Blagojevich Silenced? Financial Extortion? ~ LUF

I'm definitely remaining in a political frame of mind today because there's just so much to talk about and comment on. Hopefully, you can bear with me for just a day here. Just to reiterate, in case you're wondering if Look Up Fellowship has transformed into an exclusively Political Blog don't worry, we're still the same old Bible Prophecy ministry you've come to love.

It's just that with all the corruption that exists in the government today, and with the media's complicit behavior presenting the "news" in such a biased fashion, it all points to one conclusion and one conclusion only for me - - that deception rules the day!

So, clearly, we're seeing the fulfillment of end times prophecy as spiritual deception becomes more and more common in these final hours of human history just as Jesus Christ Himself said it would.

I realize that political corruption is nothing new. It's as old as the Bible itself. However, the preponderance of deception - - of not getting the entire story - - when it comes to EVERYTHING these days is a whole other kind of corruption in and of itself, and that's why I want to call attention to some of what I'm seeing.

We haven't spent much time commenting on the Blagojevich scandal other than to state that it's simply business-as-usual in Chicago in the form of "pay-to-play" politics, and that it gives Obama another questionable association ("birds of a feather...").

Well, feast your eyes and ears on this video. Keep in mind that Blagojevich gave this press conference just 2 days before the FBI took him down (before he was indicted, not arrested) for his illegal actions. Pay close attention to what he's talking about and what he's saying he wants to do.

Did you catch all of that? Was Blagojevich silenced? If so, by who? I'm beginning to wonder if there's much more going on here than we've been told because the timing and particulars of all of this is quite questionable. Then again, perhaps I've just watched too many movies, and am looking for a conspiracy where there isn't one.

Either way, there are many unanswered threads to this drama. Blagojevich may have been acting reckless here (and there's no question he's a criminal who acted illegally by trying to sell Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder), but Obama's also being evasive on this issue, and the whole thing stinks of "gotcha" politics.

I mean, let's not forget that back in August the news broke that during the years that Senator Joe Biden (Vice-President-elect) was helping the credit card industry win passage of a law making it harder for consumers to file for bankruptcy protection, his son had a consulting agreement that lasted 5 years with one of the largest companies pushing for the changes. The financial services industry began seeking relief from Congress in the mid-1990s from an increase in bankruptcies that was cutting into its profits. Its initial support came from Republican lawmakers, who repeatedly introduced bills to make it more difficult for consumers to erase their debts. During that time, executives at MBNA, which was bought in 2006 by Bank of America, began donating heavily to both major political parties and many national politicians, including Mr. Biden.

We also know that the former CEO of Bank of America publicly endorsed Barack Obama for President. Yet, back in 2007, then Senator Obama (along with Senator Dick Durbin) sent a letter to the CEO and President of Bank of America Corporation, Kenneth D. Lewis, expressing their disappointment with the company's decision to layoff 2,500 LaSalle Bank employees over the next two years. The Illinois Senators asked BOA to reconsider the number of layoffs and their timing. The lawmakers also urged BOA to help displaced employees find new jobs and to provide severance packages.

Obviously, a connection between Bank of America and these politicians has existed for years. To what extent though?

Was Blagojevich silenced? But by who? Trying to sort things out is a complicated process although there are many leads that suggest this web of lies, deceit, and corruption entangles Blagojevich, Obama, Biden and BOA together with one another. I'm just not sure how yet! How can we sort through all the BS?

Simply put, all things being considered, I think this is a classic example of a set-up and shut-up of Blagojevich? The likely culprits could very well be a faction of the government and/or the Federal Reserve. If that's true, why?

I think the more likely scenario is the one that was presented just 2 weeks ago by Workers World. I absolutely hate linking to an organization that believes in Communism (founded in 1959 with roots here in Buffalo, NY), and one that supports affirmative action and that has consistently defended the Black Panthers and the Weather Underground, but if I'm being objective I must say that I find a lot of truth in their analysis of this issue especially when you realize that Obama did what no President has done since the Roosevelt administration - - he came out unequivocally in favor of the workers and publicly stated that their demands should be met.

The fact that the future president of the United States utters a word in support of struggling workers during an oncoming depression is inflammatory in the extreme, as far as the bosses are concerned. It gives ammunition and encouragement to the rank and file and any militant leaders in every union to open up a struggle to save their jobs and to block concessions, does it not?

What do you think? Again, please understand that I'm not suddenly falling in love with Obama or defending Blagojevich or saying he's a victim in all of this because he's certainly not. People like him need to be punished and held accountable for breaking the law.

At the same time, I do think there may be much more going on here than we've been led to believe. For instance, when is the last time you saw a Governor (and to an extent a President) take a high profile stand for a small business and working people against a multinational bank? Plus, the timing of events raises some eyebrows as well.

