Connecticut's worthless and corrupt U.S. Senator Chris Dodd looks even worse, if that's possible, as testimony leaks from the ethics committee investigating his cozy relationship with crooked banks.
Two powerful Senate Democrats said Tuesday that they knew they got low mortgage-rate deals in a lender's VIP program but thought the special treatment was a "courtesy" or the same as "frequent flier" discounts.
Both vehemently denied any wrongdoing or ethical lapse in the mortgage deals, which came to light a year ago and triggered investigations by the Senate Select Committee on Ethics and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
"I thought this was like a frequent-flier program," Sen. Kent Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said of the special benefits. "I thought nothing of it."
Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, said an account executive at Countrywide Financial Corp. told him that the VIP status was "nothing more than ... courtesy stuff."
A Countrywide official who handled the loans had said that both senators knew they got preferential treatment in the form of waived fees and points that likely saved them tens of thousands of dollars.
Robert Feinberg, who formerly worked in the mortgage giant's VIP section, said in testimony to congressional investigators last month that the senators were made aware of their status as VIPs or "Friends of Angelo," referring to Countrywide Chief Executive Officer Angelo Mozilo. The CEO played a central role in the subprime-mortgage meltdown, which included the downfall of Countrywide last year.
"It was always instilled in them to let them know their sense of importance of where they were. And that you ... were a friend of Angelo's. You were referred by Angelo. You were approved by Angelo," Mr. Feinberg told Republican investigators for the House oversight committee.
Taxpayers lost billions while these guys cashed-in? Even if they were somehow "unaware" of the freebies they were receiving, the fact that they thought it was normal shows the entitlement mentality of privilege they have. It is time for Senator Dodd and Senator Conrad to submit their resignations and leave the political scene in disgrace.
Yesterday
I didn't post anything yesterday because I had to attend to some things that were important but not really much fun. In the morning I went to the Doctor's for my annual check-up. He told me that I was in excellent health for someone my age and with my background of self-destructive behavior. That's a Devine for ya - none too pretty but built to last.
In the afternoon I had to take the bus to Easthampton to pay a visit to the dreaded registry. There used to be a registry in Hadley but they stupidly shut it down. Before I got the bus I went to the Haymarket Cafe in downtown Hamp for some coffee. Outside people were playing with a pet mouse.
Inside they were playing with computers.
Finally the bus came by and I got on. I got off at Eastworks, which is where the registry is located.
I groaned when I saw all the people waiting for service, but it actually only took about 45 minutes to get in and out, which is not bad by government standards.
In Easthampton itself I couldn't help but notice that there are all these bears on display. Bear footprints are painted on the sidewalks.
A psychedelic bear with band-aids.
One of the bears was stolen, resulting in this shrine pleading for it to be returned.
For more information about Easthampton bears go here.
Rides
Speaking of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, here's some cool transpo I've stumbled upon in my ramblings. This car parked in Easthampton defines cool.
Here's an unusual van in the Dunkin' Donuts parking lot on King Street in Northampton. Dig the triple headlights.
This rariety was parked in front of Packard's in downtown Hamp.
Today's Video
The Cave Bears weird-out at Mystery Train Records in Amherst.
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