Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are quick to call for the resignation of anyone who says something they consider degrading to others. However, when the shoe is on the other foot, they seem to get a pass time and time again. Who’s getting the pass this time? Jesse Jackson. Does Senator Barack Obama talk down to black people? Apparently Jesse Jackson thinks he does. But, when voicing his thoughts on this, Jackson said some very degrading things about the presidential candidate. I’m not going to write here what he said, but I’m sure you’ve heard by now that Jackson figures Senator Obama should go from a tenor to a soprano.

As Jackson wrapped up an interview with Fox News last Sunday he was asked about the speeches Senator Obama has been giving. Jackson, who says he thought the microphone was turned off, responded by saying he needs to stop “talking down to black people.” He then went on to say, in a very rude and crude way, the Senator needs to have something “cut off.”

First off, Mr. Jackson, maybe it’s time for you to learn something I was taught in first year radio broadcasting — Treat every mic as a hot mic! — Secondly, Mr. Jackson, maybe it’s time for people to figure out you’re really not a nice man. It doesn’t matter whether you thought the microphone was hot or not. Reality is, you’re supposed to be a man of God. You do have a Reverend in front of your name. That means you should simply know better. Such comments should never come from your mouth in the first place. If you were ordained in the organization I’m a leader in, your credentials would be gone. Of course they would have been gone long ago, but this is just another example of why you should not be known as a Reverend.

But here’s the real sticking point in this story. We all know the stories of the people Jackson and Sharpton have gone after for making degrading comments. We also know the outcome of most of their crusades. But in this case, just as usual, Jackson gets a pass. He says he’s sorry, and life goes on. Where is the public outcry? Why does he get a pass? The only answer is a simple one - it’s called hypocrisy, and possibly Jesse Jackson is the biggest hypocrite out there in this case.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

Still reeling from the former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer scandal and his behind closed doors sex nights with a prostitute, it appears his second in command, and now Governor, David Paterson does things behind closed doors too. No, this has nothing to do with his extra-marital affair, while that too was done behind closed doors. This has to do with how the new Governor likes to lead. Actually, he’s not leading, instead he’s making a lot of decisions behind closed doors and then springing them unannounced.

It started with his budget, which was pretty much all planned behind closed doors with him and two other people. Then, after announcing the budget, Governor Paterson likes to go behind closed doors, cut things out of the approved budget, and then spring that on people. Behind closed doors he decided to cut the position of Upstate Economic Director. That after visiting the upstate area saying he’s in full support of discovering new ways to help the upstate economy. But, behind closed doors, it’s a different story. True to some concerns early on, it appears Governor Paterson is more concerned with New York City, which is where he’s from, than anywhere else in New York.

Now, in his latest behind closed doors decision, Governor Paterson decided to issue an edict saying all government agencies must recognize same sex marriages performed in other states. Constitutionally, New York State does not recognize same sex marriages. But, here we have a Governor ignoring the Constitution, and ignoring his role as Govenor to protect the Constitution. Instead, he made a behind closed door decision that says all New York State government agencies must recognize same sex marriages performed in other states. He made the ruling two weeks ago. Then just recently announced his decision, not in person, but on a videotape! He’s taking either a cowards way out to avoid backlash and discussion. Or, we should start calling him Dictator Governor Paterson. In a dictorship way, the Governor has decided he can make any decision he wants, and force it not only on legislators, but the people of New York State.

When will this outrage end? Maybe it’s time to make another change in the Constitution that allows for the recall of a Governor. New York State has a Governor who was not elected by the people. He’s now abusing his power, making behind closed door decisions, and then forcing them on the people of New York State.

Some say Governor Paterson is a kinder leader than Eliot Spitzer was. I for one am beginning to wonder if he’s really a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

The former Attorney General of New York State and of course now the former Governor of New York State should be proud of himself. After being a bully on Wall Street and a sex addicted Governor who lost his position in disgrace, the Eliot Spitzer embarrassment hits Law & Order tonight. The long running NBC hit show has been known to air episodes that some would say are “ripped from the headlines.” The season finale set for tonight is no exception. The plot centers on a murder investigation which in turn leads police to a prostitution ring which counts the governor of New York as one of its clients. Of course who can forget that just a few months ago, former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer made headlines when he resigned after being identified by federal investigators as a client of a high-priced prostitution ring.

