Gerlach: Romney Means Bright Future For America

Pennsylvania Congressman Jim Gerlach made the following statement on Pennsylvania’s upcoming primary on April 24:

“After a long and grueling primary, Mitt Romney has proven to the nation that he is the best candidate to defeat President Obama, and the best leader to fix our economy and get the country back on track. I have been a strong supporter of Mitt for months and it is time for Republicans to get behind his candidacy and turn our attention to President Obama’s failed record of bloated government, more debt, and high unemployment. On April 24 and again in November, Pennsylvanians can be a part of changing the direction of our country, and ensuring our kids and grandkids have a brighter future by electing Mitt Romney as President. I urge Pennsylvanians to support him.”

Podcast With Sean Patrick Griffin - 'Gaming The Game'

In June 2007, the FBI informed the NBA that one of its referees, Tim Donaghy, was the subject of a probe into illegal gambling. Within months, the public knew the broad outlines of a scheme involving Donaghy betting on games he officiated with a co-conspirator, longtime Donaghy acquaintance and professional gambler Jimmy Baba Battista.
They were joined in the scandal by a mutual childhood friend, Tommy Martino. By November 2008, each man had pleaded guilty to charges relating to the conspiracy, and was in federal prison. The story was over. Or so it seemed to be.
Researched with dozens of interviews, court documents, betting records, referee statistics, and unique access to witness statements and confidential law enforcement files, the new book GAMING THE GAME  by Sean Patrick Griffin (pictured) looks inside the FBI’s investigation and beyond to provide the definitive account of the scandal.
Jimmy Battista’s remarkable decades-long bookmaking and betting career is examined, including and especially his role as architect of the widely publicized scandal. Battista, who – unlike his co-conspirators – never spoke with federal authorities, reveals for the first time the intricate details of the scheme, most of which only he knows.
I'm proud to say that Sean Patrick Griffin is a colleague of mine at Penn State Abington where he is an Associate Professor in Criminal Justice.
Recently I had the chance to interview Dr. Griffin and discuss his new book with him.
Click here to listen to the podcast of my chat with Sean Patrick Griffin.

Dotty Brown On How I Built (And Crossed) A Bridge

When Dan Cirucci of Cherry Hill, N.J., emailed me about his “bridge” to a new career, I was intrigued. When he told me that he'd had 750,000 page views on his blog in 3 years and he hadn’t missed a single day, I was smitten.

This man I had to meet.
Dan suggested lunch at Ponzio’s on Route 70, the “power place” as he calls it, and arrived about 10 minutes after he’d blogged a video showing Mike Huckabee saying nice things about Romney.
“I promised myself that

Click here to read the rest of Dotty Brown's interview with me and watch the video as well.

Penn State Abington Faculty: No $$$ For Legal Fees

On Wednesday, Penn State's Abington College Faculty Senate Council met and unanimously approved a motion, which has been forwarded to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University, as well as other University officials, regarding the ongoing child abuse scandal at University Park.  
Given the Abington campus' position as a major provider of budget support to University Park, the Faculty Senate felt morally impelled, as representatives of the faculty, to make this declaration.


The motion and its explanation follow:


Penn State Abington College Faculty Senate Council Motion in regard to sex abuse scandal

Abstract
The Penn State Abington College Faculty Senate Council requests that none of the more than $11 million dollars in tuition, or 30% of our budget, that is transmitted by our campus to the University Park Campus each year, be used in the legal defense of Penn State administrators charged with perjury and failure to report child sexual abuse in the case of former football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Background
According to the Daily Collegian (6 November 2011), “Penn State has barred former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky from campus after he was charged with sexually assaulting eight young boys, and officials said the university will pay for legal fees for two school officials charged with perjury in the case.”

Therefore, be it resolved that,
: the Penn State Abington College Faculty Senate Council is disturbed to learn that the university will pay for the legal counsel for Vice President for Business and Finance Schultz and Athletic Director Curley “because the matter concerns how they acted as employees of the university;” and,
: the Penn State Abington College Faculty Senate Council expresses to the Board of Trustees of The Pennsylvania State University its opposition to any of the monies extracted from our Penn State Abington student’s tuition dollars to be used in the legal defense of Penn State administrators accused of felonies.

