The White House has not identified which “single real estate investment” Jarrett has retained. Taxpayers have to take the White House at its word that the property “has nothing to do with the Olympic bid.” The other divestments do not absolve her of conflict of interest questions. She is involved directly in self-dealing — lobbying HUD with the Chicago 2016 bid chair Lori Healey to siphon federal funding for the $1 billion Olympic Village. Jarrett’s former slum-breeding real estate firm, The Habitat Company, still stands to benefit from Olympic Village contracts:
The biggest building project by far would be the Olympic Village, to be constructed on land the city has agreed to buy for $86 million. The city will use an unspecified amount of property tax revenues to pay for infrastructure costs such as new streets and sewers for the development, which would be turned into a new residential community even if the city doesn’t win the Olympics. Chicago hopes to sidestep Vancouver-type problems, Ryan said, by using multiple developers and lenders on the village development. “Vancouver selected a single long-term financial partner, and that’s where the problem came.” Eleven developers have already expressed interest in the property, including Joseph Freed & Associates, Magellan Development Group, Related Midwest and a team made up of Enterprise Development, Fogelson Properties and Forest City Enterprises, of Cleveland. Another interested party is Habitat Co., whose former chief executive was Valerie Jarrett. Before becoming a senior adviser to President Barack Obama, Jarrett was a vice chairman of the Chicago bid team.
And, of course, she is the current de facto Olympics czar in the White House. Jarrett presided over the gross deterioration of public housing. Many of the same city housing officials who stood watch over these failures are now on the 2016 bid committee with interest-conflicted developers like Michael Scott Jr. Martin Nesbitt, Jarrett’s old family friend and Obama’s finance chair, is currently on the panel and head of the Chicago Housing Authority. The untold story is the “public-private partnership” racket between developers and Chicago government of which Jarrett was an integral part. As de facto Olympics czar, she has used White House authority, staffing, and budget to push for the mass redistribution of wealth from ordinary citizens to Chicago’s richest power brokers and real estate moguls.
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More crony Olympic/Real estate deals. From the Chicago Tribune:
Chicago 2016 member Michael Scott works out of developer Gerald Fogelson's office
A key member of Mayor Richard Daley's Olympic committee has a long business relationship with a developer vying to build the billion-dollar Olympic Village, the grandest piece of Chicago's plans for the 2016 Summer Games.
Chicago 2016 committee member Michael Scott also served as a consultant to the developer on a condominium project near the proposed athletes village, a development that would increase in value if the city wins the Olympics.
Scott, who negotiated key components of the $1.2 billion Olympic Village plan, said his business relationship with the developer, Gerald Fogelson, does not interfere with his role with the bid team. Chicago 2016 officials declined to say whether Scott's relationship with Fogelson was a problem, with Daley's Olympic team poised to spend billions of dollars in coming years.
But Scott's multiple roles as a private developer, mayoral confidant and member of the city's Olympic committee raises anew concerns about insider dealings in a city where Daley allies have long benefited from civic projects the mayor champions. City Hall insiders for years have profited under Daley's administration in myriad deals, from minority contracting to leasing trucks to scooping up prime city-owned land.
Scott, who works out of Fogelson's office, acknowledged he did work on the ongoing Eastgate Village condominium project, but said he provided limited services -- free -- as a favor to the millionaire developer.
"I had no financial interest. I didn't do any real work," Scott said.
Fogelson also described Scott's work as a favor. "He's a longtime friend. He offices here. He's done us favors. We've done him favors," Fogelson said Thursday. "We have other business dealings with him that date back a long time."
Earlier this summer, Scott moved to sever his ties to another development after the Tribune revealed his role in plans to build a housing and retail project near the proposed Olympic cycling venue on the West Side. Fogelson was not involved in that venture. Scott said he was working for free on that project also, advising a group of ministers. Chicago 2016 officials advised him to end his involvement.
Scott said he did not disclose his ties to Fogelson to Chicago 2016 because he sees no conflict of interest. But a Chicago 2016 spokesman said officials knew of Scott's relationship with Fogelson.
In an e-mail, Patrick Sandusky said no contracts have yet been awarded for development and if the city wins the games on Oct. 2, Chicago 2016 would be dissolved and a new organizing committee would "have a public and open bidding process for the village development."
Fogelson is among a dozen developers who have formally notified Chicago 2016 of their interest in the Olympic Village project. The village would boost property values for Eastgate and other developments, Fogelson said. Scott, currently the president of the Chicago Board of Education, has served Daley and three previous mayors in a series of appointed positions. Along the way he has become a real estate developer, involved in various projects.
Public records show that in 2002 Fogelson and Scott formed a partnership -- FS Associates LLC -- to develop city-owned land in the West Side Austin neighborhood into condominiums. Fogelson withdrew from the deal before the project was built, and Scott formed a new partnership with David Doig, former superintendent of the Chicago Park District.
Scott currently has an office in Fogelson's building and his business e-mail has a Fogelson Properties address.
Fogelson acknowledged a longtime business relationship with Scott but declined to discuss their dealings.
