Ohio agency workers: We’ve never heard of background checks for “fame” purposes
posted at 1:18 pm on November 3, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Yeah, turns out “hey, I’ve heard of that guy” typically isn’t a good enough reason to go rifling through someone’s files for dirty laundry.
Loretta Adams was surprised to learn that sudden fame subjects Ohioans to computer records searches at the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
It doesn’t work that way at the 88 county agencies, said Adams, executive director of the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association.
“That would not be a legitimate use of government access. We don’t use it to pull people in the public eye,” Adams said. She said such checks were unheard of when she was a deputy director of the state agency in the 1990s…
Adams said government workers must have probable cause — recognizing a name from an active case or getting a tip on possible fraud — before rummaging through confidential records that include tax and salary information…
Officials with Job and Family Services departments in Franklin, Cuyahoga and Licking counties agree with Adams.
If you’re confused about the players here, the Department of Job and Family Services is the state agency led by Helen Jones-Kelley, Obama donor and inquisitor of the newly famous. The Job and Family Services Directors’ Association led by Adams is a nonprofit that represents the state’s county departments. In a nutshell, you’ve got 88 separate local agencies here asking why the state thinks JTP’s fame is some sort of snoop trigger when, er, none of them do. Remember, Vanessa Niekamp, who ran the search on Wurzelbacher at the behest of her supervisor, had never heard of the policy either.
Needless to say, the worse this gets, the more imperative it is for the RNC or JTP or a combination thereof to sue. Maybe that’ll be our new project next week: The Joe Wurzelbacher “Teach Obama Cultists in Power an Important Lesson about Punitive Damages” Legal Defense Fund. Exit question: Is anyone else covering this except for the Columbus Dispatch? And Fox News, when the boss is on?
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No, the fix is in.
right2bright on November 3, 2008 at 1:21 PM
I heard joe the Plumber say he was pursuing a lawsuit this morning on Fox & Friends. Go Joe!
bopbottle on November 3, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Well, it happened under Bush watch.
So it must be Bush’s fault!
/leftist mindset
Sir Napsalot on November 3, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Don’t worry John Conyers is all over it!
Theworldisnotenough on November 3, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Well Congress and the Senate do exempt themselves from many of the laws they enact. Nothing to see here.
Tommy_G on November 3, 2008 at 1:22 PM
Something Im sure all dissenting voices will eventually experience under a BHO white house!
Viper1 on November 3, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Hasn’t anyone learned yet… we are the enemy now. Yeah, us, the good guys.
Fozzy Bear on November 3, 2008 at 1:23 PM
I’m pretty sure Conyers is on the case.
MayBee on November 3, 2008 at 1:23 PM
If a liberal commits an illegal act, and only journalist here it…will there be a sound?
right2bright on November 3, 2008 at 1:23 PM
Dang it. **Refresh** before trying to be first to make a joke.
MayBee on November 3, 2008 at 1:24 PM
correction.
right2bright on November 3, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Is this getting covered in Ohio? If so, it could be enough to tip the state to the Republicans. Not just McCain, but up and down the ticket.
If it’s getting covered, most Ohio markets have some overlap with surrounding states.
MarkTheGreat on November 3, 2008 at 1:24 PM
I’m from Toledo. This story is barely covered in the Toledo Blade. It’s amazing to me that the excuse that they run “routine” checks on people in the public eye is somehow supposed to make it sound better.
How about if I state my name at a city council meeting or at a public school board hearing and say something the opposition doesn’t like… does this give them the right to run a government check on me based on the fact that i might appear on local news or in the paper?
nitzsche on November 3, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Why? Obama’ll just tax it back.
Darth Executor on November 3, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Actually, this is a task for the DOJ … oh, nevermind, I forgot that the Bush DOJ has no interest in pursuing actual crimes.
progressoverpeace on November 3, 2008 at 1:25 PM
Ohio State officials had time to check into this poor man’s background but had no time to check into fraudulent voter registrations?
AmericanUnderground on November 3, 2008 at 1:26 PM
In a normal world, Helen Jones Kelly would be pressured to resign. Oops never mind, she is black women. She is exempt.
Get used to it people.
