The Rezko Saga: Two Videos [Updated]
By SusanUnPC on March 11, 2008 at 12:55 AM in Alsammarae, Aiham, Bamboozling, Barack Obama, Nadhmi Auchi, Tony Rezko
We have written scores of stories here about Obama’s 20+-year association with known slumlord and political “fixer” Antoin “Tony” Rezko, now on trial in Chicago’s federal court. My earlier story tonight gives you the latest findings from the trial testimony today and from the hard work by many bloggers to unearth the facts. But these two videos tell an even more compelling story:
That, beyond the corrupt influence-peddling and Obama’s exploitation of these associations for his own personal and political gain — as Mike Howell pointed out in a comment tonight — there were poor people in Chicago who did not get decent housing (as shown graphically in the video below), even though Rezko got millions in government monies for supposed rehabilitation. This infuriates me. So why didn’t it infuriate Obama? Why did “Mr. Community Organizer” hang around Rezko, giving him a tour of his prospective new home and getting Rezko to buy the adjacent lot, knowing that this man misused millions and denied people decent housing – including heat in the winter? How could Barack Obama bear to be in the same room with such a man who’d put his OWN constituents through hell? Let alone cook up a cozy home purchase with him since he couldn’t afford the home and lot on his own — when there were surely other wealthy patrons and friends who might have helped instead? Why choose the man who’s under active federal investigation? Does such a man have any morals? In my book, such a man does not have morals and is only interested in the influences and monies that a “fixer” like Rezko can bring him.
Note the afterword in the above video. UPDATE: Mel wrote this comment below.
Small-time slumlord? Come on! Rezko milked the taxpayers of over $100 million and is a benefactor of Auchi, banker for Saddam Hussein and banker for the oil for food Iraq UN set up who misused funds as well as an associate of Alsammarae who stole $650 million from the Iraq reconstruction funds and a wanted criminal!
Small time my foot, wake up and learn more than a lousy stump speech!
And now the next video, which delves far more into the troubling associations with the iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi:
UPDATE 2: If you look at the comments below, people tell you how to pause this video so that you are able to read each panel:
(small, medium and large sizes; for both dogs and cats)
+ 
Susan..
The second video would be interesting if it didn’t flip so fast..but the First one is very good..
So…Getting Grants.. Writing Pork Barrel projects..and holding hands with Guys in Robes are all ways to make some Money..
Pipelines are Built..One CONNECTION at a Time..
Look at the FLOW Charts..$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
yes, I plan on leaving a comment for that person to slow it down. Otherwise it’s chock full of interesting facts and tie-ins.
Just press pause after each page, then play when you’re done reading.
*****A
Pundita has a great blog entry today, delineating the difference between Obama’s cheap talk, juxtasposed with the truth of his actions…
http://pundita.blogspot.com/2008/03/all-about-barack.html
Jann Werner called this guy a new hope?
Yes, for the corrupt…
Jann Wenner’s a groupie. Always has been. I knew him a little, back in the day–well enough to be delighted when Garry Trudeau did a withering couple of Doonesburys on Wenner’s groupieness, after he moved the Rolling Stone headquarters from SF to NYC in the 70s.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/45A041467CBF192E8625740700109D91?OpenDocument
This link is from Rezkowatch, and provides a time line of Rezko’s activities in Chicago.
Rezko also raised money for Harold Washington.
Did this infiltration of Arab money into Chicago and IL politics start under Washington?
How sad.
How interesting. This popped out at me, of course:
Obama was in the state senate at that time and I’ll be that building was in, or very near to, Obama’s district. And it surely was covered in all of the Chicago newspapers. Why wasn’t Obama appalled? Why didnt he take action to protect those tenants freezing in those awful buildings?
Wooooooooeeeeeeeeeee!
Stik a fork in ‘Mr. Hopey’ as Lambert so aptly names him.
Dude is done…finito….
This gets splashed all over…and it will and that ‘community organizer’ bullsheet will be seen for what it truly is greasy machine politics Chicago style.
Toxic for Senator ‘SnakeOil’……..
I actually saw this story on a news stand tonight, it was on the cover of The National Enquier. Obama shared the cover with Britany Spears, what does that tell ya anything? And for the sake of fairness, you don’t really know why Obamas motorcade sped off do you?
it’s funny, one answer he gave of the eight is that he’d answered all questions. He’s audacious all right.
Yes, “Mr. Community Organizer” allowed this friend Tony to take advantage of the people he alledgedly has worked so hard for. This information has been out there, but no one makes it an issue. It is a BIG issue! It is the most telling, concrete example of how he says, no preaches, one thing and does another.
The first question I would ask is did he know about the delapidated buildings that his constituents lived in. If the answer is no, the second question is “WHY NOT??”
I find it next to impossible to believe that a politician who lives in Chicago would not know all about this stuff. He is an insider in the club. It is not like these buildings were in some distant part of the state.
In the March 10, 2008 New Yorker, an example of Michelle Obama’s “strength” is cited when she confronts a group of community organizers, protesting Obama’s neglect of the very people he is supposed to represent, the poor in his community.
If they’re unconnected, if they can’t pay to play, they just don’t matter.
Hey, it’s a jungle out there.
Yes, Obama it is a jungle out there.
Oh, if you’d like to have a slower look at the 2nd video just hold the little circle that goes across the bar stationary. You can slow it down or stop it & take it all in. You can even make it go backwards.
Rezko is a sleeze guy & is going down. That should be good news. Keep in mind that the B.S. & misused Goverment grants that Rezko got, happened under Bill Clinton’s tenure.
Obama’s relationship with him should be known, the guy is not perfect ot above it all, but I honestly think this blog is getting tunnel vision & is trying too hard to smear Obama.
