Seperated At Birth Continued: Jon Corzine & BTK Killer Dennis Rader

Jon CorzineDennis Rader


Corzine's Ex-NYC Condo Sells For $18.2M

Despite the fears of many brokers and owners, the big-ticket real estate market in Manhattan still seems to be percolating along. The former Park Avenue apartment of freshman U.S. senator and ex-Goldman Sachs co-head Jon Corzine has been sold--again--for $18.2 million.

Even though Corzine (D-N.J.) and his wife, Joanne, bought the unfinished duplex condo in June 2000 for $9.5 million, the couple never lived there. Corzine, who kept his longtime home in Summit, N.J., sold the apartment to Alan Meltzer, chief executive of privately held music company Wind-Up Entertainment, in August 2001 for nearly twice what they paid for it. Now Meltzer has sold the apartment for a small profit to an unnamed buyer.

The apartment remains unfinished. Tristan Harper of Insignia Douglas Elliman brokered the deal.


Source: Forbes.com http://www.forbes.com/2002/01/04/0104movers.html

Head of Marlin racing clan dies at 73

Head of Marlin racing clan dies at 73

By Ryan Smithson, NASCAR.COM
August 14, 2005
12:50 PM EDT (16:50 GMT)

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Clifton "Coo-Coo" Marlin, whose love of auto racing eventually led to three generations of drivers, died Sunday.

Mr. Marlin was 73. He had been suffering from lung cancer.

Coo-Coo Marlin was a farmer and cattleman who raced on and off through the 1960s and 1970s. He never scored an official victory, but he derived great satisfaction in 1994 when his son Sterling won the Daytona 500.

The elder Marlin is generally considered to be the first driver from middle Tennessee to rise to national prominence in NASCAR. The Marlins live in Columbia, Tenn., and Sterling Marlin continues to live there.

Marlin was one of the sport's earliest stars, a hard-nosed racer who made his name racing around the short tracks in Tennessee and Alabama.

He became a regular at the Tennessee Fairgrounds, running against the likes of Bobby and Donnie Allison and Red Farmer.

Marlin won his first title at the Fairgrounds in 1959. He added titles in 1962, then again in 1966 and 1967. His four titles are a record at the track.

Marlin moved onto NASCAR, where he made 165 Cup starts from 1966 to 1980. He had no wins, but earned nine top-fives and 51 top-10 finishes. His series best points finish was 20th in the 1975 season.

Sterling Marlin left Watkins Glen on Thursday to be with his father, who passed away early Sunday morning. Scott Pruett will drive Marlin's No. 40 Dodge in Sunday's Sirius at the Glen.

The Marlins have asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Coo-Coo's name to the American Lung Association.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Bill's Comment: Scott Pruett, who filled in today for Sterling Marlin in the Coors Light (#40) Dodge, finished fourth, after having to start from the back. Thank you for a good showing, Scott.

Seperated At Birth: Jon Corzine & BTK Killer Dennis Rader

Joyce Comments: The side-by-side resemblance should say it all. They look uncannily and unsettlingly like twins. Both are criminals the difference one is a white collar criminal and the other is a cold-blooded blue collar one.

Jon CorzineDennis Rader

Corzine Boast: Record of accomplishment for the state - securing federal funds.

Fact: Worst record in securing federal funds - for every dollar of income tax New Jersey taxpayers send to the federal government New Jersey receives 57¢ in return, the lowest return in the nation.

Corzine Boast: Rose to become CEO Goldman Sachs.

Fact: Became CEO of Goldman Sachs in the Fall of 1994 and fired at the end of 1998 when his executive-committee colleagues unanimously voted to remove him from his post as CEO. It’s hard to believe any CEO of a Wall Street firm could have been fired during the go-go years of the 1990’s. A firm on auto-pilot would have raked in the dough.

Corzine Boast: Principled leader who rises above partisan politics.

Fact: Digging all the back to yesterday for an example: In a conference call with reporters Monday (March 21, 2005), Sen. John Corzine, D-NJ, one of the leading opponents of the president's plan, said Cheney had "a virtual career of disdain for Social Security," and compared his appearances to sending Saddam Hussein to campaign for democracy in Iraq.

If this is Corzine’s idea of a principled leader who rises above partisan politics, we don’t want to be around when things get ugly


Source: Enlighten-New Jersey http://enlightennj.blogspot.com/2005/03/who-is-jon-corzine-fact-check.html

8/7/05 - A Brief Message from Bill

Hello readers,
I just wanted to take a minute to say, "Thank You very much!", for reading my blog. I have had tons of fun doing this. To date, there are around 450 posts here. Old news is only old when you heard about it, is one of the things I usually say.

I am here to tell you that I will be taking a breather from doing this. I have issues of higher importance to address at this time, which will deprive the time of researching and making posts. I hope that you find something enlightening in the prior posts.

