Curtain Time for Barack Obama

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Tag(s): Barack Obama; Chicago; Columnist; Iraq; Iraq; Obama Hillary New Hampshire; Obama-Barack; Party Machine Democratic; Party Politics Democratic; Rezko
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May 15, 2008 at 08:16:45

Curtain Time for Barack Obama - Part III

by Evelyn Pringle Page 1 of 8 page(s)

http://www.opednews.com

Curtain Time for Barack Obama - Part III

Three days after the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Aiham Alsammarae, the former electricity minister convicted of corruption in Iraq, put up $2.7 million in property to help raise $8.5 million to free Tony Rezko from jail in Chicago, the Times reported that Alsammarae had contributed six times to Obama's presidential campaign.

The April 29, 2008 report also noted that before he escaped from jail in Bagdad in December 2006, and returned to Chicago, Obama's US Senate office had sought information about Alsammarae from the State Department on October 16, 2006 on behalf of Alsammarae's family while he was being held in jail in Iraq.

As usual, when busted on the contributions given in January, February and March, the Obama camp said it would donate Alsammarae's money to charity and his spokesman, Ben LaBolt, put out the standard line that Obama does not ever "recall" meeting Alsammarae.

The money missing due to Alsammarae's corruption in Iraq during the two years he served as electricity minister between August 2003 and May 2005 is estimated to be $2 billion.

The Operation Board Games investigation revealed that Alsammarae signed contracts worth $200 million that benefited both Rezko and the Iraqi-born billionaire, Nadhmi Auchi, who ended up with Riverside Park, a 62-acre lot in the Chicago Loop estimated to now be worth $2.5 billion.

As noted previously in this series, understanding the connections between Auchi and Riverside Park and all the players is the key to understanding Operation Board Games. Financing deals in the Chicago real estate industry were the focus of the investigation from the start and the financing deals involving Riverside Park specifically.

On September 29, 2005, Crain’s Chicago Business news reported that General Mediterranean Holding, “a Luxembourg-based conglomerate headed by Nadhmi Auchi, is buying Riverside Park, a yet-to-be-built development on a prime 62-acre parcel on Roosevelt Road,” quoting Michael Rumman, the director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, as a consultant on the project.

The sale price was estimated to be about $130 million. Joseph Ryan, a local attorney representing GHM, told Crain's that Rezko would no longer be an investor in the project, but “there’s a possibility he may have a consultant’s role in the project."

Crain’s noted that Rezko and Auchi were introduced by a mutual acquaintance in London, and said: "They teamed up recently on a $150 million contract to build a power plant in Iraq."

"Auchi," Crain's also pointed out, "received a 15-month suspended sentence in France after being convicted in 2003 for taking kickbacks from French oil giant Elf."

"And U.S. officials are investigating allegations of bribery involving a mobile phone contract in Iraq that recently was awarded to Orascom, an Egyptian firm in which Mr. Auchi is a shareholder," the report stated.

On May 30, 2006 Crain’s reported that before the GMH deal, Rezko and Daniel Mahru, former co-owners of the real estate firm Rezmar, had piled up more than $100 million in debt on the property. “A liquidity crisis in early 2005 resulted in a technical loan default, property documents show, forcing the eventual sale to Mr. Auchi,” the report said.

The plan was to build 4,600 residential units and about 670,000-square-feet of retail space on the site. However, the development has now been stalled for years being the new owner Auchi is not allowed in this country and several of his surrogates who were supposed to be developing the project appear to be headed to prison.

Future plans are likely not good either being it’s doubtful that many real estate developers in Chicago are eager to hook up with Auchi and Riverside Park at this stage of the game.

Nobody knows Auchi anymore
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Evelyn Pringle is a columnist for OpEd News and investigative journalist focused on exposing corruption in government and corporate America.

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11 comments

I enjoy blogging on important issues.
Valrie SommervilleI enjoy blogging on important issues.

Obama Is like a piece of Swiss Cheese-

Time and Time again it is proven by his own actions that Obama's memory seems to have lots of Holes in it when it is convenient. I thought he Obama was going to bring a new type of politics to Washington. Seems to me that he will be bringing a lot of Chicago deep pocket politics... Needs a new platform the Republicans will chew him up and spit him out like day old bread.

by Valrie Sommerville (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 9:44:11 AM

Joel S. Hirschhorn is the author of Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government (www.delusionaldemocracy.com). His current political writings have been greatly influenced by working as a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress and for the National Governors Association. He advocates a Second American Revolution, beginning with an Article V Convention to propose constitutional amendments.
Joel S. HirschhornJoel S. Hirschhorn is the author of Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government (www.delusionaldemocracy.com). His current political writings have been greatly influenced by working as a senior staffer for the U.S. Congress and for the National Governors Association. He advocates a Second American Revolution, beginning with an Article V Convention to propose constitutional amendments.