Obama is not perfect, yada yada yada. Where is his judgment when it comes to Rezko? Until yesterday, I still heard some talking head on CNN touting Obama’s so called judgment based on that 2002 speech. So people just look away on his association w/ whole bunch of crooks now?
This is not smear, this is just doing the job to expose what Obama really is - a sleezy guy just like his pal Rezko.
It was Obama writing letters for Rezko.
The Feds were being hoodwinked - bamboozled by Barack Obama.
$100M taxdollars that could have helped decently house people.
That’s the point!
And a reporter for the Toronto sun reports James Bone, the reporter for the London Times, is investigating Rezko’s Syrian links. Apparently, Bone feels they are much more extensive than has been reported.
Syria, where terrorists, live.
“Syrian links” - as soon as I saw the AP referring to Rezko as the “Syrian born immigrant” with ties to the Middle East, I knew then that Obama was toast.
Do you know anything about grants and who administers the grants? To intimate that this is Bill Clinton’s fault is beyond ludicrous!
Here’s another thing that Obama bloggers are trying to blame on the Clintons. So because Bill was president when Rezko was getting his grants and Obama was letting him screw over the poor people literally right in front of Obama’s face,…it’s Clinton’s fault? That’s classic. Obama needs to be held accountable for his actions. No matter how hard you try, you can’t blame everything on the Clintons.
How is it that State Senator Barack Obama was so prescient about what was happening in Iraq, yet he did not know that the constituents in his own district were being “bamboozled, hoodwinked” by his friend Tony Rezko?
Excellent point. Worthy of a diary in itself.
I wouldn’t get too high & mighty over Obama’s association with Rezko, considering Bill Clinton’s administration handed the guy our taxpayers money.
That would not be Bill Clinton who handed him over tax payer money you idiot but Chicago’s city council. Why is it that you “so called” progressives always use right wing talking points “….but Bill Clinton” to make arguments not based in fact?
Bill Clinton didn’t have a damn thing to do with Tony Rezko getting Illinois taxpayer money to develop these properties! Try looking under a rock marked “Chicago Politics” and there you will find one Tony Rezko, Barack Obama, the “Daley” political machine and and Governor Blagjovich.
Again, showing your ignorance in how grants are administered, or worse, you are deliberately putting out false accusations.
Fear is a powerful emotion isn’t alexei, ? One that leaves all mental facilties at the door. Even the ability to read…
Whether you personally believe that Obama did anything wrong or not doesn’t really matter. If nothing else it does tend to point out that his vaunted “judgement” is less than stellar. What is important and should concern ALL progressives is that if Senator Obama gets the nomination, there will be wall to wall, 24/7 coverage of Rezko in the media. They will be oh-so-outraged that Senator Obama, who even fooled them, the wondrous media pundits, about his honesty and integrity. No one has to PROVE a damn thing. Just keep it front and center long and loud enough and bingo, enters President McCain.
If there is no wrong-doing, get it out there NOW, while he is still in the position of being the media’s darling. Get his explanation or whatever on enough tape and in print so that he has something to fall back on other than what looks like his is running from reporters and the issue. 8 questions are not going to be the sum total.
Many of us believe, fervently that once the media has driven their final knife in Hillary Clinton’s back they will turn on Obama and rend him mercilessly.
And while some will be genuinely appalled due to party and progressive loyalty, many will simply enjoy their schedenfraude.
I understand what you mean, and I agree, but I don’t even pay attention to the MSM, anymore, they simply have no credibility, at all.
To me, they’re no more dangerous than a bunch of 3rd tier high school girls, gossiping about the A list.
To miss this story about Rezko, and the possible terrorist links to Obama, all the while anointing him the next democratic president, well, they’re either corrupt, or they’re morons, but either way, they don’t matter.
How can their judgement be trusted on ANYTHING?
Like you, I wouldn’t take their word that the sun was rising in the east without looking out the window to verify.
Other people, that are not political junkies, or do not have or want access to a computer still rely, unfortuneately on the media. They will be swayed.
The media will continue pumping the McCain “straight talk” b.s. McCain will be portrayed as the oh-so honorable war hero and Obama will emerge as just another sleazy, if not currupt pol.
But that “is” what Obama “is”.
Therefore: enter President McCain?
Agreed, but I’ve written it off, too.
After awhile it becomes a tug of war in regard to the media, and it’s better to simply move on.
If the media is corrupt, it’s best to get the message out in different ways.
Ultimately, in this case, the democratic leaders have to do the right thing, if you can affect them, you will not need to worry about the media.
And if you can’t, well, then something else needs to emerge, a new power base.
And I think it is, even if it doesn’t happen overnight.
I agree. But while it isn’t happening people are suffering, children go without a decent education or medical care and the elite media “does” lunch with the corrupt officials that they should be nailing to the barn door.
The Democratic Party needs to have the fear of not being re-elected put into them. Blue Dog Democrats need to be named for what they are: Republican Lite. Lots to do and few who even seem to care.
People are slowly but surely coming to the realization that there ain’t no Walter Cronkites or Edward R. Murrows out there, even faux phonies like Olbermann, and as you say it takes time. Things will change, but will it be in time to save our country from itself?
In the meantime I get more insults and grief from so-called Progressives for supporting Hillary Clinton than I ever got from pinheaded conservatives for being anti-Bush. Go figure.
Yes, you’re right.
And Larry wrote a piece about Fallon resigning, apparently the last vestige between Cheney, and sanity.
And Cheney would bomb Iran, though I don’t know if he will.
He bombed an innocent Iraq, and our congress let him, still let’s him.
Why?
Like Bruce Springsteen said the level of criminal ineptitude is infuriating, and we are all working to change it, me, you, Susan, Larry, every person with his or her eyes open.
And it is making a difference, really.
