone misusing Stimulus funds allegedly involved in a sex scandal while doing so?

 

[b.c.]

Following your tired script of self-blinding ignorance as usual. Thank you for once again proving my point, you paranoid bigot. Besides, who are you to talk about which points I should be focusing on? You don't run shit in this thread, even if you started it.

You said Obama fired Walpin for "doing his job" as if he was an innocent person just being picked on by Obama, the bane of your existence. That's bullshit. What Walpin did in his investigation is under scrutiny even if he was "cleared". If a "birther" like yourself continue to look at Obama's eligibility under scrutiny even after he's provided proof, then why stop so short on other political matters that involve him? Don't answer that, because we're sick of your lies, you fraud.

All I did was go further and find out what the investigation was about. I wanted to know more as to why Walpin was investigating Kevin Johnson. I wanted to find out more about why he went after St. Hope Academy & CUNY. I want to know why he thought he was authorized to do so in such a way that it would raise questions from U.S. Attorneys. And, i would still like to know as to why he found issuing out grant money to education programs is not the best way to spend $80 Million in taxpayer dollars. The more we find out about these questions, the better informed we all are on this subject matter which leads to more accuracy in our judgements if we decide to pass one.

People who are really concerned about issues do real research and don't take the word of just one or two newspaper articles. You won't do that because you know the deeper we dig, the more you look like an ass. So please, keep insulting me. Unlike you, I can take them, return the favor, and STILL talk circles around your propaganda. The problem is, you don't know how to deal with it. Which is why you won't even come near me on the facts, while fruitlessly issuing the the same style of insults for more than a year now and you STILL have nobody of any real significance convinced.

Learn when you've been beaten. Just STFU already.

Damn, VB. I think you've torn "them" a new asshole.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

Seriously, b****... is this the best you can do?

Yes, let's stick to the issues shall we...

Your NBA player Kevin Johnson now has a sex scandal attached to this...but you can research that yourself.

You're such a stupid gnat.
I did more research on this topic than you ever had. If you even read any of the sources I listed in my investigative post it clearly states the so-called scandal. I didn't elaborate on them because they are IRRELEVANT to this issue. However, I really love how you bolded & colored it as if soap opera drama music was supposed to play when one read it. Nice touch, although it's a MAJOR failure on your part yet again.

If you're suggesting that one of Walpin's main intentions for investigating Johnson was due to his sexual escapades then you've proven AGAIN to be the absolute dumbest person on the face of the planet. Walpin's investigation was launched due to his suspicions surrounding the distribution of AmeriCorps funds to St. Hope Academy, plain & simple. Even you aren't that stupid to ignore the money trail when it comes to Politics. Then again, you are a birther so I suppose you're prone to more blatant bouts of idiocy. But i digress...

The first sex incident happened back in 1995 and it was already settled without having to go to court. Case closed.

As for the other incident in April 2008, allegations were investigated by local police, but no charges were filed and the alleged victim recanted her story. Attempts were made to reopen the investigation but were negated by Sacremento Police a month later. Case closed. BTW, a fair warning if you're trying to make this the central point of your discussion... you're talking to someone who not only was a victim of rape as a child, you're also talking to someone who is helping a relative cope with the fact that she was molested as well. It is VERY rare for someone who was actually a victim of rape or some kind of molestation to recant their story if it was indeed true.

NONE of these incidents are related to Walpin's investigation, no matter what you may have read on someone else's opinion blog or editorial. I know you hate eating crow, but do yourself a favor and read the links I posted back on page two. That way, you can stay caught up with the rest of the class.

Walpin Is Cleared

No shit, sherlock. I stated that back when I did my official analysis on the issue and several times afterwards. Of course, we all know you don't know how to fuckin' read so you're excused. The question I posed is why he would need to be "cleared" of anything if he was just doing his job as you stated in your OP? It leaves room for further speculation as well as further investigation if you chose to engage into it.

Walpin firing Update, Neo-neocon.com
​

ROTFLMAO!!! How nice... a personal political blog. More opinions and NOT FACTS.

One of these days, Ms. Stupid McDumbtwat, you'll come to realize that opinions and facts are not synonymous. You're once again forming a wall of other people's beliefs and hiding behind them... as I already stated you would do as well. Haven't you figured out that I already know what you're going to do on Politcs threads before you even do it? That's REALLY sad if we can't change the game up even a little bit. Get another plan.

Until that elementary school level of debate skills sinks in, keep it up with your repeated public forum displays of failure. We're all getting a kick out of watching you squirm.

 

[B_Mister Buildington]

Seriously, b****... is this the best you can do?

You e*****

 

[faceking]

Thanks for posting news stories that most people wouldn't for fear of being hated and jeered at, Trinity. It's good to have people yelling on both sides, otherwise this board is PURELY masturbatory. (like so many other boards on lpsg :tongue

If it was GWB's ...this board woulda gone apeshit. Take it to the funking ban'k.

 

[B_VinylBoy]

You e*****

Care to elaborate? Not aware of any 6-letter "E" words that qualify in this discussion.