Obama's supporters

Are as delusional as Ron Paul's supporters. Both groups refuse to use critical thinking and objective facts to accurately assess candidates.
I hope Obama does get chewed up and spit out or else we face a presidency full of nasty surprises.

by Joel S. Hirschhorn (114 articles, 20 quicklinks, 46 diaries, 430 comments) on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 5:24:40 PM

politic jock
politicjockpolitic jock

It's Only A Matter of Time

Until Ms. Pringle gets a job at Fox News.

by politicjock (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 6 comments) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 10:04:52 AM

I am like that little grey donkey: Benjamin, in George Orwell's "Animal Farm".
Karl Benjamin NowakI am like that little grey donkey: Benjamin, in George Orwell's "Animal Farm".

Sooner or later curtain time for a crook

Time has repeatedly proved that Mr. Barack Obama is not that vise new leader he claimed to be. He is rather "an ordinary politician" – as Rev. Wright has put it – well aware of that the above said is a codeword for a: "crook."An indeed there is plenty of evidence which time after time underscores that Mr. Obama is not this self-proclaimed healer or uniter he pretends to be; Instead he is a much more sinister character on the map of the American electorate. There is now a flock of investigating reporters out there, such as Ms. Evelyn Pringle, effectively proving the scruffy and shabby history of this false prophet. Unfortunately the big time media is still quiet effectively underscoring my point here: That when this scandal blows out of proportion, when Mr. Obama gets indicted – there will be no excuse.

by Karl Benjamin Nowak (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 11:03:48 AM

Spirituality is the Way!

My mission is to spread spirituality throughout the world and help individuals reach their spiritual potential. A great age of spirtuality is upon us, now is the time to tap into the coming spiritual power that surrounds us.
Visit my website at www.sistersharon.net for practical spiritual information you can use in your life. I am the author of "America in Prophecy 2009-2018" and a prolific spiritual writer. You can read more of my writings on my webs...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Sharon RoachSpirituality is the Way!

My mission is to spread spirituality throughout the world and help individuals reach their spiritual potential. A great age of spirtuality is upon us, now is the time to tap into the coming spiritual power that surrounds us.
Visit my website at www.sistersharon.net for practical spiritual information you can use in your life. I am the author of "America in Prophecy 2009-2018" and a prolific spiritual writer. You can read more of my writings on my webs...

to see more of bio, click on member name

I don't share the focus of this article

I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect yours in this article. However, I believe Obama is the best candidate. Hillary and the GOP can't scoop up signficant dirt on Obama's person so they try to twist the light on his associates. Politicians run into all kinds of people.

by Sharon Roach (10 articles, 0 quicklinks, 4 diaries, 43 comments) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:13:08 PM

Wrote a book on Eminent Domain (The Eminent Domain Revolt), and that's how I learned about Obama's revolting role with Rezko in kicking people out of their housing.
John RyskampWrote a book on Eminent Domain (The Eminent Domain Revolt), and that's how I learned about Obama's revolting role with Rezko in kicking people out of their housing.

The Chart

You fail to see that what Pringle is doing is exactly what Fitzgerald is doing: putting together all the facts and then asking the jury if there is enough of a pattern to convince them that, based on circumstantial evidence, Obama is guilty.

Just look at the evidence, look at the chronology. It's not guilt BY association, it's guilt AS association.

And also look at the phone conversations: look at how many the U.S. Attorney has already logged between these players.

There are probably well over a hundred involving Obama. The evidence of his work on the board legislation is enough to indict him as it is.

Face it: he's a little hood working as a flunkey for General Mediterranean. You cannot put a person who is unapologetically a member of organized crime, in the White House.

Is Hillary dirty? As the bottom of your shoe. There's just one difference:

NONE OF HER CO-CONSPIRATORS ARE ON TRIAL YET.

Why not face the fact that there is not one uncorrupt dollar: not one in your pocket, not one in mine--nowhere.

The country is corrupt from top to bottom. It is 100% corrupt.

Once Rezko is convicted, as he will be, Obama will be indicted shortly thereafter.

So why did the little hyena run, knowing he was going over? Follow the money: he's raised $200 million.

The sooner you admit that YOU are a participant in a corrupt society--and we all are--the sooner you will get over your denial about this cheap, disgusting little punk Obama.

by John Ryskamp (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 10 comments) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 12:25:17 PM

I'm a college educated, white woman, resident of New York City, 56 years old, a lifelong Democrat. My political views have always embraced elements of the liberal and the conservative. My political hero was Robert F. Kennedy. Almost all of my career has been spent in advertising, as a writer and later on as a writer/graphic designer. I recently gave up my regular employment to care for a very senior parent in her 90s who depends on me more and more each day. And that is my current "full tim...

to see more of bio, click on member name
Suza ElizI'm a college educated, white woman, resident of New York City, 56 years old, a lifelong Democrat. My political views have always embraced elements of the liberal and the conservative. My political hero was Robert F. Kennedy. Almost all of my career has been spent in advertising, as a writer and later on as a writer/graphic designer. I recently gave up my regular employment to care for a very senior parent in her 90s who depends on me more and more each day. And that is my current "full tim...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Curtain time for Barack Obama - Part III