Sean Patrick Griffin: Successful Author And Rising Star

My friend and colleague Sean Patrick Griffin, Ph.D., has been Associate Professor in Criminal Justice at Penn State Abington since 2003 and he's just published a new book, Gaming The Game: The Story Behind The NBA Betting Scandal And The Man Who Made It Happen.
Dr. Griffin was Assistant Professor of Sociology at Clemson University (South Carolina) from 2000-03. His research areas are organized crime, white-collar crime, labor racketeering, corruption, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and various aspects of policing.
Dr. Griffin is also the author of two books on African-American organized crime, including Black Brothers Inc., The Violent Rise and Fall of Philadelphia's Black Mafia (Milo, 2005/07). Black Entertainment Television (BET) based an episode of its popular "American Gangster" series on Black Brothers, Inc., and the book has been optioned to be made into at least one motion picture by Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions for Warner Brothers Studios. Professor Griffin is a consultant on the film(s).
A strong and outspoken advocate of public scholarship, he has developed and carried out coursework regarding securities fraud and enforcement for audiences of professionals (i.e., attorneys and accountants), and is well into the research and writing of a book on stock fraud, expected to be completed in 2012.
Dr. Griffin commonly lends his expertise to an assortment of entities and individuals, including but not limited to: local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies (especially in re: organized crime, extortion, narcotics trafficking, tax evasion, and money laundering,); regulatory agencies (especially in re: gaming and stock fraud); social service agencies (especially in re: policing and violence against women); and print, radio, and television outlets throughout the U.S. (primarily in re: organized crime, white-collar crime, and related topics).
This amiable, dedicated and accomplished Professor has conducted research in the Netherlands on numerous occasions, focusing on such issues as the international trade in women, transnational organized crime, vice laws and enforcement, and the impact of immigration on the Dutch criminal justice system. He has appeared as an invited panelist for several forums on public policy, is a frequent guest on various local and national radio and television programs, and has been interviewed/featured extensively in print media.
A former Philadelphia Police Officer, Dr. Griffin resides in the city's suburbs with his wife and two children.
I congratulate him on his insight, his writings, his numerous successes and his many accomplishments.
I'm proud to know Sean Griffin and to call him a friend and colleague.

Why Democrats Are Voting For Pat Toomey

Why are Democrats Supporting Pat Toomey? from Pat Toomey on Vimeo.

Sestak's Hometown C of C Endorses Toomey

Following a string of impressive bipartisan and nonpartisan endorsements and announcements of support, including from former Democratic Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police, the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Pennsylvania Medical Society PAC, Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate and former small business owner Pat Toomey was endorsed yesterday by local community business leaders in Congressman Joe Sestak’s own congressional district.
SEPAC, which combines the Delaware County, Chester County, and Main Line Chambers of Commerce, endorsed Pat Toomey, making it clear that the small business community in Joe Sestak’s congressional district is supporting Pat Toomey over their own congressman.
The business leaders who know Joe Sestak best support Pat Toomey for Senate because they know that Pat will fight for job creation in Pennsylvania and oppose the job-killing taxes and government mandates that are preventing an economic recovery.
This latest endorsement comes on the heels of the Toomey endorsement last week by New York City Mayor Giuliani, who said, “I know Pat will be victorious on November 2nd, because his vision of fiscal responsibility, cutting taxes, and creating jobs is exactly what our country needs right now, and it is exactly what people in Pennsylvania and all across America are clamoring for.  Pat has proven that he will fight for taxpayers, while Congressman Sestak has proven that he will fight for his extreme friends like Nancy Pelosi.  We need a true taxpayer hero like Pat in the U.S. Senate.”
“I’m honored to receive the endorsement of the Delaware County, Chester County, and Main Line Chambers of Commerce,” Pat Toomey said.  “In these tough economic times, we need to fight for policies that will encourage businesses to grow and create jobs for Pennsylvanians.  As a former small business owner, I know exactly what it takes to encourage businesses to thrive.  I’m pleased that the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce supports my vision to grow our economy.”

Shame On Sestak: Radical Views Threaten All!

Click here to support the fine work of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Toomey: Sestak Deceives, 'Dog Won't Hunt!'

Yesterday, former small business owner and Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey held a news conference highlighting Congressman Joe Sestak’s latest attempt to run away from his record of voting for every single bailout, including the bailouts of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Wall Street, and the auto companies. After months of supporting every bailout and opposing bipartisan efforts to end the Wall Street bailout, now, Congressman Sestak is trying to run away from his disastrous record two weeks before an election.
In stark contrast, Pat opposed all the bailouts from the very beginning.  In fact, he warned about the dangers of taxpayers having to foot the bill for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in his freshman year in Congress and cosponsored legislation to impose tougher regulations on Fannie and Freddie.
His cute dog notwithstanding, Sestak’s support for bailouts is irrefutable.  Please find a timeline of Sestak’s bailouts HERE. 

