Insurance Coverage Blog

Q: How do you know you've hit rock bottom? 

A:  When even a politician doesn't want your money.  

This story says Delaware Sen. Joe Biden is donating some Scruggs campaign cash to charity, possibly to start offloading links to disreputable figures.  A sign that he's going to be looking to take up residence at the Naval Observatory come next year?  It's actually not just Dickie Dough, but money from the whole Scruggs Gang. 

You might remember this post I did last December on some of Scruggs' political outreach efforts -- the post quotes some news stories and mentions P.L. Blake's "relationship" with Biden.  Doesn't mean much by itself, I suppose, when you are a Senator everyone claims to have a relationship with you.  Heck, even I got yelled at by John McCain back in my reporter days, maybe that means I had a relationship with McCain. But hey, come to think of it, who hasn't been yelled at by McCain -- if you've spent any time at all around him, he's yelled at you.  Maybe there's more to the P.L. Blake-Biden thing,  maybe there's not.  Maybe Blake got $50 million to clip newspaper articles, maybe he didn't.  Just sayin'. 

I wonder, will Jim Hood follow Biden's lead and give back all those campaign contributions he got from Scruggs last year? 

PL Blake's $50 million cut has got to be one of the biggest red flags in this whole mess. The mind-blowing stories behind that could inspire a dozen Grisham novels (setting aside that the author is Dickie's bud), I'd bet. A suggested title: The Cut.

Anyone out there read A Frolic of His Own, by William Gaddis? As Scruggs Nation cools down, I'd recommend that to satisfy any cravings for hornets'-nest.

Well, that's a shame. Biden isn't a bad choice for the balance, but it's too highly significant to realize how close his relationship to Plaintiff funding is - and there's this "playing with the National media" that will mark off Biden. Biden will be visiting Kentucky, not Mississippi, so the likelihood is that Biden and Clinton (of course) goes out. Frankly, for the first time, I've decidede to be Republican. I've read two books, The Case Against Obama, and Obama Nation, but this latest "tricky Dickey" launch via the "text message" puts me off. Obama can't win. It's hard to have a balance of power with all Dems, and nothing but the Supreme Court to check that - it won't. Obama's pretty please play my "waiting game" is just like his Chicago antics with the Resco. But now I see the big vet - the Biden connection - out to pasture. I'm going to find out what kind of cigarette Obama smokes. It's a start toward finding out what happened in that Tobacco Settlement that gave Biden his cash. Republicans - are you listening? It's "target market youth", and "star endorsement", and if Republicans aren't playing games, they can use this against the bum bum. For sale: Joe Biden. I'm sad. I always liked the guy.

It wasn't that unusual to see Biden with Joey Langston at his summer home near Pickwick and playing golf at the area course. I always thought that Joey was in charge of influencing Biden, but I never could make the connection as to why. Of course, Biden and McCain have long been friends across the aisle.

M.Williams...isn't it a bit of a stretch to call those collections of half-truths, lies, and smear tactic books?

You know David, I had that same question when I first read about his return of Scruggsie's money. I felt then as I do now, Biden had to return the money in some shape or form...and by gosh he did....wow, how is that for prognosticating? All us simple folk need to follow the money...it sure couldn't hurt if we were betting men/women, now would it?

Here's an interesting WSJ law blog on the Scruggs Biden connection:

http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2008/08/24/the-mess-in-mississippi-redux-the-joe-biden-connection/

I knew that I was becoming a Republican when I started early Monday morning CNN and watched a stage crew union putting up the "Pepsi" set (Can Blue/Red strips)instead of flag bunting - it's ho-ho "youth" symbol time in Denver, but it's certainly a brand name world in Obamaland, isn't it? From my time at D.U., I recall Coors only put in the student center wet bar conditionally - proudly pour draft Coors. Only.

From the looks of the "Pepsi" convention, I was satiated with America's "colors" - a Pepsi can. Now is that fresh? Is this real change, dude?