Of course Sam Waterson, who plays assistant D.A. Jack McCoy on the series said - quote - “I shouldn’t say we’re doing the Eliot Spitzer story. I should say we’re doing a story about a politician who gets into trouble because of sexual questions…involving prostitution.”

Whatever the case may be, the Spitzer story is pretty much the embarrassment of New York that just keeps on giving.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

From the Your Tax Dollars Hard At Work Files comes yet another example of bad accounting when it comes to the government - especially the New York State government.

The New York Racing Association announced this week it’s closer to emerging from bankruptcy. NYRA holds the state’s franchise to run thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga. The group said a federal judge approved its amended plan to pay back creditors. Just how will they pay the creditors back? Through a $150 million dollar state bailout! That’s right folks, the horse gambling industry in New York State was having money problems, so the New York State government decided to kick in $150 million dollars of taxpayers money to bail out an organization that encourages those with gambling addictions.

Did they have nothing better to do with the money? Hey, lets not forget this is the same state government that doesn’t even know how to balance a budget. When will the madness stop? When will someone step up and question such stupid spending. Of course this announcement comes at the same time New York State government is pondering suspending the gas tax in order to bring the price of gas down. But, some in this same government that so freely hands out money to help bail out a gambling organization are worried that suspending the fuel tax could create a hole in state finances.

I’ve got news for those in Albany, suspending the gas tax is the least of your worries when it comes to creating holes in your spending plan.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

New York State legislators are working feverishly to bring in an on-time budget. It’s probably not going to happen though. The deadline is April 1st, and that of course is rapidly approaching. So, what’s taking so long? Some in leadership have been spending too much time with hookers than working on budget material.

In another interesting twist in As Albany Turns, the new Governor, David Paterson said over the weekend he’s finished talking about his sordid life and things he’s done. You know, things like extra-marital affairs, having the taxpayers PAY for his hotel night stays with his girlfriend, doing marijuana and cocaine. Little things like that.

Well I’m sorry Governor Paterson, but you’re the one who decided to air all of your past, so now it’s fair game. If you were concerned about how your faulty moral compass would effect your ability to lead, you should have thought of that before you decided to run for political office. You should have also thought of that before you decided to have a girlfriend on the side.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

It’s becoming more and more obvious as to why the disgraced former New York State Governor, Eliot Spitzer, picked the now Governor, David Paterson, as his running mate. They both have no morals and no understanding of what’s right and wrong. If the situation in New York State government wasn’t so bad, this could be laughable. After all, what we have playing out in Albany these days could come straight from a bad script for a soap opera.

It’s the continuing story of As Albany Turns…

New York Governor David Paterson gave his first one on one television interview earlier this week since his inauguration.

As a quick re-cap, Paterson rose to power after former Governor Eliot Spitzer was caught in the midst of a sex scandal. Of course the sex scandal is just the tip of the iceberg and that’s a developing story line in the now ever popular As Albany Turns.

In the midst of his first TV interview, Governor Paterson admitted he not only inhaled marijuana, but he even admitted he was once a cocaine-head! That’s right folks. Unlike other Democratic leaders we know and love for setting great examples of “not have sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky, and trying marijuana, but not inhaling,” the new Governor admitted to using not only marijuana, but also cocaine. The new Governor, who’s working hard these days to improve his ever failing image and trying to convince people his moral compass is not broken, said it’s important to be honest with the public. Sure, whatever you say Governor Paterson. Reality is you’re just trying to make sure you don’t end up disgraced like your former pal Spitzer.

And in another development in our As Albany Turns story, a recently released report reveals that Governor Paterson may still be playing footsies with a state employee he once had an affair with.

To recap, a couple weeks ago Paterson admitted his marital infidelity acknowledging that both he and his wife had extra-marital affairs. (I guess that’s what you could call an open marriage agreement). But, he said he’s cut off all contact with the woman he had his fling with.

Now, it’s been discovered that Governor Paterson’s so-called ex-girlfriend traveled with him last year to South Carolina while working on Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Not only did he travel with her to South Carolina, but apparently New York State picked up the tab for the trip too. There’s no word yet on whether the Govenor plans to repay the State for that trip. Earlier in the week when it came out that the State picked up the tab for his motel room fling with his girlfriend, he pledged to repay the money. We’ll wait and see what happens next.