• July 25, 2000: Pat Toomey warned about Fannie and Freddie growing too large (House Banking and Financial Services Committee Hearing, 07/25/00).
  
  
• July 27, 2000: Pat Toomey cosponsored legislation to rein in Fannie and Freddie (The Housing Finance Regulatory Improvement Act, HR 3703).
  
  
• June 24, 2003: Pat Toomey cosponsored legislation to impose new regulations on Fannie and Freddie (Secondary Mortgage Market Enterprises Regulatory Improvement Act, HR 2575).
  
  
• May 2007: Sestak voted against new regulations on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (RC #383, 05/17/07).
  
  
• July 23, 2008: Sestak voted to bail out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (RC #519, 07/23/08).
  
  
• October 3, 2008: Sestak voted to bail out Wall Street (RC #681, 10/03/08).
  
  
• October 2008: Sestak bought stock in Bank of America, one of the banks that received bailout money (Morning Call, 06/15/09).
  
  
• December 10, 2008: Sestak voted to bail out the auto companies (RC #690, 12/10/08).
  
  
• January 22, 2009: Sestak voted to release the second half of the Wall Street bailout money.  99 Democrats voted against a second Wall Street bailout (RC #27, 01/22/09).
  
  
• March 5, 2009: Sestak sponsored legislation to force taxpayers to bail out other people’s mortgages (The Home Ownership Vesting Plan of 2009, HR 1356).
  
  
• September 2009: Sestak opposed a bipartisan effort to end the Wall Street bailout (Press release, 09/26/09).
  
  
• October 15, 2010: Sestak ran an ad claiming the bailouts “made him sick.”

“Congressman Joe Sestak has supported one bailout after another and opposed every effort to end the bailouts and now he wants us to believe that he hated voting for the bailouts because he has a cute dog in his ad,” Pat Toomey said.  “Well, as the saying goes: That dog won’t hunt.  For months, Congressman Sestak voted to make taxpayers pay for his bailouts and no amount of television ads can hide his record.”

Toomey At Philly Victory Offices Today

U.S. Senate candidate and former small business owner Pat Toomey will visit four Philadelphia area victory centers today, Saturday, October 9 to thank local volunteers.
Here is the schedule:

South Philadelphia City Committee: 3:00pm – 3:20pm
South Philadelphia City Committee Office
1713 Wolf Street
Philadelphia, PA
 Philadelphia Victory Office: 3:40pm – 4:00pm
Philadelphia Victory Office
507 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147                                     
Delaware County Victory Office: 4:40pm – 5:00pm
Delaware County Victory Office
5035 Township Line Road, Suite 3
Drexel Hill, PA 19026
Bucks County Victory Office: 6:00pm – 6:20pm
Bucks County Victory Office
115 North Broad Street
Doylestown, PA 18901                   

Toomey Draws Praise From All Quarters

Pennsylvania U. S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey continues to draw high praise. here's a good example:

“In an angry political season, Pat Toomey sometimes seems out of place . . . His restrained demeanor may contrast with the often superheated rhetoric of the times, but his unwavering policy prescriptions of lower taxes and less spending may have found their moment.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 09/19/10)

And here's more:

· “The choice between Sestak and Toomey is a very distinct one. Sestak is a pro big-government liberal. Toomey is a pro small-government conservative. And right now, the electorate is closer to where Pat is than to where Joe is. It’s pretty much that simple.” (Gil Spencer, Delaware County Daily Times, 09/19/10)

· “Joe’s problem is that he’s the one who actually voted to spend billions to ‘bail out’ the big banks and financial institutions of Wall Street. He’s the one who voted with Nancy Pelosi 97 percent of the time and supported an agenda that a growing majority of the American public have soured on.” (Gil Spencer, Delaware County Daily Times, 09/19/10)

· “With or without the “T” factor, the future looks bright for Toomey, said Michael Hooper, a political science professor at Temple University. ‘If these things hold, Sestak doesn’t have a prayer,’ he said.” (Harrisburg Patriot-News, 09/19/10)

· “Asked to grade Sestak’s campaign performance—a subject of great concern among Pennsylvania Democrats—Specter evaded: ‘I’m late for the squash court, so I’m gonna defer that to when I can answer in one spot.’ Pressed a second time, the former Republican reiterated: ‘I’m late for the squash court.’” (Politico, 09/21/10)

