Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Arkansas State Treasurer Took Pension Plan Pay-Off

"Ark. treasurer faces extortion charges" Associated Press,  May 21, 2013

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas state treasurer was accused Monday of taking at least $36,000 in cash — sometimes stashed in a pie box — from a broker who later came to manage a large share of the state’s $3.3 billion stock and bond portfolio.

Martha Shoffner, a Democrat who made her initial court appearance Monday, said she had no plans to resign despite calls by Republicans and Democrats alike for her to step down.

Shoffner was released on her own recognizance. She was also ordered to surrender her passport....

--more--"

Also see: Judge blocks Ark. abortion limits

Related: 

Arkansas spill raises concerns on piping tar sands oil through New England
April Fool: Arkansas Energy Woes
Globe Identifies a Post About Arkansas

"A man sentenced to life in prison without parole when he was 14 years old deserves a new sentencing hearing, Arkansas’s highest court ruled Thursday. The state Supreme Court ordered a new sentencing hearing for Kuntrell Jackson, whose case was one of two that led to a US Supreme Court decision last year throwing out mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles. “We agree with the state’s concession that Jackson is entitled to the benefit of the Supreme Court’s opinion in his own case,” Justice Josephine Linker Hart wrote in the ­Arkansas Supreme Court’s unanimous decision. It is not clear when Jackson’s new hearing will be held, but justices said he may present evidence about his age and the nature of the crime. Jackson was sentenced to life in prison after the shooting death of a store clerk during an attempted robbery in 1999. Another boy shot the clerk, but Jackson was present. Jackson is now 27 years old and is serving his sentence at a maximum-security prison in Arkansas."

I'm not saying that item is unimportant, not at all. The exposure of the fraud that is the AmeriKan justice system is important. I just wanted you to see the limited coverage that Exxon oil spill is getting in New England's flagship. 

Also see:

"Study finds 30 toxic chemicals at Exxon oil spill site in Arkansas

by Chris Tackett
May 1, 2013 

An independent study co-published by the Faulkner County Citizens Advisory Group and Global Community Monitor found a toxic chemical soup in the aftermath of the Exxon Mobil Pegasus pipeline oil spill. Steve Horn at Desmog Blog reports:
The chemicals found in the samples include benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-hexane, and xylenes. Breathing in both ethylbenzene and benzene can cause cancer and reproductive effects, while breathing in n-hexane can damage the nervous system and usher in numbness in the extremities, muscular weakness, blurred vision, headaches, and fatigue.
Previously, an independent chemist found benzene in the area and many residents have been suffering serious health problems since the spill.

With BP in the news for their lies about the safety of chemical dispersant used during the Gulf oil spill, it is hard not to think that Exxon is also lying to the public and their cleanup workers about the safety of the air and water poisoned by this spill. Hopefully an investigation will unveil the true damage caused by this spill and Exxon Mobil will be held accountable.

More on the Mayflower, Arkansas oil spill 

Contaminated water pumped into Lake Conway 
Latest in Exxon oil spill reveals AG hired firm with oil industry ties
Exxon pipeline rupture is 22 feet long, indicating immense pressure, possible criminal negligence.
As Exxon censors local media, citizen journalists document Arkansas oil spill. Can the pros be doing more?
Exxon pipeline breaks spilling 84,000 gallons of Canadian crude oil near Arkansas lake [UPDATED]
Are 'oiled' birds in Arkansas signs the Exxon oil spill has spread to Lake Conway? (UPDATED)
Exxon won't pay into cleanup fund because oil spilled in Arkansas isn't "oil"
Shocking aerial video shows magnitude of Arkansas oil spill, as cleanup continues and frustration at Exxon grows [VIDEOS]
As Exxon cleans oil spill in Arkansas, Shell pipeline spills 700 barrels in Houston
Exxon's Arkansas oil spill has reached Lake Conway, says Attorney General McDaniel
Mayflower, Arkansas "on lockdown" following Exxon oil spill
Arkansas oil spill could be almost 300,000 gallons, video shows alleged "dumping ground" in wetland (UPDATES)

MORE:

Missouri Oil Spill: Exxon Pegasus Pipeline Leaks Again, One Month After Mayflower, Arkansas Rupture 

Never saw a word about that in my Globe, but I saw plenty of global warming in between.

Also see: Exxon Should Be Ec$tatic 

That did make my Globe bu$ine$$ section.