Papers want to unseal Sen. Heinz estate records

[kskiska]

Two newspapers want a judge to unseal the estate records of the late Sen. H. John Heinz III, contending the documents possibly could shed light on Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign.

The Morning Call of Allentown and the Los Angeles Times petitioned Allegheny County Court to make the records public. Common Pleas Administrative Judge Frank Lucchino has scheduled a Sept. 14 hearing on the request.

(snip)

The day after John Heinz died, Common Pleas Judge Nathan Schwartz ordered that all documents in the senator's estate be shielded from public view. The court edict did not reveal why the records were sealed and did not indicate a hearing was held on the matter.

(snip)

"These records would provide valuable insight into the extensive philanthropic activities of Mrs. Heinz Kerry, and answer questions about whether those activities bear any relationship to the presidential campaign of her husband ... Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry."

more…
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_208760.html

[goclark]

1. What about the Bush papers?

Let's let Poppy open those!

I bet oil is all over every sheet of paper in the file,

[Democat]

2. How about Bush Sr.'s papers and all of Ronald Reagan's papers?

Those are a lot more important to the American people, but Bush wants to keep them secret. Why?

[alittlelark]

4. I hope that Kerry, on his first day in the Oval Office

unseals Poppy's and Ronnie's records.

Especially given the fact that B*sh the Lesser sealed them on his 1st day in office.

[RFKHumphreyObama]

26. It'll be too late

You can rest assured that * and co have gone through all those papers and "checked" them thoroughly

[poliguru]

3. It's late so maybe I'm slow...

but I'm not sure what can be held against Teresa and John over these records. Obviously, she legally inherited the money, etc. She used the money for philanthropic purposes, for the most part - are they going to somehow say she didn't have the right to give money to the arts? And since no money was used for the campaign, I don't understand how it relates to the campaign. I guess you could say (if you wanted to stretch) that the organizations she has given to in the past are supporting Kerry and maybe even contributing, but as she mostly gives in support of the arts, that's not much of a stretch (gee, you mean those unfunded artists don't vote repub?). If someone with greater knowledge of probate cases can fill me in, I'd appreciate it. I do agree they shouldn't be unsealed. Bush is a master of taken something noble and innocent and turning it into something bad.

[alittlelark]

5. Another 'straw man' or "HEY, Look over there"

tactic. Pitiful and desperate.

[Swamp Rat]

6. Exactly!

[sleepyhead]

25. Yeah, look! Teresa is rich!

And her husband is rich! And he looks French! Ignore the Plame indictments and the AWOL papers and the Halliburton shenanigans and the erosion of civil liberties and..... Look over here! Kerry got a haircut!

[CHIMO]

9. Do You Mean

That she spent all the money on philanthropic (big word) purposes?

Note: "taken" should be spelt as "taking" in this case.

[poliguru]

11. What do YOU mean?

I spelled "philanthropic" correctly, and I didn't use the word "taken" (or "taking," even). And "used" and "spent" in this case are interchangeable.

I take pride in my ability to spell and use proper grammar, unlike some political leaders...

[CHIMO]

12. I Was

Just pointing out that the word "philanthropic" was spelt correctly while the word "taken" was used incorrectly. "Bush is a master of taken something noble..."

It just seemed a little odd that the big word was correct and the little things were out of context. It is not something that spell check picks up on. That's all.

[poliguru]

15. Ah hah

I see it now. That's what happens when, as I said in my title, it's late and I'm tired.

I'm going to go run for president now.

[CHIMO]

16. I'm Sure

That it would be a great improvement over things as they now stand. Good luck.

[murielm99]

7. Didn't Teresa say she would not use her money

for the campaign unless they attacked her family?

Am I wrong about that?

This is certainly attacking her family.

This is just a big distraction.

Unseal all the * records. Demand the truth about his military service. Let's see all his family's financial papers, too.

[alittlelark]

8. Damn, I would humiliate myself in public to see those records opened up

to the light of day!!!

Really, I would.
I might even don a tutu and dive into an olympic pool for the priviledge of seeing them unsealed!!!

[homegrownLeaf]

14. How is disclosure of spent money an attack?

All candidate records shouldbe made public. There should be nothing to hide.