Now, go back and take one more look at that press conference Blagojevich gave just days before his indictment. Odd indeed. Bank of America never gives anything to anybody. Without the struggle, they would never have given a nickel to anyone. BOA is throwing people out of their homes, denying credit, and laying off 30,000 to 35,000 of its own workers. So, let’s not forget what this attack on Blagojevich could've have been about. It could have an attempt to silence him, to defuse the struggle of the workers, and take it out of the limelight. It could have also been a warning to Obama to stay out of it.

On the flip side, another likely scenario is this one. Because we have sat quietly while the government has invested itself with the terrifying power to decide which companies will continue existing and which will not, we now have the chance to see what our politicians are doing with this power. And Obama is involved - -surprised? Not really (read article at Investor's Business Daily).

The Bank of America was the victim of a concerted shakedown that may soon be replicated around the country. Even President-elect Obama supported this new example of Chicago blackmail. This case may trigger a new campaign of financial extortion across America.

Think about that for a moment in relation to the facts of this case. One of the casualties of the faltering housing market is Chicago's Republic Windows & Doors (the company at the center of this entire story), whose line of credit was cut off by Bank of America. Amy Zimmerman, Republic's VP of Sales and Marketing, admitted, "Banks are in the business to make money, and at some point they have to make a business decision, and that's what this is." In the first week of December, Republic laid off its workers and closed its doors. The company was supposed to give two months' notice, with continued pay and benefits. They didn't. So, the employees launched a sit-in.

Getting laid off before Christmas isn't any fun, but no one was obviously to blame for Republic's failure, and these days Republic employees aren't alone in their economic distress. Bank of America was a handy scapegoat. Since the institution received tax dollars, Republic's employees argued that BOA had an obligation to bailout Republic.

Said Leah Fried, an organizer with the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America, "It's shameful that a bank that got $25 billion in bailout money turns around and shuts down a factory by cutting off their credit." The sit-in provided an irresistible photo op. Governor Rod Blagojevich showed up before his indictment, as did the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., "Senate Candidate No. 5" in the Blagojevich case.

As previously mentioned, Obama said of the workers, "I think they're absolutely right," adding that "these companies need to follow through on those commitments." Blagojevich announced that Illinois would withhold its business from the bank. Fifteen Chicago aldermen proposed an ordinance cutting off business with the bank and limiting any zoning changes for its properties. Cook County Commissioner Michael Quigley promised to introduce similar legislation.

Hmmm...Perhaps this entire debacle is an indication of what Obama and his administration want to do to this country - - turn it into a Socialist, welfare, nanny-state that's fully dependent upon the government handout (a system where the government tells the banks who it must lend to).

Doug Bandow wrote, "If the federal bailout required Bank of America to 'lend' money to an insolvent company ready to close its doors, we are descending to banana republic status."

Furthermore, superstrategist Andy Busch of BMO Capital Markets nails it, "This is the path the United States is heading towards as the recession takes its toll and government reaches further and further into the private sector to stabilize the economy. Initially, the moves are welcomed as workers are looked after, jobs are created, and big business vilified. However, the government forcing banks to make loans to companies that can't make the payments perpetuates the weak credit problem and keeps the cycle going. This cycle deploys capital to non-productive uses and keeps it from flowing to solid companies that can create new jobs. It's Schumpeter's creative destruction at its best with job churn high, but job growth high as well. This will now be challenged as aggressive, short term action is taken without regard to the corrosive long term problems it creates."

Was this part of "the plan" all along as our leaders drag us by the hair towards a New World Order (one-world government)? Is everything going according to the script? On second thought, BOA's logo sure does look a lot like Obama's campaign logo. A tip of that hat?

Of course, I'm being facetious. Yes, it's all going according to the plan wonderfully! That's His plan for humanity I mean as God's prophecies will begin to be fulfilled at break-neck speed.

Whatever the real truth may be it's definitely a public relations extravaganza, and as we've seen numerous times in the past, that's always a sure sign that someone's trying to distract the world from what's really important.

Bottom line, spiritual deception continues to rule the day in these last days.

***UPDATE 1/9/2009: Illinois House Impeaches Governor Rod Blagojevich - - The Illinois House voted overwhelmingly Friday to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich, an unprecedented action that sets up a Senate trial on whether he should be thrown out for allegedly trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. Impeachment required just 60 votes. The final result was 114-1.***

RECOMMENDED READING:
Obama-Blago Scandal Timeline
Arrest Of Illinois Guv: Were Real Targets Obama And UAW?
Bank Victims Blame Obama Fundraiser
June 2008: Top Talent Scout For Obama Tied To Subprime Lender
Financial Extortionists Take Heart From BofA's Surrender In Chicago
The Scary Message Of Republic Windows & Doors