Revealing the truth is half the battle, but it’s a whole new system, don’t look for the press to help, you’re setting yourself up for a losing battle, psychologically, and that’s the point.
The good thing is, all those Cheney type people, whether the press, or the politicians, or the military, are morons, flaming morons.
Don’t stop doing what’s right, though.
Also, I believe there are people within our government who do care, who do respect the law. Despite Cheney’s “wins” (firing Fallon, say) he also seems to lose the greater war, the neocons have less power today, than they did 8 years ago.
Brilliant, Susan!
One tidibit I always like to include about this story when speaking with doubters:
The Rezko vacant lot was fenced. The only way to get to it, was through Obama’s yard. Mr. Obama maintained the lot or reportedly at least mowed. I gather, they used it? Add that question to the list.
Otherwise, how many realtors do you keep a yard for?
Yes, this was the set-up before they purchased that strip from Rezko.
What I find poignant (sad and yes Susan, enraging) is the stark comparison between the “public housing” that Rezko profited from compared to Obama mansion. If that isn’t a visual, I don’t know what it. And so the first video I think has more impact.
Thank you. Sometimes I get into the details of the Rezko story, and forget to point out just how terribly this affected thousands of people in Chicago who desperately needed this housing, and affected taxpayers from whom Rezko stole hundreds of millions of dollars.
And why this didn’t enrage Obama — or keep him from doing cozy deals with Rezko — is beyond me.
I think this is accurate: ELEVEN of those buildings were in Obama’s own district. ELEVEN buildings that are uninhabitable and boarded up. That is CRIMINAL.
Only Hillary enrages him? Has anyone else noticed that his whole message is that Hillary really means to smear him, anything she says about her own qualifications or any plans she presents is all the proof he needs, and then he’s morally outraged and he calls on his followers to share the outrage? Didn’t it used to be share the hope? I guess sharing outrage sells more tickets? He’s an outrage manufacturing machine.
Great point, Anna. That’s what he gripes about. Instead of the thousands of his own constituents who were freezing in his pal’s slum buildings that are now so bad, they’re shut down.
He’ll just stick to his story: “Nobody brought it to my attention” when he was a state senator.
Maybe he was “too” busy campaigning to be a United States Senator at the time? I’m just asking cause I don’t know the timeline. Because it seems as if he’s been “too” busy campaigning to be President of the United States ever since he was elected to be a United States Senator to do the job he was elected to do.
We need a full court press to get him to release his Illinois Legislative records, including complaints from constituents!
He has continued to hammer on Hillary long since she stated she will release her tax returns on or about 15 April.
strong> Now OBAMA says he WILL NOT release his tax returns prior to 2006. What is he hiding??
He rails on Hillary for not releasing her records while First Lady, which is in progress and out of her hands While he continues to stonewall the release of his Illinois legislative papers. What is he hiding??
Don’t the voters deserve to know the real Barack Obama??
Obama is such a two faced hypocrite!
His Illinois senate records? He doesn’t know where they are or if there are any.
The Chicago media have pressed him over and over to produce those records. But he says he didn’t have enough staff to keep those records.
Susan,
I think it would be a different story if we had the national press hammering him like they keep after Hillary and the red herring of tax returns.
At the very least we should be hearing stories about how incompetent he is proving to be, he can’t even manage his records… another similarity to George W. who’s administration can’t find critical emails they were required by law to preserve!
It goes along with not being able to press the right buttons when voting on critical issues in the Illinois State Legislature, even though they were color coded buttons! Does he need someone check his work before voting? Someone to guide his hand when voting?
All these boneheaded and dumb mistakes have to come home to roost sooner or later. I just hope it isn’t after he gets the Nomination and we’re stuck with deciding between voting for an incompetent, empty suit with no moral compass (sound familiar? He really is starting to remind me of George W.) or staying home.
Blue State Girl -
Barack Obama’s office would have received complaints, so he can’t honestly claim that he didn’t know.
We know Obama didn’t get any legislation done until he stole other legislators bills with Jones’s help his very last year, so what the hell was he doing?
It sure wasn’t constituent services.
Mike, did you ever look for complaints about those properties? I did one day but had a hard time — i probably wasn’t using the best search terms (not my forte). There have to be REAMS of complaints! Wish somebody would interview some of those former tenants.
Susan…OT but we need your help in calling attention to the outrageous OPEd in today’s NY Times by Orlando Patterson. I have never read such a stupid piece of crap in my life.
My question to Professor Patterson: Since BO copied Hillary’s Red Phone ad and put himself in her shoes, then does that mean that he is suggesting that we evil women are lurking in the bushes ready to beat the shit out of the men of the world? What crap!
I am right there with you on that piece. I was highly offended by it.
Our new handy dandy widget — for Hillary’s FactHub — has the story. It’s just below Larry’s photo. But we will post something about it later … DCMediaGirl has two new stories, and Alegre’s important story about Northern Ireland and Kosovo needed to go up.
And i’ve got about three more stories to write. It’s hard to keep up with the lies and distortions from both Obama and the media.
I think it’s bad enough to pretend that whatever Clinton does to highlight how hard she’s worked preparing for the job of president is really about smearing Obama. And now calling it a racist attack is beyond creepiness. I know some what her to be beaten so badly they’ll stoop to saying anything (Obama comes to mind, he seems to want to beat her more than to get the job himself) but this racist stuff is so polarizing it makes Ken Starr look G rated.
Sen and Mrs Obama are both attorneys. They are Harvard educated attorneys. He is a law review Harvard educated constitutional law lecturer attorney who does bone headed real estate deals. If these two attorneys cannot see a conflict of interest in doing a highly favorable deal involving a long time and very crooked supporter then everyone should be able to claim ignorance in ethics and bribery cases. Randy Cunningham is in prison for a variation of this sort of scheme, so is Ney. Claiming poor judgement is not convincing if your education and career is about law, ethics, and good judgement.