To all- Take care, and I will catch up to y'all later!

Bill

Loser First-Date Locations

Loser First-Date Locations

Brought to you by Sara Eckel and Match.com!

You'd like to think the success of a first date is all about chemistry, connection, good conversation...but sometimes, where you are and what you're doing can play a key role in whether things go well or not. So, if you want to start a potential relationship off on good footing, please, we beg you, listen to what our 2,000 survey respondents said, and don't take your love interest on the following dates.

81% of you would avoid...family functions
Your date will be nervous enough trying to impress you--don't make them audition for family and friends too. "Who needs that pressure?" says Wyatt, 32, from Lafayette, Colorado. "My family is so far from normal I wouldn't let a date near them."

34% of you would avoid...dance clubs
Loud music, pulsing lights, guys without shirts...need we say more? "Everyone's on the prowl. That would be very uncomfortable," explains Rosie, 31, from Modesto, California. We have to agree.

31% of you would avoid...movies
You spend two lame hours staring at a screen, not getting to know each other...plus there's always a risk the flick will contain a sex scene or something even more awkward. John, 28, from Boston, recalls taking a date to a David Lynch film. "Her reaction was, 'Why did you take me to this?'" he says.

28% of you would avoid...bars
Many people think alcohol is the perfect social lubricant for a first encounter, but it can lead to trouble. "No way," says Jim, 41, from Canton, Michigan. "I might say or do something foolish."

24% of you would avoid...sporting events
Any place that involves face paint, the wave, and angry drunk guys screaming at the referee is no venue for a soul mate connection. William, 23, from Upland, Indiana also points out they don't bring out the best in men: "Guys can seem a little too aggressive, and women might find that scary."

15% of you would avoid...the beach
Just because you like strolling hand in hand seaside doesn't meet you should do it on your first meeting. Karen, 28, from Dallas, concurs. "It's hard enough to pick out a cute little black dress," she says. "How do you pick out a perfect bikini?"

15% of you would avoid...comedy shows
If the comic is bad, that lame vibe will extend to the entire evening. "Comedy is great when it's good. But horrid when it's bad," says Anne, 37, from Spokane, Washington.

13% of you would avoid...mini-golf
Trying to outsmart that little windmill is great fun--if you're ten years old. "If you're anything like me, you're clumsy when you're nervous...Bad idea for a first date!" says Angie, 28, from Lima, Ohio.

11% of you would avoid...theme restaurants
Never take a first date to a restaurant where your waiter is dressed like Chubby Checker, Fred Flintstone or Quasimodo. Beth, 32, from Brooklyn, New York, recalls her awful date at a medieval-themed restaurant. "You have to either pretend there aren't people in bloomers delivering your food, or keep making jokes like, 'I think I'll have the ye olde steak,'" she says.

9% of you would avoid...museums
A first date is a time to kick back and relax, not solemnly contemplate the works of the great masters. "It's a little too much intellectual stimulation for a first date," says Amy, 27, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

9% of you would avoid...coffee houses
Many people think that meeting for coffee is an easy, breezy way to meet cute. But let's face it: It's hardly romantic. Or as Sandi, 40, from Tampa, Florida, put it: "Borrrrring!"

Sara Eckel writes for Glamour, Self, and Cosmopolitan--and actually wouldn't mind going mini-golfing on a first date.

Note: Percentages add up to more than 100% because some respondents made multiple selections.

Eddie Murphy's Wife Files for Divorce

Eddie Murphy's Wife Files for Divorce

By Associated Press
Fri Aug 5, 10:53 PM

LOS ANGELES - Actor-comedian Eddie Murphy's wife filed for divorce Friday, citing irreconcilable differences, his publicist confirmed.

Murphy and his wife, Nicole, married in 1993 and have been separated since July. They have four daughters and one son, ages 3 to 15, according to divorce papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

"The welfare of our children is our main concern, and their best interest is our first priority," the 44-year-old actor said in a statement issued through his publicist, Paul Bloch.

The former "Saturday Night Live" star's film credits include the "Beverly Hills Cop," "The Nutty Professor" and "Dr. Doolittle" movies.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Justice, SEC Investigate DaimlerChrysler

Justice, SEC Investigate DaimlerChrysler

By KEN THOMAS, Associated Press Writer
Fri Aug 5, 5:00 PM ET

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department is investigating whether DaimlerChrysler AG paid bribes to foreign officials with the knowledge of its senior executives, the automaker disclosed in its latest financial filings.

The criminal investigation is tied to an inquiry opened last year by the Securities and Exchange Commission after an employee fired by the automaker said he was dismissed for complaining that the company was using secret bank accounts to bribe government officials.

DaimlerChrysler said it was cooperating with the investigations by "voluntarily sharing with the DOJ and the SEC information from its own internal investigation of payments from certain accounts" and complying with subpoenas from both federal agencies.