"I don't feel that it's anybody's business to know all the various real estate and other activities we're engaged in," Fogelson said. "I don't think there's anything improper about that. We try to stay under the radar."
Scott, too, declined to discuss his relationship with Fogelson beyond their sharing of office space.
Scott, who is black, said he advised Fogelson on building the development in a predominantly African-American neighborhood just south of the McCormick Place convention center, including arranging for radio personality Herb Kent to act as master of ceremonies for a promotional event.
"I helped them get an emcee and gave them ideas for marketing to the African-American community," Scott said. "I am not the developer."
Others recall Scott's role as more active. "I know Mike Scott. I know he was part of it. He was involved," said Madeline Haithcock, the former alderman for the area.
A Web site marketing Eastgate Village identified Scott as a development partner in a July 2008 account about a street-naming ceremony.
Ald. Robert Fioretti, 2nd, said he didn't learn of Scott's involvement in Eastgate until he saw him at the street-naming ceremony in late 2007. But Fioretti said he first became aware of their business relationship earlier that year when he visited Fogelson's office soon after becoming alderman. Fioretti recalled looking over plans in the office when Scott walked into the room.
"I was like, 'Wow, OK. This explains a lot about who's who and what's what in this city,' " Fioretti said.
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12:43 PM
NEPTUNE Member
Posts: 10199 From: Ticlaw FL, and some other places. Registered: Aug 2001
First of all, she's a journalist and that's not dependent on whether you like or agree with her. But secondly, and I KNEW you'd fall into this trap, her article references other sources such as the Chicago Tribune and ChicagoBusiness.com. I even linked and quoted the Tribune article.
You never get tired of failing, and having your ass handed to you, do you?
Neptune's new nickname: Innept-une
[This message has been edited by fierobear (edited 10-05-2009).]
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01:42 PM
Oct 6th, 2009
Rickady88GT Member
Posts: 10655 From: Central CA Registered: Dec 2002
So--when are you going to start chastising all those who want free or subsidized medical care from their country?
Didn't think so.
That J F Kennedy quote is quoted from "PFF Code is on" found on the left side of your screen. Originally posted there by Cliff Pennock. You're gonna need a VERY long rope if you want to hang Cliff Pennock for that one, bubba.
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Mean People Suck
[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 10-06-2009).]
That J F Kennedy quote is quoted from "PFF Code is on" found on the left side of your screen. You're gonna need a VERY long rope if you want to hang Cliff Pennock for that one, bubba.
more Spin. Cliff didn't post it in this thread. You posted it--in your reply.
Are you going to answer the question or not?
[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 10-06-2009).]
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09:36 AM
cliffw Member
Posts: 37835 From: Bandera, Texas, USA Registered: Jun 2003
First of all, she's a journalist and that's not dependent on whether you like or agree with her. You never get tired of failing, and having your ass handed to you, do you?
Neptune's new nickname: Innept-une
Again with the name calling, combined with an ignorant, uninformed post. Typical.
Michelle Malkin is NOT a journalist. She doesn't even claim to be a journalist!
I’m a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, author, and Fox News Channel contributor. My other blog is Hot Air. http://michellemalkin.com/about/
Do you see the word 'journalist' in her own self description? No.
Like most of the FOX 'news' faithful, you're spouting false facts.
quote
A 2003 study found Fox viewers more likely to be misinformed than those who get their news elsewhere.
Back to the Olympics, Just to clear up ANOTHER misconception by those who rely on Fox and talk radio for 'information" :
quote
Each of the four cities vying for the [olympic] bid will have a head of state at the vote. Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama of Japan was the final leader to confirm his travel plans, with the announcement made Monday, shortly after Mr. Obama’s. Almost immediately, I.O.C. members and others questioned the necessity of having top leaders drop everything to make the trip. In recent years, it has become increasingly common for a country’s top leader to lobby the I.O.C. Prime Minister Tony Blair of England was said to have won the 2012 Games for London over Paris and New York, arriving in Singapore before the 2005 vote and staging individual meetings with I.O.C. members. Vladimir V. Putin, the president of Russia, was thought to have won votes and the 2014 Games for Sochi when he addressed the membership in English.
In a teleconference last week, Jacques Rogge, the I.O.C. president, said it was an honor — not a requirement — that the cities have their country’s top leaders at the vote.
The US House of Representatives defines a journalist thusly as covered under the Shield Law: H.R, 985
quote
The term “covered person” means a person who regularly gathers, prepares, collects, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports, or publishes news or information that concerns local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest for dissemination to the public for a substantial portion of the person’s livelihood or for substantial financial gain and includes a supervisor, employer, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate of such covered person
Senate version: S.448
quote
i) with the primary intent to investigate events and procure material in order to disseminate to the public news or information concerning local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest, regularly gathers, prepares, collects, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports, or publishes on such matters by— (I) conducting interviews; (II) making direct observation of events; or (III) collecting, reviewing, or analyzing original writings, statements, communications, reports, memoranda, records, transcripts, documents, photographs, recordings, tapes, materials, data, or other information whether in paper, electronic, or other form; and (ii) has such intent at the inception of the newsgathering process;
Main Entry: journalist Part of Speech: noun Definition: person who writes about factual events for a living Synonyms: announcer, broadcaster, columnist, commentator, contributor, correspondent, cub, editor, hack, media person, newspaper person, newsperson, pencil pusher, press, publicist, reporter, scribe, scrivener, stringer, television commentator, writer
Oh, and a little further down the page from YOUR link:
Despite my online presence, I was born and remain an ink-stained wretch. I started my newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and have been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999.