Thanks for tuning in for this episode of As Albany Turns. Be sure to stay tuned as you just never know what will happen next in the capital of New York State.

When the news of Spitzer’s broken moral compass made headlines many in Albany were calling for the impeachment of Spitzer because he was unfit to lead. I’d like to know when the impeachment process will begin for Paterson. After all, it’s becoming quite apparent he is unfit to lead.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

In 1887 John Emerich Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton, wrote his now famous words about power in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton. Lord Acton, an historian and moralist wrote, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.”

If the now disgraced former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer is looking for a phrase to best describe his career, he may want to tap into the wisdom of Lord Acton. Of course we’ve pretty much discovered Spitzer’s moral compass is broken, and has been broken for quite sometime. But now, there’s even more to add to the case of his broken moral compass.

The New York Times is reporting that Spitzer was deeply involved in his administration’s efforts last year to discredit the New York State Senate Majority Leader, Joseph Bruno. Information gathered by the Albany County DA indicates that Spitzer’s participation was extensive and reflected his desire to damage Senator Bruno. The story goes on to say that Spitzer held detailed discussions with senior aides, ordered damaging information about Senator Bruno released and called an aide at home repeatedly to check on the progress of the smear campaign.

Should this surprise anyone? No!

When the whole Troopergate Scandal started I’ve always said Spitzer knew what was going on. He’s a pathological liar who’s now getting caught up in the web of lies he’s spun through the years. He’s watching everything he did throughout his career, come tumbling down around him. I’ve also said from the beginning that Spitzer knew what was going on. All the news jockeys need to do is go back into their files and find one of the very first interviews done with Spitzer when the Troopergate story broke. He was walking along a sidewalk with a can of Coke in his hand. Someone asked him about the investigation and Spitzer’s response was, “My office was simply responding to a Freedom of Information Act request.” In other words, Spitzer was well aware of what was going on, and he even had his pre-scripted response ready. But, when the heat was turned up, Spitzer forget about that lie, and then spun another one saying he didn’t know what was going on.

Lord Acton said “Great men are almost always bad men.” I’d like to amend that statement a little — Bad men are usually corrupt men hiding behind a facade, trying to create the illusion that they are great men.

William Pitt, the British Prime Minister from 1766 to 1778 said in a speech to the UK House of Lords in 1770, “Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.” Once again, one must wonder if those comments came as a foreshadowing of the downfall of Eliot Spitzer.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

New York State government is a mess, and it continues to look worse day after day.

Former Governor Eliot Spitzer disgraced the state when it came out he liked to hang with high-priced hookers. In the midst of that scandal he was forced to step down. Some wondered if he used campaign or government money to pay for his hookers. A recent report says he did not do that. Of course, even though he may not have used government money to pay for the hookers, he certainly used government money to travel to the motels for his late night flings.

But wait…there’s more!

In light of the weekend report outlining the fact that the Associated Press did not find evidence that Spitzer used government money for his hooker flings, another story came out about the new Governor, David Paterson. The more I hear about this man, the more I wonder what’s in store for New York. It’s becoming apparent that his moral standards may be even lower than Spitzers’!

In a weekend news report we’ve discovered that Governor David Paterson has “paid back his campaign for two nights at a Manhattan motel.” Why is he paying the money back? Again, quoting from the story, “Paterson admitted he used a campaign credit card to pay for a hotel stay with his girlfriend.” The story goes on to say that even Paterson’s lawyer admitted that the former State Senator used the campaign credit card to pay for personal expenses of his sex filled night with the girlfriend he was having an affair with. That’s right folks, this is a continuation of his affair fallout.

Does Paterson think he can simply slip out of this huge moral lapse simply by saying he’s sorry? Apparently so. The sad thing is, for the most part, this story is sliding under the radar and very few are concerned about it. But, the bottom line is this, Paterson is yet another example of a leader, who doesn’t know the first thing about leading. A leader sets an example for all to follow. What message are we getting from Paterson? Is this an example that should be set before the State? Paterson’s example says it’s fine to have an affair, it’s fine to pay for it on the company expense card. As long as no one knows about it, it’s all fine. But, if you need to save your skin, then just come out and tell the world of your mistakes, and life will go on as usual.