While Russia is banging at Georgia, Turkey, and ten States I can't pronounce, the young Obama's are text messaging things like, "Is there an X-Box 360 price in the promo's for the new generation of "change"? "What is the Pepsi code for lobbying?" "Will we see "brand recognition" in Obama's choice of cigarette?" (I'm going after that one. There's the 1969 Cigarette Labeling Act (Revised) - ads on tv for smokes. FCC violation. Big fine. Is Obama's "star endorsement" (just hold the pack art to an Extreme CU) Marlboro (male and lesbian macho) or Carlton (health conscience). I'm betting Kool is NOT his brand as the history is funky and could be modernized as "racist". No Malt Liqour cause Pepsi's got "exclusives". No beer ads, ya think? Maybe. But the Germans own all the old brands anyway. Here's Lisa's code: LNLYD, and Jack's code: MN6JU. Yo, dudes! Darfur democracy! This is so cool now we can earn points from pepsi and coke, and get cool stuff - text me, "hey Benito, more than anything, 12 packs are worth 2 points! Yo! Hey, this is the NEW "CHANGE" generation - yo, dude, the new non-elitist school "Pepsi Codes" - so how's that working for Mountain Dew, Subway, and Pepsi? So fresh. Obama's masterful "change" we all want is "Pepsi" codes and product placement via announcements, visuals, and, spot ads on international tv. The change Democrats are earning "points" with Pepsi Stuff Codes - yo, new generation, your government launches "share your caps", and maybe give this new look of sharing to Darfur! Obama change! Dem change! How far's it going - Syntec Car Wars and win a FRunkmaster Flex's Ford Mustang GT?

It's still the f______ Pepsi generation! "Pepsi" (no lobby, no bunting, but colors) convention center, not just showing the voters a "new generation" but a big "change" from - all those nasty corporations! Obama's Mama is a "corporate lawyer," meaning what is it corporate lawyers do for the world? Load down "target market youth" on caffein. Yo. Dude, I'm walking into the Pepsi Democratic Convention for some change big time! So much to crave! So much to win! It's code week. Text me, "just got a fridge pack at the Conventionk!" Do Obama kids get more codes or what? McCain - you're too old and spent your youth on groveling for water in Viet Nam - shame on you. (You could go for change now though). Since every time a correspondent says "Welcome to the Pepsi (that's called product placement), target market youth, you could try simply using H20 - it's just as pricey, it's trendy, and you just need light colors, and you can keep the United States of America in the bunting stuff - not the genyus who paid for anything but your life but you can't get everything right, can you? This is Mel Brooks time. "Gov is good." So's change.

Unh-huh. Did you do that,Dustin?

Do you mean that crazy comment? Even if I disagree with someone I would not post something under their name. That is something a child would do. I did not post that, and I should not have said anything to start this down a "political" path.

What did Scruggs, et al get for their contributions?

McCain has given back money he got from Scruggs as well (Scruggs believed in trying to influence as many as possible and hedge his bets).

As for Georgia, etc., McCain has no real plan and I wonder if he thinks Georgia borders Pakistan on the West. I also wonder if he thinks Russia is training Al-Quaida. While Obama is no one to write home about McCain is even more clueless about the economy and will pursue economic policies that worsen the economy, not strengthen it.

http://yallpolitics.com/index.php/yp/post/10700/

What about Biden's pac "Unite our States"?

SCRUGGS, RICHARD F
PASCAGOULA, MS 39568 SCRUGGS LAW FIRM/LAWYER 04/25/06 $5,000

LANGSTON, JOSEPH C
BOONEVILLE, MS 38829 THE LANGSTON LAW FIRM/ATTORNEY 04/25/06 $5,000

PATTERSON, STEVEN A
NEW ALBANY, MS 38652 SELF-EMPLOYED/CONSULTANT 04/25/06 $5,000

BUSE, BEAU B
BOONEVILLE, MS 38829 04/25/06 $5,000

JONES, CHRISTOPHER D
BOONEVILLE, MS 38829 JONES AND JONES CPA’S OF BOONEVILLE 04/25/06 $5,000

BALDUCCI, TIMOTHY R
BOONEVILLE, MS 38829 LANGSTON LAW FIRM/ATTORNEY 04/25/06 $2,500

BURRESS, R H III
BOONEVILLE, MS 38829 LANGSTON LAW FIRM/ATTORNEY 04/25/06 $2,500

DIAZ, GERALD J JR
JACKSON, MS 39225 DIAZ LAW FIRM/ATTORNEY 04/25/06 $1,000

So a group of got together and donated to a politician. That happens all the time, not just with Biden. It's done to get around limits. Did it help get their agenda through? How wealthy is Biden? I'll answer that second question; apparently not very wealthy. He is actually near the bottom in net worth for USA Senators (I believe only Russ Feingold of WI is below him).

