Jack Abramoff, a lobbyist closely associated with Tom Delay, has been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5081101108.html
Let's hope our justices provide real justice.
From the article...
Each of the six counts in the indictment could bring a punishment of as much as five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Federal authorities are also seeking $60 million from Abramoff and Kidan, the money lost by a lender they had sought out to help finance the casino ships' purchase.
My comment...
Let's hope he gets the max.
From the article...
But Abramoff's dealings with SunCruz were intertwined with his relationships with powerful members of Congress and their staffs. As the negotiations warmed up, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's office -- he was the House minority whip then -- gave Boulis a flag that had flown over the Capitol. And as the SunCruz deal was closing, Abramoff brought his lead financier to a DeLay fundraiser in the lobbyist's box at FedEx Field during a Monday Night Football game between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys.
My comment...
Delay involved in corrupt activities. I don't believe it.
Full Version: The Ultimate Lobbyist Going Down
The circle is closing in...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5092001758.html
From the article...
David H. Safavian, the Bush administration official arrested Monday...
My comment...
That sentence just seems to roll off the tongue. In fact, get rid of the "David H. Safavian, the" part and the "administration official" part and it would sound even sweeter.
From the article...
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee held up Safavian's nomination for more than a year, in part because of lawmakers' concerns about lobbying work for two men later accused of links to suspected terrorist organizations, according to committee documents.
My comment...
A Bush appointee with ties to terrorism? I'm shocked (not really)!!
From the article...
Safavian was arrested Monday on charges of lying and obstructing an investigation into former powerhouse lobbyist Jack Abramoff's dealings with the federal government.
My comment...
Now you see the link!!
From the article...
With Abramoff, he also represented the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. protectorate, to try to block the imposition of minimum wage rules.
My comment...
What is so special about the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands? Well, you can see it here:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Investigation/st...d=647725&page=1
From this article...
A Washington lobbyist under federal investigation for his lobbying activities arranged a lavish overseas trip to the island of Saipan for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, over the New Year's holiday in 1997.
DeLay, his wife and daughter, and several aides, stayed for free at a beachfront resort.
The DeLay trip to the South Pacific island, originally reported by a "20/20" investigation, was part of an effort by former aide Jack Abramoff to stop legislation aimed at cracking down on sweatshops and sex shops in the American territory, which is known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands...
"You represent everything that is good about what we are trying to do in America," DeLay said at the time to his audience, which included Saipan officials and factory owners.
My comment...
See the tie-ins everybody? But really, how bad could the working conditions on the Marianas really be? Well, you can check it out here:
http://www.salon.com/news/1999/02/04news.html
From that article...
Wages in the factories average about $3 per hour -- more than $2 less than the U.S. minimum wage of $5.15. No overtime is paid for a 70-hour work week...
[S]ome 31,000 textile workers live penned up like cattle by armed soldiers and barbed wire, and squeezed head to toe into filthy sleeping barracks, all of which was documented on film by U.S. investigators last year...
The unhappy workers cannot just walk away, either: Like Appalachian coal miners a generation ago, they owe their souls to the company store, starting with factory recruiters, who charge Chinese peasants as much as $4,000 to get them out of China and into a "good job" in "America." Their low salaries make it nearly impossible to buy back their freedom. And so they stay. The small print in their contracts forbids sex, drinking -- and dissent...
My comment...
Oh, and did I forget to mention:
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sw.../abc040100.html
From that article...
Pregnant garment workers on Saipan are forced to have abortions to keep their jobs.
My comment...
Do you think that Delay might just be thinking, "See if they had stuck to the rules forbidding sex, they wouldn't be in that position of being pregnant and would have to have an abortion. It's there own fault!!"
Yeah I thought so!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5092001758.html
From the article...
David H. Safavian, the Bush administration official arrested Monday...
My comment...
That sentence just seems to roll off the tongue. In fact, get rid of the "David H. Safavian, the" part and the "administration official" part and it would sound even sweeter.
From the article...
The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee held up Safavian's nomination for more than a year, in part because of lawmakers' concerns about lobbying work for two men later accused of links to suspected terrorist organizations, according to committee documents.
My comment...
A Bush appointee with ties to terrorism? I'm shocked (not really)!!
From the article...
Safavian was arrested Monday on charges of lying and obstructing an investigation into former powerhouse lobbyist Jack Abramoff's dealings with the federal government.
My comment...
Now you see the link!!
From the article...
With Abramoff, he also represented the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. protectorate, to try to block the imposition of minimum wage rules.
My comment...
What is so special about the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands? Well, you can see it here:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Investigation/st...d=647725&page=1
From this article...
A Washington lobbyist under federal investigation for his lobbying activities arranged a lavish overseas trip to the island of Saipan for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, over the New Year's holiday in 1997.
DeLay, his wife and daughter, and several aides, stayed for free at a beachfront resort.
The DeLay trip to the South Pacific island, originally reported by a "20/20" investigation, was part of an effort by former aide Jack Abramoff to stop legislation aimed at cracking down on sweatshops and sex shops in the American territory, which is known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands...
"You represent everything that is good about what we are trying to do in America," DeLay said at the time to his audience, which included Saipan officials and factory owners.
My comment...
See the tie-ins everybody? But really, how bad could the working conditions on the Marianas really be? Well, you can check it out here:
http://www.salon.com/news/1999/02/04news.html
From that article...
Wages in the factories average about $3 per hour -- more than $2 less than the U.S. minimum wage of $5.15. No overtime is paid for a 70-hour work week...
[S]ome 31,000 textile workers live penned up like cattle by armed soldiers and barbed wire, and squeezed head to toe into filthy sleeping barracks, all of which was documented on film by U.S. investigators last year...
The unhappy workers cannot just walk away, either: Like Appalachian coal miners a generation ago, they owe their souls to the company store, starting with factory recruiters, who charge Chinese peasants as much as $4,000 to get them out of China and into a "good job" in "America." Their low salaries make it nearly impossible to buy back their freedom. And so they stay. The small print in their contracts forbids sex, drinking -- and dissent...
My comment...
Oh, and did I forget to mention:
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sw.../abc040100.html
From that article...
Pregnant garment workers on Saipan are forced to have abortions to keep their jobs.
My comment...
Do you think that Delay might just be thinking, "See if they had stuck to the rules forbidding sex, they wouldn't be in that position of being pregnant and would have to have an abortion. It's there own fault!!"
Yeah I thought so!!
Well, this is interesting. The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released a 93-page report entitled Beyond DeLay: The 13 Most Corrupt Members of Congress.
You can find it here: http://www.citizensforethics.org/filelibra...eportFinal2.pdf
It is interesting to note who is on the list. And probably even more interesting to see the common denominator among many on the list. That's right it is Jack Abramoff. In fact I did a quick text seach on Abramoff and his name came up 100 times in the first 39 pages of the 91 page report.
Wow!!
You can find it here: http://www.citizensforethics.org/filelibra...eportFinal2.pdf
It is interesting to note who is on the list. And probably even more interesting to see the common denominator among many on the list. That's right it is Jack Abramoff. In fact I did a quick text seach on Abramoff and his name came up 100 times in the first 39 pages of the 91 page report.
Wow!!
It looks like Delay's grand jury is getting ready to issue indictments:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050928/ap_on_...y_investigation
From the article...
Three of DeLay's political associates, the PAC itself, several corporate donors and a Texas business organization have been indicted, while DeLay has not.
On Sept. 13, the grand jury re-indicted two of the associates, Jim Ellis and John Colyandro. The new charges included the criminal conspiracy counts...
The grand jury has charged that Texans for a Republican Majority and the Texas Association of Business worked together to circumvent the election code and funnel "massive amounts of secret corporate wealth" into campaigns, said Earle, the Travis County prosecutor.
Ellis heads DeLay's national political committee, Americans for a Republican Majority. Colyandro is former executive director of Texans for a Republican Majority. They had been indicted previously on charges of laundering $190,000 in corporate donations.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050928/ap_on_...y_investigation
From the article...
Three of DeLay's political associates, the PAC itself, several corporate donors and a Texas business organization have been indicted, while DeLay has not.
On Sept. 13, the grand jury re-indicted two of the associates, Jim Ellis and John Colyandro. The new charges included the criminal conspiracy counts...
The grand jury has charged that Texans for a Republican Majority and the Texas Association of Business worked together to circumvent the election code and funnel "massive amounts of secret corporate wealth" into campaigns, said Earle, the Travis County prosecutor.
Ellis heads DeLay's national political committee, Americans for a Republican Majority. Colyandro is former executive director of Texans for a Republican Majority. They had been indicted previously on charges of laundering $190,000 in corporate donations.
From Bogues CNN article...
Criminal conspiracy is a state felony punishable by six months to two years in a state jail and a fine of up to $10,000...
My comment...
Let's hope he is convicted and gets maximum time.
From the article...
"Congressman DeLay is a good ally, a leader who we have worked closely with to get things done for the American people," McClellan said. "I think the president's view is that we need to let the legal process work."
My comment...
I'm surprised he didn't say, "Now is not the time for blame-gaming."
From the article...
The indictment accused DeLay of a conspiracy to "knowingly make a political contribution" in violation of Texas law outlawing corporate contributions. It alleged that DeLay's Texans for a Republican Majority political action committee accepted $155,000 from companies, including Sears Roebuck, and placed the money in an account.
My comment...
Remind me to send Sears a letter. I have a feeling they knew exactly what was going to be done with their money.
From the article...
The PAC then wrote a $190,000 check to an arm of the Republican National Committee and provided the committee a document with the names of Texas State House candidates and the amounts they were supposed to receive in donations.
My comment...
How slimey.
From the article...
The indictment included a copy of the check.
My comment...
Nothing like a smoking gun!!
From the article...
As a sign of loyalty to DeLay after the grand jury returned indictments against three of his associates, House Republicans last November repealed a rule requiring any of their leaders to step aside if indicted. The rule was reinstituted in January after lawmakers returned to Washington from the holidays fearing the repeal might create a backlash from voters.
My comment...
I guess loyalty extends only so far.
Criminal conspiracy is a state felony punishable by six months to two years in a state jail and a fine of up to $10,000...
My comment...
Let's hope he is convicted and gets maximum time.
From the article...
"Congressman DeLay is a good ally, a leader who we have worked closely with to get things done for the American people," McClellan said. "I think the president's view is that we need to let the legal process work."
My comment...
I'm surprised he didn't say, "Now is not the time for blame-gaming."
From the article...
The indictment accused DeLay of a conspiracy to "knowingly make a political contribution" in violation of Texas law outlawing corporate contributions. It alleged that DeLay's Texans for a Republican Majority political action committee accepted $155,000 from companies, including Sears Roebuck, and placed the money in an account.
My comment...
Remind me to send Sears a letter. I have a feeling they knew exactly what was going to be done with their money.
From the article...
The PAC then wrote a $190,000 check to an arm of the Republican National Committee and provided the committee a document with the names of Texas State House candidates and the amounts they were supposed to receive in donations.
My comment...
How slimey.
From the article...
The indictment included a copy of the check.
My comment...
Nothing like a smoking gun!!
From the article...
As a sign of loyalty to DeLay after the grand jury returned indictments against three of his associates, House Republicans last November repealed a rule requiring any of their leaders to step aside if indicted. The rule was reinstituted in January after lawmakers returned to Washington from the holidays fearing the repeal might create a backlash from voters.
My comment...
I guess loyalty extends only so far.
Since it seems I'm the only one interested in this topic (five of the six posts are mine), I'll give it one more shot, and then let it die its rightful death (unlike the Catfish Grabblin' thread which I will continue to post in from time to time...
The scene shifts to England!!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=1...-name_page.html
From the article...
A DOCUMENT linking Margaret Thatcher to a US corruption probe is so explosive civil servants have been asked to ensure it remains "sealed".
The 79-year-old former Premier is said to have met Congressman Tom DeLay in Britain while he was on a suspected favours-for-freebies scam.
In return for his free holiday, DeLay - who resigned as Republican leader of Congress last week after being accused of laundering political funds - allegedly backed legislation favourable to lobby groups.
My comment...
Well, how about that?
From the article...
The revelations will be a body-blow to Lady Thatcher's reputation and dash Tory morale on the opening day of its crucial party conference.
If Lady Thatcher is found to have been involved in the alleged scam she could face a criminal probe in the US or even be banned from travelling to the country.
My comment...
Just as well I suppose. We don't need her here.
From the article...