What I find so difficult to understand is………..why do the people still follow Obama like the Pied Piper of Hamlin? Don’t they know what happened to the rats in that story? Do they not seek out facts when voting for a candidate? IMO I think it’s to do very much with race. The blacks because he’s black, the whites because it’s politically correct. Wake up people.
it’s a movie they want to watch and they can see Will Smith, Obama’s first choice to play in him the film version of his life story, in the role already. I think Smith may be more qualified and less corrupt. Of course I’d see Will Smith in anything, he’s so cheerful and calming.
The second video is someone just warming up for what is heading Obama’s way. I am sure his campaign will call this an attack but in actuality it is a retelling of facts. And that done with gloves on.
Ahhh… the plot thickens.
These are criminal acts.
No need to apologize.
What a Nice string of Pearls the second video is.
One frame states that the Rezko lot became to small for building. I posted to that effect and person posting rejected that obsevation saying it was not.
Add that to why the deal was in tru st; as way to get around any “gifting” issues from Rezko and cloak the fact that Rita Rezko could in noway afford the lot…
I want to know what financial institution funded these trusts and how are the trusts set up and who filed them with the court.
Is there someone with access to this info in Chicago?
I can find it. Help?
Courtesy of Rezkowatch, a link to frontpagemagazine, giving a bit more info on Auchi’s background:
http://frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=4C33B7D0-C44E-4F03-919E-B71328BA42ED
Another place to start might be with any information the FBI gave out after 9.11, regarding the investigations it was/is doing into American Arab charities in the Midwest.
Since the same players seem to be involved, (and it just appears to be another mafia like ring, nothing special here, at all), you might find some interesting correlations in terms of banking, people, et al…
It’s a wide net, but it might prove enlightening.
And speaking of casting a wide net, and the FBI, what was the case Loius Freeh made his bones on, wasn’t it something to do with mafia guys who owned pizza places, like Rezko did Papa Johns? And Panda Express, speaking of that chinese passport…lol
There where contracts let at O’Hare for these consessions. Same with Nesbit’s Parking deal…
Seems like making a senator was not the only thing Emil Jones did. An what was Obama’s role in his buddies deal? (tonights homework)
he wants to be president to pardon himself?
The video would also be more readable with more contrasting colors. Even pausing it, I couldn’t read every last word.
I’m wondering what it’s going to take for the media to even acknowledge the existence of this story. I agree that it will be a disaster if they keep ignoring it until after he’s nominated, or even if he gets on the bottom of the presidential ticket.
A rep. from Iowa this weekend connected Obama to Muslim terrorists, citing the war on terror would be lost if Obama won the presidency, the Islamic world “dancing in the streets.”
http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=8EF58000-A398-BDDA-F45FB09147E7FDF8
Apparently, King appeared on CNN, making these comments, and they do contain some truth, as Obama’s ties to Rezko and Auchi flesh out.
WTH is wrong with the stupid democratic leaders, do they think this will go away? There is truth, here, and it will resonate with the public.
And it’s only going to get worse for Obama.
Connect all the dots, not parts of them only!
Obama friends and their relationships:
Rezko co-defendants Ali Ata and Abdelhamid Chaib - who are these guys?
Rezko - Auchi, Alsammarae- both former Iraqi’s who made millions and billions from Iraq and Saddam!
Bill Ayers Terrorist!
Trinity United Church of Christ linked to Farrakhan
Raila Odinga - has said he is a cousin of Obama and is Leader of the Luo Tribe in Kenya who slaughtered 70 people in a curch, including kids, by burning the church in seeking power! Also a strong radical Muslim! Obama supported him when in Kenya!
Anyone remember George Washington, he once said: be warned of entangling alliances abroad!
From the ghettos of Chicago to Kenya, Iraq and Afganistan, what has Obama actually done concerning them?
The only actions Obama has ever taken is in promoting his radical muslim cousin in Kenya!
Sorry to say as some Obama supporters can only chant of hate to have Bill running around the White House again chasing interns, well isn’t that a better association than those Obama is with?
I agree, Mel, I just want to know when Dick Cheney and George Bush show up!
LOL.
Rezco is a bad guy. Obama probably regrets that he was involved with him in any way. Was it worth it?
But let’s not get too high and mighty about this. Let’s go back to the list of 31 presidential pardons dispensed by WJC, with Marc Rich at the top of the list. “But I was building a library, and he agreed to pay for…” That was bill, not Hillary, you say. Bullshit.
You don’t get it do you?
If it wasn’t for Rezko, there would be no Obama! Obama has been bought and paid for by people who don’t do it for sport but for their own interests! They own Obama lock stock and barrel!
These guys do this for their own motives which are dirty as can be, so the crap of Obama regretting his association with Rezko is rediculous, again, no Rezko, no Obama!
Marc Rich = Reszko?
That’s a bit of a reach, no?
I’ve noticed this pattern with regard to Obamans and unflattering facts about their candidate:
1) It’s not true (whatever it is).
2) Okay, it’s true, but it was Hillary’s fault/Bill’s fault.
3) Okay, it wasn’t the Clintons’ fault, but they are racist monsters, and besides, they did the same thing.
4) It’s not true.
Ad infinitum.
Rezco is a small time slum lord; Rich’s tax evasion and trading to circumvent UN sanctions are several orders of magnitude beyond Rezco’s crimes.
Dood, try to keep up. Reszko has ties to the Middle East and terrorism.
Right on track with your talking points, of course. “But but but Clinton!”
Classic.
Actually, you’re right, it seems to be a Syrian middle east connection between Chicago, and men like Auchi, and American politicians.
I mean, Auchi paid Rezko, and Rezko paid Obama, right, in a weak attempt at plausible denial?