Hummer53 on November 3, 2008 at 1:26 PM
Gonna have to put a Manley Rash on your a$$ AllahP….; )
BL@KBIRD on November 3, 2008 at 1:26 PM
He should sue and Ms. Kelley should lose her job. Why is the ACLU quiet on this. What about his rights… oh yeah
he is a republican they only defend liberals, criminals,terrorist and the such, you know , Obama Supporters~
McPalin ‘08
mcplumbercuda on November 3, 2008 at 1:26 PM
I’m sure this will be a top priority of new Attorney General Ramsey Clark.
Mr. D on November 3, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Please, why cover this unimportant story about Orwellian tactics from an Obama cultist. The MSM has better things to do than cover corrupt Democratic officials; like cover the coronation of The One.
Anyway, isn’t it mandated from the heavens that MSM reporters shall not upset The One and his Obots? That’s what I thought.
Lance Murdock on November 3, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Conversely, Attorney General Rudy will make heads roll for this after McCain wins.
wise_man on November 3, 2008 at 1:28 PM
Being a Columbus Ohio native, this doesn’t shock me in the least. I keep following the story in the Columbus Dispatch hoping it will turn out differently, but fully aware that it really is THIS BAD.
flyawaybird on November 3, 2008 at 1:28 PM
it should be evident that the answer to this question to your current political overlords is yes.
theguardianii on November 3, 2008 at 1:29 PM
I wonder if anyone will be fired or reprimanded over this?
Not holding my breath.
mindhacker on November 3, 2008 at 1:29 PM
BUSH LIED, PEOPLE SPIED!!!!”
Wait, what??
pherrman on November 3, 2008 at 1:29 PM
I’m
planninger foreseeing some kind of highly focused and organized national tax boycott in the event of a Democrat coup.LibertyBoyNYC on November 3, 2008 at 1:30 PM
I heard joe the Plumber say he was pursuing a lawsuit this morning on Fox & Friends. Go Joe!” Bopbottle.
That’s great news, where do i send a check?
Christine on November 3, 2008 at 1:32 PM
How infuriating. Go after ‘em, Joe.
latinchic on November 3, 2008 at 1:33 PM
I think Olbermann is doing a expose tonight called “Government intrusion into the life of Joe the Plumber: Why he should be destroyed”.
portlandon on November 3, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Joe the plummer on Fox news video today
William Amos on November 3, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Allah, you of all people should know this. The media doesn’t give a dang, and Fox News has been so demonized by liberals that it’s primary audience is people like us, here, on HotAir. If anyone other than Fox News and Michelle wanted to say anything bad about The Messiah, Obama would have been utterly destroyed last week with that 2001 interview surfacing, his shunning of the conservative reporter, and just about every other goof he and Joe Biden have made in the past few days.
I just hope you’re wrong, Allah. For our sake, I hope McCain and Palin win.
Achilles on November 3, 2008 at 1:35 PM
I would chip in for Joe’s legal fund. I want to see this thing through, unlike the plethora of other issues that were bandied about for a day or so then disappeared.
coldblossom on November 3, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Ha, good one.
Dash on November 3, 2008 at 1:36 PM
“He should sue and Ms. Kelley should lose her job. Why is the ACLU quiet on this. What about his rights…oh yeah he is a republican, they only defend liberals, criminals, terrorist and the such, you know, Obama Supporters~
mcplumbercuda: you forgot child molesters, like NAMBLA.
My father contributes to the UCLU; he fell from the pedestal that i had him on years ago.
Christine on November 3, 2008 at 1:36 PM
I think their probable cause is codified, i.e., when someone wins the lottery, there is a statute on the books stating they can do a check. The head of this dept. was really b.s.ing. She needs to get called on the carpet if not fired.
Blake on November 3, 2008 at 1:36 PM
I don’t get the outrage. It’s right there in the quoted article:
Obama’s “spread the wealth” answer was an enormous tip on a possible fraud. Therefore Joe the Plumber is fair game.
There are only 2 choices in Obamerica: get on the bus or get under it. You’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel squishable? Well, do ya, punk?
Gilda on November 3, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Put a sock in it, Eeyore. McCain is going to win handily and then Joe is going to mop up Ohio in the course of his lawsuit.