It said the request was part of a deception investigation "involving high-profile American and UK-based individuals, including a leading Congressman and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher". At the centre of the probe is high-profile lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is already under investigation in the US.
The document says: "US officials are investigating whether Abramoff was involved in obtaining legislative assistance from public officials in exchange for arranging and underwriting trips to the UK."
My comment...
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
I hope you get that reference. Otherwise, "On behalf of The Ultimate Lobbyist Thread, this is LeftintheUS signing off..."
The scene shifts to England!!
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=1...-name_page.html
From the article...
A DOCUMENT linking Margaret Thatcher to a US corruption probe is so explosive civil servants have been asked to ensure it remains "sealed".
The 79-year-old former Premier is said to have met Congressman Tom DeLay in Britain while he was on a suspected favours-for-freebies scam.
In return for his free holiday, DeLay - who resigned as Republican leader of Congress last week after being accused of laundering political funds - allegedly backed legislation favourable to lobby groups.
My comment...
Well, how about that?
From the article...
The revelations will be a body-blow to Lady Thatcher's reputation and dash Tory morale on the opening day of its crucial party conference.
If Lady Thatcher is found to have been involved in the alleged scam she could face a criminal probe in the US or even be banned from travelling to the country.
My comment...
Just as well I suppose. We don't need her here.
From the article...
It said the request was part of a deception investigation "involving high-profile American and UK-based individuals, including a leading Congressman and former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher". At the centre of the probe is high-profile lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is already under investigation in the US.
The document says: "US officials are investigating whether Abramoff was involved in obtaining legislative assistance from public officials in exchange for arranging and underwriting trips to the UK."
My comment...
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
I hope you get that reference. Otherwise, "On behalf of The Ultimate Lobbyist Thread, this is LeftintheUS signing off..."
Sorry, I know I said I was signing off, but this story is getting huge. Over the weekend, I read these excellent stories:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5122801588.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5123001480.html
And today, there is this news:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010300474.html
From the article...
Former high-powered lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty today to three felony charges in a deal with federal prosecutors that helps clear the way for his testimony about members of Congress and congressional staffers in a wide-ranging political corruption investigation...
The criminal information alleges that Abramoff bribed public officials, including a person identified only as "Representative #1." Details of the alleged acts indicate that Representative #1 is Robert W. Ney, a Republican congressman from Ohio. Abramoff is also accused of hiring congressional staffers and conspiring with them to lobby their former employers -- including members of Congress -- in violation of a one-year federal ban on such lobbying...
My comment...
Nice to see Ney going down. But it will be even more fun seeing DeLay go down.
From the article...
A guilty plea by Abramoff would be a major boost to federal prosecutors in an influence-peddling investigation that could become one of the largest corruption scandals in recent memory, involving as many as a half dozen lawmakers, a former top official at the Department of Interior and former and current congressional aides.
Prosecutors are expected to seek information from Abramoff about official actions performed for his clients by the lawmakers, including DeLay, the former House majority leader, as well as by the former top Interior official, congressional aides and federal employees.
My comment...
This is why I reopened this thread. I think it is going to be the linchpin to the most dramatic events in the United State's political landscape since Watergate!!
From the article...
Other lawmakers who had close dealings with Abramoff are Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.) and other members of Congress involved with Indian affairs.
My comment...
Notice anything similar about those who had dealings with Abramoff? You're right they are nearly all Republicans!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5122801588.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5123001480.html
And today, there is this news:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010300474.html
From the article...
Former high-powered lobbyist Jack Abramoff pleaded guilty today to three felony charges in a deal with federal prosecutors that helps clear the way for his testimony about members of Congress and congressional staffers in a wide-ranging political corruption investigation...
The criminal information alleges that Abramoff bribed public officials, including a person identified only as "Representative #1." Details of the alleged acts indicate that Representative #1 is Robert W. Ney, a Republican congressman from Ohio. Abramoff is also accused of hiring congressional staffers and conspiring with them to lobby their former employers -- including members of Congress -- in violation of a one-year federal ban on such lobbying...
My comment...
Nice to see Ney going down. But it will be even more fun seeing DeLay go down.
From the article...
A guilty plea by Abramoff would be a major boost to federal prosecutors in an influence-peddling investigation that could become one of the largest corruption scandals in recent memory, involving as many as a half dozen lawmakers, a former top official at the Department of Interior and former and current congressional aides.
Prosecutors are expected to seek information from Abramoff about official actions performed for his clients by the lawmakers, including DeLay, the former House majority leader, as well as by the former top Interior official, congressional aides and federal employees.
My comment...
This is why I reopened this thread. I think it is going to be the linchpin to the most dramatic events in the United State's political landscape since Watergate!!
From the article...
Other lawmakers who had close dealings with Abramoff are Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.) and other members of Congress involved with Indian affairs.
My comment...
Notice anything similar about those who had dealings with Abramoff? You're right they are nearly all Republicans!!
LITUSA, don't stop. Just because we haven't responded. I've been reading happily about these slimeballs going down.
Here's today's editorial in the Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010301281.html
The whole editorial is worth a read, but it the passage below that is particulaly important.
From the article...
Mr. Abramoff's plea -- he agreed to pay $25 million in restitution and faces a lengthy prison term -- wouldn't have come about without enterprising journalism, the tenacity of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and the skilled efforts of federal prosecutors. But one player remains notable for its absence: the House ethics committee, which has been silent and, for most of the past year, dysfunctional.
My comment...
In case anyone is wondering why this is, it is because Tom DeLay in his role as House Majority Leader had the ability to assign members of Congress to the House ethics committee. When he was first censured as a result of ethics charges years ago, he simply removed the member of the committee who censured him. So much for checks and balances, I suppose.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010301281.html
The whole editorial is worth a read, but it the passage below that is particulaly important.
From the article...
Mr. Abramoff's plea -- he agreed to pay $25 million in restitution and faces a lengthy prison term -- wouldn't have come about without enterprising journalism, the tenacity of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and the skilled efforts of federal prosecutors. But one player remains notable for its absence: the House ethics committee, which has been silent and, for most of the past year, dysfunctional.
My comment...
In case anyone is wondering why this is, it is because Tom DeLay in his role as House Majority Leader had the ability to assign members of Congress to the House ethics committee. When he was first censured as a result of ethics charges years ago, he simply removed the member of the committee who censured him. So much for checks and balances, I suppose.
Bush to Give Up $6,000 In Abramoff Contributions
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010402111.html
From the article...
Abramoff raised more than $100,000 for the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign, making him an honorary Bush "Pioneer." But the campaign is giving up only $6,000, which came directly from Abramoff, his wife and one of the Indian tribes the lobbyist represented.
My comment...
What a sacrifice!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010402111.html
From the article...
Abramoff raised more than $100,000 for the Bush-Cheney reelection campaign, making him an honorary Bush "Pioneer." But the campaign is giving up only $6,000, which came directly from Abramoff, his wife and one of the Indian tribes the lobbyist represented.
My comment...
What a sacrifice!!
As I said above. I reopened this thread because I think it is going to be the linchpin to the most dramatic events in the United State's political landscape since Watergate!! It's starting...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010502449.html
From the article...
An internal battle is underway among House Republicans to permanently replace Rep. Tom DeLay (Tex.) as majority leader and put in place a new leadership lineup that is better equipped to deal with the growing corruption scandal...
The move would almost certainly touch off a GOP power struggle between Blunt, whose rise to power was heavily aided by DeLay and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (Ill.), and House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John A. Boehner (Ohio), a former House leader who has been maneuvering for a comeback.
But other potential candidates could add unexpected twists, especially if rank-and-file Republicans decide that neither Blunt nor Boehner would present a fresh response to the corruption scandal triggered by Jack Abramoff, a GOP lobbyist with close ties to DeLay.
My comment...
Boehner is tainted by Abramoff money. So is House Speaker Hastert. It's looking very dim for the GOP, which is good for America.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6010502449.html
From the article...
An internal battle is underway among House Republicans to permanently replace Rep. Tom DeLay (Tex.) as majority leader and put in place a new leadership lineup that is better equipped to deal with the growing corruption scandal...
The move would almost certainly touch off a GOP power struggle between Blunt, whose rise to power was heavily aided by DeLay and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (Ill.), and House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John A. Boehner (Ohio), a former House leader who has been maneuvering for a comeback.
But other potential candidates could add unexpected twists, especially if rank-and-file Republicans decide that neither Blunt nor Boehner would present a fresh response to the corruption scandal triggered by Jack Abramoff, a GOP lobbyist with close ties to DeLay.
My comment...
Boehner is tainted by Abramoff money. So is House Speaker Hastert. It's looking very dim for the GOP, which is good for America.
Why is this interesting.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...-home-headlines
From the article...
I am writing to inform you of my decision to permanently step aside as majority leader, and of my belief that the best interests of the conference would be served by the election of a new leader as soon as possible.
The job of majority leader and the mandate of the Republican majority are too important to be hamstrung, even for a few months, by personal distractions.
I will continue to serve my constituents and seek re-election to a 12th term representing Texas' 22nd district while I work to clear my name of the baseless charges leveled against me. I will also be reclaiming my seat on the Appropriations Committee when the second session of the 109th Congress convenes later this month.
Sincerely,
Tom DeLay
My comment...
Because that is the seat that was vacated by a convicted criminal Duke Cunningham. He was probably just keeping the seat warm for the next guy.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...-home-headlines
From the article...
I am writing to inform you of my decision to permanently step aside as majority leader, and of my belief that the best interests of the conference would be served by the election of a new leader as soon as possible.
The job of majority leader and the mandate of the Republican majority are too important to be hamstrung, even for a few months, by personal distractions.
I will continue to serve my constituents and seek re-election to a 12th term representing Texas' 22nd district while I work to clear my name of the baseless charges leveled against me. I will also be reclaiming my seat on the Appropriations Committee when the second session of the 109th Congress convenes later this month.
Sincerely,
Tom DeLay
My comment...
Because that is the seat that was vacated by a convicted criminal Duke Cunningham. He was probably just keeping the seat warm for the next guy.
These kinds of photos have me worried.
Click to view attachment
I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theory nut, but I think by bringing it up before it happens if it does, it can't be considered nutty. It worries me that a photographer has an unimpeded line on Abramoff with not a single body guard in the way. Let's just say there are a number of powerful people who may not want his testimony to see the light of day.
Click to view attachment
I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theory nut, but I think by bringing it up before it happens if it does, it can't be considered nutty. It worries me that a photographer has an unimpeded line on Abramoff with not a single body guard in the way. Let's just say there are a number of powerful people who may not want his testimony to see the light of day.
I know he's taking down DeLay, and untold Republican Congresspersons, but can I add one more to my wish list?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6012300333.html
From the article...
Photos of Bush With Abramoff Are Withheld
Several White House officials have been briefed about pictures of President Bush and Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff taken since 2001 but will not release them on grounds that they are not relevant to the ongoing money-for-favors investigation, aides said yesterday...
Abramoff, who recently pleaded guilty in the growing bribery and corruption scandal, was with Bush about a dozen times when pictures were taken by the official White House photographer or other participants over the past five years, according to a source familiar with Abramoff's legal situation. Abramoff, this source said, displayed at least five of them on his office desk and has told people the president talked about his children's names as well as personal details about their schooling during one encounter...
The source said Abramoff has more than half a dozen photos with Bush, including one of the two men shaking hands, but has no intention of releasing them. The existence of the Bush-Abramoff photos was first reported by Washingtonian magazine, which reviewed five photos but was not permitted to publish them.
My comment...
Please!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6012300333.html
From the article...
Photos of Bush With Abramoff Are Withheld
Several White House officials have been briefed about pictures of President Bush and Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff taken since 2001 but will not release them on grounds that they are not relevant to the ongoing money-for-favors investigation, aides said yesterday...
Abramoff, who recently pleaded guilty in the growing bribery and corruption scandal, was with Bush about a dozen times when pictures were taken by the official White House photographer or other participants over the past five years, according to a source familiar with Abramoff's legal situation. Abramoff, this source said, displayed at least five of them on his office desk and has told people the president talked about his children's names as well as personal details about their schooling during one encounter...
The source said Abramoff has more than half a dozen photos with Bush, including one of the two men shaking hands, but has no intention of releasing them. The existence of the Bush-Abramoff photos was first reported by Washingtonian magazine, which reviewed five photos but was not permitted to publish them.
My comment...
Please!!
QUOTE
Several White House officials have been briefed about pictures of President Bush and Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff taken since 2001 but will not release them on grounds that they are not relevant to the ongoing money-for-favors investigation, aides said yesterday...