In addition, isn’t there something about a Chicago City councilman about to break, connected to Obama?
Leaks, leaks everywhere.
I remember reading all that stuff about money laundering, and 9.11, (right after that tragic event, where all those Americans were murdered, tsk tsk), stuff from the FBI, and Rezko’s Chicago operation seems to fit the profile.
I mean, the press has not touched this subject, and well, they have proof now, about Rezko, et al…
And as much as the conservative bloggers are being excoriated in this matter, they’re telling the truth, I’ve noticed little invective against the liberals, in this issue.
Some, but not a lot.
It affects us all.
From the Romantic period I think…What a Rumsfieldian world some folks choose to live in…
Obama probably regrets that he was involved
“Out of college money spent, see no future pay no rent…all the money’s gone , no where to Go…But oh that Rezko feeling….
Abbey Road
Small time slumlord, Rezko milked the taxpayers of over $100 million and is a benefactor of Auchi, banker for Saddam Hussein and banker for the oil for food Iraq UN set up who misused funds as well as an associate of Alsammarae who stole $650 million from the Iraq reconstruction funds and a wanted criminal!
Small time my foot, wake up and learn more than a lousy stump speech!
I grew up in Chicago, corrution was a fact of life, no big deal, they got caught they went to jail.
These people behave as if the idea of a corrupt politician is as disdainful as child molesting.
Politicians are dirty, the majority of them are, I would bet, Washington now more dirty than it was during the teapot dome scandal.
Obama is as corrupt, with less integrity, than fast Eddie Vyrdoliak.
Jeez, it’s Chicago style, remember?
remember when Hillary got raked over the coals for not showing fear, calling it ‘the fun part?” anyone remember Obama’s snarky response, ‘if she wants to play Chicago slap down I’ll show her how it’s done?’ But what gets repeated and what’s been forgotten?
Mel, I’m updating the story with your comment. Awesome.
I HAVE A REQUEST: IF YOU USE THE LINK in the first video, or the second, can some of you explore the other videos on Rezko/Obama — they are listed in the right sidebar, and elsewhere on the same page at YouTube — and alert us to more good ones? There are so many videos now on this. E-mail me at susanunpc at gmail dot com with any especially good ones you find.
And if you follow the link to another video, you’ll see even more videos to check out.
One thing that made the first one so good is that it comes from a Chicago NBC affiliate. The second one is good in that it is fact-rich … and THANKS to all who told us how to pause it. (Did not know that.)
the fist video was great. the second one is ineffective because it is too wordy and the pages move too fast. it is not well done, and that is important because this information HAS to get out. someone should redo the second video.
I just posted my first diary over at MyDD about how young people made up almost half of the crowd at last night’s Hillary rally in Scranton, Pa.
Simon, I know you asked me to post some thoughts here, but I haven’t found the right thread yet. My name there is Bella. (ha that’s my horse’s name… don’t tell anyone)
I’ll post more here on an open thread soon.
Thanks Nancy, I look forward to reading your observations.
Nancy, you did a great job on your diary.
The type of comment you were getting was an attempt to draw away from the accusations against Obama, purposely, putting you on the defensive.
It’s an old old troll propaganda technique.
If they’re not answering the questions, they’re trolling, don’t get bogged down.
And, boy, the Obamabots have nothing to say, anymore, do they?
Nothing at all.
The average Kos reader is a 44 year old white male, making 80,000 a year.
It appears they have nothing left…
People tend to forget, political bagmen are like loan-sharks! Rezko could be sent to jail, that mean Obama is free of his ties, not at all!
Auchi paid for things and doesn’t put out money without getting his return on it, and that is expected with or without Rezko in the picture!
remember the photo of Tony and Bill and Hillary that she got ’surprised’ with? Now who would have kept a copy of such a photo and who released it? If it’s Tony, that’s a favor to Obama, if it’s Obama, he kept one he got from Tony in case he needed to smear Hillary. It’s all so very cozy?
Susan,
One aspect of the coverage of Obama’s Rezko real estate deal never gets emphasized, and I think it makes the situation even more damning.
The deal is characterized as Rezko buying the “Vacant Lot” next to the Mansion.
But in truth, wasn’t it really a single property that Obama and Rezko had to jump through hoops to get subdivided for sale because Obama couldn’t afford the whole property?
It wasn’t just that Rezko bought(on the same day) a vacant lot the owner also owned at full price so Obama could pay under the asking price for the mansion Barack and Michelle Obama desperately wanted but could not afford.
Why aren’t they talking about who decided to subdivide the lot and when that happened? It was Obama and Rezko, it wasn’t something the owner decided to do. There was a lot of work, legal wrangling, expenses, and time involved in doing this. When did the process start?
Why aren’t they talking about the approvals from the Landmark committee (that Michelle was a member of) and what was involved in getting approval? Was this a typical practice, how many other properties with landmark status were allowed to subdivide their lots and potentially diminish the impact of the landmark with new construction next door?
How much influence did Michelle Obama exert behind the scenes? How many favors did SHE call in with her Chicago buddies? How about Barack, what influence did he peddle with Chicago insiders?
What was the legal work required to get the landmark committee to agree? What was the legal work required to get the property subdivided? Who did all that work? Michelle? Barack?? Rezko??? Who paid for the legal work? How long did it take?
What about the fence that was a requirement for the subdivision? Who did the work on that? Who figured out the details of what it should be? Who got bids for it? Who made the arrangements with the contractor?
It goes way beyond the fact that the only entrance to the newly formed and fenced lot was through Barack and Michelle Obama’s property and that the Obamas paid for Rezko’s grounds keeping.
Rezko was in this up to his eyeballs from the start. Obama has admitted that he and Rezko toured the property before he decided to buy it… when exactly was that? Before or after all this legal and political work to arrange the subdivision of the property was done?
