Posted May 4, 201015 yr http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2010/05/traficant_to_mount_independent.html :laugh: I hope he wins!
May 4, 201015 yr I don't! This is Traficant's mugshot.... Why? Because he represents this (the wholesale industrial slaughter that happened to Youngstown while he protected mobsters and corruption).... Insted of this (first new major steel plant to be built in The Mahoning Valley since World War II).... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 4, 201015 yr KJP, can you give some insight into the new steel plant? Is there a thread on this??
May 4, 201015 yr I'm not sure one man could have stopped the steel collapse. And he tried to, with his proposal to dig out Ashtabula County into a bay and give Youngstown its own port. Traficant was also right about the 711 connector, it was badly needed. Before that was built, you couldn't drive from Warren to Youngstown without creeping past every truck stop in the land on Salt Springs Rd. He also did more to keep his district informed about the business of congress than any representative anywhere. I like Tim Ryan a lot, but Traficant did not suck.
May 4, 201015 yr KJP, can you give some insight into the new steel plant? Is there a thread on this?? I think he is highlighting the V and M steel mill that is technically in construction. If I remember correctly, it is a $500 million dollar project. In a ddition to that, McDonalds is building a $45 million dollar distribution facility in Youngstown. So, I agree with KJP on this one. Corruption blocks chances for future growth. Just becasue Traficant spent his time behind bars does not mean he should be elected back into politics.
May 4, 201015 yr KJP, can you give some insight into the new steel plant? Is there a thread on this?? Sherman, check out these two threads..... http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,6916.0.html http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,22242.0.html Traficant was mobbed up. That always sucks. A friend of mine who wrote for the same website I used to write for covered his trials. This is the first article in a series. You can find the rest on that site, too..... http://www.americanmafia.com/Feature_Articles_189.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 5, 201015 yr I hope he doesn't win either. Many people find eccentric fools like Traficant entertaining. If Traficant wants to be entertaining, he should start a night club act. People like Traficant are what is wrong with politics. Keep him and his hairpiece far away from any job involving any public responsibility.
May 5, 201015 yr I hope he doesn't win either. Many people find eccentric fools like Traficant entertaining. If Traficant wants to be entertaining, he should start a night club act. People like Traficant are what is wrong with politics. Keep him and his hairpiece far away from any job involving any public responsibility. It's more than just that he's entertaining. It's that he was one of the few members of Congress unafraid to tell it like it is. We need more of that, and if he can parlay his name recognition and popularity into a return trip to D.C., then good for him, and good for all Americans.
May 5, 201015 yr I hope he doesn't win either. Many people find eccentric fools like Traficant entertaining. If Traficant wants to be entertaining, he should start a night club act. People like Traficant are what is wrong with politics. Keep him and his hairpiece far away from any job involving any public responsibility. It's more than just that he's entertaining. It's that he was one of the few members of Congress unafraid to tell it like it is. We need more of that, and if he can parlay his name recognition and popularity into a return trip to D.C., then good for him, and good for all Americans. Traficant sounds like a perfect match for The Tea Party!
May 5, 201015 yr It's that he was one of the few members of Congress unafraid to tell it like it is. He tells it like HE thinks it is. If you think Mafia rules are a good way to run the country, then he's your man. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 5, 201015 yr It's that he was one of the few members of Congress unafraid to tell it like it is. He tells it like HE thinks it is. If you think Mafia rules are a good way to run the country, then he's your man. What has he said that has been way off-base? I'm not talking about his Star Trek antics, don't let that distract you...
May 5, 201015 yr I hope he doesn't win either. Many people find eccentric fools like Traficant entertaining. If Traficant wants to be entertaining, he should start a night club act. People like Traficant are what is wrong with politics. Keep him and his hairpiece far away from any job involving any public responsibility. It's more than just that he's entertaining. It's that he was one of the few members of Congress unafraid to tell it like it is. We need more of that, and if he can parlay his name recognition and popularity into a return trip to D.C., then good for him, and good for all Americans. Traficant sounds like a perfect match for The Tea Party! That's not really fair...