Abramoff is one of the president's top fundraisers. He's pleaded guilty to felony fraud. He's a close friend and associate of the president's top political advisor and deputy chief of staff. His former assistant now works in the White House as personal assistant to the deputy chief of staff. He was awarded a place on the president's Department of the Interior transition team. He constantly exploited his White House connections to impress his clients. I'm sure the photos helped. That alone makes them very relevant.
How timely.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6012501466.html
From the article...
President Bush on Wednesday nominated one of the Justice Department's lead prosecutors in the Jack Abramoff corruption probe to a U.S. District Court seat.
My comment...
That's about all you need to read. Come to your own conclusions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6012501466.html
From the article...
President Bush on Wednesday nominated one of the Justice Department's lead prosecutors in the Jack Abramoff corruption probe to a U.S. District Court seat.
My comment...
That's about all you need to read. Come to your own conclusions.
QUOTE(LeftintheUS @ Jan 25 2006, 10:10 PM)
How timely.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6012501466.html
From the article...
President Bush on Wednesday nominated one of the Justice Department's lead prosecutors in the Jack Abramoff corruption probe to a U.S. District Court seat.
My comment...
That's about all you need to read. Come to your own conclusions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6012501466.html
From the article...
President Bush on Wednesday nominated one of the Justice Department's lead prosecutors in the Jack Abramoff corruption probe to a U.S. District Court seat.
My comment...
That's about all you need to read. Come to your own conclusions.
S'funny. I just read the Salon article you linked to and was somewhat bemused by references to both Clinton and the President. The details in the article were easily enough to start legal proceedings against a politician in the UK so it came as something of a shock to note that the events described had taken place in 1999 FFS!
Having just seen a documentary on the S.F. earthquake of 1909, the revalations of how corrupt and criminal the mayor and the authorities were and contiued to be up until relatively recently, the cynic in me feels that the people of the US are generally not that bothered about dodgy politicians.
Maria often rails mildly about the way we brits keep quiet and "don't make a fuss" about things. Clearly it's not just a British trait. So long as you've a job and money coming in why stir up trouble? seems to be the philosophy.
DeLay has by any measure or definition of the word been corrupt from the day he began his political career. Dozens of people have known and possible hundreds suspected but nothing has been done because this is obviously how the political game is played in the US. Always has been and sadly looks like always will be.
If it were not this way, DeLay would already be in prison along with Rove, Abramoff and Bush himself. And goodness knows how many others so powerful on capitol hill.
QUOTE(LeftintheUS @ Jan 24 2006, 03:06 PM)
I know he's taking down DeLay, and untold Republican Congresspersons, but can I add one more to my wish list?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6012300333.html
From the article...
The source said Abramoff has more than half a dozen photos with Bush, including one of the two men shaking hands, but has no intention of releasing them...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6012300333.html
From the article...
The source said Abramoff has more than half a dozen photos with Bush, including one of the two men shaking hands, but has no intention of releasing them...
Since Bush would not release them, Al Fraken has set up a photoshop contest. Here are the best two:
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
Well now, this is getting interesting.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6022800771.html
From the article...
A public-interest group has sued the Secret Service for access to White House visitor logs that the group says would show how often lobbyist Jack Abramoff met with President Bush and his staff.
Judicial Watch filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington under the federal Freedom of Information Act, claiming that the Secret Service failed to meet a Feb. 21 deadline for releasing the records or indicating how much more time it would need.
My comment...
I can't imagine he'd be on those logs. Afterall Bush didn't really know him. Sure he raised over $100,000, but Bush didn't really know him. Yeah, so he knew the names of Abramoff's kids, but Bush really didn't know him. Right?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6022800771.html
From the article...
A public-interest group has sued the Secret Service for access to White House visitor logs that the group says would show how often lobbyist Jack Abramoff met with President Bush and his staff.
Judicial Watch filed suit in U.S. District Court in Washington under the federal Freedom of Information Act, claiming that the Secret Service failed to meet a Feb. 21 deadline for releasing the records or indicating how much more time it would need.
My comment...
I can't imagine he'd be on those logs. Afterall Bush didn't really know him. Sure he raised over $100,000, but Bush didn't really know him. Yeah, so he knew the names of Abramoff's kids, but Bush really didn't know him. Right?
How could I have been so short sighted?
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1701909
From the article...
Convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff says President Bush knew him well enough to joke with him about weightlifting. "What are you benching, buff guy?" Abramoff said Bush asked him. The president has said he doesn't know Abramoff...
Abramoff pleaded guilty Jan. 4 to charges that he and a former partner, Adam Kidan, concocted a fake wire transfer to make it appear they were putting a sizable stake of their own money into a multimillion-dollar purchase of SunCruz Casinos gambling fleet in 2000. Abramoff also has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a probe into his ties with members of Congress and the Bush administration...
Asked about the former Abramoff associates' accounts, the White House said Rove and Abramoff were leaders of a young Republicans group decades ago.
"Mr. Rove remembers they had met at a political event in the 1990s," White House spokeswoman Erin Healy has said. "Since then, he would describe him as a casual acquaintance."
According to Vanity Fair, Rove's relationship with Abramoff was deeper.
After Bush took office, Susan Ralston, Abramoff's administration assistant, assumed the same post with Rove at the White House, where Abramoff met with Rove at least once, the magazine said.
My comment...
I was short-sighted in thinking Abramoff would take down DeLay. He's gonna take down the whole Aministration.
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1701909
From the article...
Convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff says President Bush knew him well enough to joke with him about weightlifting. "What are you benching, buff guy?" Abramoff said Bush asked him. The president has said he doesn't know Abramoff...
Abramoff pleaded guilty Jan. 4 to charges that he and a former partner, Adam Kidan, concocted a fake wire transfer to make it appear they were putting a sizable stake of their own money into a multimillion-dollar purchase of SunCruz Casinos gambling fleet in 2000. Abramoff also has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a probe into his ties with members of Congress and the Bush administration...
Asked about the former Abramoff associates' accounts, the White House said Rove and Abramoff were leaders of a young Republicans group decades ago.
"Mr. Rove remembers they had met at a political event in the 1990s," White House spokeswoman Erin Healy has said. "Since then, he would describe him as a casual acquaintance."
According to Vanity Fair, Rove's relationship with Abramoff was deeper.
After Bush took office, Susan Ralston, Abramoff's administration assistant, assumed the same post with Rove at the White House, where Abramoff met with Rove at least once, the magazine said.
My comment...
I was short-sighted in thinking Abramoff would take down DeLay. He's gonna take down the whole Aministration.
If you want to see Abramoff in action check out this article.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000085.php
From the article...
There was such a wealth of muck in David Margolick's Vanity Fair piece on Jack Abramoff last week that it was possible to let the occasional morsel slip by. The piece mentions, for instance, that Ken Mehlman (who, like many, was uncomfortably close to Abramoff) got his hands dirty:
"...according to documents obtained by Vanity Fair, Mehlman exchanged email with Abramoff, did him political favors (such as blocking Clinton-administration alumnus Allen Stayman from keeping a State Department job)..."
Now, this parenthesis is news; as far as I can tell, it hasn't been reported before. So the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Ken Mehlman, who like everyone else says he barely knows Abramoff was actually killing nominations for him only a few short years ago.
My comment...
It is just disgusting.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/000085.php
From the article...
There was such a wealth of muck in David Margolick's Vanity Fair piece on Jack Abramoff last week that it was possible to let the occasional morsel slip by. The piece mentions, for instance, that Ken Mehlman (who, like many, was uncomfortably close to Abramoff) got his hands dirty:
"...according to documents obtained by Vanity Fair, Mehlman exchanged email with Abramoff, did him political favors (such as blocking Clinton-administration alumnus Allen Stayman from keeping a State Department job)..."
Now, this parenthesis is news; as far as I can tell, it hasn't been reported before. So the Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Ken Mehlman, who like everyone else says he barely knows Abramoff was actually killing nominations for him only a few short years ago.
My comment...
It is just disgusting.
Funny what a felony indictment will do.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12047283/from/RSS/
From the article...
Rep. Tom DeLay is fighting to regain his concealed handgun permit after it was suspended because of his indictment on felony charges.
A justice of the peace suspended DeLay’s license in January after the former majority leader was indicted last year. A judge dismissed a conspiracy charge, but DeLay still faces a felony charge of money laundering.
Under state law, the Texas Department of Public Safety can suspend a handgun license if its holder has been charged with certain misdemeanors or higher.
My comment...
I don't know why this cracks me up, but it just does.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12047283/from/RSS/
From the article...
Rep. Tom DeLay is fighting to regain his concealed handgun permit after it was suspended because of his indictment on felony charges.
A justice of the peace suspended DeLay’s license in January after the former majority leader was indicted last year. A judge dismissed a conspiracy charge, but DeLay still faces a felony charge of money laundering.
Under state law, the Texas Department of Public Safety can suspend a handgun license if its holder has been charged with certain misdemeanors or higher.
My comment...
I don't know why this cracks me up, but it just does.
Boom goes the dynamite!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6040400513.html
From the article:
Under siege from state and federal probes into his actions and those of his closest aides and advisers, Rep. Tom DeLay had considered resigning on several occasions over the past four months. But he waited until after he had vanquished his challengers in the Republican primary to deny them the chance to become his successor, associates said.
DeLay's decision was also provoked by recent poll results that showed he faced a stiff challenge in November, the associates said.
My comment:
Wow, some really great stuff happened while this forum was down.
From the article:
An additional impetus for putting off the resignation until now was suggested by John Feehery, a former aide to DeLay and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). "He needed to raise money for the defense fund. That was the bottom line," Feehery said. "He wanted to make sure he could take care of himself in the court of law." Under federal campaign rules, any reelection money a lawmaker raises can be used to pay legal fees stemming from official duties.
My comment:
So, let me get this right. DeLay can use campaign donations towards legal fees. That means donors to his campaign fund who were hoping for some favorable legislation are now paying legal fees for an alleged criminal. I have just one word for those poor donors who were duped by DeLay...
SUCKERS!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6040400513.html
From the article:
Under siege from state and federal probes into his actions and those of his closest aides and advisers, Rep. Tom DeLay had considered resigning on several occasions over the past four months. But he waited until after he had vanquished his challengers in the Republican primary to deny them the chance to become his successor, associates said.
DeLay's decision was also provoked by recent poll results that showed he faced a stiff challenge in November, the associates said.
My comment:
Wow, some really great stuff happened while this forum was down.
From the article:
An additional impetus for putting off the resignation until now was suggested by John Feehery, a former aide to DeLay and House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). "He needed to raise money for the defense fund. That was the bottom line," Feehery said. "He wanted to make sure he could take care of himself in the court of law." Under federal campaign rules, any reelection money a lawmaker raises can be used to pay legal fees stemming from official duties.
My comment:
So, let me get this right. DeLay can use campaign donations towards legal fees. That means donors to his campaign fund who were hoping for some favorable legislation are now paying legal fees for an alleged criminal. I have just one word for those poor donors who were duped by DeLay...
SUCKERS!!
I can't believe this.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6042602416.html
From the article:
The scandal surrounding disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff has been a Washington obsession for months, but Republican lawmakers who returned from a two-week recess this week said they felt free to pass a relatively tepid ethics bill because their constituents rarely mention the issue.
The House is scheduled to vote today on ethics legislation to increase lobbyists' disclosures and require lawmakers to own up to the earmarks, or narrow projects, that they insert into appropriations bills. But the measure would not restrict the gifts or meals provided by lobbyists as House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) had proposed in January, nor would it expand the number of enforcers of lobbying rules and laws.
My comment:
I think the Republican Culture of Corruption may cause a bigger backlash than they realize.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6042602416.html
From the article:
The scandal surrounding disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff has been a Washington obsession for months, but Republican lawmakers who returned from a two-week recess this week said they felt free to pass a relatively tepid ethics bill because their constituents rarely mention the issue.
The House is scheduled to vote today on ethics legislation to increase lobbyists' disclosures and require lawmakers to own up to the earmarks, or narrow projects, that they insert into appropriations bills. But the measure would not restrict the gifts or meals provided by lobbyists as House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) had proposed in January, nor would it expand the number of enforcers of lobbying rules and laws.
My comment:
I think the Republican Culture of Corruption may cause a bigger backlash than they realize.