ManlyRash on November 3, 2008 at 1:38 PM
I loved this guy when he was on Ghost Hunters. Nerves of steel I tell ya.
I’m kidding..kidding…sheeesh…. a little left over humor.
I fully agree JTP should sue for invasion of privacy.
johnnyU on November 3, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Of course someone should be at least reprimanded over the Joe the Plumber government computer check and leak. But, it ain’t gonna happen.
Now, can someone tell me when Democrats are going to crack down on voter fraud. Democrats seem to encourage/protect voter fraud as if it was one of their main constituencies.
SC.Charlie on November 3, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Just wait until the Civilian National Security Corps gets ahold of your community service reportcard.
Limerick on November 3, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Exccccelllent point. Hmmmmm……
Badger40 on November 3, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Christine- Forgot about NAMBLA- don’t know how they have their own magazine and everything. Sick freaks.
McPalin ‘08
mcplumbercuda on November 3, 2008 at 1:42 PM
I am going to start marketing chocolate flavored boots to the Obama Administration. That way the media will feel much better about licking their boots.
James on November 3, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Sherrod Brown’s wife was a guest on Real Time with Bill Maher Friday night. Sherrod Brown is my not so great Ohio Senator. Amy Holmes complained that the state was investigating Joe. Sherrod Brown’s wife immediately said…well they should.
I just don’t understand how they get away with this.
tanmany2k on November 3, 2008 at 1:45 PM
If there is a lawsuit or investigation, then I hope the suponena Helen Jones-Kelley’s phone, instant message and e-mail records to see if she was contacted by someone on the Obama campaign.
I’d like to see that done with French from the TrooperGate probe, too.
It’s very interesting that investigations were led by max donors to Obama.
jonkk on November 3, 2008 at 1:46 PM
If ‘Joe the Plumber’ was a Democrat,the MSM and
the Lefty’s would be having a nuclear meltdown!!
And,the MSM would be on this 24/7 on every channel!
It sure is perplexing when the Liberal Democrat Party have been b#tching and falsely accusing the Republicans of spying!
Meanwile,’Joe the Plumber’ has been spied on by the very
people who are supporting Obama,and some of his supporters
are in government positions!!
And that’s the “CHANGE” Obama will deliver on!!
And that ‘CHANGE’ is spying on average Joe American!
canopfor on November 3, 2008 at 1:47 PM
What Internet address did Joe say?
Kevin in Washington State on November 3, 2008 at 1:49 PM
The Toledo Free Press actually does have a couple of stories about it, and one person has been charged (administratively, within the Toledo Police Department itself)
Yup, the local daily newspaper doesn’t think this is a story at all, but they did make Palin’s wardrobe $ a two day front page story. I think the Toledo Blade is the most corrupt newspaper in the country.
rbj on November 3, 2008 at 1:52 PM
It just occurred to me that if Obama wins AP has 4 years of easy material. Not sure how well he’ll be able to type with his fingers broken in Dear Leader’s reeducation camps though.
Darth Executor on November 3, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Vanessa Niekamp will be fired but they will say it’s for other reasons.Helen-Jones Kelly will be promoted to a higher level of incompentence. Joe the plumber will sue and win big$$.MSM will pay no attention at all to any of this.
So says. my magic 8 ball.
jellybelly on November 3, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Its Joe’s fault, he is getting this treatment anyway. He should never have dared to have asked the “One” an unscripted question, nevermind that he held his stare. All good disciples know not to look directly at the “One”. And that Subject Joe should have just been laying palms on the One’s path through his neighborhood.
MDWNJ on November 3, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Because they frame it as political speech. The few newsletters I’ve seen had line drawings that were questionable. Not all kiddy porn is overt. It’s hard to describe. My test is does it make you feel uncomfortable? NAMBLA illustrations did.
Blake on November 3, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Yes, Stalin and Hitler should be proud of the Democrats tactics in Ohio. Is this a sign of things to come?
DL13 on November 3, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Dang, that’s a mouthful. Think we could shorten that some?
loudmouth883 on November 3, 2008 at 2:14 PM
I agree with jellybelly’s scenario. Spot-ON!
Sergei on November 3, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Count me in, baby!