May 5, 201015 yr I'm telling ya, Big Jim is missing the boat if he doesn't join the Tea Party. And what exactly is fair about this...
May 5, 201015 yr What has he said that has been way off-base? I'm not talking about his Star Trek antics, don't let that distract you... Are you kidding? "Shut the government down. You know not one American will be hurt. We can retroactively take care of them." --When, after they're dead? "It is time to ask, Congress: How many files of American citizens were illegally transferred from the FBI to the White House and who ordered it? Are you on the list? Are you on the list? Am I on that list?" --Just cuz you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get ya? "No wonder that values and morals in America have gone to hell. Just think about it. Congress aided and abetted this whole process when it removed God from our schools." --Good for them. So what's your excuse for being at least as immoral as anyone else in Congress? "Mr. Speaker, a new report says only 7 percent of scientists believe in God. That is right. And the reason they gave was that the scientists are `super smart.' Unbelievable. Most of these absent-minded professors cannot find the toilet." --And what's your excuse for not being able to find a working hairbrush? "Mr. Speaker, I want to yield back all of the reg writing bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. that never stood in an unemployment line." --When have you stood in unemployment line? To see if it smelled any different than your horse farm? "A school without God is a school without education." --Or one of free-thinking people who can decide if they want to believe in a God or not. "Mr. Speaker, what a world. Frazzled Frances Wyndham believes she got pregnant during a sexy e-mail exchange by a paramour 1,500 miles away. That is right: Pregnant. Frances said, and I quote, `His words were so sexy, I was totally seduced.' Talk about instant connection. This is immaculate reception, Mr. Speaker." --Don't know where to begin with that one. Those are from: http://www.davidstuff.com/political/traficant-98.htm For more colorful but not necessarily intelligent comments by Traficant, see: http://www.wytv.com/content/features/traficant/story/Jim-Traficants-Colorful-Quotes/IhIGPYGrJE2hPWQ1kMItbQ.cspx Also, read about what Traficant did to radio talk show host Louie Free: Of the handful of journalists willing to criticize Traficant was radio talk show host Louie B. Free. In many ways, Louie Free is as colorful as his nemesis, James Traficant; both men have hairstyles that are ‘outside the norm;’ both men are known for their ‘alternative lifestyles,’ and both are suspicious of big government. In 1998, Free began putting Traficant critics, including this reporter, on his radio program. Free would soon pay the price for speaking out against Traficant; threats against his life were made, and eventually Traficant’s biggest campaign contributor purchased the radio station that Free’s show appeared on and then fired Free. Louie Free then took his popular program to another radio station but was fired again by that station’s owner who was another supporter of Traficant, after Free ran another anti-Traficant program. READ MORE AT: http://www.americanmafia.com/Feature_Articles_199.html Thanks, but no. Traficant is entertaining like a crude teenage boy was to me when I was a teenage boy. But I would expect more maturity and morality from someone in a position of power. Keep him on the radio where the teenage boys can listen to his Royal Crudeness. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 6, 201015 yr Some of those quotes were clearly taken out of context, like the one having to do with the IMF. Some of those quotes are indeed wrong, like his views on God. He's eccentric, and a bit paranoid, but his views on fiscal policy and the IRS are right on point. There aren't enough people like that in Congress.
May 6, 201015 yr I love Traficant and always have. His "kick them in the crotch" testimony in Congress immediately won my admiration. Glad to hear he's running as an independent.