Two of DeLay's aides, and now one of Ney's aides.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6050800443.html
From the article:
A Washington lobbyist who formerly served as chief of staff to Rep. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) pleaded guilty today to a federal conspiracy charge in a continuing corruption probe surrounding disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Neil G. Volz, 35, who worked for Ney from 1995 to 2002 before joining Abramoff's lobbying firm, pleaded guilty to a single count, admitting that he conspired with Abramoff and others to commit fraud and to violate a federal ban on lobbying within one year of his congressional employment. The alleged fraud involved accepting and offering various inducements in exchange for "official action," prosecutors said...
Volz faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but he could receive a much lower penalty depending on his cooperation in the continuing corruption investigation, Justice Department officials said.
My comment:
Let's hope he finds five years of "hard" time to be a little overwhelming and chooses the stoolie route.
From the article:
The plea agreement draws the investigation closer to Ney. The six-term congressman, who easily won his Republican primary last week, denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged. However, he has been identified as the "Representative #1" who has been accused in court documents of accepting various "things of value" in return for official acts as far back as 2000.
Today's plea agreement also refers repeatedly to "Representative #1," who it says accepted trips, restaurant meals and other gifts or perks in exchange for "favorable official action" and other assistance for clients of Abramoff and Volz.
A spokesman for Ney said the plea agreement was "thin at best" and that the congressman "is more confident than ever that he will be vindicated." In a statement, the spokesman, Brian Walsh, said Ney continues to maintain "that he has done absolutely nothing illegal, improper or unethical."
My comment:
It really must feel to Ney like the circle is closing in.
From the article:
Ney was not the only one treated by Abramoff to a lavish trip to Scotland. Other lawmakers, including DeLay, and congressional staffers also accepted such travel. The highlight of the trips was a round of golf at the famed Old Course at St. Andrews. The trips were officially described as "educational," but they appeared to have no official purpose and have become symbols of congressional excess in the unfolding lobbying scandal.
Ney's official report to Congress listed a purpose of his trip as a "speech to Scottish Parliamentarians." However, there is no record of Ney's speech in the Scottish Parliament's register of official visits. In addition, at the time of Ney's trip, the Scottish Parliament was out for its August recess, spokeswoman Sally Coyne said.
Ney also reported to House officials that the trip to Scotland was paid for by the National Center for Public Policy Research, but the charity said it had nothing to do with the trip. Records released by Senate investigators revealed that Abramoff's charity bankrolled the trip, and an Abramoff associate has admitted that he lied to one of Abramoff's clients to arrange a donation to pay for it.
My comment:
If they don't get him on bribery, they certainly have a good chance at him on perjury!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6050800443.html
From the article:
A Washington lobbyist who formerly served as chief of staff to Rep. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) pleaded guilty today to a federal conspiracy charge in a continuing corruption probe surrounding disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
Neil G. Volz, 35, who worked for Ney from 1995 to 2002 before joining Abramoff's lobbying firm, pleaded guilty to a single count, admitting that he conspired with Abramoff and others to commit fraud and to violate a federal ban on lobbying within one year of his congressional employment. The alleged fraud involved accepting and offering various inducements in exchange for "official action," prosecutors said...
Volz faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, but he could receive a much lower penalty depending on his cooperation in the continuing corruption investigation, Justice Department officials said.
My comment:
Let's hope he finds five years of "hard" time to be a little overwhelming and chooses the stoolie route.
From the article:
The plea agreement draws the investigation closer to Ney. The six-term congressman, who easily won his Republican primary last week, denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged. However, he has been identified as the "Representative #1" who has been accused in court documents of accepting various "things of value" in return for official acts as far back as 2000.
Today's plea agreement also refers repeatedly to "Representative #1," who it says accepted trips, restaurant meals and other gifts or perks in exchange for "favorable official action" and other assistance for clients of Abramoff and Volz.
A spokesman for Ney said the plea agreement was "thin at best" and that the congressman "is more confident than ever that he will be vindicated." In a statement, the spokesman, Brian Walsh, said Ney continues to maintain "that he has done absolutely nothing illegal, improper or unethical."
My comment:
It really must feel to Ney like the circle is closing in.
From the article:
Ney was not the only one treated by Abramoff to a lavish trip to Scotland. Other lawmakers, including DeLay, and congressional staffers also accepted such travel. The highlight of the trips was a round of golf at the famed Old Course at St. Andrews. The trips were officially described as "educational," but they appeared to have no official purpose and have become symbols of congressional excess in the unfolding lobbying scandal.
Ney's official report to Congress listed a purpose of his trip as a "speech to Scottish Parliamentarians." However, there is no record of Ney's speech in the Scottish Parliament's register of official visits. In addition, at the time of Ney's trip, the Scottish Parliament was out for its August recess, spokeswoman Sally Coyne said.
Ney also reported to House officials that the trip to Scotland was paid for by the National Center for Public Policy Research, but the charity said it had nothing to do with the trip. Records released by Senate investigators revealed that Abramoff's charity bankrolled the trip, and an Abramoff associate has admitted that he lied to one of Abramoff's clients to arrange a donation to pay for it.
My comment:
If they don't get him on bribery, they certainly have a good chance at him on perjury!!
And, back to Delay again!!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3845348.html
From the article:
Prosecutors have e-mails showing Rep. Tom DeLay's office knew lobbyist Jack Abramoff had arranged the financing for the GOP leader's controversial European golfing trip in 2000 and was concerned "if someone starts asking questions."
House ethics rules bar lawmakers from accepting free trips from lobbyists. DeLay, R-Texas, reported to Congress that a Republican advocacy group had paid for the spring 2000 trip that DeLay, his wife and top aides took to Scotland and England.
The e-mails obtained by The Associated Press show DeLay's staff asked Abramoff — not the advocacy group — to account for the costs that had to be legally disclosed on congressional travel forms. DeLay's office was worried the group being cited as paying the costs might not even know about them, the e-mails state.
Abramoff's team sought to low-ball the cost estimates and DeLay's office ultimately reported to Congress a total that was a few thousand dollars lower than the one the lobbyist provided, the documents show.
"We should give them the most minimal numbers for cost of the hotel (do not include golf), food and plays," Abramoff wrote two assistants at his Preston Gates lobbying firm in an e-mail from June 29, 2000. One of those assistants, Susan Ralston, now works for top White House adviser Karl Rove.
In a follow-up e-mail to Abramoff, Ralston reported she talked to DeLay's then-deputy chief of staff, Tony Rudy, who suggested numbers that could be used as cost figures on the congressional travel report. Rudy had gone on the trip with his boss.
"Tony said: $6,800 for flights per person. $300 per night for hotel, $120 per day per person for meals, $500 per day for transportation," Ralston wrote Abramoff. Abramoff's credit card bill shows some costs were higher.
Federal prosecutors have secured the cooperation of Abramoff and Rudy, and are investigating whether DeLay filed false public reports to disguise the source and size of political donations, travel and other gifts he received from special interests. Several witnesses have been questioned in recent months about the Scotland trip e-mails.
My comment:
Don't you just love the phrase, "prosecutors have secured the cooperation of Abramoff and Rudy". I sure do!!
From the article:
The e-mails show Abramoff's team provided then-DeLay chief of staff Susan Hirschmann a final cost figure of $75,600 for the weeklong European trip taken by DeLay; his wife, Christine; Hirschmann; Hirschmann's husband; and Rudy.
The e-mails stated DeLay's office could attribute the figures to "the final bookkeeping efforts" by the GOP group. Despite the figure from Abramoff, DeLay's report to Congress put the cost lower, at just over $70,000.
My comment:
Just over $70,000 or $75,600, either way that is one hell of a week-long vacation!!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3845348.html
From the article:
Prosecutors have e-mails showing Rep. Tom DeLay's office knew lobbyist Jack Abramoff had arranged the financing for the GOP leader's controversial European golfing trip in 2000 and was concerned "if someone starts asking questions."
House ethics rules bar lawmakers from accepting free trips from lobbyists. DeLay, R-Texas, reported to Congress that a Republican advocacy group had paid for the spring 2000 trip that DeLay, his wife and top aides took to Scotland and England.
The e-mails obtained by The Associated Press show DeLay's staff asked Abramoff — not the advocacy group — to account for the costs that had to be legally disclosed on congressional travel forms. DeLay's office was worried the group being cited as paying the costs might not even know about them, the e-mails state.
Abramoff's team sought to low-ball the cost estimates and DeLay's office ultimately reported to Congress a total that was a few thousand dollars lower than the one the lobbyist provided, the documents show.
"We should give them the most minimal numbers for cost of the hotel (do not include golf), food and plays," Abramoff wrote two assistants at his Preston Gates lobbying firm in an e-mail from June 29, 2000. One of those assistants, Susan Ralston, now works for top White House adviser Karl Rove.
In a follow-up e-mail to Abramoff, Ralston reported she talked to DeLay's then-deputy chief of staff, Tony Rudy, who suggested numbers that could be used as cost figures on the congressional travel report. Rudy had gone on the trip with his boss.
"Tony said: $6,800 for flights per person. $300 per night for hotel, $120 per day per person for meals, $500 per day for transportation," Ralston wrote Abramoff. Abramoff's credit card bill shows some costs were higher.
Federal prosecutors have secured the cooperation of Abramoff and Rudy, and are investigating whether DeLay filed false public reports to disguise the source and size of political donations, travel and other gifts he received from special interests. Several witnesses have been questioned in recent months about the Scotland trip e-mails.
My comment:
Don't you just love the phrase, "prosecutors have secured the cooperation of Abramoff and Rudy". I sure do!!
From the article:
The e-mails show Abramoff's team provided then-DeLay chief of staff Susan Hirschmann a final cost figure of $75,600 for the weeklong European trip taken by DeLay; his wife, Christine; Hirschmann; Hirschmann's husband; and Rudy.
The e-mails stated DeLay's office could attribute the figures to "the final bookkeeping efforts" by the GOP group. Despite the figure from Abramoff, DeLay's report to Congress put the cost lower, at just over $70,000.
My comment:
Just over $70,000 or $75,600, either way that is one hell of a week-long vacation!!
Oh well, 23 out of the 27 posts in this thread, now 24 out of 28, at least it is interesting to me.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060620/ap_on_...obbyist_probe_8
From the article:
A jury found former Bush administration official David Safavian guilty Tuesday of covering up his dealings with Republican influence-peddler Jack Abramoff.
Safavian was convicted on four of five felony counts of lying and obstruction. He had resigned from his White House post last year as the federal government's chief procurement officer.
The trial consumed eight days of testimony about Safavian's assistance to Abramoff regarding government-owned real estate and a weeklong golfing excursion the lobbyist organized to the famed St. Andrews golf course in Scotland and London. Safavian went on the trans-Atlantic trip while he was chief of staff at the General Services Administration, and other participants were Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, two Ney aides and Christian Coalition founder Ralph Reed.
My comment:
What nice company!! Bye-bye Bobby!! A-Reed-adeci Ralphy!! As a reminder, ultra-hypocrite Ralph Reed is running for Lt. Governor of Georgia.
From the article:
This was the first trial to emerge from the scandal surrounding Abramoff, who is a former business partner of Safavian. Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty to federal crimes here and in Miami, would likely be a witness if the Justice Department assembles criminal cases against any members of Congress.
My comment:
It's the first, but there will be more!! Oh yes there will!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060620/ap_on_...obbyist_probe_8
From the article:
A jury found former Bush administration official David Safavian guilty Tuesday of covering up his dealings with Republican influence-peddler Jack Abramoff.
Safavian was convicted on four of five felony counts of lying and obstruction. He had resigned from his White House post last year as the federal government's chief procurement officer.
The trial consumed eight days of testimony about Safavian's assistance to Abramoff regarding government-owned real estate and a weeklong golfing excursion the lobbyist organized to the famed St. Andrews golf course in Scotland and London. Safavian went on the trans-Atlantic trip while he was chief of staff at the General Services Administration, and other participants were Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, two Ney aides and Christian Coalition founder Ralph Reed.
My comment:
What nice company!! Bye-bye Bobby!! A-Reed-adeci Ralphy!! As a reminder, ultra-hypocrite Ralph Reed is running for Lt. Governor of Georgia.
From the article:
This was the first trial to emerge from the scandal surrounding Abramoff, who is a former business partner of Safavian. Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty to federal crimes here and in Miami, would likely be a witness if the Justice Department assembles criminal cases against any members of Congress.
My comment:
It's the first, but there will be more!! Oh yes there will!!
Ken Lay, CEO of Enron, died today.
Hello Satan!
Hello Satan!