· “Despite a concerted effort by national Democrats, Rep. Joe Sestak is slipping farther behind Republican Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania’s Senate contest in a new Fox News battleground poll.” (Fox News, 09/21/10)

· “Given the steadiness of Toomey's lead and the unpopularity of President Obama in the Keystone State -- not to mention Republicans running very strong in the governor's race -- we are moving the Pennsylvania Senate race from ‘Toss Up’ to ‘Lean Republican.’” (Washington Post, Chris Cillizza, The Fix, 09/22/10)

· “Pat Toomey is in a good place, ahead by 7 points with six weeks to go. I’d rather be Pat Toomey than Joe Sestak today.” (Quinnipiac pollster, Peter Brown, 09/22/10)
· “Do I think Joe Sestak is going to start magically making a comeback? Probably not.” (Director of the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, Tom Jensen, 09/22/10)

Toomey Hits Hard On Health Care

Fresh from receiving the support of the Pennsylvania Medical Society PAC earlier this week, today, U.S. Senate candidate and former small business owner Pat Toomey released a new television ad highlighting the health care issue.
The ad features a local Delaware County family doctor and her thoughts on Congressman Joe Sestak’s support for a government health care takeover. Dr. Maria DeMario is a family practitioner in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. She has been practicing medicine for 17 years and is a past president of the Delaware County Medical Society.
Last summer, Dr. DeMario and several other concerned physicians in Delaware County contacted Congressman Sestak’s office about setting up an appointment with him to discuss their concerns about the massive government-run health care bill and the burdens it would place on patients’ care. Congressman Sestak was so determined to support the government health care takeover that he never even gave his own district’s doctors an appointment.
Dr. DeMario also talks about her support for Pat Toomey’s commonsense health care reforms that protect the doctor-patient relationship, lower the cost of health care, and maintain the quality of care we have in America.
Congressman Sestak’s position on health care is so extreme, he even voted for the most extreme version of the bill that would have allowed states to outlaw private health insurance altogether (Education & Labor Committee, 07/17/09). In fact, when Congress passed the final bill – opposed by 34 Democrats including 2 Pennsylvania Democrats – Congressman Sestak said he was disappointed in the bill because it did not go far enough (MSNBC, Andrea Mitchell Reports, 12/17/09).
The ad will be running on broadcast television for an indefinite period of time.

Dinniman: Restore Honor To Medal Of Honor Grove

Just outside of Philadelphia in the shadow of Valley Forge National Park and overlooking the Schuylkill River sits a hallowed place.
It's called Medal of Honor Grove.
The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge runs the 52-acre site that commemorates those who have received the nation's highest military award -- the Medal of Honor.
It's an admirable tribute to the worthiest of the worthy -- some of our nation's most courageous heroes.
But now the site has fallen into disrepair. In fact, it's in such bad shape that State Senator Andy Dinniman of Chester County has called it a "desecration." And Dinniman adds that he doesn't think that's too strong a word to describe the current situation.
Senator Dinniman is championing moves to get the site cleaned up and repaired. He feels we owe this to those who are honored there. And Dinniman is helping to organize volunteers who will get to work on the site
The Senator deserves lots of credit for shedding light on the situation and acting in a positive way to help make the Medal of Honor Grove presentable again.
Of course, the long-term care and maintenance of the Grove is the responsibility of the Freedoms Foundation and that may pose a bigger challenge.
As Dinniman says "the Foundation has to get its act together."
Read more about this in a fine story by Kathleen Brady Shea at the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Listen To My Newest Podcasts

I recently conducted interviews with two local movers and shakers as part of my "Hot Interviews with Very Cool People" series for the Philadelphia Bar Association.
Dr. Karen Wiley Sandler, the Chancellor of Abington College of Penn State University discusses the college's vital role in the region, its place within the university and its exciting future. You will learn a great deal about this historic educational entity and its plans for continued growth. You will also be surprised to discover some of the current-day leaders who have graduated from Penn State Abington as well at the breadth and diversity of courses and programs offered.
Michael Rosenzweig, President and CEO of the National Museum of American Jewish History talks about the museum's journey from its birth in 1976 to the threshold of its dramatic new home on Independence Mall. Designed my a renowned architectural firm, the new museum (which opens in November, 2010) is destined to be an instant attraction within America's most historic square mile. But the museum won't be just about history. Instead it will be an ever-changing showcase for the American journey that tells the story not just of the Jews in America but, by extension, of every ethnic group that came to call America "home."
Listen to these podcasts and others in my series by clicking here.