[Mpls] Omar

[gemgram]

Many times I agree with Vicky, but there is something in this post that I 
think she is wrong about.  Martha Stewart is NOT in jail for lying to the 
government.  Martha Stewart is in prison because she SWAPPED lies with 
government agents, and then refused to drop the dime on someone they really 
wanted.  So she was made an example of.  Of course the example she really 
became is to not ever talk to a government agent about anything concerning 
yourself without a lawyer present, no matter how smart you think you are. 
Poor example for the government to set if you ask me. Perhaps that is why 
Somali businesspeople are reticent to go to the law when they are being 
exploited by a criminal who claims as "friends" some of the highest elected 
officials in Minneapolis.

Now to totally Minneapolis specific.  Another "smart" person is soon to be 
sentenced for bribing Minneapolis City Council Members.  Anyone know what 
date the sentencing of Basim Sabri is to be done.  Have the Central 
Neighborhood, the Whittier Neighborhood, the Ventura Village Neighborhood, 
and the Somali Community that he attempted to exploit and takeover prepared 
"Community Impact Statements" for the Court.  Such statements would go a 
long way to ensure a criminal gets the sentence he really deserves.

I have heard a couple of lawyers speculate that Basim Sabri will get little 
more than a hand slap for his activities; because he has the profits he 
exploited Minneapolis for.  Also, because he will turn over other 
politicians and City officials who he has bribed.  While this might justify 
getting Ten years instead of Twenty years, it hardly justifies a hand slap. 
Remember this same Basim Sabri is the person who bragged that he "Owned" 
public officials, that he was Minneapolis City Council Member's "retirement 
fund". He thought that he didn't have to worry about the law, he could buy 
law.  According to some of the Somali business people who he exploited the 
Sabris threatened them with these political "friends".  Remember that as 
little as a few months ago Sabri still claimed as "friends" and supporters 
several of the highest of City of Minneapolis' elected officials.  Even 
though Sabri was under indictment, and the United States Supreme Court had 
ruled that there was sufficient evidence to try him for his criminal 
behavior, he continues receiving votes and "support" from his "friends".

I wonder if David Brauer and his newspapers could dig out some of the 
articles of the past four years and identify some of those politicians who 
thought Sabri was a "friend" and positive for Minneapolis.  I remember 
several such quotes in the City Pages, the StarTribune, on television, etc. 
It would make a fascinating article for your newspapers David. I am sure 
some of your staff have the expertise to do a media content-analysis to 
bring out that information.  Perhaps other readers might report other 
sources they remember. Is it amazing to anyone but me that Minneapolis 
politicians do not seem to even feel shame about supporting someone under 
idictment for bribing Minneapolis politicians.  Sure gives you confidence in 
those politicians doesn't it?  I know they are not actually ashamed for it, 
but don't you think they could at least act like they were.

Jim Graham,
Ventura Village; Phillips; Sixth Ward of Minneapolis