May 9, 201015 yr You are all being seduced by a facade. There were numerous times I worked with him and his Congressional staff in the late 80s and early 90s. Even though he's a huge supporter of rail, I tried to avoid him as much as possible. Even though he liked my issue, it didn't overcome his many shortcomings not the least of which he's a blatant hypocrite and a corrupt scumbag. Speeches are meaningless. Read about his actions. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
May 9, 201015 yr I'm certainly more liberal than Traficant is, particularly as he's moved to the right. And if I were voting in that district I'd almost certainly vote for Ryan. But good ideas can come from anywhere, including ideological opponents. Traficant's had some good ideas over the years. Consumption tax? No, not that one.
May 9, 201015 yr You are all being seduced by a facade. There were numerous times I worked with him and his Congressional staff in the late 80s and early 90s. Even though he's a huge supporter of rail, I tried to avoid him as much as possible. Even though he liked my issue, it didn't overcome his many shortcomings not the least of which he's a blatant hypocrite and a corrupt scumbag. Speeches are meaningless. Read about his actions. Obviously, you never received one of his hand-painted Christmas cards from prison. He's a good guy, a real character and someone Youngstowners seem to like. I could see how he could be painted as a relic from a grim past however.
May 9, 201015 yr He hasn't done anything that anyone else hasn't done in D.C... He just got caught for stepping on the toes of some powerful people and exposing them. Albeit, he is a skewed character too... But no worse than rest. I would actually love to see a consumption tax on my Mom's neighbor who incessantly wastes energy for retarded reasons like excessive mowing and blowing his lawn morning, noon, and night for no reason. If you want to waste and be a glutton while others try not to, then it shouldn't be low cost or free. Just wasteful and annoying as hell... :-o Ryan rubber stamped a rotten energy bill....so that killed my support for him when I lived there full time. Love the Traficant hairdo, though! The thing that cracks me up is that people still think one party has all the answers...or has the answers that should suit everyone...and are too egotistical, proud, and self righteous to admit their flaws/mistakes and instead, blame it on the other, and would rather "be right" to satisfy themselves... than actually do what is right. Hence why I am sick of politics, period. :lol: Btw.. Happy Mother's Day to Mother Earth, who is the only Mother that never had a day off in her entire life and gets raped, used and abused, in the name of progress.
July 6, 201014 yr :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Traficant fails to qualify for ballot Tuesday, July 6, 2010 - 7:56 AM ASSOCIATED PRESS YOUNGSTOWN -- A county elections board in Ohio has disqualified James Traficant in his bid to return to Congress after seven years in prison. Traficant political adviser Linda Kovachik says elections officials in northeast Ohio's Trumbull County ruled this morning that Traficant was 107 petition signatures short of the required number to get on the fall ballot. Traficant was hoping to run as an independent. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/07/06/comeback-traficant.html?sid=101
July 6, 201014 yr I would think that the bigger news story should be that he was ONLY 107 petitions SHORT. Someone obviously still believes in him...
July 8, 201014 yr Don't you mean "Too bad the organization capabilities of Big Jim Traficant and his advisers weren't able to meet the minimal petition standards to become an independent candidate?" It doesn't give you much confidence in the hypothetical campaign he would have run. Maybe some signs with the slogan - "You can't spell CAN'T without TRAFICANT".
July 8, 201014 yr Don't you mean "Too bad the organization capabilities of Big Jim Traficant and his advisers weren't able to meet the minimal petition standards to become an independent candidate?" It doesn't give you much confidence in the hypothetical campaign he would have run. Maybe some signs with the slogan - "You can't spell CAN'T without TRAFICANT". Very clever. Nothing like getting excited about the status quo!
July 9, 201014 yr I am no fan, or endorsing......But he has blown the whistle on a lot of crap that needed to be exposed through the years, so it was a love/hate. He has not done anything that has not previously been done. He was simply caught and made an example of by those who fear their cover being blown. I do like his hair, though!
July 9, 201014 yr I am no fan, or endorsing......But he has blown the whistle on a lot of crap that needed to be exposed through the years, so it was a love/hate. He has not done anything that has not previously been done. He was simply caught and made an example of by those who fear their cover being blown. I do like his hairpiece, though! Corrected that for ya!
