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The Republican Gazette
John Unger: Secret Agent Man
Monday, July 28, 2008
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REPUBLICAN OF THE YEAR
Secret agent Unger still uses 'homeland security' as excuse for whatever he wants to do
When The Associated Press reported last week that six months after dropping out of the race for Congress, John Unger still has not returned thousands of dollars donated to him from various sources, part of Unger's excuse was almost predictable in that it had to do with "homeland security."Unger told the Hagerstown Herald-Mail that his treasuer "is a lieutenant colonel in the Army National Guard, and homeland security assignments have delayed efforts to refund donors." "She's the only one who can sign checks," he said.Which raises the question, what kind of trouble would Unger be in if he was still in the race, given that his treasurer is unavailable? In fact, changing treasurers is about as complicated as checkers, and if Unger was really concerned with giving people their money back it could be done in pretty short order. But again, as always with the good Senator from Berkeley County, we're dealing here with homeland security.Two years ago, when someone had the audacity to snap a picture of his Senate office through a wide open hallway door, Unger claimed it may have been a violation of homeland security. Why? Because Unger claims his job is somehow connected to the Department of Homeland Security.Remember his job? Some of his colleagues recall Unger claiming he worked directly for the Department of Homeland Security. Later, he said he was a consultant with the United States Department of Energy with some sort of "Homeland Security" component. A 2004 Charleston Daily Mail story reported that "for the last several months, he has been serving as manager of homeland security and economic development for EG&G Technical Services in association with the National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown."In fact, the company for which Unger works, making more than $80,000 a year, is part of a web of interelated corporations benefitting from millions of dollars in federal earmarks from Congressman Alan Mollohan. A search of public records and statements by Mollohan himself, make clear that EG&G and other related corporations located in Mollohan's district thrive mostly because of federal dollars directed their way by the congressman from the 1st District.While Unger represents a state senate district in the Eastern Panhandle and also lives in Charleston, the company he listed with at least one organization as the primary source of his professional experience -- EG&G -- is located in Morgantown. A complete look at Unger's mysterious employment situation can be found here.Unger did manage to return some money, according to the Herald-Mail, mostly to high-profile Washington donors. JOHN UNGER
Always undercover
Weeks gains support from Dems, hears earful regarding tunnel issues
Republican gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks spent the weekend in Ohio County attending the Italian Festival in Wheeling, where he was pleasantly surprised by the number of Democrats who approached him to pledge their support, including volunteers who were working at Democrat booths.Several Democrats expressed unhappiness not just with Gov. Joe Manchin, but with the state party as well.Weeks also met with several individuals regarding ongoing problems that have delayed by several months completion of work on the Wheeling Tunnel. As described in a story Thursday in the Wheeling Intelligencer, "the Wheeling Tunnel may soon present double trouble for Interstate 70 motorists. The eastbound lane closed Wednesday and is scheduled to remain closed until Nov. 1. Robert Langen, West Virginia Division of Highways area engineer, said Wednesday the westbound tube also will be closed for a period while electrical work is completed. Langen said there will be times when both tubes will be closed at the same time."Problems with private contractors are being blamed for the ongoing delays.On Sunday, Randy Scheunemann, McCain 2008 senior foreign policy adviser, issued the following statement welcoming Barack Obama's latest shift to an "entirely conditions-based" withdrawal from Iraq:"Today Barack Obama finally abandoned his dangerous insistence on an unconditional withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by making clear that for the foreseeable future, troop levels in Iraq will be 'entirely conditions based.' We welcome this latest shift in Senator Obama's position, but it is obvious that it was only a lack of experience and judgment that kept him from arriving at this position sooner. "John McCain has always held the position that any withdrawal from Iraq must be based on conditions on the ground. With the incredible success of the surge, which John McCain advocated, it is increasingly likely that U.S. troops will be able to withdraw with victory in hand."McCain applauds Obama position change
