Thursday, September 26, 2013

What about Corbett?

My old friend, mentor and President of the 1976 version of the Young Democrats of Luzerne County Bob Caruso had a LTE in the CV the other day. He has a few observations and questions for Gov. Cabot Corbett




We in Luzerne County had the opportunity recently to observe our Commonwealth's Superior Court hearing on the merits of Jerry Sandusky's appeal for a new trial in the impressive Court Room 3, of our historical and most beautiful Court House in Pennsylvania. Also on the docket was Commonwealth vs. Veon. Mike Veon being a former state representative convicted in the so-called Bonusgate scandal. Veon, in this case, was accused and convicted of receiving public relations and political benefit at taxpayer's expense. The Commonwealth admits that there was no financial gain by Veon, only public relations and political gain in the relocation of his local office. The attorney for Veon argued that every public office holder in America can be convicted of receiving public relations and political gain at taxpayer expense.


The shadow of one man looms large upon both of these cases, former Attorney General and current Governor, Tom Corbett.
. As attorney general, Corbett assigned one investigator to the Sandusky case, and 23 investigators to the Bonusgate investigation of all four caucuses, Democratic and Republican alike, of the State Legislature, which resulted in the conviction of Veon on charges he received non-financial gain at public expense. Corbett's promise to investigate all four caucuses was not kept. After the investigations of both Democratic caucuses, the investigations were stopped. The conviction of opposing party politicians was more important to Attorney General Corbett, than protecting the vulnerable children in the care of Sandusky. 


Question No. 1 in Pennsylvania is, why did Corbett give so little attention to the Sandusky case? Why Corbett gave so much attention to the Democratic caucuses is self evident. What was it, and why was it, that Corbett was so reluctant to investigate Sandusky? When the shoe finally dropped, how did Corbett react? Joe Paterno was sacrificed, the crazy NCAA sanctions against former Penn State football teams and current players, though there was never any sports cheating, and a stunned citizenship and shocked football fans in Pennsylvania.


What is the impact of the gas drilling industry upon the policies of the Pennsylvania Republican Party and Corbett? What is the impact of the gas drilling industry contributions upon Penn State University's academic integrity? Was there a nod and a wink to not pursue the Sandusky case? Can there be another reason for inattention in the Sandusky case? Corbett has stated that he wants Pennsylvania to be more like Texas. It is not our grandfather's Pennsylvania anymore.
Be careful what you ask for Corbett, you just may get it. You too, can be a victim of your own policies, even worse than Mike Veon.

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