This shouldn't really surprise anyone.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6072000843.html
From the article:
The fundraising organization that helped vault former Rep. Tom DeLay to Republican leadership ranks in the House and distributed election money to numerous Republicans has been fined for campaign finance violations and is shutting down.
Under an agreement with the Federal Election Commission, Americans for a Republican Majority's political action committee agreed to pay a $115,000 fine and close. The agreement, reached July 7, was made public late Wednesday.
My comment:
It appears that everything and everyone associated with DeLay is currupt to the core.
From the article:
The agreement resulted from an audit by the FEC of the committee's records for Jan. 1, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2002. The audit found DeLay's committee had not properly reported contributions, disbursements and cash on hand.
It also found the committee failed to properly report outstanding debts and obligations and did not follow federal rules for paying for shared federal and nonfederal activities.
The audit was conducted last August. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group, had filed a complaint calling for enforcement action against the committee.
The reason DeLay became so powerful was all about the money, the amounts of money he could pull in and could distribute to his colleagues," said Melanie Sloan, the watchdog group's executive director. "Nearly every Republican in Congress received money from ARMPAC, thus consolidating his power base. They loved him because he kept them flush. Now we find out, they brought in huge amounts of money, but they did it illegally."
My comment:
It always makes my week listening to Melanie Sloan on Al Franken's show as tears into one currupt Republican after another!! And, ARMPAC? ARM-fucking-PAC? It should have been ARMPIT given the stench (of corruption) eminating from it!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6072000843.html
From the article:
The fundraising organization that helped vault former Rep. Tom DeLay to Republican leadership ranks in the House and distributed election money to numerous Republicans has been fined for campaign finance violations and is shutting down.
Under an agreement with the Federal Election Commission, Americans for a Republican Majority's political action committee agreed to pay a $115,000 fine and close. The agreement, reached July 7, was made public late Wednesday.
My comment:
It appears that everything and everyone associated with DeLay is currupt to the core.
From the article:
The agreement resulted from an audit by the FEC of the committee's records for Jan. 1, 2001 to Dec. 31, 2002. The audit found DeLay's committee had not properly reported contributions, disbursements and cash on hand.
It also found the committee failed to properly report outstanding debts and obligations and did not follow federal rules for paying for shared federal and nonfederal activities.
The audit was conducted last August. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group, had filed a complaint calling for enforcement action against the committee.
The reason DeLay became so powerful was all about the money, the amounts of money he could pull in and could distribute to his colleagues," said Melanie Sloan, the watchdog group's executive director. "Nearly every Republican in Congress received money from ARMPAC, thus consolidating his power base. They loved him because he kept them flush. Now we find out, they brought in huge amounts of money, but they did it illegally."
My comment:
It always makes my week listening to Melanie Sloan on Al Franken's show as tears into one currupt Republican after another!! And, ARMPAC? ARM-fucking-PAC? It should have been ARMPIT given the stench (of corruption) eminating from it!!
QUOTE(LeftintheUS @ Jun 20 2006, 09:44 AM)
What nice company!! Bye-bye Bobby!! A-Reed-adeci Ralphy!! As a reminder, ultra-hypocrite Ralph Reed is running for Lt. Governor of Georgia.
And, just a heads up on Reed's fate at the hands of the voters.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/...1218060,00.html
From the article:
In considering the collapse of Ralph Reed's political dreams, it's tempting to conjure up biblical parables about Jesus instructing his followers in humility by suggesting they go "sit in the lowest place"--or of pride going before a fall. Reed was the preternaturally boyish spear carrier for the religious right, the brash Evangelical who transformed the Christian Coalition into a populist power center, then helped usher Republicans into control of Congress and George W. Bush into the presidency. The next step was launching his own political career in his native Georgia: Reed would be elected Lieutenant Governor this November, then Governor four years hence. After that, his friends said, the White House would be within reach. The young man who at 33 graced TIME's cover in 1995 as "The Right Hand of God" might appear there again, perhaps a decade from now, taking the oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
Instead, there was Reed, just 45 but with crow's-feet carved gently into his temples, offering a meager group of supporters a curt concession speech in a hotel ballroom in Buckhead last week. He had lost the primary to a little-known state senator named Casey Cagle in a 12-point landslide, Reed's once invincible lead in the polls and fund raising eroded by a year of steady revelations about his ties to the convicted former G.O.P. superlobbyist Jack Abramoff. In the political vernacular that Reed loves to employ, he was waxed.
My comment:
Waxed, indeed.
From the article:
...He didn't want to talk about why he lost, but those who know him say he blames the media--particularly the Atlanta Journal-Constitution--for their extensive coverage of his business ties to Abramoff, his friend from their days running the College Republicans in the early 1980s. For a high-profile religious conservative like Reed, the stories of being paid millions by one Indian tribe to run a religious-based antigambling campaign to prevent another tribe from opening a rival casino made him look like something worse than a criminal--a hypocrite. He had once called gambling a "cancer" on the body politic. And the e-mails to Abramoff didn't help, especially those that seemed to suggest that the man who had deplored in print Washington's system of "honest graft" was eager to be part of it. "I need to start humping in corporate accounts!" he wrote Abramoff a few days after the 1998 election.
My comment:
Let's just hope that the stench that is Abramoff clings to other politicians with whom he is linked and the Democrat's may make some progress in November.
QUOTE(LeftintheUS @ Jun 20 2006, 09:44 AM)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060620/ap_on_...obbyist_probe_8[/url]
From the article:
The trial consumed eight days of testimony about Safavian's assistance to Abramoff regarding government-owned real estate and a weeklong golfing excursion the lobbyist organized to the famed St. Andrews golf course in Scotland and London. Safavian went on the trans-Atlantic trip while he was chief of staff at the General Services Administration, and other participants were Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, two Ney aides and Christian Coalition founder Ralph Reed.
My comment:
What nice company!! Bye-bye Bobby!! A-Reed-adeci Ralphy!!
And, now it is Ney's turn.
http://www.heraldnewsdaily.com/ViewArticle...208736&source=2
From the article:
Rep. Bob Ney (, , ), dogged by an influence peddling probe in Washington, will not seek re-election, state Sen. Joy Padgett said early Monday.
"It‘s a very sad time," Padgett said of Ney‘s decision, first reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on its Web site.
Padgett told The Associated Press she would run for Ney‘s seat.
Padgett said Ney told her he intends to serve the remainder of his term.
However, he faced a tough challenge in November from Democrat Zack Space, who had made the Justice Department‘s investigation into Ney a focus of his campaign.
"I‘m embattled and attacked; I understand that," Ney told The AP last month after Space raised about $190,000 more than Ney for the quarter.
"I‘m doing this for one reason: my family. My wife and two children have been through enough," he said.
Padgett, who said she has known Ney for at least 20 years, was flattered that he and House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, asked her to run. She said she wished the circumstances were different, "but you have to take life as it‘s given."
My comment:
Wow, this is going swimmingly. One at a time, the investigations are taking their toll. It is said that Padgett is almost as corrupt as Ney.
This is very funny!! It is kind of a complicated, but bear with me.
Through numerous DeLay and GOP blunders (Delay won the primary and then withdrew from the race, the GOP wanted to choose a successor, but a judge said no, so DeLay would have had to move back to the district to run again, where he'd lose, or he could withdraw his name from the ballot), Democrat Nick Lampson will be listed on the ballot in the upcoming General Election for the Congressional seat being vacated by Tom Delay. However, as I noted above, there will be no Republican challenger listed on the ballot .
As a result the state GOP got together and decided on a write-in candidate -- Shelley Sekula-Gibbs. Obviously not an easy name to remember in order to write it in. So, the Republican governor had this brilliant idea to have a special election to fill DeLay's seat (i.e. the portion from the time of the election in November until the new Congressperson is sworn-in in January) and in so doing could list Sekula-Gibbs as a candidate for the special election on the same ballot as the general election, thereby making it easier for people to remember to write her in on the general election.
It now appears, however, that strategy has backfired, as not only Sekula-Gibbs ran for the special election, but so did a host of other Republican candidates. Not only does that give her competition in the meaningless special election, it also offers Republican voters a host of other write-in candidates.
Through numerous DeLay and GOP blunders (Delay won the primary and then withdrew from the race, the GOP wanted to choose a successor, but a judge said no, so DeLay would have had to move back to the district to run again, where he'd lose, or he could withdraw his name from the ballot), Democrat Nick Lampson will be listed on the ballot in the upcoming General Election for the Congressional seat being vacated by Tom Delay. However, as I noted above, there will be no Republican challenger listed on the ballot .
As a result the state GOP got together and decided on a write-in candidate -- Shelley Sekula-Gibbs. Obviously not an easy name to remember in order to write it in. So, the Republican governor had this brilliant idea to have a special election to fill DeLay's seat (i.e. the portion from the time of the election in November until the new Congressperson is sworn-in in January) and in so doing could list Sekula-Gibbs as a candidate for the special election on the same ballot as the general election, thereby making it easier for people to remember to write her in on the general election.
It now appears, however, that strategy has backfired, as not only Sekula-Gibbs ran for the special election, but so did a host of other Republican candidates. Not only does that give her competition in the meaningless special election, it also offers Republican voters a host of other write-in candidates.
QUOTE(LeftintheUS @ Jun 20 2006, 09:44 AM)
...Bye-bye Bobby!! A-Reed-adeci Ralphy!!
As you may know by now, [Bye-bye] Bob[by] Ney simply plead guilty. I guess the evidence was overwhelming. And while it has been nice to see Ney convicted, Delay indicted and Ralph Reed embarassed, I can't help but feel greedy. Surely Abramoff can bring down others! Right? Right, indeed!!
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/001539.php
From the article:
It hasn't gotten much attention, but Bob Ney's guilty plea released today contained dirt on at least one other politician.
In the document, Ney fessed up to lobbying Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), then a Bush cabinet official, on behalf of an Abramoff client. The official's department later acted favorably toward Abramoff's client, according to news accounts.
Ney admitted to arranging a January, 2003 meeting with Mel Martinez, then Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, to "[advance] the interests of Abramoff's Native American Indian Tribal clients."
Ney told Martinez that his "number one priority as the newly installed Chairman of the Housing Subcommittee was Native American Indian Tribal housing," according to the plea.
Martinez has said he can't recall the meeting.
But here's Martinez's problem. He's said that he never met wtih Abramoff while heading HUD; but clearly Ney was acting as a kind of lobbyist for Abramoff, who was trying to win HUD funds for his Indian clients.
And he got plenty. According to The Miami Herald, Abramoff's client The Saginaw Chippewa, for whom Abramoff was working hard to win HUD money, was awarded about $4 million from 2002 to 2004.
Martinez was richly rewarded. Just two months after he left HUD in order to make a run for the Senate in early 2004, his campaign netted $250,000 from a fundraiser co-chaired by Abramoff.
So it seems that it's time for another round of denials from Martinez that he gave Abramoff any special treatment.
My comment:
To paraphrase (and slightly alter) former Presidential-candidate Ross Perot's famouse quote -- the giant sucking sound is Republicans going to jail!!
Is Abramoff the gift that keeps on giving or what?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...nav=hcmoduletmv
From the article:
Five conservative nonprofit organizations, including one run by prominent Republican Grover Norquist, "perpetrated a fraud" on taxpayers by selling their clout to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Senate investigators said in a report issued today.
The report includes previously unreleased e-mails between the now-disgraced lobbyist and officers of the nonprofit groups, showing that Abramoff routed money from his clients to the groups. In exchange the groups, among other things, produced ostensibly independent newspaper op-ed columns or press releases that favored the clients' positions.
My comment:
That Gorver Norquist is a real piece of work. I'm gonna enjoy watching him go down!!
From the article:
Officers of the groups "were generally available to carry out Mr. Abramoff's requests for help with his clients in exchange for cash payments," said the report, issued by the Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee after a one-year investigation.
Abramoff has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy and is cooperating with federal investigators in the ongoing influence-peddling probe that has resulted in seven guilty pleas and convictions.
The report states that the groups probably violated their tax-exempt status "by laundering payments and then disbursing funds at Mr. Abramoff's direction; taking payments in exchange or writing newspaper columns or press releases that put Mr. Abramoff's clients in a favorable light; introducing Mr. Abramoff's clients to government officials in exchange for payment; and agreeing to act as a front organization for congressional trips paid for by Mr. Abramoff's clients."
My comment:
This is probably the point I should remind you of what those congressional trips were about from an earlier posting I made on this thread:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...nav=hcmoduletmv
From the article:
Five conservative nonprofit organizations, including one run by prominent Republican Grover Norquist, "perpetrated a fraud" on taxpayers by selling their clout to lobbyist Jack Abramoff, Senate investigators said in a report issued today.