This is not leadership. New York State should once again call for the resignation of Paterson before we discover even more issues. It appears the new Governor is like an onion with numerous layers. We now see the layers being peeled back. The sad thing is, as each layer of the onion is peeled off, we discover more of the house stinking up from the smell.

Lets stop the stench now.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

What we have here is a failure to lead. What we have here is a disgrace of leadership. What we have here is a leadership vacuum.

History will reveal we’re living in a time of a leadership void and vacuum. Leaders are supposed to know better. Leaders are supposed to set an example of what’s right and wrong. While setting that example they should of course also be doing what’s right NOT what’s wrong. But, such is simply not the case these days. Instead we hear of leaders doing stupid things, behaving poorly, and in many cases, being arrested for their inappropriate behavior. History will reveal this is a generation living on a slipperly slope of immorality, corruption and crime.

The disgraced Eliot Spitzer officially lost his position this week after being caught in an FBI wire tap booking a high priced hooker. Of course that’s just the tip of the iceberg and I’m sure in the days ahead the nation will discover just how big a criminal Spitzer really is. But now, adding insult to injury for New York State, just hours after the new Governor, who was Spitzer’s right hand man took the oath of office, it was revealed in the Daily News in what was an exclusive two day interview, that both the new Governor, David Paterson AND his wife have admitted to having extramarital affairs. That’s right folks, you just read that right. Here we go again. David Paterson, the new Governor of New York State and his wife Cheryl have both had extramarital affairs.

I guess we should have expected no less of a man who was hand picked by Spitzer to be his running mate. It’s now obvious Spitzer has no moral compass, and it’s becoming apparent the new Governor has no moral compass either. In the interview Cheryl Paterson said — quote — “Life is very fragile and you never know what could happen.” That’s for sure. Life is fragile for both you and your husband, and apparently neither of you care about promises or commitment. Right out of the gate the new Governor and his wife have revealed a lack of a moral compass. If they’ve failed in their marriage and commitment to one another, how can anyone trust him to remain faithful to his commitment to the people of New York State? If neither David Paterson nor his wife Cheryl can remain faithful to one another in what’s the most intimate connection, there’s no way they can remain faithful to promises made to strangers.

It’s time for all leaders to take an inventory of not only their lives, but also their moral compass. It’s time for all leaders to ask the question — Am I setting an example of character and integrity for those around me? — If the answer is no, then it’s time for those leaders to step down. The very fabric of a nation, and the fabric of a generation watching them very closely, hangs in the balance.

Maybe the leaders of today need to find a new phrase to live by. Instead of saying - “If it feels right just do it.” They should repeat the following phrase over and over and over again - “You can never go wrong, by doing what’s right.”

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus

Come Monday, March 17 he will be known as former Governor Eliot Spitzer. He will also be known as the man who should have known better. He was a lawyer, the Attorney General of New York State, and someone who enforced law. But, obviously Spitzer thought he was above the law. In the end, as one law enforcement officer recently told me, he’s another example of a stupid criminal. That’s right folks, lets stop the pity-party-parade here for Spitzer and realize he’s nothing more than a criminal who bullied people and broke the law.

I’ve found it amazing how in this media-hyped sex-driven culture very few media outlets, or commentators, are talking about what really went on here. Instead, the sex scandal angle is pushed to the forefront, which in turn makes many people say - “Hey, it’s no big deal. It was just sex.” - Well, it goes beyond the sex scandal. As a matter of fact, it was Spitzers use of money, and transfering money around from one bank account to another bank account that led up to all of this!

That’s right folks, it’s less about sex and more about money.

For this very reason, Spitzer is in more trouble than many think. The case involving Spitzer started when banks noticed frequent cash transfers from several accounts and filed suspicious activity reports with the IRS. When the accounts were traced back to Spitzer, the case was then handed over to public corruption investigators. Once the FBI got involved, they set up wire taps, which in turn caught Spitzer in the sex scandal.

In other words, follow the money trail. This is less about sex and more about money. Eliot Spitzer was moving money around. Where did the money come from? I believe that’s where the real story is, and time will tell just how much of a criminal Spitzer really is.

It’s time to forget about Client 9 and wonder what Spitzer’s prison number might be.

Just my two cents,
Dr. Rus