UltimateBob on November 3, 2008 at 2:27 PM
JTP, RNC, and all of us will whine and complain but nothing will be done.
If someone in OH actually gets off their a$$ and creates a defense fund, let me know. I’ll donate as much as I can.
Sultry Beauty on November 3, 2008 at 2:46 PM
A boycott won’t work, just like refusing to pay one’s cable bill doesn’t work.
The better solution would be to swamp them. If you owe, pay $1 less than you owe. It will cost them $200 in labor to collect. Or $11, to create transposition plausible deniability.
Better yet: send in two 1040s next year, in separate envelopes, naturally. One is your own. The other is a return for “John Galt” (or “Heywood Jablome”). No signature, no SSN, no address, of course (unless you want to us Keith Olbermann’s). Just paper. Mountains of paper.
SlimyBill on November 3, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Priceless.
scalleywag on November 3, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Charge this Obama sycophant witch with something or its meaningless.
Speedwagon82 on November 3, 2008 at 3:04 PM
UNREPENTANT CONSERVATIVE CAPITOLIST on November 3, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Even if she is fired from her job .. so what … I am sure that Obama will find a place for here in the new Department of Speaking Truth To Power.
DJ Rick on November 3, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Joe, if you need any character witnesses, I know where you can get about 150,000,000 of them.
Star20 on November 3, 2008 at 3:55 PM
Just think, in a few days the position of “Kapo” could make a big comeback.
I’m already gathering the sewing supplies to affix the red elephant symbol of “Konservativ” to all of my clothing.
Tonight, I bury my firearms.
BobMbx on November 3, 2008 at 3:59 PM
I have a friend who is a Democrat. I asked him if it didn’t bother him that they have gone against government policy to harass JTP. His reply was, “Not at all. He should have shut up.” My immediate reaction was to sputter. I was surprised and, at the same time, not surprised. I am also frustrated, disappointed and fearful for our future.
snaggletoothie on November 3, 2008 at 4:06 PM
San Francisco radio host wants Joe dead.
MadisonConservative on November 3, 2008 at 4:15 PM
It’s just a “vanity” check… well, other than it is of someone else and for political retaliatory reasons. Nothing to see, move along, move along.
rgranger on November 3, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Is there a sanction for democrats lying to reporters? I guess that was repealed during the Clinton Administration. I was wondering what clerk was in charge of Ohio’s instant fame search form – turns out it’s a new fabrication just in time for Joe the Plumber.
Mark30339 on November 3, 2008 at 4:44 PM
San Francisco radio host wants Joe dead.
MadisonConservative on November 3, 2008 at 4:15 PM
that should read (Flaming Homosexual) San Francisco radio host wants Joe dead.
la.rt.wngr on November 3, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Allah, IBD and the Cleveland Plains Dealer both had op-eds on this. One each. There was someone with Scripps who thought it was wrong, though it paled in comparison to the NSA.
Not one national newspaper but IBD, according to my searches, has covered this. Op-ed commentary on privacy is for fugitive aliens.
Dan Collins on November 3, 2008 at 5:15 PM
But is Loretta Adams an illegal alien? Or (gasp) a Republican? All hail the Messiah! Love him or die!
gun-totin-wacko on November 3, 2008 at 5:44 PM
Elisabeth tried to bring it up today on The View, but Barabara (I think) cut for commercial.
I’ve also noticed another odd thing or two: The “Constitution” interview that Barack gave has NEVER been brought up on The View, and not one peep today about the Coal cabal. Wonder why that is?
/sarc
MsUnderestimated on November 3, 2008 at 6:09 PM
In Ohio, now-a-days,,,
You can vote and register all at once,
without an address, (park benches will do)
without state issued ID,
without showing up,
AND are subject to governmental invasion of privacy if you dare to speak up like a free man.
What is happening to my once-great state?
Chuck on November 3, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Bush has shown what bi-partisanship can do for you. He tried as hard as he could, but the democrats are only bi-partisan as long as you’re kissing their asses. When the kissing srops, they ram it where the sun doesn’t shine. The democrats are not a political party, they are a leftist movement dedicated to putting this nation on its knees in order to gain the most power ever attained by those starving for control.
volsense on November 3, 2008 at 6:12 PM
Adams said government workers must have probable cause — before rummaging through confidential records that include tax and salary information…
Probable cause, Naw really?