Was this situation similar to Obama going on a job interview with Michelle Obama before she accepted a job offer, because she wanted Obama’s “good judgement”?
How many deals has Obama had Rezko go with him on because Barack wanted his good friend and mentor’s “good judgement” before he moved forward o a key deal??
We need a time line laying out all the pieces that had to fall into place before Barack & Michelle Obama were able to buy this Mansion.
In addition to these details, it would be very interesting to see these events in a timeline juxtaposed with the Rezko investigation timeline (and appearance of newspaper stories), along with the timeline of the rest of the Chicago politicians putting down their requests and backing away from Rezko while Barack Obama was still getting into bed with Rezko and pulling up the covers (metaphor, I’m not saying he is gay or literally sleeping with Rezko!)
It would also be great to see a timeline of Barack’s career and Rezko’s, complete with the purchase of the Chicago properties, the complaints of Obama’s constituents about subhuman living standards(including reminders of the season and the temperatures in Chicago when there was no heat in the buildings, I see pictures of snow with temps superimposed!).
If you add Obama’s “actions” or rather inaction it becomes pretty damning.
It also shows a pattern of words and inaction when he has the power to act for good in the Illinois State Legislature that repeats in the US Senate on Iraq!
Bluest Blue, one more question to add to your formidable list: if as reported Rezko’s wife bought the sub-divided lot with $100k down and the rest on a mortgage, which bank permitted a subdivision - and reduction in value - of the mortgaged property?
Correction: which bank permitted a further subdivision - and reduction in value - of the mortgaged property?
Great addition, I remember a couple of people brought up that nuance in comments here… you were probably one of them… I never even toght of the bank/mortgage angle until then!
THere are all these details that need to get nailed down, put in context, and laid out on a timeline so those not so diligent in their research on the candidates can follow.
After all we’re the exceptions. Most people just see a little of the MSM on TV and make their decision based on the spin the MSM decides to play. Talk about swaying the election!
Which also brings up an even more important group that doesn’t do research and needs it laid out for them in small words and pictures they can understand, the MSM - Newspapers and TV - if it is wrapped up in a tidy bundle, with the new narrative spelled out, they might just report on it!
BTW, the Chicago Newspapers have been all over this AND trying to get Barack to answer questions. Obama can ignore them because the National Press is letting him slide on this issue, along with all the others, until he gets the Nomination. THEN we will see them “digging” into the issue so they can change the narrative!
Some have said the mortgage for the Obamas is held in a trust,(Northern Trust) and theorize it’s in Rezko’s name.
It would be interesting to see how much was loaned, and from where.
When did the process start?
When Michelle Obama was alerted to the property. Since she sat on the “Historic Board” (not the right name) the owners had to go thru a review process to sell the “historic” real estate.
It has been reported that the sellers did NOT want to split the property originally. Michelle Obama was in a position to jam up the sale. She worked for the same hospital where the Good Doctor who was selling and would have been able to “reach out” and touch the Doc…Do what degree pressure was brought to bear…went something like “we need you (seller) to subdivide the property or we will jam it up”, Rezko And Obama KNEW from the First phone call from Michelle to Barak to Rezko, Seller says ok you pay for all that Mumbo Jumbo; I just want to close the same day. Ask your self why it took three offers? Why the trusts? Why did Michelle from the Commision? resign 3 days after it closed? Who owned their original condo and how did that deal get done?
Why did the condo sell so fast?
Speaking of the mortgage and what bank would allow a subdivide of a property they own. I have wonderred how they were able to get that much mortgage for the property to start with. When I bought my house, we were worried about the appraisal, since the bank wouldn’t lend more than the property was worth, so they wouldn’t lose money if we forclosed. Now I know the lot is smaller now, but I saw somewhere it is appraised close to 40,000 recently. So I find it hard to believe a couple years ago the appraisil of the lot was anywhere near 100,000 let alone the 500,000 the mortgage was.
Also when BO bought the strip of land he paid 104,000 even tho it was appraised at 40,000 since that was 1/6 what Mrs Rezko paid. SO then you figure the property was worth 6 x 40,000 or 258,000 when he bought the lot. How did the property drop so much in that time, from the 625,000 they paid to the 258,000? and isn’t the difference really close to the 300,000 discount BO got on the house?
To see timeline on Rezko/Michelle/Barack/Rita just go to Chicago SunTimes. http://www.suntimes.com has archives for past 2 or more years of serious investigative reporting on Obama and his ties to Rezko.
Tim Novak led an investigative suntimes team, and a series of articles covers Michelle’s placement on Landmark Commission by Rezko, and when she found Kenwood mansion…she had to have it by hook or by crook. Mostly by crook if you follow this sordid story. Try starting with Suntimes bio of Obama’s hire at Davis lawfirm that handled Rezko business.
Obama’s hire started the beginning of his run for Illinois senate and patronage by Rezko’s fundraising for 12 years for Barack.
The suntimes follows Obama’s 17 year friendship with crook Rezko and the hugest piece of lying ever from Obama was when he bought mansion with Rezko help along with adjacent lot, Rezko was under federal investigation. Obama has claimed he did not know Rezko was under investigation and knew of any wrongdoing by Rezko. A huge Lie. All of Chicago knew, as it was in the news for weeks and weeeks. If Obama didn’t know he is either illiterate or incompetent. But everyoine knew that Patrick Fitzgerald of Libby Trial was handing this investigation.
The hubris, the lying are only a part of this. If you are willing to invest the time to download all the material you will find a lot, including letters of recommendation written for Rezko on official stationary asking for official favors. Ann Coulter’s site has all of that on “Obama Exposed”. There are of course other news outlets that covered this, just Google.