A DaimlerChrysler spokesman, Toni Melfi, confirmed that the investigation was linked to the SEC probe.

An internal investigation has identified accounts, transactions and payments that "are the subject of special scrutiny," but the company has not reached any definitive conclusions about whether they violate the law, DaimlerChrysler said in its interim report to the SEC on its financial performance in the second quarter of 2005.

The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits the payment of bribes to foreign officials.

The inquiries come amid a transitional period for the world's fifth-largest automaker. DaimlerChrysler CEO Juergan Schrempp announced last week that he would step down at the end of the year and be succeeded by Dieter Zetsche, who has led the U.S.-based Chrysler Group. Schrempp will leave two years before the end of his contract.

The disclosure in the SEC filing came about a week after 53-year-old Rudi Kornmayer, the managing director of a Mercedes plant in Nigeria, shot and killed himself in a park in Esslingen, Germany, on July 22. Prosecutors in Stuttgart, Germany, said he left a suicide note but that it provided no details about the bribery claims.

Justice Department spokesman Bryan Sierra declined to comment Friday. The Wall Street Journal first reported on the Justice Department investigation on Friday.

David Bazzetta, a former employee in the automaker's corporate auditing department, claimed in a lawsuit filed last year in U.S. District Court in Detroit that he learned during a corporate audit executive meeting in Stuttgart that payment of bribes was a common practice dating to before Daimler-Benz's 1998 merger with Chrysler Corp.

The suit was settled last month. Terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

The company noted that Bazzetta's whistleblower allegations were dismissed by a federal judge and the Labor Department. The company said the decisions validated "our position that his claim was without merit."

Several nations have tried to crack down on bribery in recent years. Nearly three dozen countries have agreed to adopt tougher anti-corruption laws, which have imposed criminal penalties on companies found guilty of bribery.

The State Department estimated last year that between May 2003 and April 2004, 47 contracts worth $15 billion may have been affected by bribes paid to foreign officials by non-U.S. companies.

DaimlerChrysler U.S. shares fell 31 cents to close at $49.20 Friday on the New York Stock Exchange.

___

Associated Press writers Mark Sherman in Washington and Matt Moore in Frankfurt, Germany, contributed to this report.

___

On the Net:

DaimlerChrysler AG: http://www.daimlerchrysler.com

Knotts' Poor Health Forces Hometown Festival Cancellation

Knotts' Poor Health Forces Hometown Festival Cancellation

POSTED: 11:04 am EDT August 3, 2005
UPDATED: 11:27 am EDT August 3, 2005

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- The failing health of Don Knotts is forcing his hometown of Morgantown, W. Va., to postpone a parade and film festival in his honor.

Stacey Brodak, the executive director of the Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau, said a doctor for the 81-year-old Emmy-winning actor advised him not to travel across the country from his home in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Brodak cited "escalating health issues," but did not elaborate.

Knotts, who has dozens of film credits is best known as the bumbling Deputy Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show."

He also played would-be swinger landlord Ralph Furley on "Three's Company."

This fall, he'll be the voice of Turkey Mayor in the animated Disney film "Chicken Little."

Brodak said three events will go on as planned this month -- the unveiling of a sidewalk star, the first meeting of the local Don Knotts Fan Club and a display of Knotts memorabilia.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Easing of Northwest Logging Rules Blocked

Easing of Northwest Logging Rules Blocked

By GENE JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
Tue Aug 2, 8:01 PM ET

SEATTLE - A federal judge struck down a move by the Bush administration to ease logging restrictions in the Northwest, saying the government failed to consider the effect on rare plants and animals.

U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman said in her ruling Monday that under federal law, authorities had an obligation to show why the logging restrictions should be changed.

Pechman said she would not issue any specific injunctions pending further hearings, and the U.S. Forest Service said Tuesday it hopes to salvage the Bush initiative by fixing the problems cited by the judge.

The rule change, which took effect in the spring of 2004, said forest managers no longer had to look for rare species before logging. The timber industry had complained for years that the rules were overly intrusive and could take years to complete.

Instead, the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management were to use information provided by state officials in Washington, Oregon and California in determining whether to allow logging, prescribed burns, and trail- or campground-building.

The change applied to 5.5 million acres of old-growth and other forests in the Northwest.

A coalition of environmental groups sued to stop the change, saying it would double logging on federal land in the region and have disastrous consequences for rare species. They cheered the ruling Tuesday.

"That's a huge decision for people who care about old-growth forests in our region and the species that depend on them," said Dominick DellaSala, a forest ecologist with the World Wildlife Fund, one of the plaintiffs in the case.

Rex Holloway, a regional spokesman for the Forest Service, said the agency's lawyers were reviewing the decision and the "inadequacies" pointed out by the judge.

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Bills Comment: The liberal, activist, environmentalist whacko judges strike again!