The report includes previously unreleased e-mails between the now-disgraced lobbyist and officers of the nonprofit groups, showing that Abramoff routed money from his clients to the groups. In exchange the groups, among other things, produced ostensibly independent newspaper op-ed columns or press releases that favored the clients' positions.
My comment:
That Gorver Norquist is a real piece of work. I'm gonna enjoy watching him go down!!
From the article:
Officers of the groups "were generally available to carry out Mr. Abramoff's requests for help with his clients in exchange for cash payments," said the report, issued by the Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee after a one-year investigation.
Abramoff has pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy and is cooperating with federal investigators in the ongoing influence-peddling probe that has resulted in seven guilty pleas and convictions.
The report states that the groups probably violated their tax-exempt status "by laundering payments and then disbursing funds at Mr. Abramoff's direction; taking payments in exchange or writing newspaper columns or press releases that put Mr. Abramoff's clients in a favorable light; introducing Mr. Abramoff's clients to government officials in exchange for payment; and agreeing to act as a front organization for congressional trips paid for by Mr. Abramoff's clients."
My comment:
This is probably the point I should remind you of what those congressional trips were about from an earlier posting I made on this thread:
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Investigation/st...d=647725&page=1
From this article...
A Washington lobbyist under federal investigation for his lobbying activities arranged a lavish overseas trip to the island of Saipan for House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, over the New Year's holiday in 1997.
DeLay, his wife and daughter, and several aides, stayed for free at a beachfront resort.
The DeLay trip to the South Pacific island, originally reported by a "20/20" investigation, was part of an effort by former aide Jack Abramoff to stop legislation aimed at cracking down on sweatshops and sex shops in the American territory, which is known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands...
"You represent everything that is good about what we are trying to do in America," DeLay said at the time to his audience, which included Saipan officials and factory owners.
My comment...
See the tie-ins everybody? But really, how bad could the working conditions on the Marianas really be? Well, you can check it out here:
http://www.salon.com/news/1999/02/04news.html
From that article...
Wages in the factories average about $3 per hour -- more than $2 less than the U.S. minimum wage of $5.15. No overtime is paid for a 70-hour work week...
[S]ome 31,000 textile workers live penned up like cattle by armed soldiers and barbed wire, and squeezed head to toe into filthy sleeping barracks, all of which was documented on film by U.S. investigators last year...
The unhappy workers cannot just walk away, either: Like Appalachian coal miners a generation ago, they owe their souls to the company store, starting with factory recruiters, who charge Chinese peasants as much as $4,000 to get them out of China and into a "good job" in "America." Their low salaries make it nearly impossible to buy back their freedom. And so they stay. The small print in their contracts forbids sex, drinking -- and dissent...
My comment...
Oh, and did I forget to mention:
http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/sw.../abc040100.html
From that article...
Pregnant garment workers on Saipan are forced to have abortions to keep their jobs.
My comment...
Do you think that Delay might just be thinking, "See if they had stuck to the rules forbidding sex, they wouldn't be in that position of being pregnant and would have to have an abortion. It's there own fault!!"
Yeah I thought so!!
One of the sleazy Republican slimeballs in the Abramoff mess gets sentenced.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061027/D8L14FS00.html
From the article:
Former Bush administration official David Safavian wept as he asked for leniency in his obstruction of justice case Friday, telling a judge that his lobbyist friend Jack Abramoff manipulated him and drew him into the scandal.
Safavian, who was convicted in June of lying to investigators about his relationship with the lobbyist while Safavian was chief of staff in the General Services Administration. He helped provided Abramoff with details about GSA projects and offered advice on dealing with the agency.
At sentencing Friday, Safavian apologized for giving the appearance of impropriety but said it was not fraudulent.
"Yes, Jack Abramoff was a friend but he wasn't my coconspirator and I wasn't his," Safavian said. "There was no conspiracy to defraud anyone, least of all the taxpayers."
My comment:
Even when caught red-handed these Republicans try to pass the blame. Fortunately the judge sees right through it.
From the article:
Safavian didn't say, however, what U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman wanted to hear. Early in the hearing, Friedman told defense attorneys he was leaning toward a sentence of 15-21 months in prison and was not convinced Safavian had accepted responsibility for his crimes.
"Get up here and tell me, 'I agree I concealed. I agree I obstructed justice,'" Friedman said earlier in the day. "I don't believe he's done that."
Friedman said he would issue a sentence after court returned from lunch at 1:45 p.m.
My comment:
It looks like he got 18 months. Not nearly enough in my opinion, but it is a step toward the eleimination of corruption in the Republican party.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20061027/D8L14FS00.html
From the article:
Former Bush administration official David Safavian wept as he asked for leniency in his obstruction of justice case Friday, telling a judge that his lobbyist friend Jack Abramoff manipulated him and drew him into the scandal.
Safavian, who was convicted in June of lying to investigators about his relationship with the lobbyist while Safavian was chief of staff in the General Services Administration. He helped provided Abramoff with details about GSA projects and offered advice on dealing with the agency.
At sentencing Friday, Safavian apologized for giving the appearance of impropriety but said it was not fraudulent.
"Yes, Jack Abramoff was a friend but he wasn't my coconspirator and I wasn't his," Safavian said. "There was no conspiracy to defraud anyone, least of all the taxpayers."
My comment:
Even when caught red-handed these Republicans try to pass the blame. Fortunately the judge sees right through it.
From the article:
Safavian didn't say, however, what U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman wanted to hear. Early in the hearing, Friedman told defense attorneys he was leaning toward a sentence of 15-21 months in prison and was not convinced Safavian had accepted responsibility for his crimes.
"Get up here and tell me, 'I agree I concealed. I agree I obstructed justice,'" Friedman said earlier in the day. "I don't believe he's done that."
Friedman said he would issue a sentence after court returned from lunch at 1:45 p.m.
My comment:
It looks like he got 18 months. Not nearly enough in my opinion, but it is a step toward the eleimination of corruption in the Republican party.
Let's not forget Conrad (Montgomery) Burns. He and Jack were good buddies too...
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/20...50-abramoff.txt
From the article:
A Republican media consultant and friend of indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff recently wrote a letter to a Montana newspaper saying Burns' staff ate so many free meals at Abramoff's restaurant, people joked they would have "starved to death" without the lobbyist.
"Frankly, it was widely viewed in D.C. that Mr. Abramoff effectively exerted implicit control over Mr. Burns whenever he and his team needed to get something accomplished," reads the letter, which was sent to the Whitefish Pilot last week.
My comment:
Amazing what a little food will do. The way to a Senator's vote is through his stomache.
From the article:
The author, Monty Warner, a GOP media consultant, told the Gazette State Bureau last week that he came across an article in the Pilot recently in which Burns is quoted as saying he only got $5,000 from Abramoff. That, combined with Burns' other statements in which he says he hardly knew Abramoff and, at one point, he wished Abramoff had never been born, compelled him to write the letter, Warner said.
Abramoff, a former Republican lobbyist, pleaded guilty in January to charges relating to fraud, public corruption and conspiring to bribe public officials. He is at the center of a U.S. Justice Department investigation involving lobbying and its abuses, a scandal that has already claimed an Ohio congressman.
"The Abramoff staff had certain targets and certain people that they worked with and Burns' staff was one that was readily available," Warner said. "I understand (Burns) is in a campaign and I am a Republican, but the nastiness and the manner in which he's gone about trashing my friend is repugnant. I could care less if (Burns) gets elected or not."
My comment:
I love watching Republicans eat their own.
From the article:
In his letter, Warner said Abramoff "went out of his way to be accommodating and supportive of Mr. Burns.
"Mr. Burns gladly and readily welcomed Mr. Abramoff's support in this regard and it was clear he often encouraged it," Warner's letter reads.
Burns has consistently maintained there is nothing to insinuations that the senator is part of the Justice investigation into Abramoff and his lobbying abuses. He has said he didn't know Abramoff well.
Several national papers have reported that Burns is part of the investigation, citing anonymous sources. Burns has hired a criminal defense attorney and has paid him $90,000 since April, the political journal Roll Call reported last week.
My comment:
That's why you hire a criminal defense attorney and pay him $90,000 -- because you're NOT involved in an investigation.
From the article:
Burns received $150,000 from Abramoff, his tribal clients and associates - more than any other lawmaker, records show. Burns gave away the money after the Abramoff scandal broke.
Warner said he is a friend of Abramoff's, but said the former lobbyist did do wrong. He said he is disturbed by Burns' consistent portrayal that Abramoff and his staff were far removed from Burns and his Senate employees.
"To sit there and rewrite the entire context of what occurred," Warren said. "How is it that you received the money you received and the favors you received? He's just not being honest."
Warner's letter said he wasn't personally close to Burns' staff.
"I just know who they were and that they were constantly in his restaurant," he said.
My comment:
Eating free meals. Don't forget the eating free meals part.
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/20...50-abramoff.txt
From the article:
A Republican media consultant and friend of indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff recently wrote a letter to a Montana newspaper saying Burns' staff ate so many free meals at Abramoff's restaurant, people joked they would have "starved to death" without the lobbyist.
"Frankly, it was widely viewed in D.C. that Mr. Abramoff effectively exerted implicit control over Mr. Burns whenever he and his team needed to get something accomplished," reads the letter, which was sent to the Whitefish Pilot last week.
My comment:
Amazing what a little food will do. The way to a Senator's vote is through his stomache.
From the article:
The author, Monty Warner, a GOP media consultant, told the Gazette State Bureau last week that he came across an article in the Pilot recently in which Burns is quoted as saying he only got $5,000 from Abramoff. That, combined with Burns' other statements in which he says he hardly knew Abramoff and, at one point, he wished Abramoff had never been born, compelled him to write the letter, Warner said.
Abramoff, a former Republican lobbyist, pleaded guilty in January to charges relating to fraud, public corruption and conspiring to bribe public officials. He is at the center of a U.S. Justice Department investigation involving lobbying and its abuses, a scandal that has already claimed an Ohio congressman.
"The Abramoff staff had certain targets and certain people that they worked with and Burns' staff was one that was readily available," Warner said. "I understand (Burns) is in a campaign and I am a Republican, but the nastiness and the manner in which he's gone about trashing my friend is repugnant. I could care less if (Burns) gets elected or not."
My comment:
I love watching Republicans eat their own.
From the article:
In his letter, Warner said Abramoff "went out of his way to be accommodating and supportive of Mr. Burns.
"Mr. Burns gladly and readily welcomed Mr. Abramoff's support in this regard and it was clear he often encouraged it," Warner's letter reads.
Burns has consistently maintained there is nothing to insinuations that the senator is part of the Justice investigation into Abramoff and his lobbying abuses. He has said he didn't know Abramoff well.
Several national papers have reported that Burns is part of the investigation, citing anonymous sources. Burns has hired a criminal defense attorney and has paid him $90,000 since April, the political journal Roll Call reported last week.
My comment:
That's why you hire a criminal defense attorney and pay him $90,000 -- because you're NOT involved in an investigation.
From the article:
Burns received $150,000 from Abramoff, his tribal clients and associates - more than any other lawmaker, records show. Burns gave away the money after the Abramoff scandal broke.
Warner said he is a friend of Abramoff's, but said the former lobbyist did do wrong. He said he is disturbed by Burns' consistent portrayal that Abramoff and his staff were far removed from Burns and his Senate employees.
"To sit there and rewrite the entire context of what occurred," Warren said. "How is it that you received the money you received and the favors you received? He's just not being honest."
Warner's letter said he wasn't personally close to Burns' staff.
"I just know who they were and that they were constantly in his restaurant," he said.
My comment:
Eating free meals. Don't forget the eating free meals part.
This is really funny. Tom DeLay created a blog. He allowed readers to comment. Seventy-five minutes later he took it down. Why you ask? Well it seems one enterprising blogger captured it before Tom took it down. I think you will see why it was taken down immediately.
http://www.tomdelaydotcom.blogspot.com/
http://www.tomdelaydotcom.blogspot.com/
More on Abramoff...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7010300778.html
From the article:
Rep. Tom Feeney has agreed to pay the costs of a 2003 trip to Scotland that apparently was paid for by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, leaders of the House ethics committee leaders announced Wednesday.
My comment:
Bet you can't guess whether this ethically-challenged lawmaker is a Republican or Democrat.