Obama is trying to deflect as much as possible, and has evaded the truth when he said he’s answered the suntimes questions. He has not and suntimes contradicts him. He has not been forthright but the way to nail Obama and connect the dots is to do the homework with suntimes and Google.
Also, Obama’s records re: Illinois state senate are not available. Months ago when asked about his voting and proceedural,correspondence,records, Obama replied that he never thought it would have any relevance and doesn’t have them.
This is of course an obvious lie. He also said they would take too long and cost too much to get. Why didn’t camp Hillary ask for these? I’m presuming Clinton doesn’t have them.Someone should bed able to access his records in Illinois Senate.
Thet should be relevatory not only regarding “present votes’ but re: letters written in Rezko’s behalf,records about rehabbed subsidy appproval in Obama district [3rd ward, south side] regarding millions for Rezko rehabbed apts. Eleven buildings with hundreds of apts were in Obama district in legislature, and Obama NEVER made a peep when Rezko let them decay into bankruptcy. Some were left empty and abandoned, or became crack houses.
Obama did legal work on some of these community group approved rehabs through another lawfirm also named in suntimes.Allison Davis, sr. partner of Obama’s lawfirm was a known fixer between community groups,Rezko, and Obama in senate, and ultimately became Rezko’s partner in his Rezmar Co.
Obama’s original bio lists among his talents real estate projects,fiancialts and rehabs, this bio was later changed after suntimes inquiries to “class actions”. The prior info was scrubbed.
Obama is corrupt and has been permitted to respond evasively or not at all with, either specious or outright untruthful answers. I am just a blogger, but cannot do this alone, and more resourceful blog mavens should be all over this.
This calls for experienced digging. It’s all there, and the press loves Obama and won’t be on this unless Obama is nominated when Rove attack machine does this job. And do it well.
We are not even dealing with his ties to professor at Columbia [PLO advisor}. Rev Wright lover of Farrakhan, taking votes from Farrakhan, the incompetence and hubris to send Power and his economic advisors to counter what he tells US Obamatons who are stupidly buying his story without any inquiry for the most important election of our times.
We have not looked into his laziness and looked beyond the NYTimes story of his do nothing record in US senate as he only avoided controversy to build is run as president.
This empty suit opportunist has hypnotized people who want to believe in something larger than reality as it is.
Obama is absolutely corrupt, lazy, evasive, and incompetent with hidden track record. He has even taken money from Exelon lobbyist for $227,000.
Exelon is nuclear energy plant providers home based in illinois. His bundled money should be challenged as well. Only the NYTimes has touched Exelon. Perhaps suntimes has, but this story has legs, and his senate votes on loan subsidies re: nuclear energy suppliers should be examined.
He is getting off easy as press other than Chi suntimes, has let Obama off easy. The blogosphere should marshall their best minds and do this most needed job. It’s all out there to find,
Everone has little pieces of this story. Rezko trial may turn up Obama’s name, but not likely unless Rezko needs to use it as Obama is not on trial.
Let’s hope those among us can do more to get some sunshine on this whole mess. I am still amazed that betting on charisma and oratoty, Democrats
have encouraged this empty suit with a backstory
to be the party’s savior.
I think that the properties were separate but the owner wanted them to sell at the same time, so he couldn’t buy the house unless the vacant property sold at exactly the same time. Tony’s wife paid full price and Obama got a big discount. When it first came to my attention in one of Susan’s diares at kos, I asked if Tony was paying for the gardener, and I guess Obama reads there cause he came out with a statement that he paid the gardening. I didn’t then know that she’d sold him a hunk of it, to make the property she bought be harder to sell and take away any idea that it would have been a smart investment at that time. It’s reeks of favors, and there’s no such thing as a free lunch. Obama didn’t know he’d get to run for president at that time, he hadn’t yet met up with Kennedy and Dashele and ’seen’ his destiny. My guess is that he got depressed after Ohio because there would be more time for this to sink in. He ought to drop out of the race, really, Elliot is expected to give up his elected position for his part in a prostitution ring, and he paid, while Obama’s been paid.
People need to see the dots connected graphically! I think timelines for these complex issues would really make it clear WHY it matters and easier for it to be shown more concisely to the public!
Jamie Rubin was on Tucker last night with documentation clarifying Hillary’s positive role in negotiating peace in Ireland. Does he follow-up on many/most/all distortions of truth re: the Clinton campaign? Would that include the connections between Obama and Rezko? Or only the direct attacks on Hillary? Is it a political no-no [and "attack"]for Hillary’s campaign to expose the deeper revelations of Obama-Rezko connections? How does it work?
The issue with Obama is he knowingly took money from a man who has direct connections to mid east terrorism, IMO, and I’ll bet the mortgage on it.
Clinton, and McCain, hell, ALL of them, most likely have dirty contributors, it’s just a matter of how closely associated they are with an… enemy of America, say.
For instance, and this is just supposition, say Bush took millions of dollars from a wealthy Saudi to bail out Harken energy, and any other number of his business failure, same with Cheney.
And say the Saudi, and a few others, wanted an American presence in the mid east, militarily, to protect oil reserves, and population unrest.
And, if, for instance, Bush accepted illegal monies from this Saudi, in the millions of dollars, (Bush, or Cheney), they would feel obligated to comply, or face blackmail, say.
Or maybe they agree with the Saudi, and see it as a business opportunity to make even more money, who knows?
So , they invent, with the help of some small time PR company, the 9.11 chronicles.
I’m not saying this is true, by any means, but you can see the complications that arise when a politician is directly connected to a man like Auchi.
I don’t see this in the Clinton’s background, despite the smoke youre trying so hard, to blow.
Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear. Rubin presented a case for H. playing a major role in the IRA peace process. He did so because she had been attacked for saying she had been part of the peace process. He clarified her role. My question is whether Rubin or someone else could make the case for Obama’s connection to Rezko, thus indicating his politics are dishonest at best and unworthy of a presidential candidate.Or is that considered a no-no?
Or to phrase it another way-H. has been accused of running attack ads [the 3:00 am telephone call]unfairly. While she and Rubin can defend and clarify her actions, can she point up specific wrong doings on the part of Obama? Or is it a political no-no?
I understand, in some part, the corruption of Bush/Cheney re: the Saudi connections.
I don’t understand why you thought I was “blowing smoke.”
We just posted the video of Rubin — in Alegre’s story about Northern Ireland and Kosovo, a few stories above this one.
I saw it. I loved his interaction with Tucker. Rubin is so articulate and Tucker a bit slow on the uptake.
Looks like Rezko got around, as seen by this picture with Bill & Hillary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Rezko.jpg
Oh, cmon, even for old school this is lame.
Geez, talk about corporate stagnation.
Careful, now.
As explained before, candidates take thousands of pictures, just because a democratically Chicago connected Rezko ended up in one doesn’t mean a thing.
not a smart counter. Now how did this photo come to the attention of the news media, who ‘leaked’ it. Either Tony did it as a favor to Obama or Obama had a copy of his own to release if needed? I mean who else would keep a picture of Tony and the president if not Tony? Those photos ops are for the public to get their picture taken with the president, but who else cares?
I didn’t say anything more than here’s a picture of the guy with the “cancer.”
And I didnt say anything more than light a fire under it sparky.
Don’t you think people KNOW, are you telling people something new?
I mean, we all saw what happened with Bush, no one wants a repeat of another connected President.
I like the one of Abramhoff with Bush myself…LOL
Paul..
I didn’t know Rezko has cancer..Probably from all the Asbestos in those charming apartments of his..
I don’t remember him being under federal Inveastigation at the time this picture was taken..any Indictments then..??Oh…and Rezkos Land deal with Obama ..
No Big deal..Right..??
Whats S650,000 you can’t afford among friends ..
You would do the same for the Obamas..Right..??
Whats S650,000 you can’t afford among friends ..
how about 650 million ? that The Power Plant guy, stole from the CPA / Iraq; that escaped from Iraq with BlackwaterUSA assistance.
What’s up with the 650 thing here? LOL
I’m not happy that Obama is buddies with a scum like Resko, but I like that he returned his campaign money & renounces the guy.
After 17 years he throws him under the bus eh? Was that before or after Rezko bought Obama a house..oops “Mansion” ? Nice move Barak, great judgement there eh?
“I’m not happy that Obama is buddies with a scum like Resko, but I like that he returned his campaign money & renounces the guy.”
I saw it somewhat differently. Hillary returned hers to the person who gave it to her. Obama made a public statement that he gave the money to charity. Talk about Obama making a silk purse out of a sow’s ear-first he made an error in taking the money,then tried to make himself look good by giving the money to charity. He’s cleaner because he took someone else’s money and gave it to charity? Obama is a victim of muddled thinking.
I wonder how much Resko paid to take the picture with the Clinton’s? This guy was spreading it around, but I guess that is how politics is really played.
If you want to be fair you should weigh the donors for Clinton’s presidential library & then see the favors Bill tried to give them. Also Clinton’s amazing amount of pardons for money, reaks to me of the same slimy relationships. But that’s worse IMO.
I’m not happy that Obama is buddies with a scum like Resko, but I like that he returned his campaign money & renounces the guy.
From Syrian men directly connected to terrorism?
They’ve been vetted foo, the biggest risk is Obama.
Hes filthy, and he can’t do the job, the man hasn’t ONE accomplishment under his belt, he’s done NOTHING for the people, LYING.
Read Pundita today, and see how deep Obama is, how he has misrepresented himself to the kos crowd, while he’s really Bush, in democratic clothing.
Sorry, the Clinton’s arent even close to being owned.
And kos crowd was the only one to buy into this shit, and still buy into Obama’s shit, like Bush’s 24 per cent.
$650,000 doesn’t buy favors..??
Was That Repaid..?? When did Obama Return the Other Money..?? Why..?? What did He Know about Rezko..when they became Buddies..??
What did He and Rezko sit around and Smoke and Joke About..? What did obamas wife say about America..??
What do most of Obamas Friends say about America..??
How Many are Radicals and Revolutionarys..??
What have they done do fight for Improving Human Rights and Equality for ALL Races, Colors and Creeds like Hillary Has..??
A White Woman fighting for Black Causes..and Equality..Ehy do you think so many Black Citizens still support Hillary..?
How much Leglislation has Obama Passed..??.He missed 80% of the Votes..
Whats His RECORD..??
What has He done for YOU..??
Lets see who Bush Pardons..beside LIBBY..?
Lets talk about How Much POWER the President Has and How Much He can ABUSE it when He gets It..
President G.W. Bush and Dick Cheney..Lessons Learned.
A~ President Obama will have that Same POWER..Done Deal..
The Question is..How will he and His WIFE..Handle it..??
Oh, they’re going to go after the Clintons the same way they did in the 90’s, huh?
The republicans, that is.
Well, Bill better clean up his donor list, if anything really reeks.
But still, nothing as bad as Bush, Cheney and Obama, and terrorism.
What about McCain?
[...] [SusanUnPC’s Note: I am inserting the video, from my story, “The Rezko Saga: Two Videos:] [...]
[...] “The Rezko Saga: Two Videos [Updated]“ [...]
[...] The Rezko Saga: Two Videos [...]
[...] The Rezko Saga: Two Videos [...]
[...] The Rezko Saga: Two Videos [...]
[...] The Rezko Saga: Two Videos [...]
[...] The Rezko Saga: Two Videos [...]