July 9, 201014 yr Traficant was coupled with the Bonano crime family in Youngstown when he was sheriff of Mahoning County. The gangsters rigged the jury during that trial, so he escaped justice. Then he ran for congress and won. Traficant is scum.
July 9, 201014 yr ^ Yep and same as a host of other politicians who are just better at hiding their wrongdoings and who are in bed with a lot of businesses they shouldn't be.
July 9, 201014 yr Could someone give some specific examples of why they think Trafficant was a good congressman? Honest question- I remember him only for the nuttiness and prosecution but not his legislative record.
July 11, 201014 yr Could someone give some specific examples of why they think Trafficant was a good congressman? Honest question- I remember him only for the nuttiness and prosecution but not his legislative record. His ideas made sense and he wasn't beholden to any party interests, so he always told it like it was.
August 3, 201014 yr Traficant used to invite industry lobbyists into his office and then tell them they had to make campaign contributions to him. Very direct He and Chief Justice Roberts are a pair.
September 2, 201014 yr Traficant qualifies for ballot Thursday, September 2, 2010 Outspoken former Democratic congressman Jim Traficant, who served time in federal prison for corruption, has fought his way back onto the Nov. 2 ballot to again run for a U.S. House seat - this time as an independent. Traficant will challenge four-term Democrat Tim Ryan and Republican Jim Graham. Full article: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/09/02/copy/traficant-qualifies-for-ballot.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
November 3, 201014 yr WOW! Traficant came so close to winning! :-D :roll: Candidate % Votes Total Votes Ryan, Timothy (D) 60.28% 40,365 Graham, Jim ® 23.61% 15,806 Traficant, James (I) 16.11% 10,788 Ohio ex-Rep. Traficant loses new bid for Congress Tuesday, November 2, 2010 - 08:23 PM The Columbus Dispatch YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) -- Outspoken former Rep. Jim Traficant, who served time in federal prison, has lost his new bid for a U.S. House seat. The 69-year-old Traficant lost to four-term Democrat Tim Ryan, his former aide. Traficant was kicked off the ballot in July after elections officials disqualified more than 1,000 signatures on his petition to run. He was released from prison nearly a year ago and spent spring and summer giving campaign-like speeches at tea party events throughout Ohio. Traficant represented the Youngstown area for nearly two decades before he was convicted in 2002 of racketeering and bribery. MORE: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/11/02/02-traficant.html?sid=101
September 28, 201410 yr Former congressman James Traficant dies at 73 By JOHN BRESNAHAN | 9/27/14 2:31 PM EDT Updated: 9/28/14 4:22 PM EDT Former Rep. James Traficant, whose signature line during House floor speeches was “Beam me up!” and who was expelled from Congress in 2002 following his conviction on federal corruption charges, died after being injured in a farm accident. The Associated Press reported Traficant’s death Saturday. He was 73. Local news reports said Traficant had been moving a tractor on his daughter’s farm in Greenford, Ohio, when it toppled over on him. Traficant was taken to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries. MORE: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/09/james-traficant-dies-73-111373.html
September 29, 201410 yr http://clevelandmagazinepolitics.blogspot.com/2014/09/jim-traficant-was-corrupt-and-hilarious.html Nothing tops the "one man sting operation".
March 22, 201510 yr At the CLE Int'l Film Festival now---this looks like a good watch: "Traficant: The Congressman of Crimetown" PD Review: "A good story writes itself and anyone that has followed the stormy career of Youngstown politico James Traficant will tell you that he was a good story. But "Traficant: The Congressman of Crimetown" is more than a good story or a good film. It's colorful, entertaining, insightful, well-paced-and-edited and stellar all the way around. Yes, director Eric Murphy focuses on Traficant, a colorful rogue who served as Sheriff of Mahoning County and U.S. Congressman and ended up serving time in prison for taking bribes....." http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/03/traficant_the_congressman_of_c.html#incart_river