From the article:
Feeney, R-Fla., contacted the committee in March 2005, after news reports said the trip was financed by Abramoff, not the sponsor that the lawmaker reported on a public disclosure form. The media reports also said the trip was mainly recreational.
My comment:
Okay maybe that was too easy.
From the article:
In a separate announcement, Hastings and Berman announced that defeated Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., agreed to pay donors of a 2003 trip more than $23,000 for violating the House's gift rule.
My comment:
Surprised?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7010300778.html
From the article:
Rep. Tom Feeney has agreed to pay the costs of a 2003 trip to Scotland that apparently was paid for by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, leaders of the House ethics committee leaders announced Wednesday.
My comment:
Bet you can't guess whether this ethically-challenged lawmaker is a Republican or Democrat.
From the article:
Feeney, R-Fla., contacted the committee in March 2005, after news reports said the trip was financed by Abramoff, not the sponsor that the lawmaker reported on a public disclosure form. The media reports also said the trip was mainly recreational.
My comment:
Okay maybe that was too easy.
From the article:
In a separate announcement, Hastings and Berman announced that defeated Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., agreed to pay donors of a 2003 trip more than $23,000 for violating the House's gift rule.
My comment:
Surprised?
This will probably come as a great suprise, but another Republican is corrupt...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7011801758.html
From the article:
The chief of the U.S. General Services Administration attempted to give a no-bid contract to a company founded and operated by a longtime friend, sidestepping federal laws and regulations, according to interviews and documents obtained by The Washington Post.
Administrator Lurita Alexis Doan, a former government contractor appointed by President Bush, personally signed the deal to pay a division of her friend's public relations firm $20,000 for a 24-page report promoting the GSA's use of minority- and woman-owned businesses, the documents show.
My comment:
Wow, that's $833.33 a page. Pretty good work if you can get it.
From the article:
The contract was terminated last summer after GSA lawyers and other agency officials pointed out possible procurement violations, including the failure to adequately justify the no-bid deal or have it reviewed in advance by trained procurement officers, officials said.
The GSA's Office of Inspector General has launched an investigation into the episode and briefed Justice Department lawyers, according to sources who said they were not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation. Officials at the inspector general's office and the Justice Department declined to comment.
In an interview Wednesday, Doan said she believed she was following proper procedures to hire the best firm available to quickly produce a report on diversity practices.
"I made a mistake," Doan said. "I thought I was moving this along. I was immediately informed that I wasn't necessarily moving it along in the way that was best for it. So at which point they canceled it, life went on, no money exchanged hands, no contract exchanged hands.
"I'm stunned, absolutely stunned by the amount of legs that this has taken, you know, how this has like kind of jumped up and run away with things."
My comment:
The reason this story has legs? I'm gonna take a wild guess -- the public has this funny thing about corruption, they don't seem to like it.
From the article:
The friend, public relations executive Edie Fraser, declined to comment.
"I can't," Fraser said. "I just admire her immensely."
My comment:
What she was thinking when she said that -- "I can't," Fraser said. "I just admire her ability to give me the taxpayers money immensely."
From the article:
Since assuming the helm of the GSA in May, Doan has repeatedly clashed with others within the agency over her intervention in matters that previous administrators delegated to subordinates, in part to avoid the appearance of political influence. The GSA is the largest broker of goods and services for the federal government, managing nearly $56 billion worth of contracts a year.
Last month, a dispute between Doan and her own inspector general's office became public when The Post reported that she had proposed curtailing the office's contract audits and had compared its enforcement efforts to "terrorism." Doan said she was interested in cutting wasteful spending by the agency and denied making the comparison.
My comment:
What a perfect example of my "CEO Shitback" theory. When the person at the helm shits on all their subordinates, they will eventually find themselves covered in that very same shit.
So, you are probably asking, where is the Abramoff tie-in?
From the article:
Last spring, the Bush administration asked Doan to take over the GSA, which had been shaken by scandal after lobbyist Jack Abramoff tried to obtain properties under GSA control. Abramoff took then-GSA chief of staff David H. Safavian and others on an all-expenses-paid golf trip to Scotland, and Safavian provided Abramoff with inside information about the properties. Both men have been convicted.
My comment:
It sure didn't take her long to see how things are done in a Republican Administration, did it?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7011801758.html
From the article:
The chief of the U.S. General Services Administration attempted to give a no-bid contract to a company founded and operated by a longtime friend, sidestepping federal laws and regulations, according to interviews and documents obtained by The Washington Post.
Administrator Lurita Alexis Doan, a former government contractor appointed by President Bush, personally signed the deal to pay a division of her friend's public relations firm $20,000 for a 24-page report promoting the GSA's use of minority- and woman-owned businesses, the documents show.
My comment:
Wow, that's $833.33 a page. Pretty good work if you can get it.
From the article:
The contract was terminated last summer after GSA lawyers and other agency officials pointed out possible procurement violations, including the failure to adequately justify the no-bid deal or have it reviewed in advance by trained procurement officers, officials said.
The GSA's Office of Inspector General has launched an investigation into the episode and briefed Justice Department lawyers, according to sources who said they were not authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing investigation. Officials at the inspector general's office and the Justice Department declined to comment.
In an interview Wednesday, Doan said she believed she was following proper procedures to hire the best firm available to quickly produce a report on diversity practices.
"I made a mistake," Doan said. "I thought I was moving this along. I was immediately informed that I wasn't necessarily moving it along in the way that was best for it. So at which point they canceled it, life went on, no money exchanged hands, no contract exchanged hands.
"I'm stunned, absolutely stunned by the amount of legs that this has taken, you know, how this has like kind of jumped up and run away with things."
My comment:
The reason this story has legs? I'm gonna take a wild guess -- the public has this funny thing about corruption, they don't seem to like it.
From the article:
The friend, public relations executive Edie Fraser, declined to comment.
"I can't," Fraser said. "I just admire her immensely."
My comment:
What she was thinking when she said that -- "I can't," Fraser said. "I just admire her ability to give me the taxpayers money immensely."
From the article:
Since assuming the helm of the GSA in May, Doan has repeatedly clashed with others within the agency over her intervention in matters that previous administrators delegated to subordinates, in part to avoid the appearance of political influence. The GSA is the largest broker of goods and services for the federal government, managing nearly $56 billion worth of contracts a year.
Last month, a dispute between Doan and her own inspector general's office became public when The Post reported that she had proposed curtailing the office's contract audits and had compared its enforcement efforts to "terrorism." Doan said she was interested in cutting wasteful spending by the agency and denied making the comparison.
My comment:
What a perfect example of my "CEO Shitback" theory. When the person at the helm shits on all their subordinates, they will eventually find themselves covered in that very same shit.
So, you are probably asking, where is the Abramoff tie-in?
From the article:
Last spring, the Bush administration asked Doan to take over the GSA, which had been shaken by scandal after lobbyist Jack Abramoff tried to obtain properties under GSA control. Abramoff took then-GSA chief of staff David H. Safavian and others on an all-expenses-paid golf trip to Scotland, and Safavian provided Abramoff with inside information about the properties. Both men have been convicted.
My comment:
It sure didn't take her long to see how things are done in a Republican Administration, did it?
I really should start a thread on Republican Corruption, but until then, this one will have to do. This one is not Abramoff-related, but it is almost identical.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7021501487.html
Nah, that's not at all incriminating! And, there is more to this case including the classification of some evidence in the interest of national security and the scandal over fired US Attorneys. Wow!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7021501487.html
QUOTE
The FBI is investigating whether Nevada's governor failed to report gifts from a military contractor that he received while serving in Congress, law enforcement officials said yesterday.
Investigators are also examining whether Jim Gibbons, a Republican, performed any official acts on behalf of the contractor in exchange for gifts or payments, according to the officials...
Reporting yesterday on the investigation, the Wall Street Journal published a series of alleged e-mail exchanges about Gibbons's dealings with Warren Trepp, the software entrepreneur whose company won millions of dollars' worth of classified military contracts during the time Gibbons served in Congress.
Among the dozens of e-mails is one allegedly sent days before Trepp and his wife prepared to set sail on a Caribbean cruise with Gibbons and his wife. In it, Trepp's wife allegedly wrote to her husband: "Please don't forget to bring the money you promised Jim and Dawn." Trepp's reply, according to the Journal report, was: "Don't you ever send this kind of message to me! Erase this message from your computer right now!"
Investigators are also examining whether Jim Gibbons, a Republican, performed any official acts on behalf of the contractor in exchange for gifts or payments, according to the officials...
Reporting yesterday on the investigation, the Wall Street Journal published a series of alleged e-mail exchanges about Gibbons's dealings with Warren Trepp, the software entrepreneur whose company won millions of dollars' worth of classified military contracts during the time Gibbons served in Congress.
Among the dozens of e-mails is one allegedly sent days before Trepp and his wife prepared to set sail on a Caribbean cruise with Gibbons and his wife. In it, Trepp's wife allegedly wrote to her husband: "Please don't forget to bring the money you promised Jim and Dawn." Trepp's reply, according to the Journal report, was: "Don't you ever send this kind of message to me! Erase this message from your computer right now!"
Nah, that's not at all incriminating! And, there is more to this case including the classification of some evidence in the interest of national security and the scandal over fired US Attorneys. Wow!!
QUOTE(LeftintheUS @ Sep 18 2006, 10:03 AM)
As you may know by now, [Bye-bye] Bob[by] Ney simply plead guilty. I guess the evidence was overwhelming.
And tomorow.
QUOTE
Former Congressman Bob Ney has until Thursday afternoon to report to the Federal Correction Institution in Morgantown, W.Va.
An order filed Feb. 7 by Ellen Segal Huvelle, U.S. district judge for the District of Columbia, states that Ney is to surrender himself by reporting to FCI Morgantown by 2 p.m. Thursday.
Ney, R-Ohio, is being permitted by the court to self-report to the facility, where he will begin serving a 30-month sentence for corruption charges relating to his relationship with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
An order filed Feb. 7 by Ellen Segal Huvelle, U.S. district judge for the District of Columbia, states that Ney is to surrender himself by reporting to FCI Morgantown by 2 p.m. Thursday.
Ney, R-Ohio, is being permitted by the court to self-report to the facility, where he will begin serving a 30-month sentence for corruption charges relating to his relationship with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
What's that smell? It's the sweet smell of Republican corruption getting its cumuppance.
I had to go back a little and re-read my posts to make sure I don't say the identical thing I said above. The stories are all similar, the only thing that seems to change is the name of the corrupt Republican.
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003024.php
It looks like Doolittle's days are numbered. As an aside, and I am not making this up, in 1998, two members of Congress sponsored a bill on campaign finance reform (essentially an ethics measure), it was opposed by Tom Delay and John Doolittle, who in turn sponsored an amendment to kill this ethics bill, their amendment against the bill was appropriately called the Delay and Doolittle Amendment.
Abramoff is truly the gift that keeps on giving (I probably used that line somewhere above)!!
http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/003024.php
QUOTE
It's a bad, bad sign when a subject of the Jack Abramoff investigation suddenly and without explanation resigns from his job. And that's what Kevin Ring did Friday, according to The Politico.
Ring, who worked as a lobbyist with Abramoff from 2000 until Abramoff was forced to close up shop in 2004, has come up again and again over the course of the Abramoff investigation. But he had a singular and important role in Abramoff's organization -- he was Abramoff's access to Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), for whom Ring had been a senior staffer. Whenever Abramoff wanted Doolittle's help with anything -- and that happened often --, Ring was the man.
Ring, who worked as a lobbyist with Abramoff from 2000 until Abramoff was forced to close up shop in 2004, has come up again and again over the course of the Abramoff investigation. But he had a singular and important role in Abramoff's organization -- he was Abramoff's access to Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA), for whom Ring had been a senior staffer. Whenever Abramoff wanted Doolittle's help with anything -- and that happened often --, Ring was the man.
It looks like Doolittle's days are numbered. As an aside, and I am not making this up, in 1998, two members of Congress sponsored a bill on campaign finance reform (essentially an ethics measure), it was opposed by Tom Delay and John Doolittle, who in turn sponsored an amendment to kill this ethics bill, their amendment against the bill was appropriately called the Delay and Doolittle Amendment.
Abramoff is truly the gift that keeps on giving (I probably used that line somewhere above)!!
Another day, another Republican caught up in the Abramoff scandal...
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/23/Worldand..._Feeney_a.shtml
Let's hope it results in more than a pain in the pocketbook.
That's some pretty fine company to be keeping.
Ah yes, Doolittle, how could I forget.