Again, I applaud your courage, Evelyn. You may be screaming in the wind but eventually, the noise of the wind dies down and you will be heard. As for accusations here and elsewhere that you are biased, I urge anyone who wants to question your investigation to examine the postings/columns of your accusers here and elsewhere. Bias is quite evident their work, but not in this series of articles you have produced. You have gone about this in an honorable way. What is disturbing is how willing we have become -- as a nation -- to accept the notion of "a movement" without questioning its origins. And worse, to attack anyone who does. Write on, Evelyn.

by Suza Eliz (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 15 comments) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 3:38:08 PM

POdVet is a proud veteran of the US Navy who served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Married father of 4 and an avid online gamer.
POdVetPOdVet is a proud veteran of the US Navy who served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Married father of 4 and an avid online gamer.

reality check

Wynn's list of articles speak for themselves, he is solidly anti Hillary.

by POdVet (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 23 comments) on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 2:48:44 PM

GW is a proud American from NY State, concerned about ethics issues, media manipulation and overconsumption. He has recently changed careers to become an inner city schoolteacher. A firm proponent of curbing overpopulation and international adoption, he hopes to adopt a third child and enjoys history, outsider art, garage rock music and rare/unusual vinyl records.
Gustav WynnGW is a proud American from NY State, concerned about ethics issues, media manipulation and overconsumption. He has recently changed careers to become an inner city schoolteacher. A firm proponent of curbing overpopulation and international adoption, he hopes to adopt a third child and enjoys history, outsider art, garage rock music and rare/unusual vinyl records.

Curtain Time for Responsible Investigative Journalism

Pringle continues under the delusion that listing more and more bad stuff about Rezco, Alsammarae or Auchi must somehow paint Obama in a bad light. I still haven't seen what Obama has done that might rise to the level of the Clinton's pardons-for-sale.

It is a fundamental mistake to criticize Obama based on the actions of his contributors, especially if McCain and Clinton aren't put under the same scrutiny. It smacks of guilt-by-association tactics used by smearjob artists who simply cannot make a reasoned case on the issues.

Rezco may be as dirty as Maria Hsia or John Huang who broke election laws pumping money into the Clinton campaign, but how does that prove wrongdoing by the candidate? It is faulty "journalism" to assume readers will follow wild-eyed assumptions without stating exactly what Obama did to betray public trust.

As a citizen blogger and OpEd News contributor, I'm offended that Pringle annoints herself an "investigative journalist", implying that she is getting paid for this or conducting in-person interviews or doing any first-hand research. If she isn't, I daresay she is merely a blogger like the rest of us who do this for free, relying on the accounts of others and trying to make arguments by connecting the dots in various ways.

What makes this 'series' smell like hatchet work is the utter lack of balance. Where is the mention of Samuel Rivera the Hillary supporter/contributor caught in an extortion plot?

There is no balance because Pringle is not an investigative journalist, she is a political operative. Those making positive comments on the articles in this series also seem to be coincidentally very new to OpEd News, as if they just joined recently to praise her.

I'm all for discussing Obama's flaws and mistakes, but not in a vacuum and not by someone claiming to be a paid professional who seems to exhibits no original primary source research.

by Gustav Wynn (47 articles, 32 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 222 comments) on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 11:49:20 AM

Wrote a book on Eminent Domain (The Eminent Domain Revolt), and that's how I learned about Obama's revolting role with Rezko in kicking people out of their housing.
John RyskampWrote a book on Eminent Domain (The Eminent Domain Revolt), and that's how I learned about Obama's revolting role with Rezko in kicking people out of their housing.

Comment is hidden

Reason: You don't call names like you did. Ad hominem personal attacks are not tolerated here. Consider this a first warning.

I am like that little grey donkey: Benjamin, in George Orwell's "Animal Farm".
Karl Benjamin NowakI am like that little grey donkey: Benjamin, in George Orwell's "Animal Farm".

I thank you for your response..

I thank you for your response however biased it was against Evelyn Pringle.But you missed the point. I don’t care about Evelyn’s background. I don’t give a damn about if she is paid or not. All I care is that you cannot once again put an inexperienced, untested, shallow yet slicked-fashioned so called: folksy guy in the White House and hope that he will be performing. The next four years won’t be charming and we better embrace all selves for ugliness. There are many indications that Obama is not who he pretends to be. There are quit many newsarticles about his murky past, and there are plenty of signs that the only change he will bring upon us all is chaos. During this nomination he lied to us not once or twice but in several occasions, proving at least for me that he is “just another politician”. Let’s face it; This man is at best an opportunist, but he also may prove to be a naive dreamer boosted by a huge ego. Anyway he is illprepared and unfit to be President of The United States.That’s what I care about, that’s my concern. Thank you.

by Karl Benjamin Nowak (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 6:26:16 AM

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