I went back and checked the Obma/JTP tape and the fact that JTP had a kid is not on the tape.
That kinda sorta removes Helen Jones-Kelley stated reason for her actions in searching JTP records, to see if he was behind on child support payments.
Payments that would be to himself, which is kinda odd in its self.
Under her rational, any Ohioan who is old enough to have children are fair game for an inquisition.
Another question,
How did the media KNOW the company JPT worked for didn’t “do” $250K in business unless they check JPT bosses tax records as well?
DSchoen on November 3, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Ohio State officials had time to check into this poor man’s background but had no time to check into fraudulent voter registrations?
AmericanUnderground on November 3, 2008 at 1:26 PM
But but they also checked into Joes voter registration and when he voted!
“Linda Howe, executive director of the Lucas County Board of Elections, said a Samuel Joseph Worzelbacher, whose address and age match Joe the Plumber’s, registered in Lucas County on Sept. 10, 1992.”
“He voted in his first primary on March 4 of this year, registering as a Republican.”
“Ms. Howe said that the name may be misspelled in the database”
WOW I though our voting was privet, isn’t that why we go into a both to vote?
From the Toledo blade
“Wurzelbacher registered as an apprentice with the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council in November 2003, according to Dennis Evans, spokesman with the Department of Job and Family Services.
Dennis Evans, spokesman with the “Department of Job and Family Services”
OPPPS so much for Helen Jones-Kelley claim that NONE of the info they got was released to the press.
BTW is Dennis Evans a license spokeshole?
DSchoen on November 3, 2008 at 7:11 PM
“that should read (Flaming Homosexual) San Francisco radio host wants Joe dead”
Actually that should read (Flaming Homosexual) San Francisco radio host who took the spot of the NOW Convicted Pedophile, Child Pornographer “lion of the left” Bernie Ward, wants Joe dead”
You stand corrected,
Unless I left something out
.
DSchoen on November 3, 2008 at 7:19 PM
As a resident of Ohio, I can’t even begin to explain how much this angers me. I am a little behind in my child support (a few weeks) and I would be thoroughly ticked and would sue anyone in the state government I could if that information was leaked out to the press like they did to Joe the Plumber.
rmel80 on November 3, 2008 at 7:20 PM
When it’s time fo bury your firearms, it’s time to dig them back up!
CanDoEZ on November 3, 2008 at 10:16 PM
I want to know is it legal for me to begin
background checks on any liberals whom i disagree with?
Somehow i think the demorats with their nazi supporters whould haul my entire family out of our home
lean us up against the wall and have us all SHOT
if we DARED to question or check on any leftist candidate..
so its legal for the left to break ALL our laws
but if we dare question them..
Watch out they will send pelozi and the aclu after you
jcila on November 3, 2008 at 10:27 PM
Folks, this is just a preview of an Obama Presidency.
Background checks of those who oppose him.
Media Sources shut down who question him.
Corporations told what they can make, how they can make it, how much they can make and at what profit.
Small businesses run into the ground.
Political enemies whos lives are threatened.
Anti-gun legislation, more anti-gun legislation.
Civilian Security Force (Gestapo) that can skirt the Posse Comitatus Act, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 10th Amendments destroyed.
Neighbors ratting on neighbors in fear.
Even those in his own party will fear him.
If it sounds like Germany in 1933, those who have been ignorant enough to support Obama, might have allowed history to repeat itself.
nelsonknows on November 4, 2008 at 4:35 AM
Funny I know more about JTP than I do BHO via the MSM.
johnnyU on November 4, 2008 at 7:13 AM
Excellent point, johnnyU. Ever since Billy Jeff I’ve been looking for an honest journalist in the MSM. Haven’t found one yet, but I remain optimistic.
SKYFOX on November 4, 2008 at 8:26 AM
nelsonknows on November 4, 2008 at 4:35 AM
Let’s not forget nationalized healthcare resulting in little to no care and common people dying while on waiting lists that don’t apply to the privileged elite.
SKYFOX on November 4, 2008 at 8:29 AM
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