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/23/Worldand..._Feeney_a.shtml
QUOTE
The FBI has asked U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney for information about his dealings with Jack Abramoff as part of its ongoing investigation into the lobbyist convicted of defrauding clients.
FBI agent Kevin Luebke refused to say whether Feeney, a Republican from the Orlando area, is under federal investigation...
"Rep. Feeney considers this an embarrassing episode in his 17-year career as an elected official and an expensive lesson for him as a public servant," according to the statement.
FBI agent Kevin Luebke refused to say whether Feeney, a Republican from the Orlando area, is under federal investigation...
"Rep. Feeney considers this an embarrassing episode in his 17-year career as an elected official and an expensive lesson for him as a public servant," according to the statement.
Let's hope it results in more than a pain in the pocketbook.
QUOTE
Feeney is one of three House members who accompanied Abramoff to Scotland on trips that included rounds of golf at the legendary Royal & Ancient Golf Club at St. Andrews.
The others are: former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, who is serving prison time for corruption, and former House Republican leader Tom DeLay, indicted in Texas for alleged improper fundraising, is under investigation.
The others are: former Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, who is serving prison time for corruption, and former House Republican leader Tom DeLay, indicted in Texas for alleged improper fundraising, is under investigation.
That's some pretty fine company to be keeping.
QUOTE
The FBI contacted the Times last week to ask for the February 2006 email that Feeney's then chief of staff Jason Roe wrote to the newspaper in response to a series of questions about interactions between Feeney and Abramoff. The Times has referred the FBI's request to its attorney...
The U.S. House announced in January that Feeney violated its rules by apparently letting Abramoff pay for the trip to Scotland. Feeney agreed to pay the cost of the trip - $5,643 - to the U.S. Treasury...
"Any assertion that this office knew Abramoff paid for the Scotland trip is a g--d----- lie," Roe wrote in the email being sought by the FBI. The email was quoted in a newspaper article last year.
Records and media reports show lawmakers - including Ney and DeLay - have helped Abramoff with his lobbying.
Last week, Rep. John Doolittle, R--Calif., gave up his coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee after the FBI raided his home.
The U.S. House announced in January that Feeney violated its rules by apparently letting Abramoff pay for the trip to Scotland. Feeney agreed to pay the cost of the trip - $5,643 - to the U.S. Treasury...
"Any assertion that this office knew Abramoff paid for the Scotland trip is a g--d----- lie," Roe wrote in the email being sought by the FBI. The email was quoted in a newspaper article last year.
Records and media reports show lawmakers - including Ney and DeLay - have helped Abramoff with his lobbying.
Last week, Rep. John Doolittle, R--Calif., gave up his coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee after the FBI raided his home.
Ah yes, Doolittle, how could I forget.
Another Abramoff related development. This is the a letter from Henry Waxman head of the House Oversight Committee to Whitehouse counsel Fred Fielding questioning the Whitehouse's decision to withhold Abramoff-related documents from the Oversight Committee.
http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071031105022.pdf
So why haven't we heard?
http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071031105022.pdf
QUOTE
Dear Mr. Fielding:
The White House is withholding hundreds of pages of documents about the activities of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on the grounds that these documents involve internal White House deliberations. Unless the President is prepared to assert executive privilege over these documents, they should be turned over to the Oversight Committee without further delay.
When Mr. Abramoff pleaded guilty to corruption charges in January 2006, White House officials stated emphatically that Mr. Abramoff was a virtual stranger to the White House. President Bush said, “I don’t know him.” White House spokesman Scott McClellan asserted that “there were only a couple of holiday receptions that he attended, then a few staff-level meetings on top of that.” Through a spokesperson, Karl Rove, then Senior Advisor to the President, said, “Mr. Rove remembers they had met at a political event in the 1990s. … Since then, he would describe him as a casual acquaintance.” Ken Mehlman, the former Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs, said: “Well, Abramoff is someone who we don’t know a lot about. … We know what we read in the paper.”
The Committee’s subsequent review of thousands of documents obtained from Mr. Abramoff’s former firm, Greenberg Traurig, raised questions about these White House statements. According to the Greenberg Traurig documents, which were summarized in a bipartisan staff report released last year, Mr. Abramoff and his associates had hundreds of lobbying contacts with White House officials, billed clients more than $24,000 for meals and drinks with White House officials, and provided White House officials with high-priced tickets to sporting and entertainment events. The documents also described a series of actions by White House officials that benefited Mr. Abramoff and his clients, as well as requests from Mr. Abramoff that White House officials did not act upon.
In response to the Committee’s bipartisan staff report, the White House emphasized that the report was based solely on Mr. Abramoff’s own records. White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters that it is “very difficult within the report itself to figure out how many actual contacts there are” and that “there’s a great deal of bewilderment about what’s true and what’s false.” At the same time the White House promised full public accountability. Mr. Snow stated that the White House is “going to take a serious look at” the findings of the report, telling reporters, “we want to find out what the truth is.” When asked by a reporter if he would let the public know “the full results of that review once you have it,” he stated clearly, “you will know what the results are.”
The White House is withholding hundreds of pages of documents about the activities of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on the grounds that these documents involve internal White House deliberations. Unless the President is prepared to assert executive privilege over these documents, they should be turned over to the Oversight Committee without further delay.
When Mr. Abramoff pleaded guilty to corruption charges in January 2006, White House officials stated emphatically that Mr. Abramoff was a virtual stranger to the White House. President Bush said, “I don’t know him.” White House spokesman Scott McClellan asserted that “there were only a couple of holiday receptions that he attended, then a few staff-level meetings on top of that.” Through a spokesperson, Karl Rove, then Senior Advisor to the President, said, “Mr. Rove remembers they had met at a political event in the 1990s. … Since then, he would describe him as a casual acquaintance.” Ken Mehlman, the former Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs, said: “Well, Abramoff is someone who we don’t know a lot about. … We know what we read in the paper.”
The Committee’s subsequent review of thousands of documents obtained from Mr. Abramoff’s former firm, Greenberg Traurig, raised questions about these White House statements. According to the Greenberg Traurig documents, which were summarized in a bipartisan staff report released last year, Mr. Abramoff and his associates had hundreds of lobbying contacts with White House officials, billed clients more than $24,000 for meals and drinks with White House officials, and provided White House officials with high-priced tickets to sporting and entertainment events. The documents also described a series of actions by White House officials that benefited Mr. Abramoff and his clients, as well as requests from Mr. Abramoff that White House officials did not act upon.
In response to the Committee’s bipartisan staff report, the White House emphasized that the report was based solely on Mr. Abramoff’s own records. White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters that it is “very difficult within the report itself to figure out how many actual contacts there are” and that “there’s a great deal of bewilderment about what’s true and what’s false.” At the same time the White House promised full public accountability. Mr. Snow stated that the White House is “going to take a serious look at” the findings of the report, telling reporters, “we want to find out what the truth is.” When asked by a reporter if he would let the public know “the full results of that review once you have it,” he stated clearly, “you will know what the results are.”
So why haven't we heard?
Oh man, this is fucking brilliant!!
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/...cs/5467649.html
How did you just know this guy was a Republican? You might also wonder why I put this in this thread. Nick Lampson currently holds the seat that Tom Delay once held. Looks like we are in for more of the same if Lampson loses...
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/...cs/5467649.html
QUOTE
Some politicians talk about cutting the fat, but this one was serious.
Congressional candidate Dean Hrbacek appears slimmer than usual in a new campaign brochure because a photo of his head was affixed to the image of a different body.
While the mailer sent to voters this week by the former Sugar Land mayor says "Dean's record speaks for itself," his physique clearly does not.
The picture, presented as a true image of the candidate, is a computerized composite of Hrbacek's face and someone else's slimmer figure, in suit and tie, from neck to kneecaps.
Hrbacek, a tax lawyer and accountant, did not immediately return a call placed to his campaign headquarters Friday by The Associated Press. He's among 10 Republicans seeking the nomination to run against U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Stafford.
Congressional candidate Dean Hrbacek appears slimmer than usual in a new campaign brochure because a photo of his head was affixed to the image of a different body.
While the mailer sent to voters this week by the former Sugar Land mayor says "Dean's record speaks for itself," his physique clearly does not.
The picture, presented as a true image of the candidate, is a computerized composite of Hrbacek's face and someone else's slimmer figure, in suit and tie, from neck to kneecaps.
Hrbacek, a tax lawyer and accountant, did not immediately return a call placed to his campaign headquarters Friday by The Associated Press. He's among 10 Republicans seeking the nomination to run against U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Stafford.
How did you just know this guy was a Republican? You might also wonder why I put this in this thread. Nick Lampson currently holds the seat that Tom Delay once held. Looks like we are in for more of the same if Lampson loses...
Yeah, yeah at 41 out of the 46 posts in this thread I should probably try to get it through my thick skull that no one else is interested, but, this is too good.
http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_8872607
Ah yes, Abramoff rears his ugly scandal-ridden head once again!! The newspaper goes on to remind us of what the Mariana Islands are really about.
Nothing says traditional values like forced abortion!!
http://www.denverpost.com/newsheadlines/ci_8872607
QUOTE
Just before boarding a plane to the Mariana Islands in 1999, then-Congressman Bob Schaffer announced he was embarking on a fact-finding mission to get to the bottom of repeated allegations of labor abuse in the American protectorate.
"I plan to walk right into those factories and living quarters to see for myself what conditions exist," Schaffer said in a news release in August of that year.
What he didn't say was that the trip was partly arranged by the firm of now-
jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who represented textile factory owners fighting congressional efforts to reform labor and immigration laws on the islands and who was being handsomely paid to keep the islands' cherished exemptions.
Schaffer and his wife stayed for free at a palm-studded beach resort and, besides factories, also toured historical sites and met with clients of Preston-Gates, Abramoff's firm, according to a copy of the trip's agenda archived in Schaffer's congressional papers.
"I plan to walk right into those factories and living quarters to see for myself what conditions exist," Schaffer said in a news release in August of that year.
What he didn't say was that the trip was partly arranged by the firm of now-
jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who represented textile factory owners fighting congressional efforts to reform labor and immigration laws on the islands and who was being handsomely paid to keep the islands' cherished exemptions.
Schaffer and his wife stayed for free at a palm-studded beach resort and, besides factories, also toured historical sites and met with clients of Preston-Gates, Abramoff's firm, according to a copy of the trip's agenda archived in Schaffer's congressional papers.
Ah yes, Abramoff rears his ugly scandal-ridden head once again!! The newspaper goes on to remind us of what the Mariana Islands are really about.
QUOTE
At heart of the issue is the islands' massive textile industry, which is exempted from the U.S. minimum wage as well as most American immigration laws. The Northern Marianas economy is built on thousands of workers from China, the Philippines and Bangladesh, some of whom pay labor recruiters as much as $7,000 to land a job on U.S. soil.
A class-action lawsuit filed the year Schaffer toured the islands alleged that many of those workers lived in slum conditions, housed seven to a room in barracks surrounded by barbed wire designed to keep the workers in. Workers in some factories labored 12 hours a day, seven days a week, the suit alleged — without pay if they fell behind set quotas.
A U.S. Interior Department investigation found that pregnant workers were forced to get illegal abortions or lose their jobs. Some were recruited for factories but forced into the sex trade instead.
The islands' factories were cited by the U.S. Department of Labor more than 1,000 times for safety violations in the late 1990s...
Schaffer's $13,000 trip was paid for by the Orange County, Calif.-based Traditional Values Coalition...
A class-action lawsuit filed the year Schaffer toured the islands alleged that many of those workers lived in slum conditions, housed seven to a room in barracks surrounded by barbed wire designed to keep the workers in. Workers in some factories labored 12 hours a day, seven days a week, the suit alleged — without pay if they fell behind set quotas.
A U.S. Interior Department investigation found that pregnant workers were forced to get illegal abortions or lose their jobs. Some were recruited for factories but forced into the sex trade instead.
The islands' factories were cited by the U.S. Department of Labor more than 1,000 times for safety violations in the late 1990s...
Schaffer's $13,000 trip was paid for by the Orange County, Calif.-based Traditional Values Coalition...
Nothing says traditional values like forced abortion!!
QUOTE(LeftintheUS @ Apr 10 2008, 02:59 PM)
Yeah, yeah at 41 out of the 46 posts in this thread I should probably try to get it through my thick skull that no one else is interested, but, this is too good.
I always read it. I guess you can't quite hear the eye-rolling and head-shaking out there.
Same here, Left.
You know by posting you are only encouraging me.
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