Oh, and I noticed that while you're still on Malkin, you completely skipped over the Chicago Tribune links I gave, which proved my point. Too bad you're not man enough to admit it.
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03:09 PM
frontal lobe Member
Posts: 9042 From: brookfield,wisconsin Registered: Dec 1999
Sad, really sad. Hooray. The USA lost. WTF? Certain Forum members are showing their true colors, and they ain't pretty ones.
What you are TRYING to do is draw a parallel between republicans being happy the USA lost, and democrats being happy when we were "losing" the war.
Well, if you can't see THAT little distinction, you have a MAJOR problem.
Many of us never thought having the Olympics in Chicago was a good idea. And so for Obama to go strutting in like a peacock at the 11th hour and thinking a fawning world would be swayed by his mere presence, we are GLAD he AND YOU got a view of how the rest of the world REALLY feels about him.
Oh, the whole world LOVES Obama and they will LOVE US now that HE is president. Uh, yeah. The world loves Obama because he is a sucker and a dupe they can manipulate. And they love him WHEN HE IS BASHING the U.S. They don't GET WHY he would. But they LOVE it.
Do they love HIM? No. You people were always SO outraged at how ARROGANT Bush made the U.S. look because he stood up to people. Yet you just can't see how ARROGANT the world saw Obama for thinking he could just strut in and make them vote the Olympics for the U.S.
Losing the Olympics?? Big deal. Ooh. What a BLOW to America! And you dare contrast that to democrats being glad A WAR is going poorly? That's PATHETIC. Whether you were for going to war in the first place (WHICH THE DEMOCRATS WERE), and were upset that Bush tricked you into supporting it (which good people can disagree on), once in the war, ALL should have wanted it to go well.
Regarding republicans being happy the unemployment numbers are horrible, I can't join those that are gleeful about it. They should be sad. What they SHOULD be saying is that it is sad, BUT IT IS PREDICTABLE. Considering Obama used FAILED economic ideas from the Jimmy Carter 1970's (yeah, real hope and change. Follow the Jimmy Carter playbook to the letter), what did one expect?
But gleeful about it. Nope. Too far. Gleeful about Obama getting shone how he is really thought of when he was being the arrogant person he is? Yeah. Gleeful about americans not having jobs? No.
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04:30 PM
NEPTUNE Member
Posts: 10199 From: Ticlaw FL, and some other places. Registered: Aug 2001
Still waiting for you to post that quote. IF you can post it, I'll apologize. If you can't, you owe me.
Whats the matter, Rickady88GT?
I'm waiting for my apology from you.
Or my opportunity to apologize TO you.
I know you're reading this.
Where's the quote you spoke of? I already gave you instructions on how to post a quote, and got beat up for doing it.
When did I call you a stupid childish name, like the other PFF "owners" do to me EVERY DAY? I have posted this question before. Don't sink to Fierobear and Cliffw's level, be a man. Where are you? Show me.
[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 10-06-2009).]
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09:19 PM
partfiero Member
Posts: 6923 From: Tucson, Arizona Registered: Jan 2002
I'm referring to PFF members who haven't matured past the sixth grade form of insults on this forum. Please support your dose of vitriol with a quote from a post where I called another adult forum member a childish, schoolyard name like A hole, dummy, prick, hack, etc. Or where I threatened to HANG another forum member if he dared to visit my state.
I'm sticking to the high ground here. Unless or until you can prove me wrong.
Which is why you guys can't even buy a vote these days.
quote
Originally posted by GT86:
I have read his books. He's an idiot.
quote
Originally posted by NEPTUNE:
Yeah, right. As my father used to say:" It takes one to know one."
Still waiting for you to post that quote. IF you can, I'll apologise. If you can't, you owe me.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by NEPTUNE:
If you're going to call me a liar, you'd better have something to back it up, pirate wannabe. By something, I mean actual quotes or maybe even facts.
I didn't think so. Or, you can just enjoy swimming in the sewer with Fierobear and the other childish name callers. BTW, most AMERICANS agree with me. Who's the liar?
My bad, you only called me a childish name caller and sewer swimmer AND a pirate wannabe. Because your opinion goes against Obamas ratings polls.
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05:18 PM
fierobear Member
Posts: 27106 From: Safe in the Carolinas Registered: Aug 2000
Originally posted by Rickady88GT: My bad, you only called me a childish name caller and sewer swimmer AND a pirate wannabe. Because your opinion goes against Obamas ratings polls.
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