DAVID ROSSMILLER! CALLING DAVID ROSSMILLER! COME BACK!!!!!!!

One of the people on JD's listing is a runner who would not have had that money on his own. Yes, it is done to "get around" limits, but can you legally disguise the person actually giving the money? I know Langston did this all the time with secretaries and minimum wage people, but is it legal?

David has ridden off into the NoDak sunset with style. Adios compadre and happy trails.

Have been a Rossmiller addict for some time, so had to sign in to say I hope your work slows down soon so that you can start blogging again. I am going through withdrawel - I have the shakes and the delirium tremens are about to
start!!!

Borntoolate: it happens -- runners, secretaries, mailroom clerks, giving big $$$ to some campaign. I have witnessed it first hand when my boss told me exactly the amount to give, and later put 1000's of dollars back in my hands. the politicians never knew it. this also happened in the beef plant fiasco.

Looks like you had this one right on target. We can always use a few sharp prognosticators here in Iraq. How do you feel about a little Intel work for Multi-National Forces - Iraq?

From the blog "Cotton Mouth:"

Thursday, August 28, 2008
This is why people like Jim Hood

Attorney General Jim Hood sees more negative press than positive, but that shouldn't stop those of us who support him from reminding the general masses why Hood is so well loved.

Here's a reason, from a Clarion-Ledger article:

The 31-year-old executive director of a program for 182 truant youths accused of making more than $1 million in false Medicaid claims is facing a 14-count indictment , Attorney General Jim Hood announced today.

The negative press, you can bet, is fueled by a concerted GOP attack effort. The positive press comes from Hood doing his job.

Which one do you think people will believe in 2011: political hot air or hard work and integrity?

Posted by Sam Hall at Thursday, August 28, 2008

I agree! Come back David!!!

Come Back, Shane!!

David, I hope you don't mind me using your post to get the news out that the McIntoshes are dismissing their case and are saying State Farm and their employees did nothing wrong! We miss you!! The motion is posted on slabbed but the comments are few. Imagine that!

Any comment on the McIntosh developments, David?

Are you still in there? I think I still hear you breathing.

folo is reporting new Scruggs-related material, in the McIntosh case.

Policyholders withdraw bad faith claim against State Farm
http://www.sunherald.com/newsupdates/story/800082.html

A Biloxi couple who accused State Farm of manipulating expert damage reports to minimize Hurricane Katrina's wind damage HAS NOW CONCEDED the company acted reasonably in adjusting the claim, according to court records filed over the weekend.

Policyholders Thomas and Pamela McIntosh are no longer seeking punitive and other extra damages in their federal lawsuit against the insurance company. The case received national publicity in 2006, when two former State Farm adjusters alleged a damage report on the McIntosh property had been altered without their knowledge to shift blame from wind to tidal surge so federal flood insurance would cover the loss.

PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGTION, THE MCINTOSHES' ATTORNEYS NOW SAY, SHOWS STATE FARM "HAD A REASONABLE BASIS FOR TAKING THE POSITION IT DID REGARDING COVERAGE."

The McIntoshes were promptly and properly paid policy limits of $350,000 for flood damage and $36,228 for wind damage before an engineer inspected the property, the Merlin Law Group says in its motion to dismiss punitive damages, which are designed to deter corporate misbehavior.

The only issue remaining is whether State Farm breached its contract with the McIntoshes by failing to pay what was owed under the policy and any damages that would be owed as a result.

"I would be very hesitant for people outside the lawsuit to try to read too much into what it means when parties dismiss causes of action or take other actions within this lawsuit," said William F. "Chip" Merlin Jr.

David, I hope you'll write about the latest developments in the McIntosh case.