[Justice]

22. Go Away

Bush* does nothing but hide. Don't throw the "there should be nothing to hide" out. Bush* invented the modern day hide.

[homegrownLeaf]

23. Go away for me wanting all records released by all candidates?

What exactly is your problem by making a come back like that?

[leftynyc]

27. Since when is Teresa a candidate?

n/t

[Liberal Veteran]

31. Is Sen. Heinz running for president?

I fail to see why a dead man's fortune should be of interest. It's not like Kerry inherited it.

[madrchsod]

10. he died and somehow she gave the money

to Kerry who she never met and at that time was not running for president..ok i know it`s late but that logic makes my head really hurt. i don`t think the courts are going to hear that argument. oh by the way ,my mom`s estate is also sealed ,it`s very common for a lawyer to ask and granted this provision..

[homegrownLeaf]

13. I don't see why they should be kept secret

I doubt there is any bad news and it would prove the wingers wrong. Open them up for all to see hoow clean she is!

[tlcandie]

20. IMO it isn't about nothing to hide ... it's a personal attack against

her because she has $$$$ and guts! They are going for distraction and anything to make her and this campaign 'appear' dirty!

Unseal them fine, but ONLY IF ALL of the * family documents and papers and Cheney's energy papers and Halliburton papers are all unsealed!

You want out in the open? FINE BY ME.. just do it all around the board!! After all, FAIR'S FAIR! What good for one is good for all!

JOIN IN THE COMING OUT PARADE!!! :bounce:

[Judi Lynn]

17. These public disclosures of personal records should either be required

of all candidates, or none. Anything else would be stupid.

[tlcandie]

21. Totally agree JudiLyn and posted as much right before I viewed

your reply! :hi:

[Piperay]

18. Repukees are so PATHETIC

they should just 'take it like men' and go down with some dignity instead of these stupid, pathetic, ill-conceived L-O-S-E-R scams. x(

[Princess Turandot]

19. Didn't Kerry take a loan out against their common property..

(their home) as opposed to receiving direct contributions from his wife?

Interestingly, when his wife's tax info was revealed, I believe that it showed that her income relative to her assets was not extraordinary, because she primarily invested in tax exempt bonds or US Treasury obligations. Her taxes were consistent with her investments, which appeared to not only be above board, but supportive of both the US and local government.

[shraby]

34. I believe that was

his own personal home he took a loan out against.

[Tellurian]

24. And the Democrats want to Roll-Over for Bush!

If Goss was already appointed, there wouldn't be any need for a judge.

By now the papers would have been confiscated by the Justice Dept under the guise of a matter of National Security..

The Dems make me ill!

[mbperrin]

28. Far as I know, the late Sen. H. John Heinz III

is not running for anything, and any information about his estate has nothing to do at all with any race being run today.

I just want to see the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS that "Dick" Cheney has concealed which would be both relevant to his and little-what's-his-name's campaign as well as current government policy. Until we see the OFFICIAL UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS that are being hidden by the current mismalnonadministration, I say FUCK OFF to this irrelelvant bullshit.

And that's about as nicely as I can say it.

[brook]

29. And nicely you did.

I'm half awake and so outraged, I'll just second what you said. Hope you don't mind.

[no_hypocrisy]

30. Hmmm, how did Prescott Bush distribute his estate? How about how

he spent his money BEFORE he died, maybe a little investment in Germany?

[Inland]

32. An Estate Primer: There is Nothing in Them

A guy like Heinz died without any paper trail in his estate. Most of his wealth would have been as beneficiary of trusts, either set up by his ancestors or by himself. His will will have a couple of bequests of personal items and then give all the rest of his estate to a named trust. THE TERMS OF THE TRUST WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE ESTATE FILE.

Really rich people use these instruments to avoid taxes, maintain flexibility, and to avoid prying eyes. Despite his untimely death, Heinz would have done the same.

[Debi]

33. DON'T YOU GET IT???

Heinz Kerry, while running the Heinz Foundation, gave money to groups that would traditionally be considered "Democratic"....the poor, the arts, musical programs, educational programs.

NOW John Kerry is running for President and Mrs. Heinz Kerry is 'calling in her chits' so all the people who got Heinz money now have to support Kerry....

(END SACRASM)

So anyone who supports Kerry also received funds from Heinz has been 'bought'and that is just not right...RIGHT?